WSOF 29 results: Gaethje remains perfect, kicks out Foster in first

Justin Gaethje and Brian Foster

WSOF lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (16-0) is still perfect through 16 professional contests, defending his belt for the fourth consecutive time with a fist-round finish of Brian Foster (25-9).

The contest served as the headlining bout of Saturday’s WSOF 29 event, which took place at Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, Colo. The main card aired on NBCSN.

It was Foster who was the aggressor at the bell, coming out with punches and kicks in the face of an always aggressive opponent. Gaethje covered well and returned fire, and a few chopping low kicks started to take their toll on Foster, who began to visibly struggle remaining upright. Gaethje saw the opportunity and continued to assault the left leg, and Foster collapsed on the floor.

Gaethje didn’t bother to follow, simply turning away and celebrating the walk-off TKO finish at the 1:43 mark of the first round.

‘Huggy Bear’ cruises over ‘300’

In heavyweight action, Josh Copeland (12-3) was able to outwork fellow WSOF newcomer Mike Hayes (19-11-2) en route to a clearcut unanimous decision.

Hayes was patient to open the contest, and Copeland was able to capitalize early with a few straight punches over his opponent’s low kicks. Copeland then pressed into the clinch, where he looked to grind his opponent against the cage. They broke apart in the latter stages of the frame, and Hayes was able to show a bit of his own offense, though he never had his opponent in trouble.

In the second, Copeland remained the busier fighter on the feet. Hayes tried to fire occasional power shots, but he was simply outworked by his opponent.

The pattern continued in the third. Both men clearly tired, but it was the smaller Copeland who seemed to manage the space better and land strikes against his longer foe. Both men bloodied in the final frame, they continued to throw until the bell. Still, it was Copeland who took home the clear win, 30-27 on all three judges’ cards.

Taylor puts Devela to sleep in 29 seconds

In a key middleweight matchup, Louis Taylor (12-3) made a massive statement in his promotional debut, choking out Cory Devela (16-7).

As Devela shot inside for an early takedown, Taylor latched on to a guillotine and started to squeeze. As he remained in a standing position, Taylor shoved Devela to the cage and continued his wrap, holding tight until Devela went out just 29 seconds into the opening round. Incredibly, it was Taylor’s fourth consecutive win via guillotine choke.

Hocum edges Cavan to kick off main card

In the night’s first main-card matchup, welterweight Kris Hocum (8-4) just edged out Josh Cavan (11-7) for a split-decision win.

With the wrestling a stalemate in the opening frame, the two settled on a kickboxing contest. While it seemed Hocum was the aggressor, both had their moments, though neither gained clear control.

That pattern continued in the second. Cavan did finally score a takedown, but not before his face was busted up a bit from taking shots on the feet.

In the third, the takedowns became a little more prevalent, though neither fighter could truly establish dominance on the floor, transitioning in alternating fashion on the canvas. In the end, Hocum earned the nod by the slightest of margins.

WSOF 29 results include:

MAIN CARD (NBCSN, 10 p.m. ET)

• Champ Justin Gaethje def. Brian Foster via TKO (low kick) – Round 1, 1:43 – to retain lightweight title
• Josh Copeland def. Mike Hayes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Louis Taylor def. Cory Devela via technical submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:29
• Kris Hocum def. Josh Cavan via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMAjunkie, 7:30 p.m. ET)

• Ian Heinisch def. Tyler Vogel via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
• Josh Huber def. Clay Wimer via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Brandon Royval def. Danny Mainus via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 2:48

For more on WSOF 29, check out the MMA Events section of the site.