World Series of Fighting 12 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Soslan Abanokov vs. Bryson Gutches

Round 1

Gutches lands an early head kick followed by a takedown that finds him in side control. Grutches grabs a side headlock and uses it to make a slick transition to full mount, raining down elbows and punches as Abanokov struggles to buck him off. Gutches looks to cinch in an armbar but can’t get his left leg over Abanokov’s head. Abanokov escapes and is in Gutches’ guard. Abanokov spends the rest of the round in Gutches’ guard but mounts next to nothing offensively.

Round 2

Gutches thwarts an early takedown attempt and uses it to put Abanokov on the ground. Now it’s Gutches transitioning to back-mount as Abanokov goes belly-down on the canvas. A few seconds later, Gutches has his arm snaked around his opponent’s throat, forcing Abanokov to tap out.

The Result

Bryson Gutches def. Soslan Abanokov via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 1:07

Adam Acquaviva vs. Cody Maltais

Round 1

Acquaviva shoots for an immediate takedown and gets it, but he can’t hold Maltais on the ground. Back on the feet, Acquaviva grabs a collar tie in the pocket and pops Maltais with a pair of right hands. Maltais wades into striking range, gets wrapped up and tossed to the ground. The bantamweights are quickly back on their feet again, and now Maltais scores with a few short right hands of his own. Acquaviva catches a kick and decks Maltais with a right straight down the center, drawing a smile from Maltais. Halfway through the round, Acquaviva goes body-head with a combo, answered by Maltais with a pair of outside leg kicks. Maltais slips out of the way of three or four punches from Acquaviva and then misses with a flying knee. Maltais whiffs on a spinning back fists and gets shoved up against the cage, where he briefly considers a guillotine choke. Acquaviva tosses Maltais over his hip just before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Acquaviva
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Acquaviva
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Acquaviva

Round 2

Acquaviva takes up a spot in the center of the cage, picking at Maltais with leg kicks and then stuffing a long takedown attempt. Maltais pulls guard briefly, grabbing for an armlock, but Acquaviva backs out and allows him to stand. Lots of jabbing and leg-kicking between the bantamweights through the middle of the round, with Acquaviva appearing to get the better of the exchanges, although Maltais draws blood with a shot to Acquaviva’s nose.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Acquaviva
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Acquaviva
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Acquaviva

Round 3

Acquaviva finds another early takedown, but this time the bantamweights have a tumble and both men opt to return to the feet. Maltais takes up his familiar position on the outside, circling around Acquaviva, who presses out from the center to initiate a clinch against the fence. They soon break apart, and Acquaviva goes back to working his low kicks while chasing Maltais around the perimeter. Maltais keeps trying spinning back fists and mostly coming up short, but he’s finding success with the occasional clean right hand. Acquaviva is the busier man down the stretch, but this one will come down to the judges’ scorecards.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Maltais (29-28 Acquaviva)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maltais (29-28 Acquaviva)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Acquaviva (30-27 Acquaviva)

The Result

Adam Acquaviva def. Cody Maltais via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Danny Davis Jr. vs. Jorge Lopez

Round 1

Lopez catches a low kick under his left arm and slugs Davis to the ground with a right hand. The welterweights move toward the fence, Lopez starting in Davis’ closed guard and then passing to half guard on the right side. Davis posts and stands, then backs up to create some space and keeps Lopez at bay with a long front kick. Davis misses with a pair of straight punches, then puts a kick in Lopez’s breadbasket. There’s not much offense to speak of in the second half of the round, mostly leg kicks from Davis. With 30 seconds to go, Davis connects with a straight right and defends a takedown to push Lopez against the fence and land another. Davis tries a leaping knee in the closing seconds and instead falls to the ground.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Davis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Lopez

Round 2

Lopez gets another takedown, but this time Davis is quick to sweep out from underneath and return to his feet. More sporadic striking follows, with Davis putting together a few kicks and punches while Lopez mostly has wide hooks deflected by Davis’ guard. Lopez stuffs a takdown attempt but takes a left hand behind the ear. Davis finishes the round holding Lopez against the cage, changing levels for a double-leg.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lopez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lopez
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Lopez

