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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The MMA World Series of Fighting hopes to make a splash in the MMA world this November, as they begin their new endeavor with an event from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Headlined by a bout featuring former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres, the Nov. 3 event will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network as part of a new partnership between the network and the organization. The organization announced the TV deal and more during a press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday.
In addition to Miguel Torres, several other recognizable names will compete on the card. WSOF President, veteran MMA fighter and kickboxer Ray Sefo, announced that the card will host Gregor Gracie, "JZ" Cavalcante, and Josh Burkman, as well as former pro wrestler-turned-MMA-heavyweight Bobby Lashley.
Though the organization at one time was targeting a tournament format for their events, they've opted to go on an event-by-event basis for their cards to start off. The only other additional detail that Sefo revealed on Thursday was the cage in which WSOF bouts would be contested.
You won't be seeing the circle, ala Bellator, you won't be seeing Strikeforce's hexagonal cage, and you won't be seeing the Octagon of the UFC. Instead, WSOF bouts will be contested inside a ten-sided decagonal cage.
Penick's Analysis: I'm intrigued by the WSOF. They reiterated multiple times throughout the press conference that they were a "fighter's first" organization, and there have been rumors that they're offering decent money on their contracts. That detail that could be a concern for their longevity given what we've seen from overpaying organizations in the past, but it could at the least attract a decent starting roster. They've got a mix of top talent, journeymen, and others outside of the UFC already, and with a television deal on NBC Sports Network they'll immediately have exposure. We'll see what they can do with that, but it's at least a good solid start, and their first event should be a good one.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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