Here's how MMAFighting.com opened its coverage of the main event: "It's about time to get Justin Gaethje a Wikipedia page. Just six months after defeating Luis Palomino in an instant Fight of the Year candidate, Gaethje somehow topped himself Friday night, starching Palomino with a sensational one-punch knockout to defend his World Series of Fighting lightweight title in the headlining rematch of WSOF 23."
Justin Gaethje "As was the case in their chaotic first encounter on March 28, neither man paid much attention to defense," wrote Brian Knapp of Sherdog.com. "They traded heavy fire -- Palomino hit the deck on the end of a right uppercut -- in the first round, but Gaethje emerged from the exchanges in better shape. The 26-year-old Grudge Training Center rep scored with a belly-to-back slam takedown and rode the momentum into the second round. There, Gaethje absorbed a number of vicious shots to the body and floored the MMA Masters export with a short, savage right hook. He then followed Palomino to the canvas and connected with another jackhammer right that forced referee Ryan Brueggeman to act, despite the Peruvian challenger's immediate protests."
It's possible Gaethje and Palomino may meet yet again, as, immediately after their second bout, Palomino requested and was granted a spot in WSOF's upcoming lightweight tournament, which is expected to crown the next No. 1 contender.
With the win, Gaethje not only retains his lightweight (155-pound) crown, but remains perfect at 15-0 overall, and 8-0 in WSOF competition. Palomino falls to 23-11 in his career, and is now 2-2 in WSOF.
Gaethje, 26, a native of Safford, Ariz., launched his pro mixed martial arts career in August 2011. His first WSOF fight was in March 2013.
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