World Series of Fighting (WSOF) announced today that it will bring it’s highly-anticipated world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event, headlined by a welterweight (170 pounds) title fight between reigning champion Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares (16-6) of Dores Do Indaia, Minas Gerais Brazil and fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and superstar Jon Fitch (26-6-1, 1 NC) of San Jose, Calif. to the McClellan Conference Center in Sacramento, Calif. onSaturday, Dec. 13, live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on NBCSN.
WSOF 16 Heads to San Diego
Priced from $50, tickets are on sale now at www.wsof.com.
“We are excited to bring the World Series Fighting product to the city of Sacramento for the first time and are looking forward to delivering an incredible night of MMA action to a market where fans have shown tremendous appreciation and enthusiasm for our great sport,” said World Series of Fighting President, six-time world champion and two-time Hall of Famer Ray Sefo.
In a featherweight (145 pounds) world championship co-main event, reigning kingpin and streaking finisher Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn (15-2-1) of Marshalltown, Iowa will put his belt on the line against submission powerhouse and Team Alpha Male alumnus Lance “The Party” Palmer (8-1) of Sacramento.
Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch
Palhares, the reigning World Series of Fighting welterweight kingpin, has also become one of the sport’s most feared executioners, with an unmatched ability to trap his opponents in a variety of leg locks. To date, 13 of the stocky and muscular fighter’s 16 career wins have come by way of submission, 10 of which he produced with either a heel hook or ankle lock.
On March 29, Palhares was crowned champion after submitting Steve Carl with an inverted heel hook just over one minute into the first round of action. During his 10-year career, Palhares has claimed wins over a number of stellar adversaries, including, Jeremy Horn and Mike Pierce, whom Palhares tapped out with a heel hook just 31 seconds into their fight.
Also a decorated submission stylist as well as a longtime member of San Jose’s Team AKA, Fitch will make his second start of 2014 and aim for his third consecutive win, after earning a split decision over Marcelo Alfaya on Oct. 26, 2013 and a unanimous decision over superstar Dennis “Superman” Hallman on July 5, 2014, respectively.
During his 12-year professional career, Fitch has submitted or scored TKO’s on a long list of rival superstars, including Roan Carneiro, Josh Burkman, Thiago Alves, and has earned decisions over Diego Sanchez, Erick Silva and Ben Saunders.
Rick Glenn vs. Lance Palmer
The 25-year-old Glenn is looking to extend an unbeaten run that began 13 fights ago, in June 2010, and a 3-fight win streak under the World Series of Fighting banner. In those 13 starts, Glenn finished 10 of his opponents by way of TKO or submission, including his last opponent second round TKO stoppage of Georgi Karakhanyan, on June 21 2014.
Palmer, a 26-year-old standout, is looking to claim his second consecutive win after submitting Nick LoBosco with a rear-naked choke in the first round (4:15) of action in the World Series of Fighting cage on June 21. Palmer has produced four of his eight career wins by way of submission.
Two additional, main card bouts will be announced soon. The live, four-bout NBCSN telecast of WSOF 16: Palhares vs. Fitch will begin at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on Dec. 13.
Doors at the McClellan Conference Center will open at 2 p.m. PST and the first preliminary bout will begin at 3 p.m.
