Sherdog’s Top 10: World Series of Fighting Finds

Josh Burkman has resurfaced as a force to be reckoned with at 170 pounds. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

8. Josh Burkman

Burkman’s tenure with the World Series of Fighting has resulted in a career renaissance.

Fighting nine times under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner, Burkman at one time was one of the top welterweights in the company. However, after losing three straight, “The People’s Warrior” found himself on the Zuffa chopping block. After a solid run in the Showdown Fights promotion, Burkman linked arms with the WSOF.

Since then, Burkman has gone 4-1, including wins over fellow UFC alums Gerald Harris and Aaron Simpson. Perhaps most impressively, he avenged a previous defeat to Jon Fitch, as he choked the American Kickboxing Academy standout unconscious at WSOF 3 in June 2013. The 37-fight veteran’s ascent stalled in a WSOF title bout against Steve Carl four months later, but he later bounced back from the loss with a brutal stoppage of Tyler Stinson. Burkman has since engaged in some public contract disputes with WSOF matchmaker Ali Abdel-Aziz. No matter whether or not he suits up for the World Series of Fighting again, he likely will not have trouble finding work.

Number 8 » Steve Carl