Former UFC veteran Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson (13-4) is set to compete as a light heavyweight for the third time in his career when he steps into the cage this November for the newly minted World Series of Fighting promotion. Johnson will take on seasoned veteran DJ ‘Da Protege’ Linderman (14-3). The matchup has been confirmed […]
Anthony Johnson
Former UFC veteran Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson (13-4) is set to compete as a light heavyweight for the third time in his career when he steps into the cage this November for the newly minted World Series of Fighting promotion.
Johnson will take on seasoned veteran DJ ‘Da Protege’ Linderman (14-3). The matchup has been confirmed by a number of websites including Sherdog.com.
The inaugural World Series of Fighting event is scheduled to take place on Nov. 3, 2012 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The four-bout main card is scheduled to air live on NBC Sports Network with the remaining seven bout prelim card streaming live over the net.
‘Rumble’ joins a list of other well known fighters include former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski, who takes on Devin Cole in the main event, former WEC title holder Miguel Torres, Gesias Cavalcante, Ronys Torres, Gerald Harris, David Branch, and the mixed martial arts debut of K-1 striker Tyrone Spong.
Johnson has won three straight since his dismissal from the UFC following a loss to Vitor Belfort at UFC 142 which saw ‘Rumble’ weigh-in at 197-lbs, missing the 185-lbs limit for middleweight. Johnson took his first fight outside the Octagon in May of this year, winning a decision over David Branch in a 195-lbs cacthweight bout at a Titan FC 22 show. He then went on to stop Esteves Jones via second round TKO in Johnson’s 205-lbs debut, and most recently finished Jake Rosholt via TKO at an Xtreme Fight Night show last month.
Press Release – LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Sept. 25, 2012) – Hard-hitting heavyweight KO artists Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (17-9) of Minsk, Belarus and Devin Cole (20-9) of Medford, Ore. will collide on the highly-anticipated, inaugural World Series of Fighting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card, live on NBC Sports Network from Planet Hollywood Resort & […]
Andrei Arlovski
Press Release – LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Sept. 25, 2012) – Hard-hitting heavyweight KO artists Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (17-9) of Minsk, Belarus and Devin Cole (20-9) of Medford, Ore. will collide on the highly-anticipated, inaugural World Series of Fighting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card, live on NBC Sports Network from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 3.
“We are thrilled to welcome both Andrei and Devin to the World Series of Fighting roster and to have them headline our first live event,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo. “Both of these heavyweights have delivered some incredibly memorable highlights during their careers and their matchup should be a barnburner.”
The 33-year-old, 6-foot-4, 250 pound Arlovski made his first major statement in the sport of MMA, winning the interim UFC heavyweight championship by forcing rival Tim Sylvia to tap out from a heel hook just 47 seconds into their matchup on Feb. 5, 2005.
Four months later, Arlovski defended his title, toppling Justin Eilers with an onslaught of punches in the first round (4:10) of their matchup in Atlantic City, N.J. Shortly after the victory, Arlovski was promoted to UFC heavyweight champion and went on to earn wins over the likes of Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello, Fabricio Werdum and Jake O’Brien before parting ways with the UFC and using his punching power to score a third round (1:13) KO on Ben Rothwell and a second round (1:46) TKO on Roy Nelson, respectively.
Of late, Arlovski has returned to vintage form, taking out Ray Lopez with a barrage of punches in the third stanza (2:43) of their matchup in Honolulu, Hawaii on Aug. 27, 2011, and scoring a crushing third round (4:59) KO on Travis Fulton with a monstrous head kick on Nov. 5, 2011.
The fact that the 35-year-old, 6-foot-4, 250 pound Cole has earned 10 of his 20 career victories by way of KO might lead one to believe he is a pure striker. On the contrary, however, he is a lifelong wrestler as well.
In 2001, Cole received All-American honors after leading Southern Oregon University to a national wrestling championship. Two years later, he burst onto the MMA scene, winning 10 of first 11 professional bouts. Amongst his best conquests to date are those over Travis Wiuff, Mike Kyle, D.J. Linderman and Mike “300″ Hayes.
Cole will look to notch his third consecutive victory. He recently made his second-career trip to premiere training camp American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla. in order to prepare with some of the world’s premiere mixed martial artists for the showdown with Arlovski.
