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Gaethje vs Gonzalez Headline World Series of Fighting 8


Justin Gaethje (10-0) will face a dangerous Lewis Gonzalez (9-0) for the World Series of Fighting's inaugural lightweight title in the Jan. 18 event titled "World Series of Fighting 8: Gaethje vs. Gonzalez," which takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

The co-main event features hard-hitting light-heavyweights Anthony "Rumble" Johnson (15-4) and Mike "MAK" Kyle (20-10-1) will meet in a bout that has been postponed twice due to injuries. The highly anticipated fight, now almost a year in the making,is sure to produce an absolute explosion in the decagon.

"This past year has been incredible for World Series of Fighting, and I'm proud to be able to carry that success over in the start of 2014 with this incredible lightweight title fight," World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. "I know that both of these guys have great wrestling backgrounds, but their striking is so impressive. I can't wait for this one."

The 25-year-old Gaethje is a member of Colorado's Grudge Training Center and has already earned World Series of Fighting wins over Dan Lauzon, Brian Cobb and Cavalcante. Fighting professionally since 2011, Gaethje is undefeated in his first 10 career fights, and nine of those have ended via stoppage, including eight by knockout.

"I think some of my toughest fights have been against wrestlers, and I know that's where my opponent is strong," Gaethje said of his new adversary. "He also has a ton of heart. I see this fight being action-packed from the second the cage door shuts until one of us gets the finish.

"I don't think there is any way this one goes five rounds. I see a lot of opportunities for some big kicks and knees, and I give my word to the World Series of Fighting fans that Lewis and I will give them one hell of a show."

Turlock, California's "Lethal" Lewis Gonzalez is a top prospect in the sport training with the MMAGOLD Fight Team. Gonzalez was impressive in his World Series of Fighting debut this past August, when he beat established fight veteran Antonio McKee.

Gonzalez has won seven of his nine fights by stoppage and saw three of his five submission victims tap due to strikes.

"I'm honored by the opportunity to get in there and bang for the lightweight title," Gonzalez said. "Justin is a tough competitor and a great wrestler. You can expect both of us to be coming forward the whole time and meet somewhere in the middle."

With the addition to the card, World Series of Fighting 8 now includes:

Justin Gaethje vs. Lewis Gonzalez - for inaugural lightweight title
Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Kyle
Cody Bollinger vs. Tyson Nam

Jessica Aguilar battles Alida Gray on Jan.18 for inaugural World Series of Fighting women's strawweight title at World Series of Fighting 8


Next month's World Series of Fighting 8 event features a second championship matchup, as the No. 1 ranked 115-pound woman in the world, Jessica Aguilar (16-4), meets Alida Gray (4-0) for World Series of Fighing's inaugural women's strawweight title.

The bout airs live on NBC Sports Network on the main card of the Jan. 18 event, which takes place at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

"We're excited to host the first-ever women's bout in the World Series of Fighting decagon, and there's no better way to do it than with a title on the line," World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. "Jessica Aguilar is currently the absolute best 115-pounder on the planet, but Alida Gray is a lifelong martial artist who has been on an absolute tear since turning her attention to MMA. I can't wait to see these two clash."

"Jag" Aguilar is a member of Florida's famed American Top Team and currently boasts a seven-fight winning streak. She competed most recently in October, when she earned a second career win over her idol and MMA legend Megumi Fujii. Aguilar has lost just once in her past 12 appearances and now makes her World Series of Fighting debut.

"My training is going awesome over here with the best team in the world at ATT," Aguilar said. "It's nice to be recognized as the top strawweight in the world, but I'm looking forward to finally receiving a belt and continuing to show the world why I'm the best. I'm honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love to do."

Meanwhile, Gray brings a perfect record to the cage after racking up four stoppage wins in just the past six months alone. Fighting out of Texas' Bushido MMA, Gray was an alternate on the 1996 U.S. Olympic judo team. She launched an amateur MMA career in 2010 and eventually turned pro earlier this year. Her four victories include a submission win to score Oklahoma's Sugar Creek Showdown women's strawweight title, as well as a brutal one-punch knockout of Soannia Tiem.

