By Danny Morales
Clik here to view.
Ty Wright / DTM New Journal
Justin Gaethje will defend his lightweight title against Nick Newell at World Series of Fighting 11 on NBC.
World Series of Fighting and NBC Sports Group announced earlier this week that they have extended their agreement to broadcast on NBC, and their family of networks, through 2017.
But the biggest news out of this announcement may be that WSOF will get their first-ever show broadcast on NBC with “World Series of FIghting 11: Gaethje vs. Newell” on July 5th. WSOF 11 is expected to take place in Tampa, Fla., possibly in the USF Sun Dome.
“We are excited to extend and broaden our partnership to continue to bring World Series of Fighting’s unique brand of elite mixed martial arts to our viewers,” said President of Programming for NBC and NBCSN, Jon Miller in a press release.
Along with word of the NBC debut, WSOF plans on having a total of 14 shows televised via NBC Sports Group (NBCSG) this year. Among those 14 will be another planned NBC show scheduled for December 27th.
“We have enjoyed tremendous success as a young company with the great people at NBCSG, and we are thrilled to be continuing on this journey with them for years to come.” said WSOF president Ray Sefo in a press release. “World Series of Fighting will continue to put on premier MMA events around the world with some of the world’s best fighters, and we’re so proud to be able to share it with all of NBC and NBCSN’s viewers.”
NBC Sports Network has aired all 11 of WSOF’s events live, starting with the promotions debut in November of 2012.
WSOF 11 already has a few fights slated for it, including a main event lightweight title fight between champion Justin Gaethje (11-0) and Nick Newell (11-0). Both fighters are undefeated so it should make for a great main event for the promotion’s broadcast network debut.
Also on the card for WSOF 11 is Jon Fitch (25-6-1) vs. Josh Burkman (27-10), which will be a rematch from World Series of Fighting 3, where Burkman choked out Fitch with a guillotine to earn a shot at the middleweight belt.
Former UFC veteran Melvin Guillard (31-13-2) vs. Geslas Cavalcante (18-7-1) is also set for the July 5th NBC card.
WSOF 11 will also have a South Florida flavor, as MMA Masters fighter Pablo Alfonso (9-5) will take on Cody Bollinger (15-2) for what could be the No. 1 contender spot in the featherweight division.
MMA Masters’ Luis Palomino (22-9) will also be fighting at WSOF 11, but his opponent has yet to be determined.
“World Series of FIghting 11: Gaethje vs. Newell” will take place on Saturday, July 5th in Tampa, Fla., a venue for the event has yet to be announced, but sources have told DTM News Journal that the most likely venue for the event is the USF Sun Dome, where Bellator and XFC have held fights in the past.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
