The main event for Thursday’s World Series of Fighting 18 was a hard fought bantamweight title fight between Marlon Moraes (14-4-1) and Josh Hill (10-1). It was an unprecedented affair as Hill took the fight to Moraes early but could not muster enough consistency for the win. After dominating the footwork and striking in the first, the middle rounds seemed to be at a lost for Josh, He clearly broke the champ’s nose in the first round but was unable to capitalize on it for much of the match.

Moraes fought like a champ and withstood the potent attack early and lulled Hill into a calculated striking game for the final four rounds. In the fifth round with Moraes clearly up, Hill landed a devastating spinning backside leg kick, but a later take down by Marlon would seal the deal. When Hill goes back and looks at this fight we are sure he will see some areas where he could have kept pressing.

He is one of the few men who did the dance with the champ for all five rounds when many didn't give him a chance. As for Marlon we will see who they have next in line for him. WSOF has been doing a fairly good job keeping their top guys feed so only time will tell who he sees next.

The co main matchup between Shane Campbell (9-2) and Derek Boyle (13-7) was a rollercoaster of a match with a great finish. Both fighters in the initial first rounds came out pressing hard but would gas before any offense could amount.

The only person seeing any daylight was Campbell who found leg kick after leg kick to keep a slight advantage in the match. With not too much time left in the third Campbell found his range and landed a shot to end the fight with only 31 seconds left in the fight. It was quite the finish.

The second fight of the main card didn't go off so well. Cody McKenzie (15-7) may want to rethink his retirement after tonight's fight with Andrew McInnes (6-1). Neither fighter really had the complete advantage in the first round but Andrew was carrying a slight edge. After a moment on the ground McKenzie was able to get top position on McInnes but out of nowhere threw down a head-butt that landed on top of the eye of Andrew.

The referee immediately stopped the fight and called for a doctor to check in on McInnes. After placing Cody in the corner he asked him about the head-butt which Cody responded by saying, “He shouldn't have pulled my hair!”

Not the best answer to give the referee as it could only end in a disqualification if Andrew could not continue. With damage to his left eye Andrew could not see and the fight was called. This was not a great look for McKenzie who will have to regroup before his upcoming match for another promotion next month.

Thursday night got off to an explosive start with two strikers battling it out nearly until the end. Mean Hakeem Dawodu (4-0) is a name we think fans will come to know for some time as he improves each fight in his young career. He took on fellow Canadian Tristan Johnson (9-6) in the opening bout of the NBC Sports Network main card.

It was surprising to see the fight reach the third round as both fighters had plenty of stunning blows leaving their opponent wobbling. Hakeem was the aggressor and his lethal combination of speed, accuracy and power picked Johnson apart and left him dazed time after time. He felt the wrath of Johnson as well and left the fight with a huge cut under his left eye.

Johnson was unable to capitalize on the cut and soon felt the overpowering pace of Dawodu and was taken out in the middle of the third round. It was a fantastic fight to start the card as Johnson ate shot after shot but kept fighting until the referee could take no more.

The prelims had its ups and downs but worthy of note is the awesome submission pulled off by Marcus Hicks. The full results from WSOF 18 are below.

MAIN CARD

Champ Marlon Moraes def. Josh Hill via unanimous decision (49-46 x3) – to retain bantamweight title

Shane Campbell def. Derek Boyle via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:31

Andrew McInnes def. Cody McKenzie via disqualification (illegal head-butt) – Round 1, 4:57

Hakeem Dawodu def. Tristan Johnson via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:59

PRELIMS

Mukai Maromo vs. Jose Rodriguez – Rodriguez missed weight and the fight was cancelled

Matt Baker and Ali Mokdad went to a no contest due to an accidental head-butt – Round 1, 0:08

Marcus Hicks def. Graham Park via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:28

Mark Drummond def. Spencer Jebb via KO (knee) – Round 3, 2:43

Dan Lariviere def. Garret Nybakken via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:40