World Series of Fighting 34 Results: Play-by-Play & Round-by-Round Scoring

Matt Denning vs. Tom Marcellino

Round 1

Marcellino catches a kick and dumps his man to the canvas. Denning slides his way toward the cage with Marcellino working in full guard. Denning stands and Marcellino presses him into the fence while securing a standing arm-triangle choke. Marcellino briefly tries to pull guard but Denning remains on his feet. Marcellino maintains his grip on the standing choke, however. They finally separate and return to the center of the cage. Denning lands a pair of outside leg kicks. Marcellino lands a one-two followed by a leg kick. Denning has another kick caught and is taken down once more. Marcellino works from side control and hunts for a choke before Denning recovers full guard. Denning briefly gives up his back and eats a couple punches before recovering half guard. Suddenly, Marcellino sits back for a guillotine choke and Denning taps almost instantly.

The Official Result

Tom Marcellino def. Matt Denning via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 3:30

Andre Harrison vs. Bruce Boyington

Round 1

Harrison just misses on a high kick to begin the action. Boyington feints a spinning attack before landing a leg kick. Harrison connects with a two-punch combination and moves straight into a body lock. He takes Boyington down and goes to work from side control near the cage. Harrison lands a knee to the body. Boyington gives up his back and Harrison opens up with hard right hands. The former Titan FC titlist takes his opponents back, gets both hooks in, and leans back, tightening the choke. Boyington holds on for as long as he can but he eventually has no choice but to tap out.

The Official Result

Andre Harrison def. Bruce Boyington via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:54

Vagab Vagabov vs. Bruno Santos

Round 1

After about 45 seconds Vagabov probes with a jab and follows up with a pair of leg kicks. Santos connects with a hard outside leg kick to the side of Vagabov’s knee. Santos lands an inside low kick but is countered by a straight right hand. Vagabov is coming up just short on most of his punches thus far through the halfway point of the frame. The action remains tentative, with both fighters reluctant to engage. Vagabov checks a leg kick, but Santos follows up by landing two more to the outside of his foe’s lead leg. Vagabov goes to the body and the head with a combination, then lands another straight to the body as the horn sounds. 10-10.

Round 2

Vagabov lands a left hook followed by a straight right to the body. Santos misses on an overhand as Vagabov controls the range. Vagabov lands an outside leg kick and a right hand. Santos changes levels and powers Vagabov down near the fence. The Brazilian sets up in half guard as Vagabov attempts to control his posture. Santos alternates short right hands to the body and head as he tries to slide his left leg free to gain full mount. Santos passes into full mount with about 1:30 remaining. The UFC veteran stays busy with short punches to the head. Vagabov gives up his back but is able to shake Santos off from the rear-naked choke position as he stands. Vagabov tries a flying knee but Santos catches him before it can land. 10-9 Santos

Round 3

Vagabov lands a right to the body followed by a left hook upstairs. Vagabov connects with a body kick and then dodges a lock kick from his opponent. The Dagestani fakes a hook and lands a kick to the body. Vagabov counters Santos with a jab and the Brazilian rushes forward and misses an overhand left. A straight right from Vagabov momentarily buckles Santos’ knees. Santos shoots for a takedown and gets it. The Brazilian moves into his foe’s full guard near the fence. Vagabov hunts for a guillotine but quickly gives it up. Now Vagabov looks to frame a kimura. Santos follows with several punches to the body. Vagabov moves to a seated position at the base of the cage and works his way up with 10 seconds remaining. Santos maintains an underhook and slings Vagabov back to the canvas as time expires. 10-9 Vagabov (29-29)

The Official Result

Bruno Santos def. Vagab Vagabov via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Shane Kruchten vs. Jeremy Mahon