Round 3

Lopez is pushing forward with slightly increased aggression in the final frame, clipping Davis with a right hook around the outside. Davis is pumping his jab and flashing hooks but not connecting with much. Both men stick jabs as Lopez goes high and Davis goes to the body. Lopez has set up in the center now, moving Davis around the outside and ducking under a wide hook. Davis eats a hard right hook and seems to be on rubber legs for a second, but he recovers almost immediately. A right hand behind the ear doesn’t seem to faze Davis, who shoots for a takedown against the fence with 90 seconds remaining. Davis completes the takedown with 65 seconds left, but Lopez is on his feet again seconds later. They separate and Davis connects with a left hand, then denies a takedown from Lopez as both men finish the fight swinging.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Lopez)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Davis (29-29 Draw)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Davis (29-28 Lopez)

The Result

Danny Davis Jr. def. Jorge Lopez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Lucas Montoya vs. Jimmy Spicuzza

Round 1

Both lightweights come out throwing hands, and Spicuzza comes away from the exchange bleeding after taking a shot to the nose. Montoya initiates a brief clinch on the fence to score with a few more punches, steps back and makes Spicuzza slip to the ground on a missed kick. Now it’s Spicuzza moving forward, opening up a cut underneath Montoya’s eye with a pair of right crosses. A straight right snaps back the head of Montoya, and Spicuzza misses as he tries to follow up with a huge uppercut. The next uppercut from Spicuzza connects, so Montoya slings a pair of straight punches, gets Spicuzza against the fence and clinches up.

Double underhooks from Montoya now, and he releases to drop Spicuzza with a left hook. Spicuzza gets back to his feet, but Montoya is swarming him with punches as referee Kim Winslow tells Spicuzza to fight back. Spicuzza starts swinging back, but Montoya shoves the off-balance man to the ground and lands a couple hammer fists which send Winslow into action.

The Result

Lucas Montoya def. Jimmy Spicuzza via TKO (Punches) R1 4:11

Bryson Hansen vs. Matt Sayles

Round 1

Sayles catches a kick, lands a left hand and pushes Hansen to the ground, but the Hawaiian comes right back up and gets in a clinch on the cage. Hansen gets in some short punches before releasing Sayles and resetting. A straight left lands on Sayles’ chin, and he goes crashing to the ground near the fence. Hansen is all over him, pouring on the punches, but Sayles struggles back to his feet and eats an elbow. Midway through the round now, and Hansen gets a rear waist lock to suplex Sayles to the canvas. Sayles pops up again with Hansen still attached to his back, and now Hansen releases to resume striking. Left hand lands around the outside for Hansen, answered by a leg kick from Sayles. Hansen slips on a kick, jumps back up and absorbs a few more leg kicks.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hansen
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hansen
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Hansen

Round 2

Sayles goes to the outside in the opening minute of round two, trying to work some right-handed counters while Hansen’s offense drops off a bit. Sayles lands a flush head kick but it’s mostly the end of his foot and Hansen just takes it. Hansen gets hold of a leg and puts Sayles against the fence, but Sayles yanks the leg free, hits Hansen with a knee and circles away. The bantamweights tie up in the middle of the cage and Hansen scores with a short hook in the clinch. Sayles gets one back to the body, then a clean right hand up top behind a double jab.

Hansen takes a deep breath after eating another pair of rights in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sayles
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sayles
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Sayles

Round 3

Hansen shoots an immediate double-leg and gets stuffed as Sayles backs up to the fence. Sayles makes Hansen pay with a couple knees to the body before circling away. Sayles sends a couple whipping right hands over Hansen’s low guard as the 135ers circle and swing. A front kick lands for Sayles before he denies another tie-up from Hansen, who sticks a straight left that draws a smile from the Californian. Sayles stuffs a takedown with 2:15 on the clock and reverses to push Hansen against the cage. Sayles exits after landing a short left hook. Hansen snipes back with a straight left, dodges a right hand from Sayles. Down to the final minute, Sayles looks the fresher man, moving around the perimeter and picking at Hansen with kicks. Sayles rocks Hansen’s head back with a right straight, but Hansen changes levels and slams Sayles to the ground with a big double-leg in the closing moments. Sayles gets back on his feet before the horn and finishes the fight with a pair of short left hands to Hansen’s face.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sayles (29-28 Sayles)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sayles (29-28 Sayles)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Sayles (29-28 Sayles)

The Result

Matt Sayles def. Bryson Hansen via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Alexis Vila vs. Brandon Hempleman

