The inaugural World Series of Fighting event has added some firepower to its growing lineup, signing former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski to compete at the Nov. 3 show in Las Vegas.
“The Pitbull” will square off against recent Strikeforce fighter Devin Cole, the promotion confirmed on Tuesday.
After a rough stretch in which he lost four fights in a row, Arlovski has shown signs of resurrecting his career lately. The 33-year-old won two straight fights by knockout, and then at Aug. 31’s ONE FC event in The Philippines, he appeared to make it three straight, knocking out Tim Sylvia with soccer kicks. However, the decision was ruled a no contest because the referee had not given Arlovski permission to kick a downed opponent under the promotion’s “open attack rules.” That rule has since been done away with.
Arlovski, who won the UFC title in 2005 and defended it twice before losing, is 17-9 with 1 no contest in his career.
Cole has a career mark of 20-9-1. Though he boasts a two-fight win streak in Strikeforce’s heavyweight division, he hasn’t fought since last December, and according to sources, his contract was not picked up when the promotion was bought by UFC parent company Zuffa.
The World Series of Fighting’s first event will emanate from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and air on NBC Sports Network at 10:30 p.m. Other fighters scheduled to compete on the still-forming card are Miguel Torres, Gerald Harris and Gregor Gracie.