This Weeks Fight Tweets From Around The World Series of Fighting

  

Ali Abdel-Aziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) I have to share the gym with this guy last night@ToquinhoMMA he looks sharp @arielhelwani@MMAjunkieJohn WSOF 9pic.twitter.com/fiPw9nusUx  Tyler Stinson (@SteeMon84) 3 rds or 5 rds. For a belt or not. I'm coming to WSOF 9 to turn someone's lights off. #creamOfTheCrop ooooo yeeeea! @MMAWorldSeries Rousimar Palhares (@Toquinhomma) I'm at the final run of my camp for my upcoming fight on March,29. That fight will be very special, dedicated to everyone who never stop beliving in me, my family, my team and to all my fans who support me since day one!! #March29#TeamNogueira #FightingForYou    Steve Carl (@Steve_Carl) youtu.be/OSFT8UHX5z0 @AliAbdelaziz00 @MMAWorldSeries @SugarRaySefo@SteeMon84 Amazing backup plan! WSOF 9 will be awesome either way!! Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) "@cmack823: @NotoriousNewell if you were in a Star Wars movie, your name & good or bad guy?" Bobby Casablanca. He'd be like the white Lando. Shane Kruchten (@SKRUCHTENMMA) These two are my everything, my reason I wake up every morning and press so hard to achieve goals... instagram.com/p/lxT2gjEeQC/   Jessica Aguilar (@jagatt) Time flys.. My 15th fight WIN was dedicated to JAPAN.. #3/11 #RedCrosspic.twitter.com/8cgON1ZTyn Ryan Ford (@RyanFordMMA) Chillin Poolside With My Main Dude RJ Eating Ice Cream #likefatherlikeson #GDUPWORLDWIDEpic.twitter.com/ijajMm5hRu Steve Carl (@Steve_Carl) Good workout with the HD crew in prep for my fight next week! http://instagram.com/p/lvAiPtocF9/  Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) My bday wish! Go be good people!pic.twitter.com/CFzJFiQggE Jesse Taylor (@JTMoneyMMA) Did a righteous yoga session @YogaSix healing up b4 starting camp nxt week 4 @MMAWorldSeriestitle fight. Will b officially announced soon! Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) In Brazil and @espn won't let me connect tohttp://ESPN3.com ! It keeps changing to soccer! I want @ncaawrestling damn you! Luis Palomino (@luisbaboon) Walked in the gas station for gas, then found my self face to face with this brownie. The fat boy in me said if I walk out without it, I would regret it for the rest of the day so I got it.  #postworkout #innerfatboy #brownie #delicious #chocolateweakness http://instagram.com/p/liGti7GxXN/  Lance Palmer (@LancePalmer) Day 1 of the NCAA tournament is today. Good luck to everyone competing! http://instagram.com/p/lxPE3IOW_N/

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"World Series of Fighting 9: Carl vs. Palhares" is only 8 days away! The event features a welterweight title fight between champ Steve Carl and challenger Rousimar Palhares, as well as Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse for the inaugural World Series of Fighting bantamweight title, takes place March 29 at Las Vegas' Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Tickets for World Series of Fighting 9, which start at just $39, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at The Joint box office or by phone at (800) 745-3000. The night's featured fights air live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT local time) following preliminary bouts that stream on World Series of Fighting's official website, WSOF.com.

NBCSN-TELEVISED MAIN CARD

Champion Steve Carl vs. Rousimar Palhares - for welterweight title

Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse - for inaugural bantamweight title

Yushin Okami vs. Svetlozar Savov

Josh Burkman vs. Tyler Stinson

Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Johnny Nunez

WSOF.COM-STREAMED PRELIMINARY CARD

John Gunderson vs. Chris Gruetzemacher

Shane Kruchten vs. Mike Corey

Bryson Hansen vs. Sean Cantor

Danny Davis vs. Phil Dace

Brenson Hansen vs. Boostayre Nefarios

Gil Guardado vs. Jimmy Spicuzza

About "World Series of Fighting" (WSOF)

"World Series of Fighting" (WSOF) is a world wide premier profesional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow "World Series of Fighting" on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and "World Series of Fighting" President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

QUOTES FROM THE ROAD TO WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING 9: ROUSIMAR "TOQUINHO" PALHARES AND YUSHIN "THUNDER" OKAMI

  

ROUSIMAR PALHARES QUOTES 

Toquinho developed a special connection with nature and animals while growing up on a farm in Brazil

Junior Dos Santos, Minotauro Nogueira and Toquinho while training with Team Nogueira

Fishing on the river in Brazil

Follow Toquinho on Instagram 

"Steve Carl is a tremendous athlete, and I have a great deal of respect for him. He is the champion in an extremely tough welterweight division.  I'm blessed to be in a position to challenge him for his title, so now I need to go out there and do my best and show the world that I deserve that belt more than he does."

