Lost in the mixed martial arts (MMA) shuffle last night (Sat., Nov. 15, 2014), somewhere between Fabricio Werdum laying waste to Mark Hunt at UFC 180 (video highlights) and Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar wasting our time at Bellator 131 (video highlights), World Series of Fighting (WSOF) 15 was staging its own main event.
Expectations were super high at least.
WSOF 15, which took place at USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla., featured a Middleweight main event that pit division champion, David Branch, up against former No. 1-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 185-pound title challenger, Yushin Okami, on NBC Sports Network.
It appeared inevitable that Okami would swoop in and dispatch the less-accomplished Branch with relative ease; however, the Renzo Grace Jiu-Jitsu-trained fighter had other plans. Branch, himself a UFC castoff, played Okami's careful, tactical game seemingly forever.
But, it was just for 4.5 rounds, at which time Branch uncorked a short right hook that caught Okami, as well as those watching, completely by surprise. The Japanese import hit the floor and Branch followed up, landing several unanswered blows that compelled the referee to intervene.
Impressive.
For a complete WSOF 15 results recap, as well as play-by-play coverage of the entire NBC Sports main card, click here and here.
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