Round 1

The U.S. Marines exchange in the center of the Decagon early before Krutchen pushes his foe into the cage. He grabs a single leg, scoops Mahon up and slams him to the mat. Krutchen maintains control from top position while land short punches to the head and body. Mahon is active with punches from his back. Krutchen stands and the combatants return to the center of the cage. Mahon connects with a kick to the body and Krutchen is backpedaling. Mahon gives pursuit and picks Krutchen up and dumps him on the floor. Krutchen is up but Mahon has a rear body lock and is landing knees to his opponent’s thighs. Krutchen turns and grabs a single leg, eventually getting Mahon to the canvas. Mahon sweeps into top position. Mahon hunts for a kimura from above before giving it up. Krutchen eats several punches to the head as he attempts to work his way up. Mahon takes him back down and lands a series of lefts to the ribs as the horn sounds. 10-9 Mahon

Round 2

Mahon begins with a hard outside leg kick. Mahon lands another body kick as Krutchen moves forward. Mahon connects with a straight left hand. Mahon continues to find a home for kicks to the body. Mahon attempts a jumping knee and Krutchen turns his man into the fence as he lands. Krutchen maintains an underhook and goes upstairs with a knee to the head. Krutchen finally drags Mahon down to the mat and lands in side control. Krutchen lands several knees to the body from the position. Krutchen stays in side control, as his offensive output slows. He ends the frame landing several short elbows to his opponent’s head. 10-9 Krutchen

Round 3

The two combatants hug in the center of the cage to begin the round. A kick from Mahon catches Krutchen on the cup and the action is halted. Krutchen takes some time to recover and the fight resumes. Mahon marches forward with a punching combination followed by a low kick. Mahon catches a Krutchen kick and dumps him to the mat. He quickly transitions to his opponent’s back and secures both hooks. From there he goes to work with punches to the side of the head and body. Krutchen stands, carrying Mahon on his back. Krutchen eventually shakes Mahon free and drops him to the mat. Now it’s Krutchen landing elbows to the body from side control near the fence. Krutchen switches gears and lands several knees to Mahon’s body. Mahon works to frame a triangle and lands punches to Krutchen’s head. Krutchen escapes the predicament and continues working in Mahon’s full guard. 10-9 Krutchen (29-28 Krutchen).

The Official Result

Shane Krutchen def. Jeremy Mahon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Jake Heun vs. Smealinho Rama

Round 1

Heun lands an inside lo kick to start the action. Rama lands a right hook and ducks under a Heun punch. Rama goes to the body with a straight left hand. The light heavyweights tie up and Rama pushes Heun into the cage. Rama lands a knee to the body. They separate and return to the center of the cage. Rama lands a three-punch combo followed by a push kick to the body. Heun goes upstairs with a high kick. It’s partially blocked, but Rama still felt the impact. A straight left hand from Rama connects to Heun’s mug. Rama goes to the body and as Heun attempts to spin, Rama drops him with a right hand. Heun returns to his feet but Rama drags him down with a rear-waist lock. Rama gets caught in a heel hook but counters Heun with a toe hold. Both men hunt for leg lokcs until Rama moves into side control. Heun escapes and Rama grabs a front headlock. Rama lands an uppercut as Heun stands. Heun comes forward with a hard front kick and a kick to the liver. In a wild exchange, Rama rocks Heun against the fence with a looping right hook. Heun is able to survive the ensuing onslaught as time expires. 10-9 Rama

Round 2

Rama lands a right hand over the top. He marches forward, landing a one-two combination followed by a straight to the body. He catches a Heun kick, but Heun lands a flying knee while hopping on one leg. Heun lands a short elbow in close quarters. Rama controls the distance with his jab before throwing an oblique kick to Heun’s knee. The longer Rama continues to utilize his jab as he backs Heun up. Heun answers with a push kick to the midsection. Rama backs Heun into the fence, working the body and head with punches. The light heavyweights go to the ground and Rama rides Heun, landing punches to the side of the head. Rama takes back mount and flattens his opponent. Rama is landing hammerfists to the side of the head and Heun is warned by Dan Miragliotta to defend himself. Heun turns over and Rama’s ground-and-pound assault continues. Miragliotta has seen enough and the contest is stopped.

