World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje returns to the cage March 12 to take on No. 1 contender Brian Foster at WSOF 29 in Loveland, Colo.
Gaethje (15-0) captured the WSOF lightweight title at WSOF 8, where he defeated Rich Patishnock via first-round knockout. Since that victory, Gaethje notched three more title defenses under the WSOF banner – two against Luis Palomino and a third against Nick Newell, all via knockout.
A would-be fourth title defense for Gaethje came at WSOF 15, where he defeated former UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard via split-decision. While originally intended to be contested for the belt, the affair was downgraded to a non-title fight after Guillard missed weight by nearly four pounds.
Opposite Gaethje at WSOF 29 stands Foster (25-8). The Oklahoman recently won WSOF's one-night, eight-man tournament at WSOF 25 in November, securing his shot at Gaethje in the process.
Despite losing to Joao Zeferino in the first round of the tournament via heel hook, Foster was re-inserted into the running after an injury to Mike Ricci created an opening. Foster made good on his second chance, knocking out Palomino then Zeferino in a rematch to capture tourney gold.
Before the 155-pound tournament, Foster won five of his previous six, with two knockouts, two submissions and a decision during that stretch.