"I am working hard every day in camp with Team Nogueira.  My team has been very good for me, both in supporting me through a transitional period and helping me prepare for one of my biggest fights to date.  I get to work out in the gym with several legends in the sport, and they are pushing me every day to become the best fighter I can be."  

"I am confident in my skills and abilities here at any weight, but I feel great at 170 pounds.  I don't want to underestimate my opponent, but I think that I'm capable of becoming welterweight world champion at the World Series of Fighting, or any other organization for that matter."

"I don't have much to say about the past at this point.  I am focusing all of my energy on this fresh start with World Series of Fighting and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue fighting elite fighters on an internationally televised and well respected organization."

"I was approached by several organizations and had many offers on the table, but I felt that World Series of Fighting was the best option for me at the moment.  Their welterweight division is very deep with top talent like Steve Carl, Jon Fitch, Josh Burkman, Tyler Stinson, Gerald Harris, and I am anxious to test myself against all of them."

YUSHIN OKAMI QUOTES

Favorite meal: "Yakiniku"

Jushin "Thunder" Liger

The Okami family dogs

Follow Yushin on Instagram 

"My manager told me I had been released from the UFC on the wire.  I don't remember my reaction much.  I guess I was surprised at first, but I always prepare the worst when I lose, so I recovered my composure with time.  Thankfully I received offers from many promotions as soon as my release was announced.  I received offers from Japan, Asian promotion, and also promotions from Europe."

"When World Series of Fighting presented an offer for me, I was very happy.  WSOF is a new promotion, so history is going to be made here and now, and I plan on being a part of it.  I think that the great opportunity to make history and the exposure with NBC made the difference for me.  I think that the center of the MMA is North America."

"My nickname actually comes from a Japanese pro wrestler named Jushin 'Thunder' Liger.  He is a great fighter, and our names rhymed so it stuck."

"World Series of Fighting has several powerful middleweight fighters, and I know that this would be a better challenge for me.  Svetlozar Savov has high physical ability and I feel his movement of one-on-one is very powerful.  He is a young, energetic fighter with an aggressive fighting style.   But my skills are more evolved, and I will put pressure on him at all times an attack him with a wider range of skill.  I'm sure this will bring me a victory."

"My main focus and only goal is to become the World Series of Fighting champion, and I'm going to start on that March 29 with Savov.  Don't miss it!"

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"World Series of Fighting 9: Carl vs. Palhares," which features a welterweight title fight between champ Steve Carl and challenger Rousimar Palhares, as well as Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse for the inaugural World Series of Fighting bantamweight title, takes place March 29 at Las Vegas' Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Tickets for World Series of Fighting 9, which start at just $39, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at The Joint box office or by phone at (800) 745-3000. The night's featured fights air live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT local time) following preliminary bouts that stream on World Series of Fighting's official website, WSOF.com.

NBCSN-TELEVISED MAIN CARD

Champion Steve Carl vs. Rousimar Palhares - for welterweight title

Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse - for inaugural bantamweight title

Yushin Okami vs. Svetlozar Savov

Josh Burkman vs. Tyler Stinson

Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Johnny Nunez

WSOF.COM-STREAMED PRELIMINARY CARD

Shane Kruchten vs. Mike Corey

Chris Gruetzemacher vs. John Gunderson

Sean Cantor vs. Bryson Hansen

Phil Dace vs. Danny Davis

Brenson Hansen vs. Boostayre Nefarios

Jimmy Jones vs. Rudy Morales

Gil Guardado vs. Jimmy Spicuzza

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING 9 CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS

   

Pre-fight Media Call Featuring Ray Sefo, Ali Abdelaziz, Steve Carl,

Rousimar Palhares, Marlon Moraes, Josh Rettinghouse, 

Josh Burkman, Tyler Stinson

Click Here for streaming audio of the conference call

To apply for media credentials please visit www.bzapr.com/credentials

LAS VEGAS (March 18, 2014) - World Series of Fighting hosted a media conference call on Tuesday with "World Series of Fighting 9: Carl vs. Palhares" headliners Steve Carl and Rousimar Palhares, as well as main-card competitors Marlon Moraes,Josh Rettinghouse, Josh Burkman and Tyler Stinson. Joining the fighters on the call was WSOF President Ray Sefo and WSOF Executive Vice President Ali Abdelaziz.

