World Series of Fighting 5 Preview

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Bantamweights

Sidemar Honorio (8-3, 0-0 WSOF) vs. Jimmie Rivera (12-1, 0-0 WSOF): A former King of the Cage and CFFC titlist, Rivera has won 11 straight fights, including a pair of victories under the Bellator MMA banner. The Team Tiger Schulmann representative also competed on Season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” where he fell to Dennis Bermudez in the preliminary round. Honorio is an aggressive fighter who throws heavy punches, but Rivera’s overall experience could prove to be the difference. Rivera takes a decision.

Welterweights

Gregor Gracie (7-3, 0-1 WSOF) vs. Richard Patishnock (5-1, 1-0 WSOF): While he is not quite in Kazushi Sakuraba territory just yet, Patishnock will attempt to earn his second consecutive victory over MMA’s First Family. Patishnock’s triumph against Igor Gracie at WSOF 2 was not especially impressive, however, as Gracie controlled most of the opening frame before a shoulder injury left him unable to continue. Gregor Gracie, meanwhile, looks to rebound from a first-round TKO loss to Tyson Steele at WSOF 1. Getting Patishnock down and advancing position should not be the issue, but doing so consistently and looking to finish without gassing will determine Gracie’s fate. Gracie wins by decision.

Middleweights

Neiman Gracie (0-0, 0-0 WSOF) vs. Darren Costa (0-1, 0-0 WSOF): In a bout featuring two fighters with almost no professional experience between them, it is difficult to know what to expect. Given his name, one can assume that Gracie will be a proficient grappler, but how he incorporates that with the various elements of MMA remains to be seen. Costa made his pro debut in May, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Jose Pinto in a light heavyweight clash within the Cage Fury Fighting Championships promotion. WSOF brass is not setting up Gracie for failure; he wins by submission in round two or three.

Featherweights

Rick Glenn (13-2-1, 1-0 WSOF) vs. Artur Rofi (6-0, 0-0 WSOF): A Roufusport product, Glenn authored a brilliant comeback to defeat Jungle Fight veteran Alexandre Pimentel at WSOF 2, using a head kick-right hook combination and follow-up hammerfists to stun the Brazilian in March. Rofi has competed five times on the Cage Fury Fighting Championships circuit, winning each of those outings by way of submission. Glenn, who was taken down repeatedly in the first two rounds by Pimentel, will need to stay on his feet and make Rofi exchange with him. Glenn wins by KO or TKO.

Lightweights

Ozzy Dugulubgov (4-1, 1-0 WSOF) vs. Andrew Osborne (7-5, 0-0 WSOF): Dugulubgov proved to be a well-rounded competitor in his WSOF debut, displaying a solid top game, heavy hands and good submission defense in taking a unanimous verdict over Chris Wade in March. The Renzo Gracie product mixes striking and takedowns to take a decision over Osborne for his fourth consecutive victory.

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TRACKING TRISTEN 2013

Overall Record: 167-104
Last Event (UFC Fight Night 28): 5-6
Best Event (Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine): 9-2
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8/UFC Fight Night 28): 5-6