World Series of Fighting Announces Television Agreement With NBC Sports Network

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The mixed martial arts organization World Series of Fighting today entered the fastest growing sport in the world with a series of major announcements including a television agreement with NBC Sports Network, its debut event in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, and that world class former bantamweight champion Miguel Angel Torres will be headlining the main event of this historic night of fights on Saturday, Nov. 3 live on NBC Sports Network.

The premier World Series of Fighting live card will also feature Gregor Gracie (7-2) of the famed Gracie family vs. Tyson Steel (8-1), Ronys Torres (25-4) vs. Brian Cobb (19-7) and Josh Burkman (23-9) in a welterweight bout. Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante (16-6) will take on Las Vegas local John Gunderson (34-14) as part of the undercard with more matchups to be announced.

Ray Sefo, president of the World Series of Fighting delivered the news during a press conference at PH Live inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

"I'm excited and honored to announce that the World Series of Fighting has reached an agreement with NBC Sports Network and that PH Live inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas will be the home of our first series of events," said Sefo. "Sitting with me here today is world class bantamweight Miguel Torres along with Gregor Gracie and Josh Burkman. I am pleased to confirm that they have signed with us, along with many other respected fighters in the sport, and that Torres will headline our premier live fight on NBC Sports Network Saturday, Nov. 3."

"Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is proud to host the first series of events for the World Series of Fighting," said Sean McBurney, vice president and assistant general manager of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. "PH Live is one of the premier performance hubs in Las Vegas, hosting numerous electrifying concerts, as well as special engagements such as MMA. We look forward to offering this exciting new event to our guests."

Tickets for the Saturday, Nov. 3 premier of the World Series of Fighting will go on sale tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 7 at 12 p.m. through Ticketmaster.com and all Caesars Entertainment and Ticketron outlets. World Series of Fighting tickets start at $19.99.

Miguel Angel Torres is a former MMA bantamweight champion and considered one of the best pound for pound fighters in the sport. With a black belt under Carlson Gracie and a pro record of 40-5, with 39 wins by submission and 12 coming by TKO/KO, Torres is one of the toughest fighters in the division. He will fight any 135-pounder in the business and the World Series of Fighting will announce his opponent soon.

Gregor Gracie, a member of the family who founded MMA with their Gracie style of Jiu-Jitsu, also has signed with the World Series of Fighting. The 5'11" Brazilian will take on Canada's 6'0" Tyson Steele in a welterweight matchup as part of the main card. Also on the live card is 26-year old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion and black belt Ronys Torres vs. former lightweight champion and Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt Brian Cobb in a 155-pound contest.

Josh Burkman, a professional in the sport since 2003, has won five of his last six fights with back-to-back wins in his two most recent scraps. With his strength in wrestling, takes downs and submissions, the former college football player comes to the World Series of Fighting ready to face anyone in the welterweight division.

Sefo added, "We are officially in the fight business, and I am running the World Series of Fighting as a fighters and fans first MMA organization. In a special message to the MMA fans and the MMA community, we look for your support and to win you over by presenting high level, action-packed events in the sport we all have grown to love."

The World Series of Fighting event will air exclusively on NBC Sports Network Saturday, Nov. 3 starting at 10:30 p.m. ET.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS NETWORK
NBC Sports Network is the 24/7 cable platform for NBC Sports' rich heritage of unmatched storytelling, best-in-class production and utilizing broad promotion to make big events bigger. Now in more than 79 million homes, NBC Sports Network serves sports fans by airing coverage of the Olympic Games and Trials as well as the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, major college football and basketball, and horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown, among other events.  The network's original programming, such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point and NBC SportsTalk, exemplifies NBC Sports' ability to tell stories and provide meaningful, relevant content. The network is also home to the best outdoor programming on television. NBC Sports Network, which prides itself on serving sports fans across multiple platforms, is distributed via cable, satellite and telco operators throughout the United States.

PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is the newest member of the Caesars Entertainment family and is a full partner in Total Rewards™. The hottest property on the Las Vegas Strip with 2,500 beautifully designed guest rooms and suites showcasing the best views in town, Planet Hollywood encompasses more than 100,000 square-feet of gaming, several lounges, nine restaurants including KOI, Strip House, the award-winning Spice Market Buffet and LA's Pink's Hot Dogs, and the Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara. The mega resort is also home to PEEPSHOW, the sexy striptease spectacular starring bombshell Holly Madison, and Grammy® Award-winning recording artist CeeLo Green will premiere his new Las Vegas resident show, "CeeLo Green is LOBERACE" in Feb. 2013. The property is encircled by Miracle Mile Shops with more 170 specialty stores and restaurants. For more information, please visit www.planethollywoodresort.com or caesars.thedigitalcenter.com to access media materials and request high-resolution images. Find Planet Hollywood on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Planet Hollywood, along with all Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas resorts, including Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah's, Bally's, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Imperial Palace and Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, proudly prohibit adding hidden resort fees to hotel guest room rates. For information on No Resort Fees visit www.caesars.com/vegasnoresortfees.

ABOUT THE WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
Based in Las Vegas, Nev., the World Series of Fighting is national mixed martial arts promotion dedicated to fighters and fans in delivering the absolute best live combat sports and entertainment experience. For more information please visit www.MMAWSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

Press Contact:
Jen Wenk, APR
702.635.0995
@jenwenk

SOURCE World Series of Fighting