WSOF 9 Topped by 2 Title Bouts
The first title defense of Steve Carl’s (21-3) WSOF Welterweight title run will come in the main event of WSOF 9 against controversial submission artist Rousimar Palhares (15-5). The co-main event will see Marlon Moraes(12-4-1) battling Josh Rettinghouse (10-2) for the inaugural WSOF Bantamweight championship.
Carl is on a 7 fight winning streak including being 3-0 in the World Series of Fighting. At WSOF 6 Carl submitted Josh Burkman to become the first WSOF Welterweight champion. The submission was the 16th of Carl’s career.
Palhares will be making his promotional debut in a big spot after being released from the UFC for holding a heel hook for an excessive amount of time after Mike Pierce tapped, and the referee was trying to break the hold. The submission still counted as a victory snapping a two fight skid in which Alan Belcher and Hector Lombard had both knocked out Palhares.
Moraes is on a 6 fight winning streak, including defeating Miguel Torres (SD), Tyson Nam (KO), Brandon Hemplman (UD), and Carson Beebe (KO); in the WSOF cage.
Rettinghouse who is on a 3 fight winning streak, has 6 wins by submission; and is coming off a promotional debut win over Alexis Vila.
WSOF 9 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 29; is also expected to see the promotional debut of former UFC Middleweight title challenger Yushin Okami (29-8).