Tickets for the inaugural World Series of Fighting event, priced from $19.99, can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at all Caesars Entertainment and Ticketron outlets and by phone at 800-745-3000. .
The live NBC Sports Network telecast of the World Series of Fighting event will begin at 10:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. PST.
In other main card action, bantamweight (135 pounds) superstar Miguel Angel Torres (40-5) of East Chicago, Ind. will battle an opponent to be announced.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Gregor Gracie (7-2) of Rio de Janeiro will face off with red-hot prospect Tyson Steele (9-1) in a welterweight (168 pounds) contest; Josh Burkman (23-9) of Salt Lake City, Utah will battle fellow star Gerald “Hurricane” Harris (21-4) of Tulsa, Okla. in a welterweight bout.
Fast-rising star Ronys Torres (25-4) will meet dangerous submission specialist Brian “The Bandit” Cobb (19-7) of Bakersfield, Calif. in a lightweight (155 pounds) matchup.
In an undercard scrap, seasoned warrior Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (16-6-1) Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Brazil will take on submission wizard John Gunderson (34-14) of Las Vegas.
Additional undercard bouts will be announced soon.
ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
Based in Las Vegas, Nev., the fight capital of the world, World Series of Fighting is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit www.MMAWSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.
ABOUT NBC SPORTS NETWORK
NBC Sports Network is the 24/7 cable platform for NBC Sports’ rich heritage of unmatched storytelling, best-in-class production and utilizing broad promotion to make big events bigger. Now in more than 79 million homes, NBC Sports Network serves sports fans by airing coverage of the Olympic Games and Trials as well as the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, major college football and basketball, and horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown, among other events. The network’s original programming, such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point and NBC SportsTalk, exemplifies NBC Sports’ ability to tell stories and provide meaningful, relevant content. The network is also home to the best outdoor programming on television. NBC Sports Network, which prides itself on serving sports fans across multiple platforms, is distributed via cable, satellite and telco operators throughout the United States.
PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is the newest member of the Caesars Entertainment family and is a full partner in Total Rewards™. The hottest property on the Las Vegas Strip with 2,500 beautifully designed guest rooms and suites showcasing the best views in town, Planet Hollywood encompasses more than 100,000 square-feet of gaming, several lounges, nine restaurants including KOI, Strip House, the award-winning Spice Market Buffet and LA’s Pink’s Hot Dogs, and the Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara. The mega resort is also home to PEEPSHOW, the sexy striptease spectacular starring bombshell Holly Madison, and Grammy® Award-winning recording artist CeeLo Green will premiere his new Las Vegas resident show, “CeeLo Green is LOBERACE” in Feb. 2013. The property is encircled by Miracle Mile Shops with more 170 specialty stores and restaurants. For more information, please visit www.planethollywoodresort.com or caesars.thedigitalcenter.com
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Press Release – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (USA): Top MMA management company Apex Sports Agency (ASA) revealed today that it has signed UFC veteran Mike Ciesnolevicz to a contract, and is now handling his career. ASA has also revealed its first move for Ciesnolevicz, inking him to a multi-fight deal with a rising MMA promotion in […]
Mike Ciesnolevicz
Press Release – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (USA): Top MMA management company Apex Sports Agency (ASA) revealed today that it has signed UFC veteran Mike Ciesnolevicz to a contract, and is now handling his career. ASA has also revealed its first move for Ciesnolevicz, inking him to a multi-fight deal with a rising MMA promotion in the World Series of Fighting (WSOF). This is the second signing WSOF of an ASA fighter, as Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm also joined the promotion this week.
“We at ASA are proud to have a professional like Mike Ciesnolevicz join our ranks,” stated ASA CEO Jason Chambers. “Mike’s had some injury problems, but he has finally been able to have the shoulder surgery he needed, and is looking forward to returning to the cage in dominating fashion. The WSOF is a great place for him to show that he has been overlooked for too long, and that he is a threat to be taken very seriously.”
Mike Ciesnolevicz is a patient man, if nothing else. After running his record to an impressive 16-3-0-1, Ciesnolevicz made his Octagon debut at UFC 95 against current Bellator heavyweight stalwart Neil Grove. After the fight hit the mat quickly, Ciesnolevicz locked in a heel hook submission, torquing the hold until Grove’s knee popped out of its socket. Due to this shocking finish, Ciesnolevicz had made a huge impression in his Octagon debut. After suffering a tough TKO loss in his next UFC bout, Ciesnolevicz was released from the promotion. He’s fought only twice since that fight, winning both in impressive fashion. Signing with Apex Sports Agency and now the WSOF has breathed new life into his career, and Ciesnolevicz is now ready to take it to the next level.
