After claiming two belts in two different divisions and winning his Dana White's Contender Series bout, Connecticut's Billy Goff (8-2) is set to make his UFC Day Debut in Singapore. The talented Welterweight first took out Gary Balletto Jr. in February of 2022 at CES 66, winning by knockout in Round 1 and returned just one month later stepping in on short notice when Eric Spicely withdrew from the originally scheduled CES Middleweight Title fight, taking on Justin Sumter. Billy reeled off another huge TKO finish in R2 and was officially the newest CHAMP-CHAMP. In his post fight interview, Billy pleaded to Dana White and the UFC explaining that he had claimed two belts in two different weight classes and that it was his turn. Shortly after, Goff received the call to fight on DWCS.
About four months after Goff had claimed that second CES title, the team traveled to Vegas for Week 2 of the 2022 Season of DWCS. In front of Billy stood the Israeli fighter in Shimon Smotritsky (8-1). Goff showed off his explosive striking once again and made quick work of Smotritsky, finishing him with punches in Round 1. Now on a 6 fight win streak, the momentum couldn't get any better for Team Goff. A UFC contract was officially earned.
Goff was originally scheduled to fight back in February on the UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield card. Both he and his opponent, Themba Gorimbo (10-3) were set to make their day debuts. Goff had to withdraw due to injury, unfortunately. However, now he's back!
Fast forward to now, Goff his set to make his very first walk to the UFC octagon when the UFC makes it's appearance in Singapore on August 26th, headlined by Max Holloway and The Korean Zombie. Goff will take on Japan's Yusaku Kinoshita (6-2). Kinoshita also made his way to the UFC via the Contender Series and has already has his first taste of UFC competition this past February versus Adam Fugitt. Kinoshita was finished by the elbows of Fugitt early in Round 1. Considering this, he will come hungry when Billy Goff comes to prove himself in the UFC cage for the first time. When you compare both fighters, you'll see lots of similarities. Their records are similar and also their finishing percentages, too. Kinoshita has won 67% of his fights by KO/TKO, and Goff has done the same in 75% of his. This fight should be a barn-burners and very entertaining to say the least.
This card will broadcast LIVE on ESPN+ starting at 5AM (yes, AM) Eastern Time on August 26.