The Official Result

Smealinho Rama def. Jake Heun via TKO (Punches) R2 3:30

WSOF Middleweight Title Fight:
David Branch vs. Louis Taylor

Round 1

Taylor rushes forward and Branch changes levels for a takedown. Taylor is quickly back up to his feet and he pushes Branch into the fence. The middleweights trade knees to the body against the fence before separating. Branch counters a Taylor low kick with a straight left hand. The rangier Branch stays on the outside, landing periodic leg kicks. Branch times a Taylor flying knee and takes his opponent down. The Renzo Gracie product scrambles to Taylor’s back in a hurry. He briefly has both hooks in, but Taylor turns into him. Branch is able to take the back again. Taylor turns out again but Branch is in mount. Taylor is trying to scramble out of danger, but Branch is again on his back with both hooks in. Taylor is controlling Branch’s hands to prevent the rear-naked choke, and he turns into Branch’s full guard and finishes in top position as the round ends. 10-9 Branch.

Round 2

Branch catches a Taylor body kick but can’t get his foe down. Taylor is able to turn his man around and pushes Branch into the cage. They separate and return to the center of the cage. Branch back up Taylor with a jab. They tie up and jockey for position along the fence. Branch does a good job defending Taylor’s takedown, and Todd Anderson tells the fighters to get to work. They break away and Branch lands a hard low kick. They tie up again and Taylor pushes the champ back into the fence. Taylor can’t do anything with the position and they separate again. Branch lands a two-punch combination but can’t drag Taylor down after closing the distance. The middleweights grind away in the clinch, and Taylor successfully defends a single-leg attempt by Branch. Branch counters a jumping knee with a jab. Taylor pushes Branch back into the cage and time runs out. 10-10.

Round 3

Branch lands a jab and then stops a Taylor takedown try. Branch connects with an outside leg kick. Branch shoots for a takedown and finds himself ensnared in a Taylor guillotine. Taylor cranks the hold from full guard, but Branch is able to break his opponent’s grip. Branch lands some short elbows to Taylor’s face from top position. They move toward the fence and Branch lands some right hands to the body. Branch advances to full mount and he looks for the rear-naked choke. Taylor is scrambling desperately. Branch has both hooks in and briefly slides his arm underneath Taylor’s chin, but Taylor is able to turn toward the champ and returns to his feet. Taylor pushes Branch to the cage and lands an elbow on the break. Taylor comes forward aggressively with a combination. Taylor gets tagged by a Branch punch. Branch shoots for a takedown and nearly gets trapped in the guillotine again. Taylor lands a jab as the round expires. 10-9 Branch.

Round 4

Branch moves forward with a knee to the body and the middleweights tie up. They separate and Taylor connects with a jab. Time is called after Taylor lands a knee below the belt. Taylor gets a final warning and the fight resumes. Taylor lands a jumping knee but Branch eats it and lands a takedown. The champion lands some short punches to the ribs from full guard before passing to half guard. Branch continues to stay busy with short punches to the ribs. Branch stays heavy from top position as he tries to free other leg. Taylor is able to lock up Branch’s left leg and retain half guard. Branch finally passes to full mount and he postures up, landing a hard right hand. Taylor gives up his back, but Branch isn’t able to make anything happen in the round’s last 10 seconds. 10-9 Branch.

Round 5

Branch lands a quick jab to the face. Taylor moves forward but misses a combination. Branch changes levels for a single leg and drives Taylor down near the fence. Branch is on top and in control from half guard with 3:30 to go. Branch lands short punches and passes to full mount. He takes Taylor’s back again and sinks in the rear-naked choke. This time it’s deep, and Taylor asks out of the championship bout moments later. Branch will retain his middleweight title.

The Official Result

David Branch def. Louis Taylor via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R5 2:00

Jared Rosholt vs. Caio Alencar

Round 1

Alencar rushes from his corner with a flying kick but Rosholt sidesteps the maneuver. Rosholt pushes forward and eats a right hand. Alencar lands a hard kick to the body. Alencar tags Rosholt with a big looping right near the fence. Rosholt is reeling. Alencar flurries, landing a left hand before dropping the three-time NCAA All-American wrestler with an overhand right. Rosholt hits the canvas hard and the Brazilian dives in and polishes off the victory with a pair of hammerfists on the mat before referee Keith Peterson can intervene.

