Justin Gaethje Remains WSOF Lightweight Champion After New Year’s Eve Scare

NEW YORK — Something had to give. Either a chunk of Luiz Firmino’s face would fall off or Justin Gaethje’s right arm would, from hitting the Brazilian constantly with right uppercuts. The World Series of Fighting 34 main event on Saturday at Madison Square Garden turned out to be a thriller, featuring an incredible, back-and-forth battle between Gaethje, the defending WSOF lightweight champion, and a valiant challenger who took the fight on three weeks’ notice. In the end, with both fighters busted up and swollen, it was Gaethje that drove his record to 17-0 after referee Dan Miragliotta wisely waved off the fight after three rounds.Firmino, who fell to 19-8, could barely see. His right eye was swollen shut, possibly from a broken orbital bone, and his left eye was a mere slit. According to the judges, it was Firmino that was ahead after three rounds, winning the first and second before Gaethje’s sledgehammer right uppercuts began cracking his granite skull. What threw a bolt into the fight occurred in the waning seconds of the first round. Gaethje’s poor attempt at a somersault kick landed right on Firmino’s face. The Blackzilians rep took offense, glaring at Gaethje. Agitated, Firmino wanted to go after the champion when the round concluded, but he stored his venom for Round 2, where he sprang at Gaethje. He tried a flying knee and constantly burrowed in on Gaethje, taking him down a few times. When Firmino closed in, he paid a price. Gaethje kept connecting with a right uppercut that landed unimpeded almost every time he threw it. Firmino’s left eye began to close, and his face began falling apart. Gaethje continued his torrid pace in third, and though Firmino tried matching Gaethje’s fire, he was unable to take the punishment. It was an ooh-and-ah fight for the fans, who implored the ringside doctor to let it continue. However, Miragliotta and the ringside medical staff made what appeared to be the more prudent call.Fitch Edges Shields in Defense of Welterweight Title There was a heavy dose of boos that greeted Jon Fitch (29-7-1) upon defending the WSOF welterweight title, as he bested Jake Shields (31-9-1) by unanimous decision. Scores were 49-46 on all three scorecards. Fitch then dropped a bomb by announcing it may have been the last fight of his career. The fans expected more. A Fitch-Shields …

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