Spokane’s Josh Rettinghouse loses WSOF Bantamweight title bout by decision to Marlon Moares

Marlon Moraes took advantage of a barrage of leg kicks to seize control of the semi-main event in winning the inaugural World Series of Fighting Bantamweight title over a game Josh Rettinghouse by unanimous decision at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Rettinghouse, a Spokane native, tried early to bring the fight to the ground, but was not able to consistently crack the takedown defense of Moraes.

By the middle of the second round, both fighters had settled in standing up. Moraes then went to work controlling the distance and setting up strikes to Rettinghouse’s head with solid leg kicks. A noticeably limping Rettinghouse continued to press the fight to the end, but was often countered by the quicker Moraes.

All three judges scored the bout 50-44.

Moreas, ranked among the top-10 bantamweights in the world, improved to 13-4-1 with the win.

The loss dropped Rettinghouse to 10-3.