The Official Result

Caio Alencar def. Jared Rosholt via KO (Punch) R1 1:17

WSOF Bantamweight Title Fight:
Marlon Moraes vs. Josenaldo Silva

Round 1

Moraes steps in with a crisp one-two combination on his rangier foe. Moraes tags Silva with a hard right hand and then lands a kick to the chin. Moraes blocks a high kick by Silva. Moraes sidesteps a Silva punch and hurts his foe with a three-punch combination. Moraes pounces on his downed foe and unloads with a series of punches and hammerfists. Silva survives and Moraes transitions to a guillotine. Silva escapes the maneuver and is quickly up to his feet. Silva lands a right hand with Moraes’ back to the fence and then goes airborne for a flying knee. Silva falls to the canvas with an apparent knee injury and referee Dan Miragliotta hustles in to wave off the bantamweight championship fight. Moraes retains his belt and remains unbeaten in WSOF competition.

The Official Result

Marlon Moraes def. Josenaldo Silva via TKO (knee injury) R1 2:30

WSOF Welterweight Title Fight:
Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields

Round 1

Shields opens with a high kick, but it’s blocked. Fitch takes top position in a scramble and sets up shop in Shields’ guard. Fitch lands several right hands to the body as Shields defends from his back. Shields is utilizing a closed guard, controlling Fitch’s posture as best he can. Fitch continues to score points with left and right hands to the ribs. Shields works his way to a seated position, and the two welterweights trade short punches. Shields briefly threatens with a guillotine, but Fitch isn’t in serious danger. Fitch remains on top, working his moderate ground-and-pound. Referee Todd Anderson has seen enough and orders a standup. Shields stays busy with kicks and catches Fitch ducking with a kick to the body. Shields tries for a takedown off a Fitch kick and the fighters tie up on the fence. Fitch ends the round landing knees to the body and short punches in the clinch. 10-9 Fitch.

Round 2

Shields dives in and takes Fitch down with a single leg. Fitch scrambles up and Shields pushes him into the fence. Shields executes a nice trip and gets Fitch back down to the floor. Shields keeps the pressure on and steps over into full mount with 3:00 remaining. Shields lands an elbow to the face and Fitch turns to his side. Shields lands some moderate ground-and-pound as Fitch attempts to scramble out of danger. Shields tries to work his way to Fitch’s back and he continues to pepper his foe with short punches. Shields methodically gets both hooks in with less than one minute remaining. He switches to a body triangle, but Fitch does a good job defending his neck. He survives until the final horn. 10-9 Shields.

Round 3

Fitch lans a right hand and Shields answers with a body kick. Fitch sprawls on a Shields takedown attempt. Shields dives for another takedown and Fitch defends again. They tie up against the fence and Fitch successfully changes levels for a takedown. Shields has a hold of a guillotine, but Fitch isn’t in any real danger. Shields works his way back up and Fitch drives him into the fence. Fitch continues to grind away, landing the occasional punch to the body. Shields turns around but can’t trip his foe down. The welterweights grapple to a stalemate on the canvas before working their way back up. Fitch drops to his knees and is able to get Shields down near the fence. Shields hunts for a knee bar but Fitch defends it and stays on top. Fitch lands some short punches from top position as time winds down. 10-9 Fitch.

Round 4

Fitch lands a left hand to the body. Shields answers with a kick to the body. Shields has some loose tape on his hand and time is called so it can be cut loose. The action resumes and Fitch connects with a right hand up top. Fitch sprawls on a single leg and pops back up. Fitch stuffs another takedown and moves into Shields guard. Fitch goes to work with left and right hands to the body. Shields isn’t able to find any submissions from his back, and Fitch is content to attack with methodical ground-and-pound from above. Shields scrambles up but gets shoved back down to the canvas. The Cesar Gracie product hunts for a leg lock but Fitch defends well and stays on top. Shields tries for a kneebar but Fitch is out and the combatants are up against the fence. Little is happening from that position and they’re ordered to separate. Fitch punches his way back into the clinch as the round ends. 10-9 Fitch.

