Former UFC top exec named COO of World Series of Fighting (WSOF)

Michael Mersch previously served as both a senior executive and assistant general counsel to UFC for eight years, and was most recently general counsel and chief political adviser for Nevada’s Attorney General. World Series of Fighting (WSOF…

Michael Mersch previously served as both a senior executive and assistant general counsel to UFC for eight years, and was most recently general counsel and chief political adviser for Nevada’s Attorney General.

World Series of Fighting (WSOF) recently announced the appointment of Michael Mersch as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) and General Counsel effective immediately.

Mersch is not to be confused with the hockey player of the same name signed to the Los Angeles Kings. This Mersch spent eight years of his career as an executive for (and assistant general counsel to) Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

More recently, Mersch was the chief political adviser and general counsel to Adam Laxalt, the 33rd and current Nevada Attorney General. It’s fair to say most of his career has been tied to Nevada, combat sports, or both.

“I am excited to re-enter the MMA business with one of the premier players and recognizable brands in the space,” Mersch said in a recent release. “With its robust team of media and sports business executives as well as blue-chip partners, beginning with NBC and IMG, World Series of Fighting is in the midst of an exciting phase of growth with great things on the horizon.”

Mersch is described in the WSOF statement as immediately taking on “responsibility for World Series of Fighting’s business operations and legal affairs” as well as “negotiating talent, TV, venue, sponsorship and merchandising legal agreements.”

“We are looking forward to having Michael Mersch bring his wealth of industry specific knowledge, experience and relationships to our growing enterprise, and are confident that he will be a driving force in the next chapter of our business,” added WSOF CEO Carlos Silva.”

To check out the latest WSOF-related news and notes click here.