Jessica Aguilar and Alida Gray meet for 115 lb title at World Series of Fighting 8

Next month’s World Series of Fighting 8 event features a second championship matchup, as the No. 1 ranked 115-pound woman in the world, Jessica Aguilar (16-4, pictured), meets Alida Gray (4-0) for World Series of Fighing’s inaugural women’s strawweight title.

The bout airs live on NBC Sports Network on the main card of the Jan. 18 event, which takes place at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

“We’re excited to host the first-ever women’s bout in the World Series of Fighting decagon, and there’s no better way to do it than with a title on the line,” World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. “Jessica Aguilar is currently the absolute best 115-pounder on the planet, but Alida Gray is a lifelong martial artist who has been on an absolute tear since turning her attention to MMA. I can’t wait to see these two clash.”

“Jag” Aguilar is a member of Florida’s famed American Top Team and currently boasts a seven-fight winning streak. She competed most recently in October, when she earned a second career win over her idol and MMA legend Megumi Fujii. Aguilar has lost just once in her past 12 appearances and now makes her World Series of Fighting debut.

“My training is going awesome over here with the best team in the world at ATT,” Aguilar said. “It’s nice to be recognized as the top strawweight in the world, but I’m looking forward to finally receiving a belt and continuing to show the world why I’m the best. I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love to do.”

Meanwhile, Gray brings a perfect record to the cage after racking up four stoppage wins in just the past six months alone. Fighting out of Texas’ Bushido MMA, Gray was an alternate on the 1996 U.S. Olympic judo team. She launched an amateur MMA career in 2010 and eventually turned pro earlier this year. Her four victories include a submission win to score Oklahoma’s Sugar Creek Showdown women’s strawweight title, as well as a brutal one-punch knockout of Soannia Tiem.

“I’m excited to get in the decagon,” Gray exclaimed. “This all came very unexpectedly, but I knew it was a great opportunity for me to prove that I belong at the top. This is going to be my first time on national television, but I’m no stranger to big fights. I’m not going to put too much thought into it. I’m confident in my skills, and when I get in there I will shut everyone else out and go home with the belt.”

With the addition to the card, World Series of Fighting 8 now includes:

Justin Gaethje vs. Lewis Gonzalez for inaugural lightweight title
Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Kyle
Jessica Aguilar vs. Alida Gray for inaugural women’s strawweight title
Cody Bollinger vs. Tyson Nam