World Series of Fighting (WSOF) returns with another fight card, and this time, the promotion will showcase its younger talent instead of former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veterans and other notable combatants.
WSOF 13: "Moraes vs. Bollinger" takes place from Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pa., with a main event between WSOF Bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes versus Cody Bollinger. The latter steps up on just days notice for Josh Hill in a catchweight bout, which means the strap won't be on the line.
In the co-main event, Renzo Gracie product Ozzy Dugulubgov takes on Keon Caldwell in a Welterweight showdown. Also on the NBC Sports Network main card, Isaiah Chapman meets Timur Valiev, awhile Tom Marcellino kicks off the televised action against Frankie Perez.
Check out our WSOF 13: "Moraes vs. Bollinger" predictions below:
140 lbs.: Marlon Moraes (13-4-1) vs. Cody Bollinger (16-2)
So, the bantamweight title isn't on the line because it's a catchweight. After Bollinger stepped up on short notice to replace Josh Hill, I'm guessing the promotion wanted to thank him for that without risking anything. I'm not trying to be obtuse, but he's had weight issues before.
Now, I think Moraes is one of the most promising stars the upstart promotion has under lock. He's got killer skills everywhere, and like we saw in his last fight against Josh Rettinghouse at WSOF 9, he's going to maul you from head-to-toe.
The Ultimate Fighter 18 (TUF) contestant is tough and his chin is pretty durable. Still, I think taking this fight without too much time to train for a world champion signals he may have bitten off more than he could chew. Accordingly, I'm expecting Moraes to dominate him and hack at his legs like he's a kickboxer trying to kill those tendons.
Final result: Moraes def. Bollinger via technical knockout
155 lbs.: Keon Caldwell (10-2) vs. Ozzy Dugulubgov (5-2)
This is a perfect example of striker-meets-grappler.
Caldwell, a former TUF contestant himself, hasn't really gotten into his groove over tough opposition yet. You could say the same for the young Ozzy, but his recent results have been a bit better.
If Caldwell keeps his distance and stays on the outside when landing blows, he could be successful. The thing is, though, Dugulubgov is a Renzo Gracie-trained product who is probably going to look for takedowns as much as he can, followed by a couple of submission attempts. Caldwell isn't that great on the mat -- he's been submitted in his only two losses to Nick Newell and Dhiego Lima -- so I'm predicting for him to have a little trouble when locking up.
But, like I said, if Ozzy is having trouble on the feet and can't grapple accordingly, it's "The Black Assassin's" fight to lose.
Final prediction: Dugulubgov def. Caldwell via unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Isaiah Chapman (6-1) vs. Timur Valiev (7-1)
This could be the dark horse fight of the night between two solid bantamweights who aren't far off from title shots, seeing how the promotion usually gives the young guns a chance to shine early on.
Chapman is 6-1, having made his debut in 2012 after an impressive amateur record of 12-1. He's pretty savvy when it comes to submissions, but I think Valiev is just a bit stronger. The Dagestani throws a lot of punches, too, and looks hellishly strong coming in.
I'm going to pick Valiev here, with takedowns and clinching being the difference. "Lucky" is coming off a big win via flying knee over Adam Acquaviva at WSOF 10, and if my sources didn't fail me, he's Rustam Khabilov's brother. Does that have anything to do with it? Not sure, but I'm riding the wave of powerful Dagestani killers.
Final prediction: Valiev def. Chapman via unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Tom Marcellino (7-2) vs. Frankie Perez (8-1)
Something tells me these two lightweights will start to trade ferociously on the feet and throw caution to the wind. I do think, however, Marcellino will try and get the fight to the ground eventually. He's finished four out of his seven wins via submission, and doesn't have a knockout or technical knockout to his name.
Perez, on the other hand, only has one win by technical knockout, and finished five out of his eight wins by submission. Despite both combatants having more success tapping their foes, I think Perez is the better striker. I'll pick him to surprise Marcellino with a few shots as the fight progresses, earning the victory by way of stoppage.
Final prediction: Perez def. Marcellino via technical knockout
That just about wraps it up.
Keep it locked to MMAmania.com for WSOF 13 coverage this upcoming weekend.