Blagoy Ivanov to Defend Heavyweight Crown in WSOF 35 Headliner

Tristen CritchfieldSep 22, 2016


Blagoy Ivanov will put his heavyweight championship on the line in the WSOF 35 headliner on Dec. 3 in Everett, Wash.

Promotion officials announced Thursday that Ivanov will face the winner of the WSOF 33 bout between Shawn Jordan and Ashley Gooch in the evening’s main event at the Xfinity Arena. Jordan vs. Gooch is set for Oct. 7 at the Municipal Auditorium Arena in Kanas City, Mo.

Additionally, the promotion announced that UFC veteran Jared Rosholt will make his debut against Caio Alencar in another featured bout at WSOF 35. The card will be televised on NBC Sports Network at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

Ivanov, 29, captured the heavyweight strap with a third-round TKO of Smealinho Rama at WSOF 21. The Bulgarian has since defended the belt twice with victories over Derrick Mehmen and Josh Copeland.

Rosholt was recently released by the UFC despite compiling a 6-2 record within the Las Vegas-based promotion. His last outing was a lackluster decision loss to Roy Nelson at UFC Fight Night “Hendricks vs. Thompson” on Feb. 6.

A native of Natal, Brazil, Alencar owns a 10-1 career mark while competing exclusively in his home nation. Nine of his triumphs have come inside the distance.