The World Series of Fighting is upping the stakes tonight (Oct. 26, 2013) in Coral Gables, Florida. Finally, a champion will be crowned in NBC’s fight promotion. The main event is Josh Burkman (26-9), the Fitch killer, 8-1 since being cut loose by Ultimate Fighting Championship coming into the match as the man who should probably have the belt right now. Across from him, looking to spoil his run, is Steve Carl (20-3), a relatively unknown journeyman who found little success in Bellator, going 2-2, but has since gone on a 6-fight run winning two in WSOF. Burkman has dispatched Gerald Harris, John Fitch and Aaron Simpson in WSOF, and has just looked great as of late, putting together his striking and submission games as well as crafty cagework to go on this championship run. Carl, for his part, has submitted each of his last 6 opponents inside the first round. What we have here is an MMA nerd’s wet dream; two highly talented fighters peaking in a perfectly-timed clash with a belt on the line. Neither of these men are in UFC, but in my opinion they could be, and Dana White even gave props to ex-UFC fighter Burkmannafter he put Fitch to sleep. Both men have diverse abilities and killer instinct, but one thing Burkman can look at is Douglas Lima’s win over Carl in Bellator. A grinding affair with Lima holding down Carl, nullifying his offense. This could be fight of the night. Hell, it could be fight of the weekend. In the co-main event, Jon Fitch (24-6-1), will look to get his first win outside of UFC in years against Marcelo Alfaya (15-6). We’ve seen Fitch decline in his recent fights, but the 35-year old wrestler swears he still has quite a bit left in the gas tank. We know Fitch and his smothering wrestling well through his years of dominant work in the UFC, but less is known about inconsistent journeyman Alfaya. He has fought in M-1, as well as Bellator, but has only fought three times in the last four years. That won’t cut it unless he can finish Fitch Johny Hendricks or Burkman style, as Fitch has a gas tank that can go for days. Alfaya has decent BJJ and is a veteran of the sport, but this is Fitch’s fight to get back on track in his career. In the bantamweight division, Marlon Moraes (11-4-1) will take on Carson Beebe (14-2). Moreas is best known for defeating former WEC bantamweight champ Miguel Torres in his promotional debut as well as powerful slugger Tyson Nam earlier this year. His opponent is Carson Beebe. Brother of WEC champion Chase Beebe, this Illinois born and bred grappler has a grinding style typical of the midwestern wrestler, and was favored to do well in The Ultimate Fighter before failing in the preliminary bouts. This is a really, really competitive fight. Moraes is a 25-year old badass that UFC and Bellator really missed out in signing, and as the bantamweight division is shallow, this is about as good of a fight you can make. Beebe is down to brawl, but he will look to put Moraes on his back, where he isn’t completely out of the game. Moraes can finish from everywhere, but this is all about keeping him off his feet where he has scary knockout power. Opening the WSOF main card on NBC Sports is Justin Gaethje (9-0) taking on Dan Lauzon (17-4). This is one of those fights in which someone would say ‘don’t blink,’ because both of these men finish their opponents more often than not. Gaethje is the prototype for one of the most dangerous MMA fighters, as he’s a decorated college wrestler with heavy hands. He’s beaten JZ Cavalcante and Brian Cobb most recently, the latter via leg kicks, which is unheard of from a wrestler. He’s an up and coming killer. Lauzon you may know from his unsuccessful run in UFC next to brother Joe Lauzon. He’s an exciting fighter with a knack for sinking in the submission after getting hit a couple times too many on the feet. This could steal the show with spectacular violence. On the prelims, broadcast on NBCSports.com, don’t forget to check out Miguel Torres (40-6) trying to right his ship against Pablo Alfonso (8-5). Torres hasn’t looked the same in years, but Alfonso looks like he could be in over his head. Also on the prelims will be Jacob Volkmann (16-4) fighting Luiz Firmino (16-6). Firmino is a Blackzilian by heart, grappler in the cage, but Volkmann will likely grind away to another win.