“I am very excited to sign with both Apex and the WSOF,” said Ciesnolevicz. “One of the main points that attracted me is that they are all about putting the fighters first. I believe the WSOF has the ability to do big things in the MMA world and I’m honored to be part of this great organization.
“I would like to thank Jason Chambers and Apex Sports Agency for guiding me to this deal with WSOF and into the second half of my career. I have twenty-five professional fights, and I’m looking forward to the next twenty-five with ASA.
“As for my fans, they can expect to see a very well-rounded display of mixed martial arts the next time I compete. I have a few secret weapons that I have been dying to unleash!”
Look for exciting news on Apex Sports Agency and its athletes in the coming weeks!
For more information on Apex Sports Agency, please visit http://www.ApexSportsAgency.com/. ASA can also be found on Twitter @ApexSportAgency.
About Apex Sports Agency
Apex Sports Agency is a sports management company dedicated to providing its athletes with the best sponsorship and event opportunities available. Founded in 2011, ASA has quickly risen up the ranks, garnering a reputation for its results-driven yet ethical approach to management. The ASA stable of fighters includes UFC fighters Clifford Starks, Chris Clements, Carlo Prater, and Matt Lucas, Bellator Champion Zoila Gurgel, UFC/Strikeforce veteran Jorge Gurgel, former UFC welterweight contender Karo Parisyan, UFC vet Drew Fickett, and rising prospects Chris Gruetzemacher, Alberto Mina, John Fraser, Rosen Dimitrov, and Rumen Dimitrov.
Press Release – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (USA): Top MMA management company Apex Sports Agency (ASA) revealed today that it has signed UFC veteran Mike Ciesnolevicz to a contract, and is now handling his career. ASA has also revealed its first move for Ciesnolevicz, inking him to a multi-fight deal with a rising MMA promotion in […]
Press Release – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (USA): Top MMA management company Apex Sports Agency (ASA) revealed today that it has signed UFC veteran Mike Ciesnolevicz to a contract, and is now handling his career. ASA has also revealed its first move for Ciesnolevicz, inking him to a multi-fight deal with a rising MMA promotion in the World Series of Fighting (WSOF). This is the second signing WSOF of an ASA fighter, as Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm also joined the promotion this week.
“We at ASA are proud to have a professional like Mike Ciesnolevicz join our ranks,” stated ASA CEO Jason Chambers. “Mike’s had some injury problems, but he has finally been able to have the shoulder surgery he needed, and is looking forward to returning to the cage in dominating fashion. The WSOF is a great place for him to show that he has been overlooked for too long, and that he is a threat to be taken very seriously.”
Mike Ciesnolevicz is a patient man, if nothing else. After running his record to an impressive 16-3-0-1, Ciesnolevicz made his Octagon debut at UFC 95 against current Bellator heavyweight stalwart Neil Grove. After the fight hit the mat quickly, Ciesnolevicz locked in a heel hook submission, torquing the hold until Grove’s knee popped out of its socket. Due to this shocking finish, Ciesnolevicz had made a huge impression in his Octagon debut. After suffering a tough TKO loss in his next UFC bout, Ciesnolevicz was released from the promotion. He’s fought only twice since that fight, winning both in impressive fashion. Signing with Apex Sports Agency and now the WSOF has breathed new life into his career, and Ciesnolevicz is now ready to take it to the next level.
“I am very excited to sign with both Apex and the WSOF,” said Ciesnolevicz. “One of the main points that attracted me is that they are all about putting the fighters first. I believe the WSOF has the ability to do big things in the MMA world and I’m honored to be part of this great organization.
“I would like to thank Jason Chambers and Apex Sports Agency for guiding me to this deal with WSOF and into the second half of my career. I have twenty-five professional fights, and I’m looking forward to the next twenty-five with ASA.
“As for my fans, they can expect to see a very well-rounded display of mixed martial arts the next time I compete. I have a few secret weapons that I have been dying to unleash!”
