(Knocks out a former UFC star, still can’t get his friends backstage passes. No respect, I tells ya. Photo via Dave Mandel of Sherdog.)
On the heels of a successful second event in March, upstart promotion World Series of Fighting has officially announced the date, location, ticket dates, and TV lineup for WSOF 3 earlier today. Featuring a main event rematch between Josh Burkman and Jon Fitch for the promotion’s inaugural welterweight title (a ballsy decision considering Fitch’s somewhat…ahem…polarizing style of fighting), WSOF 3 is set to transpire Friday, June 14th from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tickets for the event are set go on sale April 19th and start at just $29.00.
At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Thirty bucks for a rematch between to mid-tier UFC castaways? My mom will never float me the money for such nonsense!” Well, tell those shyster parents of yours that WSOF 3 will also feature the likes of Tyrone Spong, Rolles Gracie, and Justin Gaethje as well.
On the heels of a straight vicious performance in his MMA debut at WSOF 1, Spong will face off against Angel “The Dream” (Author’s note: Uh-oh…) DeAnda, an 11-2, 5’8″ light heavyweight currently riding a four-fight win streak over a bunch of guys you’ve probably never heard of. DeAnda’s last loss dates back to 2010, where he was knocked out by one-time XARM competitor (and former UFC fighter, we’re being told) James “Why Me?” Irvin in under two minutes. Expect something similar to happen to this poor bastard here as well.
Also set for WSOF 3 is a matchup between Rolles Gracie and knockout artist Dave “Bad Man” Huckaba. Since being ousted from the UFC following a disastrous performance in his lone appearance at UFC 109, Gracie has scored five straight wins via submission including a triumphant submission via pitter-patter punches victory over Bob Sapp. Huckaba, on the other hand, has collected nine victories in his past ten contests (eight by stoppage) and holds notable victories over Tank Abbott’s next opponent, the manbearpig who died after fighting a roided up Ken Shamrock, and the guy who tapped to Kimbo’s strikes in under 20 seconds. Should be a fun scrap.
The rest of the announced lineup for WSOF 3 is below.
MAIN CARD (NBC Sports Network, 11 p.m. ET),
-Josh Burkman vs. Jon Fitch
-Brian Cobb vs. Justin Gaethje
-Angel DeAnda vs. Tyrone Spong
-Rolles Gracie vs. Dave Huckaba
PRELIMINARY CARD (Untelevised, 8 p.m. ET)
-John Gunderson vs. Dan Lauzon
-Kendrick Miree vs. Krasimir Mladenov