Some familiar names will call the action for the debut World Series of Fighting event.
Company officials confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that MMA legend Bas Rutten, veteran combat-sports broadcaster Michael Schiavello, and Olympic gold medalist/pro wrestler Kurt Angle have been selected for the broadcast team.
WSOF 1 takes place November 3rd and airs live on NBC Sports Network from the 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 (40-5).
Other bouts include Josh Burkman (23-9) vs. fellow UFC vet Gerald Harris (21-4), UFC vets Ronys Torres (25-4) vs. Brian Cobb (19-7), welterweights Gregor Gracie (7-2) vs. Tyson Steele (8-1) and lightweights Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante (16-6-1) vs. John Gunderson (34-14-2). Former professional wrestler Bobby Lashley (7-2) also will be on the card.
WSOF, an upstart organization owned by advertising and marketing mogul Sig Rogich and run by kickboxing/MMA vet Ray Sefo, has signed a one-year deal with NBC Sports Network, which previously was named Versus. Officials said they plan to air eight to 10 WSOF shows on the cable station, which also previously aired WEC and UFC events before its name change.
Rutten, a former UFC champ and current host of AXS TV's "Inside MMA," has broadcast for many organizations, including PRIDE and DREAM.
Schiavello, meanwhile, travels across the globe to call fights for organizations such as XFC, MFC, DREAM, K-1, KOTC, BAMMA and others. He also hosts "The Voice Versus," an interview-driven show on AXS TV.
Angle, perhaps best known for his pro-wrestling and acting careers, had long hinted at a possible move to MMA, but the Olympic gold medalist never made a debut. However, UFC President Dana White admitted he offered Angle a spot on "The Ultimate Fighter 10" in 2010, though he couldn't get medical clearance.