Look for exciting news on Apex Sports Agency and its athletes in the coming weeks!
For more information on Apex Sports Agency, please visit http://www.ApexSportsAgency.com/. ASA can also be found on Twitter @ApexSportAgency.
Mike Ciesnolevicz can be found on Twitter @MikeCies.
About Apex Sports Agency
Apex Sports Agency is a sports management company dedicated to providing its athletes with the best sponsorship and event opportunities available. Founded in 2011, ASA has quickly risen up the ranks, garnering a reputation for its results-driven yet ethical approach to management. The ASA stable of fighters includes UFC fighters Clifford Starks, Chris Clements, Carlo Prater, and Matt Lucas, Bellator Champion Zoila Gurgel, UFC/Strikeforce veteran Jorge Gurgel, former UFC welterweight contender Karo Parisyan, UFC vet Drew Fickett, and rising prospects Chris Gruetzemacher, Alberto Mina, John Fraser, Rosen Dimitrov, and Rumen Dimitrov.
World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo has promised to keep fighters signed to the promotion busy fighting in their cage, and if it’s not possible, he’ll release them so they can go fight somewhere else. The question surfaced on Tuesday during an interview on “The MMA Hour with Mauro Ranallo” when it came to […]
World Series of Fighting president Ray Sefo – image via WSOF
World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo has promised to keep fighters signed to the promotion busy fighting in their cage, and if it’s not possible, he’ll release them so they can go fight somewhere else.
The question surfaced on Tuesday during an interview on “The MMA Hour with Mauro Ranallo” when it came to former WEC champ Miguel Torres, who is also contacted to the Texas based Titan Fighting Championship promotion.
This attitude towards fighters is quite the opposite from other promotions such as the Chicago based Bellator promotion, who is currently in a contract dispute with fighter Tyson Nam. Nam, signed with the promotion but never competed inside their cage, recently knocked out Bellator bantamweight champ Eduardo Dantas in Brazil at a Shooto Brazil 33 event.
“Our contracts are definitely exclusive. The only person who has a leeway in his contract is Miguel Torres because he has one fight left with Titan FC. We’ve had friendly discussions with them and they were really accommodating and helpful in the sense that we could sign Miguel and in return we would allow them to fight his last fight in his hometown. That’s the only exceptions we’ve made, because are contracts are exclusive. We’re going to keep our fighters busy and if we can’t, we’ll release them because we won’t hold them back from making money.”
WSOF will hold it’s first event on November 3rd in Las Vegas, which will be aired live on the NBC Sports network. The promotion is hoping to hold tournaments in the bantamweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight divisions.
Also featured on the podcast was Renzo Gracie as well as Tuesday’s UFC 152 media conference call.
The World Series of Fighting promotion had recently confirmed it’s broadcast team for it’s debut event on NBC Sports, naming Bas Rutten, Michael Schiavello and Kurt Angle as the trio of men providing color commentary for the November 3rd event. Now comes word from Angle that he will not be in the broadcast booth for […]
Renzo Gracie
The World Series of Fighting promotion had recently confirmed it’s broadcast team for it’s debut event on NBC Sports, naming Bas Rutten, Michael Schiavello and Kurt Angle as the trio of men providing color commentary for the November 3rd event.
Now comes word from Angle that he will not be in the broadcast booth for the inaugural show due to “a conflict of interest.” The former Olympic wrestler posted the notice on Twitter (@RealKurtAngle) this morning.
– As Requested that I Must Announce, I will not be Commentating @mmaworldseries Nov3 on NBC Sports,Due to A Conflict of Interested
The promotion confirmed the change on Twitter (@MMAWorldSeries).
– @WilliamOsirian @realkurtangle @mmajunkie WSOF regrets that Kurt Angle Olympian who Gold Medaled for US in 1996 can not commentate Nov 3
BloodyElbow.com contacted promotion President Ray Sefo about the change, looking for some more clarification on the change.
– I’m confirming that Kurt won’t be doing the commentary due to a conflict of interest with Viacom. I’m told it’s just for now, until a few things are sorted out. Renzo Gracie will be replacing Kurt Angle on the commentary team.
So it looks like Angle may get behind the microphone for further events for the WSF promotion. It will be interesting to hear his voice intermixed with Rutten and Schiavello who have been long time staples for other events.
