Fighters embrace ‘World Series’ alternative

Years of seeing the difficulties some mixed martial arts fighters have in dealing with promoters left Ray Sefo feeling there had to be a better way.

Now he has the opportunity to do something about it.

Sefo is president of the World Series of Fighting, a Las Vegas-based organization which announced its inaugural Nov. 3 event at Planet Hollywood at a news conference last week.

"I'm a fighter myself. One of the things when we started this company was that as long as I'm part of this company, the fighters are going to come first," the famed kickboxer said. "Obviously whatever is fair and whatever is right. We're going to be honest with the fighters and hopefully create a great relationship. A fighter has to be comfortable and has to feel like they are at home and that's what we want to bring to the table."

That approach has apparently been enough to entice several prominent names to the startup MMA promotion.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship star and World Extreme Cagefighting champion Miguel Torres will headline the first event against an opponent to be named. Former UFC fighters Josh Burkman and Gerald Harris are scheduled to fight each other, and former professional wrestling star Bobby Lashley also is expected to compete on the event, which will air on the NBC Sports Network.

Torres said Sefo's experience and the company's commitment to fighters is part of what drew him to the organization.

"I believe it's going to be a big thing. They have a strong roster of fighters. They've got a strong card," he said. "I'm happy with the deal we worked out and they look out for the fighters first and I appreciate that.

"It's good for fighters to have a place (to compete) other than just one promotion."

While putting fighters first could be interpreted as a vague notion, Sefo said it is quite simple at its core.

"Definitely make sure the fighters get paid. That's number one," he said. "Really, just keep a good relationship with the fighters. This is not about me, this is not about the organization, this is about the fighters. Without them, you don't have an organization."

■ 'TUF' PREMIERES FRIDAY - Season 16 of "The Ultimate Fighter" debuts on FX (Cable 24) at 9 p.m. Friday, with heavyweight coaches Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson leading teams of welterweights hopeful of landing the trophy and UFC contract that goes to the winner.

This season was filmed over six weeks in Las Vegas after Season 15 experimented with a live format.

Friday's two-hour episode will feature elimination fights to cut 32 fighters down to 16, who will move into the house and compete for the season championship.

In addition to Nelson, a Las Vegas native, three other local fighters are part of the cast. Most notable is Bristol Marunde, who has fought for Strikeforce. Unbeaten Las Vegans Cameron Diffley and Lev Magen also will compete, along with Jerel Clark of Reno.

Tryouts for Season 17 will be held Sept. 17 at Palace Station in the Grand Ballroom. The season will feature middleweights (185 pounds) and light heavyweights (205).

According to the official release, candidates must be at least 21 years old and have a minimum of three pro fights with a winning record. Applications, which can be found at ufc.com/tuf17, should be completed and brought to the tryouts.

■ MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUTS ANNOUNCED - UFC middleweight contender Chris Weidman has lobbied for a title fight against Anderson Silva since defeating Mark Munoz last month, but he'll have to settle for a bout against fellow contender Tim Boetsch at UFC 155 on Dec. 29 in Las Vegas.

"I think I'm the No. 1 contender in the division, but with Anderson not fighting for the rest of 2012, I want to stay busy and keep getting better," the unbeaten Weidman told UFC.com. "I think I'm the best middleweight in the world and I'm going to prove it against another top contender."

Also, a middleweight bout between Hector Lombard and Rousimar Palhares has been announced as the main event of UFC on FX 6 in Australia on Dec. 14.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.