gerald harris vs josh burkman and bobby lashley added to wsof.....

There's another big show in Las Vegas, but for Ray Sefo and the World Series of Fighting, Sin City is home.

"We have a lot of great fighters that aren't in other organizations, so we figured that we good bring something good," Sefo today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "Our goal is to look after fighters and fans first."

The World Series of Fighting president today announced that his fledging promotion has struck a one-year deal with NBC Sports Network and hopes to put eight to 10 events on the channel in that time.

The first event set for broadcast is World Series of Fighting 1, which takes place Nov. 3 at Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. As reported previously, it will be headlined by former WEC bantamweight champ and recently released UFC fighter Miguel Torres.

Joining the fight card is Gerald Harris, who will meet fellow UFC vet Josh Burkman, and Bobby Lashley, who is scheduled to meet a TBA opponent, the promotion announced.

Las Vegas, of course, is the stomping grounds of Zuffa, which promotes the UFC and Strikeforce. The same day as WSOF 1, Strikeforce will vie for television viewers when it holds an event in Oklahoma City that's headlined by Daniel Cormier and Frank Mir.

"I know for a fact that our card is going to be just as good," Sefo said. "I know NBC Sports is going to do their best to promote this, as well as Planet Hollywood. I feel like we have an amazing card. There's some big names yet to be announced, as well."

The promotion already differs slightly from the industry-leader in that it will utilize the Unified Rules of MMA, but exclude elbows to a grounded opponent. Additionally, fights will be contained by a custom built decagon, or 10-sided cage.

Sefo also said WSOF contracts will also allow fighters more flexibility than others in the industry.

"We're going to be honest with the fighter," he said. "We'll move forward and hopefully create a great relationship. At some point in time, if that fighter no longer wants to be with us, I'm not going to hold anybody."

Of course, Sefo's financial grievances with the former owners of the K-1 kickboxing organization are well documented.

"I definitely want to make sure the fighters get paid," he said. "That's the most important thing of all. This isn't about me or the organization. This is about the fighters. Without them, we don't have an organization."

http://mmajunkie.com/news/30530/gerald-harris-tapped-to-meet-josh-burkman-bobby-lashley-targeted-for-wsof-1.mma

The latest WSOF 1 card includes:
Miguel Torres vs. TBA
Brian Cobb vs. Ronys Torres
Gregor Gracie vs. Tyson Steele
Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante vs. John Gunderson
Josh Burkman vs. gerald harris
bobby lashley vs
rolles gracie vs
james mcsweeney vs

In at least one way, the burgeoning MMA promotion World Series of Fighting will outdo its Zuffa counterparts when it makes its debut on the NBC Sports Network in a little less than two months’ time.

While the UFC famously employs an eight-sided Octagon for its fights, and a href="http://www.sherdog.com/organizations/Strikeforce-716">Strikeforce uses a hexagon, the WSOF plans to unveil a decagon [10-sided cage] for its initial foray into the MMA business on Nov. 3.

The organization formally announced its plans for the event at a Thursday press conference. Promotion President Ray Sefo said that WSOF has a one-year deal with NBC Sports, and he hopes to hold between eight and 10 events during that time. For now, expect all the events to be held at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas, although Sefo said expansion could come as the company continues to grow.

“We look to put the fans and fighters first and to promote the best events,” said Sefo, a former K-1 standout and two-time Strikeforce competitor. “It makes me proud to know that we will be the first [organization] to ever have an event on NBC Sports live.”

Former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres will headline the card against an as-yet-to-be determined opponent. Torres was recently released by the UFC after a four-fight stint with the promotion.

“The biggest thing for me is that it’s a new company, a new beginning,” Torres said. “Being on NBC Sports is a huge thing. Me and my manager and my trainer talked, and it was the best decision for me to come here. I’m happy with the deal we worked out.”

While Sefo promised that more big names will be added to the WSOF roster in the near future, four fights were officially confirmed for the Nov. 3 bill during Thursday’s press conference: Josh Burkman vs. Gerald Harris, Gesias Cavalcante vs. John Gunderson, Gregor Gracie vs. Tyson Steele and Ronys Torres vs. Brian Cobb.

Additionally, notables Bobby Lashley, James McSweeney and Rolles Gracie have also been signed but do not yet have opponents. While the promotion’s website promises tournaments in five weight classes, Sefo said those plans will be put on hold for the moment.

“Obviously that was the initial plan. The tournament format will eventually come, but we’ll have to sit down and discuss that a little bit later,” he said.

The promotion’s Nov. 3 debut will place it head-to-head against a Strikeforce event taking place that same night in Oklahoma City. That card includes a highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Frank Mir and Daniel Cormier as well as a middleweight title tilt between Luke Rockhold and Lorenz Larkin, but Sefo is confident that the WSOF -- and its 10-sided cage -- can hold its own.

“That is a great card, but I’m positive and proud of our guys,” Sefo said. “I know for a fact that our card is going to be just as good. I know NBC Sports is going to do their best to promote us. I feel like we have an amazing card on the night.”