The Fight Report for the WSOF 7 Card

WSOF is going international with shows planned in New Zealand, Japan and in any city that’ll have them, but they start this worldwide expansion in the great white North of Canada with this Saturday’s WSOF 7.  Injury and visa issues leave us with a depleted card, but for my money the issues have just cut through the chaff on the card, leaving us with hungry fighters looking to shine on the world stage.

Let’s take a look at some of the WSOF 7 fights and how this show should pan out.

145 lbs. Title Fight: Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Lance Palmer: The promotions first 145lb belt will be handed to the victor, as Georgi Karakhanyan takes on Team Alpha Male fighter Lance Palmer.  Karakhanyan has been tearing up the division across the globe, having had a rough run in Bellator that turned into an eight-fight win streak abroad, with a slick guillotine win over Waylon Lowe putting him in this match.

Lance Palmer is a fairly new fighter, but as an elite California-based wrestler with Alpha Male, he’s off to a good start. A raw fighter, Palmer has been working his wrestling and top control to success, with a budding boxing game to keep things interesting in the cage as he continues to improve.

This is a fight that will show exactly what Palmer is made out of, as he has all the tools to win on paper, but will need to be perfect under the tidal wave of pressure Karakhanyan brings. Karakhanyan has but two weaknesses to capitalize on: A shaky chin, and no ability to stand up from bottom position.  With that said, I can’t see Palmer getting this done, as he’s simply not strong enough with his boxing to pick Karakhanyan apart, and isn’t sound enough on top to avoid those vicious counter-wrestling submissions.  A strong beginning turns into a rout, as Karakhanyan blasts Palmer with combinations and scores the TKO win in the second round.

Jesse Taylor vs. Elvis Mutapcic: Former MFC champion Elvis Mutapcic will make his WSOF debut, taking on infamous TUF contestant Jesse Taylor. Mutapcic is a legitimate terror, having crisp power striking with a unique counter-grappling clinch style to force fighters into stand-up battles. Taylor will want none of that however, being a wrestler to the bone, and having grabbed several titles on the road over the last several years.  This is a huge defining moment for both men, as Mutapcic can prove his style works against power wrestlers, while Taylor can get back on the radar in America as a true threat. While it could be close, I like Mutapcic’s finishing skills here, especially as Taylor hasn’t had a fight at this level in some time. Look for a tense first round that gives away to a massacre as the fight progresses, with Mutapcic clubbing Taylor relentlessly for two rounds, scoring a late TKO or decision win.

Nick Newell vs. Sabah Fadai: Undefeated and having scrapped a title belt to come to WSOF, Nick Newell will take on Canadian kickboxer Sabah Fadai in a lopsided fight. I’ve literally written the manual on Nick Newell and while Fadai has a couple of pieces to the puzzle, his utter lack of grappling defense will make him a quick tap here. Newell will shoot early and hook a guillotine in the first scramble, snatching a submission win in under a minute.

Dwayne Lewis vs. Kalib Starnes: Two veterans of Canadian MMA will lock up, as former MFC title challenger Dwayne Lewis faces the infamous Kalib Starnes. The “Running Man” incident was so long ago that some may not remember it, but it has come to define Starnes as a fighter and haunted his entire career thereafter due to his antics in the cage. Since being fired from the UFC, Starnes has fought sporadically across three weight classes, often taking fights on short notice or against outstanding opposition. In the last year however, Starnes has decided to give a serious shot at this MMA thing before it’s too late, having beaten the brakes off of former UFC heavyweight Tim Hague as a 216lb heavyweight, and destroying fellow Canadian Clay Davidson in his last fight. Lewis is a tough, yet fairly generic fighter with a big punch and some light wrestling, but anytime a fighter comes out of retirement, you know to expect the worst. Look for Starnes to hustle Lewis everywhere the bout goes, either showing off his karate style striking or taking it to the mat for a simple RNC win.