WSOF 23 Date: September 18, 2015 Arena: Comerica Theatre City: Phoenix, AZ The World Series of Fighting (WSOF) returns to Phoenix, AZ with WSOF 23: Gaethje vs Palomino II. The event will be stacked with 12-scheduled bouts, including a five fight main card set to kick off at 10pm ET on the NBC Sports Network and preliminary action set to stream online starting at 7pm ET. If interested in wagering on any plays for this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakerss. My Over/Under Totals for WSOF 23 are: Lightweight title bout: Justin Gaethje (-635) vs Luis Palomino (+415) Gabe’s Thoughts: This is a rare MMA title fight, because it is an immediate rematch, and not because the first bout was close, but because it was incredibly entertaining. The promotion was so thrilled with the result of the first bout, they want to see these two go at it again right away. Palomino had his moments in the first fight, but it was not close at all, as Gaethje landed most of the significant strikes. I think the rematch will have a similar outcome, except I think Gaethje will be a little smarter, use some defense and manage to find a finish early on. I don’t think this fight lasts as long as the first one, I think there’s a good chance it ends within the first or second. Gabe’s Call: Gaethje by T/KO (strikes, 1:55 round 2) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Under 1.5 rounds (+180) 1u to win 1.8u Bantamweight bout: Timur Valiev (-750) vs Tito Jones (+450) Gabe’s Thoughts: Simply put, I think Valiev is going to continue to roll here with another finish. I think he is the superior fighter heading into this scrap and like his chances of getting the job done within the first round and a half of action. Gabe’s Call: Rivera by T/KO (punches, 1:52 round 3) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Under 1.5 rounds (+150) 1u to win 1.5u Light Heavyweight bout: David Branch (-420) vs Teddy Holder (+300) Gabe’s Thoughts: Even at a size disadvantage, I like Branch to get his hand raised in this match-up, however I don’t like him at his current offering price of -420. At these odds, I think it is a “dog or pass” situation, but I can’t get myself to make a move on the underdog. That said, I do like the total of Over 1.5 rounds here, as I do favor this contest to reach the judges’ scorecards for a decision, where I think Branch will have grinded out the W. Gabe’s Call: Branch by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Over 1.5 rounds (+100) 2u to win 2u
