The headlining and one of the feature bouts for next months WSOF 19 card is set and will see undefeated lightweight title holder Justin Gaethje (13-0) defend his belt against KO artist Luis Palomino (23-9). The card will take place live Saturday March 28th from Comerica Theatre in Phoenix Arizona. It will also feature the start of a fourman light heavyweight tournament with former UFC competitors Ronny Markes (15-3) and Thiago Silva (16-3). The tournament is created to name the first inaugural Light Heavyweight champion for the World Series of Fighting promotion. Gaethje finally meets Palomino who should have gotten the title shot last year but with the inclusion of Melvin Guillard to the roster that put things on hold. Justin defeated Melvin in a non title fight since Guillard missed weight prompting this match to be his next title defense. One of the top fighters in world at 155 Justin Gaethje looks to remain undefeated and show why he is one of the best fighters outside of the UFC brand.
WSOF President Ray Sefo will announce the full details for the four man tournament during this upcoming Thursday’s WSOF 18 which features a bantamweight title fight between Marlon Moraes and Josh Hill. As of now wrestling standout Matt “The Hammer” Hamill (11-5) is slated to be in the tournament as well.
On July 5, 2014 Gaethje finished Nick Newell by way of TKO (punches) in the second round (3:09) of the first-ever WSOF world lightweight championship bout, live on NBC. Gaethje defended his strap for the first time on Nov. 15, 2014, earning a split decision win over Melvin Guillard.
Fighting out of Miami, Fla., the 34-year-old Palomino, a native of Peru, has 13 KO’s and 2 submission victories under his belt.
Palomino has been explosive in the WSOF decagon cage, thus far, picking up back-to-back KO wins over fellow battle-tested veteran Jorge "Macaco" Patino and the previously undefeated "Lethal" Lewis Gonzalez, by way of an onslaught of punches and a knee strike-punch combination, respectively to earn a shot at Gaethje’s title.
It should be a monumental main event. Look for more card announcements soon and don’t forget to catch WSOF 18: Moraes - Hill this Thursday on NBCSN.