World Series of Fighting 8 Results: Justin Gaethje and Jessica Aguilar Win Inaugural Titles

World Series of Fighting crowned two new champions at World Series of Fighting 8 in Hollywood, Fla. on Saturday.

Justin Gaethje remained undefeated and picked up the inaugural World Series of Fighting lightweight title by finishing Rich Patishnock in the first round of the main event.

There was not feeling out process.  As soon as the opening bell sounded, they met each other with fists.  Gaethje landed a right hand that knocked Patishnock down.  Patishnock got back to his feet and fired back, but Gaethje’s strikes were too much.  He trapped Patishnock against the cage and landed punches and elbows until the referee stepped in to stop the action.  Patishnock appeared to be out on his feet.

“All the years, it paid off right now.  I want to thank my parents for getting me involved in this stuff from the beginning.  I love this,” said Gaethje following his championship performance.

After nearly a year in the making, light heavyweights Mike Kyle and Anthony Johnson finally fought in the co-main event.  It was the third time the promotion put the match-up together with each having to previously withdraw due to injuries.

Johnson was the faster fighter and come out throwing kicks early.  Kyle briefly tied him up, but was unable to get the fight to the ground.  As Kyle moved forward, Johnson delivered a counter right hook that left Kyle face-first, unconscious on the canvas just two minutes into the fight.  It was Johnson’s fifth consecutive win and the final fight on his contract.

Top ranked 115-pound female fighter Jessica Aguilar became the inaugural World Series of Fighting strawweight champion by submitting Alida Gray in the opening round.  Aguilar wasted little time getting the fight to the ground.  Once there, she applied a side choke, advanced her position to the proper side and forced Gray to tap out.

“It’s been eight years coming.  It’s a lot of hard work that I’ve done, and it all paid off right here.  I want to thank my team, American Top Team, for creating me and making me a champion, my mom for raising me and showing me morals and respect,” said Aguilar following the win.  “There are so many people that have helped me in my career and through my journey.  I just want to thank everyone.  I’m so grateful.  I’m happy.”

Bantamweight Cody Bollinger rebounded after being kicked off The Ultimate Fighter 18 for missing weight in his World Series of Fighting debut, defeating Tyson Nam by unanimous decision.  It was largely an uneventful fight that felt more like a sparring session.

Following the fight, Bollinger revealed via Twitter than he had fought injured.  “I fought with a broken rib and blown out shoulder. I did the best I could with the injuries I had. God bless and thanks for the support,” he wrote.

In lightweight action, Jorge Patino and Luis Palomino kicked off the main card with an entertaining slugfest that ended with Palomino knocking out Patino in the second round.  Patino scored an early takedown, and the rest of the fight was dictated by Palomino’s power punches.  He consistently landed and after swarming Patino with punches and knees, he finished with strikes on the ground.

World Series of Fighting 8 Results:

Main Card

Justin Gaethje def. Rich Patishnock by TKO at 1:09, R1
Anthony Johnson def. Mike Kyle ?by KO at 2:03, R1
Jessica Aguilar def. Alida Gray ?by submission (side choke) at 2:45, R1
Cody Bollinger def. Tyson Nam? by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Luis Palomino def. Jorge Patino by KO at 4:20, R2

Preliminary Card

Tyler Stinson def. Valdir Araujo by TKO at 2:23, R3
Derrick Mehmen def. Scott Barrett ?by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Alexis Vila def. Sidemar by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
-Freddy Assuncao?def. Brenson Hanson by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Jose Caceres vs. Anderson Melo def. Jose Caceres by submission (heel hook) at 1:10, R1

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