After a one-night test run in late 2012, the fledgling World Series of Fighting (WSOF) promotion and NBC Sports Network have agreed to partner on a three-year contract that will land at least six events per year on the cable channel.
The two sides confirmed the pact on Monday afternoon. It makes WSOF the only promotion besides UFC and Bellator to boast a television partner available in the majority of U.S. households. NBC Sports Network is available in 78 million homes, according to industry news site Sports Business Daily.
The first show to air under the deal will air on March 23 at 10 p.m. from the Revel Sports & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
"We are thrilled to call NBC Sports Network the home of World Series of Fighting," company president Ray Sefo said in a press release. "This partnership will allow us to build the World Series of Fighting brand of world-class MMA competition before a dedicated national audience of passionate sports fans and place our athletes on the big stage that they deserve."
The two sides first teamed up last November, in a show that was a time buy for WSOF. Headlined by a heavyweight fight matching Andrei Arlovski against Devin Cole, the original airing drew nearly 200,000 viewers. Subsequent repeat airings also reportedly drew well, leading to a deal.
WSOF 2's still developing card is expected to include a bantamweight bout between Marlon Moraes and Tyson Nam, as well as a possible return from Arlovski.
WSOF's roster also includes names like Miguel Torres, Anthony Johnson and Tyrone Spong.
Arlovski-Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson to Headline March 23 Eventhttp://www.mmafighting.com/2013/2/4/3951214/world-series-of-fighting-signs-3-year-deal-with-nbc-sports-networkAfter a trial run this past November, the World Series of Fighting has inked a three-year partnership with NBC Sports Network, according to a release issued Monday by the Las Vegas-based promotion.
The promotion will hold six events per year on the network, beginning with WSOF 2, which takes place on March 23 at Revel Resorts & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. Sources close to the event recently told Sherdog.com that the WSOF 2 card will feature an Andrei Arlovski-Anthony Johnson main event. No bouts have been officially revealed by the promotion.
The release also stated that NBCSports.com will stream events later in 2013, although an exact date was not specified.
“We are thrilled to call NBC Sports Network the home of World Series of Fighting,” said WSOF President Ray Sefo. “This partnership will allow us to build the World Series of Fighting brand of world-class MMA competition before a dedicated national audience of passionate sports fans and place our athletes on the big stage that they deserve.”
WSOF debuted with a 10-bout offering on Nov. 3 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. In the evening’s main event, Arlovskiknocked out Devin Cole in the first round, while Johnson stopped D.J. Linderman in the opening frame in a light heavyweight co-feature. According to an industry source, WSOF averaged 198,000 viewers on the NBC Sports Network for its inaugural event.
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