Featherweight title fight between Georgi Karakhanyan and Lance Palmer elevated to headlining status
LAS VEGAS, (Nov. 21, 2013) – The World Series of Fighting 7 light heavyweight showdown between Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Mike “MAK” Kyle has been canceled after Kyle suffered a broken toe in training and was forced to withdraw from the contest.
The new main event will be a previously announced five-round bout for World Series of Fighting’s inaugural featherweight title between Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (22-3-1) and Lance “Unstoppable” Palmer (7-0).
“I’m as disappointed as anyone that we’re forced to cancel this fight, but Mike just could not compete with his broken toe, and we simply could not find a suitable opponent for Anthony on such short notice,” World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. “That said, we are fortunate that we still have a fantastic championship matchup between Georgi Karakhanyan and Lance Palmer that will now serve as our main event, and I think fans are still going to enjoy an incredible fight card.”
“World Series of Fighting 7: Karakhanyan vs. Palmer” takes place Dec 7 at PNE Agrodome in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The night’s main card airs on NBC Sport Network at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT following prelims that stream on World Series of Fighting’s official website, www.wsof.com.
Tickets for World Series of Fighting 7, which start at just $29, are available at TicketLeader.ca.
Karakhanyan brings an eight-fight win streak to the matchup. The 28-year-old Millennia MMA fighter, who was born in Russia but now makes his home in Southern California, turned pro in 2006 and has since racked up 22 wins, including 12 submission victories and another four by knockout. He debuted for World Series of Fighting in September, scoring an impressive first-round submission win over Waylon Lowe, who had won his previous four fights by knockout.
Meanwhile, Palmer is a former four-time All-American collegiate wrestler at Ohio State University. A member of California’s famed Team Alpha Male, Palmer currently trains alongside MMA standouts Urijah Faber, Joseph Benavidez, Chad Mendes, Danny Castillo and T.J. Dillashaw, among others. Palmer made his professional debut in 2011 and remains undefeated through his first seven contests, including a recent decision win that saw him claim the Resurrection Fighting Alliance featherweight title.
A light heavyweight matchup scheduled for the preliminary card between Dwayne “D-Bomb” Lewis (13-8) and Kalib Starnes (15-8-1) will now be the evening’s first televised matchup.
NBCSN-TELEVISED MAIN CARD
Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Lance Palmer – for inaugural WSOF featherweight title
Elvis Mutapcic vs. Jesse Taylor – middleweight tournament semifinal
Sabah Fadai vs. Nick Newell
Kalib Starnes vs. Dwayne Lewis
WSOF.COM-STREAMED PRELIMINARY CARD
Shawn Albrecht vs. Josh Machan
Michael Hill vs. Richard Arsenault