Round 1

Vila walks through a few punches to try a takedown, stuffed by Hempleman up against the fence. Hempleman is finding success with his right uppercut and left hook, but suddenly Vila connects with a big left on the cheek that wobbles Hempleman and slows his roll. Another overhand left connects for Vila while the taller Hempleman continues to pump his jab. Vila tries to jab back but comes up short, so he switches to leg kicks with better effect. With 1:40 on the clock, referee Kim Winslow pauses the action as Vila took a grazing kick to the cup, but the Cuban says he’s fit to continue. Hempleman denies another takedown attempt, sticks a jab and ducks out of the way of a big left from Vila. Again, a level change from Vila is shut down by Hempleman. The bantamweights finish the round kicking, with Hempleman landing one to Vila’s lead leg and Vila responding with a left body shot.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Vila
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Vila
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Vila

Round 2

Hempleman comes out chopping at Vila’s legs and slides out of the way of a huge overhand right. Both fighters work from the orthodox stance as Vila clips Hempleman’s chin with another overhand. Hempleman goes inside with his leg kick and then checks one from Vila before sending a right hook around Vila’s guard. Vila swings back with another with and a pair of kicks to the body. Right hand to the gut connects for Vila, who’s doing better to slip Hempleman’s jabs in this round. Vila is using both hands to mark up Hempleman in this round, mixing up his strikes nicely between the body and head.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hempleman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hempleman
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Vila

Round 3

Hempleman denies a long single-leg shot from Vila and lands a couple kicks to the inside of the wrestler’s lead leg. A couple seconds later, Hempleman puts a kick on Vila’s cup, and now “The Exorcist” needs a minute to recover. Referee Winslow warns Hempleman to keep his kicks on-target. The action resumes and Vila swings a right hand over the top. Hempleman’s volume is taking over in the middle of the round, scoring more frequent shots, if less powerful. Jabs get Vila leaning over, and Hempleman hits him with a right hook. Bleeding from the nose after eating a shot from Vila, Hempleman takes a look up at the clock. Vila lands an overhand left on Hempleman’s nose again, eats a hooking counter. Inside the final 30 seconds, Vila shoots a long shot and gets sidestepped.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hempleman (29-28 Hempleman)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hempleman (29-28 Hempleman)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Vila (30-27 Vila)

The Result

Brandon Hempleman def. Alexis Vila via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Elvis Mutapcic vs. Kelvin Tiller

Round 1

Mutapcic lands an inside leg kick and slips a left hook from Tiller, who works from the middle of the cage. Tiller presses out toward the fence, ducks a punch and hooks a leg to put Mutapcic on the ground. Tiller stacks up in Mutapcic’s half guard, gets bucked off in a scramble and can’t hold on to a loose choke as Mutapcic gets back to his feet. Tiller is off-target with a front kick and lands a low blow to Mutapcic’s cup, and now referee Herb Dean pauses the action. Tiller receives a warning, Mutapcic takes a minute to recover, and they’re back to business. Tiller closes the distance with a leg kick, shoves Mutapcic against the fence and gets reversed. Now it’s Mutapcic with a takedown, moving straight into full mount with 2:15 on the clock. Tiller pushes him back to half guard, but Mutapcic passes to side control on Tiller’s right side. Leaning across Tiller’s body, Mutapcic drops a couple short elbows. As “The King” tries to mount again, Tiller shoves him off and sweeps to top position. Tiller lands some short ground-and-pound before standing and invites Mutapcic to do the same. Mutapcic deflects a spinning heel kick and Tiller falls to the ground, allowing Mutapcic to finish the round in side control.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic

Round 2

Mutapcic catches a kick under his right arm and tries to put Tiller on the ground, but Tiller keeps his balance while hopping backward. Now it’s Mutapcic changing levels for a shot and getting stood up by Tiller, who’s loading up on his right hand while he uses jabs to encroach on Mutapcic’s personal space. The third time is the charm for Mutapcic, who finds a takedown on his next single-leg attempt. Mutapcic busts through Tiller’s guard with some elbows, slowly advances to half guard as the round enters its final two minutes. Short left hands land for Mutapcic as Tiller locks down the right arm and looks to sweep.