"I'm excited to get in the decagon," Gray exclaimed. "This all came very unexpectedly, but I knew it was a great opportunity for me to prove that I belong at the top. This is going to be my first time on national television, but I'm no stranger to big fights. I'm not going to put too much thought into it. I'm confident in my skills, and when I get in there I will shut everyone else out and go home with the belt."


With the addition to the card, World Series of Fighting 8 now includes:


Justin Gaethje vs. Lewis Gonzalez - for inaugural lightweight title
Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Kyle
Jessica Aguilar vs. Alida Gray - for inaugural women's strawweight title
Cody Bollinger vs. Tyson Nam

Undefeated lightweight Justin Gaethje and Rich Patishnock headline World Series of Fighting 8 on Jan. 18 for inaugural lightweight belt. Luis "Baboon" Palomino now faces Jorge "Macaco" Patino, promoted to first fight of main card, which will be broadcast on Esporte Interativo as well as NBCSN



Justin Gaethje (10-0) will face one of MMA's top prospects in Rich Patishnock (6-1) for the World Series of Fighting's inaugural lightweight title in the Jan. 18 event titled "World Series of Fighting 8: Gaethje vs. Patishnock," which takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

The co-main event features hard-hitting light-heavyweights Anthony "Rumble" Johnson (15-4) and Mike "MAK" Kyle (20-10-1) meeting in a bout that has been postponed twice due to injuries. The highly anticipated fight, now almost a year in the making, is sure to produce an absolute explosion in the decagon.

"Injuries are an unavoidable aspect of MMA," said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo. "I am very proud of my team here at WSOF for finding a very worthy opponent in Rich Patishnock to fight against Justin Gaethje for the title. I know that both of these guys have very crowd-pleasing fighting styles, and I can't wait to see what happens when that cage door shuts."

The 25-year-old Gaethje is a member of Colorado's Grudge Training Center and has already earned World Series of Fighting wins over Dan Lauzon, Brian Cobb and Cavalcante. Fighting professionally since 2011, Gaethje is undefeated in his first 10 career fights, and nine of those have ended via stoppage, including eight by knockout.

Patishnock, a 26-year-old fighting out of Whippany, NJ has made a name for himself in his first two WSOF appearances by defeating two men with the name that is most synonymous with MMA: Gracie. Patishnock defeated Igor Gracie at WSOF 2, and followed that up with a victory over his brother, Gregor Gracie at WSOF 5.

Patishnock's original opponent, Luis "Baboon" Palomino (21-9) will now face a tough challenge in MMA veteran Jorge "Macaco" Patino (35-14-2-1).

"Macaco," a Brazilian MMA practitioner, began fighting professionally in 1995 and has had several historic fights including his victory over Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, and two epic battles with recently signed WSOF fighter Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons. The 40-year-old Patino has won both the lightweight and welterweight titles with the Legacy FC promotion, a lightweight title with Predator FC, and fought for UFC welterweight championship against one of the sports legends in Pat Milletich.

The 33-year-old Palomino was born in Peru but now resides in Miami. A black belt in both capoeira and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Palomino is a force on the feet and the floor. A former Championship Fighting Alliance featherweight champion, Palomino recently moved up to lightweight and fell just short in a bid for the promotion's lightweight title. Palomino also fought five times for Bellator MMA, including a slot on the promotion's very first show.

A six-fight undercard, which will stream live at www.WSOF.com, will be announced shortly.


With the addition to the card, World Series of Fighting 8 now includes:

Justin Gaethje vs. Rich Patishnock for inaugural lightweight title
Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Kyle
Jessica Aguilar vs. Alida Gray for inaugural womens strawweight title
Cody Bollinger vs. Tyson Nam
Luis Palomino vs. Jorge Patino