(PRESS RELEASE) -- LAS VEGAS – The lineup for World Series of Fighting’s (WSOF.com) world championship doubleheader on Friday, June 5 continues to come together, and six contests featuring some of Canada's top up-and-coming fighters, not to mention a Brazilian veteran, traveling to hostile territory, have been booked for the evening's preliminary card.
Headlined by a world featherweight (145 pounds) championship showdown between reigning kingpin Lance Palmer (9-1) and Canadian challenger and battle-tested veteran Chris Horodecki (21-5-1), WSOF 21: Palmer vs. Horodecki will also feature a much-anticipated contest between WSOF World Heavyweight Champion Smealinho Rama (9-1), who will put his coveted title on the line against Bulgarian standout Blagoi Ivanov (11-1).
The night's main card airs live on NBCSN, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, while preliminary bouts stream live on WSOF.com.
Tickets for the event, which start at just $56, are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com.
Stephen Beaumont, a Hayabusa Training Centre fighter from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, makes his WSOF debut. Six on Beaumont's nine professional fights have ended in the opening round. He now meets cross-town rival Maromo and fellow WSOF newcomer Mukai Maromo, who was born in Zimbabwe but now trains at Edmonton's Complete Fitness and Martial Arts.
A true veteran of the sport with 14 years of experience, Victor Valimaki hails from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and trains at UFC Gym Sherwood Park. Valimaki has shown well-rounded skills in his career, earning six of his career wins by knockout and another seven by submission. He now faces 34-year-old veteran Thiago Goncalves of Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil. With 11 years of professional experience, Goncalves has built an impressive career mark fighting around the globe and is now part of the fast-rising Pitbull Brothers fight team.
Mark Drummond hails from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and trains at Complete Fitness and Martial Arts. After losing in his professional debut in 2010, Drummond has since gone 7-1 in his past eight appearances, including a February knockout over Spencer Jebb at WSOF 18. Meanwhile, Michael Hill fights under the WSOF banner for the third time after previously banking a decision win over Ryan Dickson and a TKO of Richard Arsenault.
Garret Nybakken of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, looks for his first WSOF victory after falling short in his promotional debut in February against Dan Lariviere. He faces fellow Edmonton-based fighter Nick Hrabec, who looks to make a positive impact in his promotional debut.
Marcus Hicks, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is undefeated under the WSOF banner, racking up first-round submission victories over Graham Park and Markhaile Wedderburn. Meanwhile, Matt Baker – a Team Nogueira fighter from Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada – has become a mainstay on the WSOF schedule, making his sixth appearance for the promotion.
Mike Scarcello, a Hayabusa Training Centre fighter out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, brings a four-fighting winning streak to the cage. He now meets Dan Lariviere of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, who is 3-1 in his past four fights, including a February win over Garret Nybakken at February's WSOF 18 event.
MAIN CARD
World Featherweight Championship: (Champion) Lance Palmer (9-1) vs. (Challenger) Chris Horodecki (21-5-1)
World Heavyweight Championship: (Champion) Smealinho Rama (9-1) vs. (Challenger) Blagoi Ivanov (11-1)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Stephen Beaumont (7-2) vs. Mukai Maromo (8-4)
Victor Valimaki (18-9) vs. Thiago Goncalves (17-4)
Mark Drummond (7-2) vs. Michael Hill (7-3)
Garret Nybakken (7-7) vs. Nick Hrabec (3-1)
Marcus Hicks (20-24) vs. Matt Baker (12-7)
Mike Scarcello (7-3-1) vs. Dan Lariviere (4-2)
About "World Series of Fighting" (WSOF) "World Series of Fighting" (WSOF) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow "World Series of Fighting" on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and "World Series of Fighting" President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.
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