Mutapcic yanks the limb free and clubs Tiller with an elbow on that side. Mutapcic continues to grind with short punches, elbows and a can opener in the final minute, while referee Dean calls for action.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic

Round 3

Mutapcic grabs a standing guillotine and uses it to break Tiller down to his knees, then shoves Tiller to his back in the center of the cage. Mutapcic works from Tiller’s closed guard, unable to do much offensively as Tiller keeps his man’s hands tied up. Tiller throws up his legs for a triangle or armbar, can’t get it but manages to bust up Mutapcic’s face with an elbow from underneath. Mutapcic stands up midway through the round and comes back down to side control on Tiller’s right side. Tiller regains guard and tries for another armbar but doesn’t get anywhere and finishes the fight on his back with Mutapcic on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic (30-27 Mutapcic)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic (30-27 Mutapcic)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic (30-27 Mutapcic)

The Result

Elvis Mutapcic def. Kelvin Tiller via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Ronny Markes vs. Cully Butterfield

Round 1

Markes starts slow, creeping forward with leg kicks, then he gets in Butterfield’s face with a couple right hands. Markes hits a trip takedown near the fence and keeps hold of Butterfield as they come back up to the feet. Another takedown goes for Markes, still only 80 seconds into the bout, and now the Brazilian lays a forearm across Butterfield’s throat from half guard. Markes tries to extract his right leg, but Butterfield keeps it trapped and then scrambles back up. Markes instantly hits another takedown, and this time he easily takes Butterfield’s back and sinks both hooks. Markes can’t get the rear-naked choke, so he tries to wrench a neck crank but can’t get Butterfield to tap. Butterfield lands a couple punches over his shoulder but he’s still in bad position with 90 seconds to go. Butterfield continues to hand-fight in the last minute, fending off Markes’ submission attempts. With 20 seconds left, Butterfield sweeps to the top and drops punches, then walks back to his corner pounding his chest.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Markes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Markes
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Markes

Round 2

Butterfield initiates a clinch and shoves Markes up against the cage, then switches levels for a single-leg shot. Markes sprawls on it and reverses the position, putting Butterfield on the ground and then spinning to take the back and resume the struggle from the end of round one. This time, Butterfield is quick to twist around and take top position, and now the American drops short punches through Markes’ closed guard. Butterfield gets too high in the guard and Markes is able to roll him over with an armbar attempt. Butterfield frees himself from the armbar but surrenders his back again.

In the last 20 seconds, Markes fires off his best offense of the round, a series of punches from back-mount which has referee Steve Mazzagatti taking a close look.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Markes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Markes
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Markes

Round 3

Butterfield lands a couple loud leg kicks, one of which is caught by Markes, who tries to turn it into a takedown. Butterfield stuffs the shot and stands up with a waistlock on Markes, pushing the Brazilian face-first against the fence. Markes turns around, now sporting some serious damage and blood on his left eye. Markes gets a waistlock on Butterfield now, nearly trips him to the ground, but Butterfield scrambles back up. The second effort from Markes yields another trip takedown, and once again Markes finds himself on Butterfield’s back. Butterfield turns over to take top position in the last 90 seconds, grinding on Markes with short elbows before standing. Markes stays on his back, trying to upkick, and he receives a warning from referee Mazzagatti for grabbing the cage. Butterfield finishes the fight on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Markes (30-27 Markes)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Markes (30-27 Markes)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Markes (30-27 Markes)

The Result

Ronny Markes def. Cully Butterfield via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Luis Palomino vs. Lewis Gonzalez

Round 1

Palomino opens with an outside leg kick and stuffs a takedown attempt before the lightweight go back to feeling-out mode for the first 90 seconds of the bout. Gonzalez strikes down the center with a one-two, eats a counter from the “Baboon.” A right hook to the body lands for Palomino, then a leg kick chops the base out from underneath Gonzalez, who quickly gets back to his feet. A right leg kick sets up a hard left hook for Palomino, and now he swarms on the dazed Gonzalez against the fence. Gonzalez absorbs a couple more punches before he can circle away, now bleeding profusely from the top of his head.

Gonzalez hits a takedown, can’t hold Palomino on the ground. Palomino uses another right low kick to get Gonzalez leaning, then blasts him with a left high kick that lands knee-to-face. Gonzalez hits the ground in a heap, and Palomino tacks on another punch before referee Herb Dean can step in.

The Result

Luis Palomino def. Lewis Gonzalez via KO (Knee and Punch) R1 4:42