Round 5

Fitch inches forward with punches and leg kicks, stalking Shields into the fence. Fitch stuffs a takedown try and lands a body kick as Shields moves away. Fitch denies another takedown and settles into Shields’ guard in the middle of the cage. Shields scrambles up to his feet. Fitch lands a couple straight punches before stuffing one more takedown. Fitch transitions into full guard from the north-south position and avoids getting his arm trapped by Shields. Shields rolls for a heel hook but Fitch frees his limb and dives back into top position. Shields is being aggressive from his back, but Fitch continues to defend himself well. Another heel hook attempt is stifled by Fitch. The American Kickboxing Academy product ends the final round with ground-and-pound from above. 10-9 Fitch (49-46 Fitch).

The Official Result

Jon Fitch def. Jake Shields via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) R5 5:00

WSOF Lightweight Title Fight:
Justin Gaethje vs. Luiz Firmino

Round 1

The lightweights charge toward each other at the opening bell and Gaethje ends up on top during a wild exchange and ensuing scramble. After a period of inactivity, a standup is ordered. Gaethje buckles Firmino with a hard leg kick, but Firmino counters with a combination. Gaethje’s mouthpiece goes flying as Firmino shoots for a takedown. Gaethje scrambles away and time is called so the champ can retrieve his equipment. The combatants trade heavy punches in an exchange. Gaethje lands a punch and Firmino responds with a combination. Firmino shoots for a takedown and pushes Gaethje into the fence. Firmino wants to drag Gaethje to the mat but the champion is defending well. Firmino jumps on Gaethje’s back but he slips off to the side. He jumps back on Gaethje’s back, this time with both hooks in. Gaethje remains on his feet, carrying Firmino with less than a minute to go. Firmino drops down to the floor but maintains a rear body lock. They separate and during one final furious exchange Gaethje just misses on a cartwheel kick as the horn sounds. 10-9 Firmino.

Round 2

Firmino knocks Gaethje’s mouthpiece out with a heavy series of hooks. Gaethje moves in with a lead uppercut and Firmino counters, backing the champion up. They continue to trade heavy leather, with neither man backing down. Gaethje sprawls on a takedown. Firmino tags Gaethje with a two punch combo. Firmino lands an uppercut and al eft hook. The Brazilian then finds his mark with a flying knee. Firmino is walking Gaethje down with combinations. A takedown attempt by Firmino fails. Firmino continues to land in superior volume and Gaethje’s mouthpiece falls out again. Miragliotta warns that he’ll take a point if it happens again. The fighters trade heavy leg kicks. Firmino tags Gaethje with a jab. Gaethje answers with an uppercut and a leg kick. Firmino is undaunted, as he continues to outland Gaethje in every exchange. Firmino keeps the pressure on, landing accurate jabs and right hands. Gaethje is doing his best to answer, but he is getting outlanded by the challenger. Firmino lands a hard knee and Gaethje responds with a hook to the body as the round ends. 10-9 Firmino.

Round 3

The two lightweights resume trading punches in the center of the cage to start the round. Gaethje is targeting Firmino’s lead leg with kicks. They tie up near the fence, then separate. Gaethje sprawls on a takedown but wants no part of a ground battle, so he moves away. The champ lands a left hook to the head. Gaethje stands in front of Firmino and eats a multi-punch combination. A left hook-right uppercut combo lands for Gaethje. Firmino tries to jump guard and Gaethje decides he’d rather stand. Gaethje backs Firmino into the fence and unloads with a hard combination. A couple powerful uppercuts rock Firmino and he shoots out of desperation. Firmino seems to be slowing down as Gaethje lands another uppercut. The Grudge Training Center product sprawls on a takedown and takes top position. A standup is ordered after a period of inactivity. Gaethje marches forward and tags Firmino with a big right hook. Firmino counters a leg kick with a four-punch combination. Firmino moves forward and eats a right hook. Both fighters are breathing heavily as time expires. Prior to the fourth round, a doctor examines the severely swollen right eye of Firmino and determines that the Brazilian fighter cannot continue due to hindered vision. Gaethje will retain his lightweight title, but he doesn’t appear happy with the verdict.

The Official Result

Justin Gaethje def. Luiz Firmino via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) R3 5:00