"World Series of Fighting 9: Carl vs. Palhares," takes place March 29 at Las Vegas' Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Tickets for World Series of Fighting 9, which start at just $39, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at The Joint box office or by phone at (800) 745-3000. The night's featured fights air live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT local time) following preliminary bouts that stream on World Series of Fighting's official website, WSOF.com beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT local time).

The following are highlights from the conference call:

RAY SEFO:

On the possibility of Nick Newell fighting for a world title:

"You know Nick has been making a lot of noise about fighting for the title and I do think he deserves a shot at fighting for that title. Ali and I have spoken about it but there is still not 100 percent confirmation on when that would happen. But without a doubt Nick Newell is definitely in line for that title shot. The kid has proven himself time and time again. He's an amazing fighter and a huge inspiration to many. I think it's about time we stepped up and gave him that opportunity."

ALI ABDELAZIZ:

"This is best fight card we've ever put together and the best fight card of the year. You don't know what's going to happen I don't know what's going to happen in the main event. Next week we are going to make a big announcement that is really going to change the face of MMA. It's going to be big news and exciting for the fans. Everyone knows the UFC is No. 1 and we are competing against ourselves every day to be No. 1. There will be separation between the UFC and us and then there will be everyone else.

"I knew Marlon (Moraes) before World Series of Fighting. I believe that Marlon is the best 135-pounder in the world. I believe he can beat anyone in any organization. I believe he has grown and is so talented. He can wrestle with ground game. He's one of the best strikers in the sport. The sky is the limit for him. On the other hand, Josh Rettinghouse has fought an Olympic bronze medalist (Alexis Vila) and he out-wrestled him. I believe this fight is so competitive and I believe a lot of people are overlooking Josh. I believe this is going to be the best fight of the night."

STEVE CARL:

"This is an amazingly stacked card. Not even as a competitor but even as a fan I'm ready to watch this and compete. I can't wait for next weekend. It's going to be a blast.

"(Rousimar) is definitely a very talented fighter and deserves to keep fighting. I don't know if giving him a title shot right away was really deserving. But at the same time all the controversy surrounding him really does put him in a perfect spot to be in a title spot because there will be so many people tuning into this fight. Whereas if he was just fighting a regular fight on this main card there wouldn't be as big a buzz. But now that he's back in it for a title shot the whole world is watching."

Q: What is your plan if Palhares is immediately going to your legs in this fight?

"Quite simply if he wants it to turn it into a leg-lock war my goal is to simply keep it a fight and that's about it. Wherever this fight goes he has the ability to go to the leg-lock from wherever. I need to stay aware to where my legs are in comparison to his body and I need to keep this to a fight instead of getting deep into a leg-lock where I'm no longer able to fight but rather just have to defend myself."

ROUSIMAR PALHARES:

"I am excited for this opportunity and we will make an exciting fight on Saturday night. I am so grateful to the WSOF for this opportunity."

MARLON MORAES:

"I'm happy with the opportunity and that they gave Josh the chance now. It's time to show everybody what I've been working on and to be the best. I can't wait."

Q: How is the transition been from Muay Thai to full-cage fighting?

 "It was hard. I had a hard time finding myself inside the cage because it's a different sport. But as I moved to the United States I started to train with different guys with different styles of fighting like wrestlers and Jiu Jitsu. My trainers are showing me the things I need to use in MMA fights."

JOSH RETTINGHOUSE:

"Marlon's a great fighter and I'm a big fan of his. I honestly didn't expect this opportunity but of course I'm going to jump all over it. I think it will be really exciting and you'll have to tune in."

JOSH BURKMAN:

"I'm excited to get back in there. I didn't have a great performance last time out. So I've just gone back and looked at a lot of things I was doing, including fight week. And I believe I've fixed a lot of those things. I think I was really comfortable going into the fight with Steve Carl. I think the biggest problem I had with my winning streak was that it made me a little complacent in where I was and what I was doing. When you lose it creates that frustration and that adversity and makes you question things to get better. And I think that's all that fight did was make me better at my training and a little more disciplined. And I think it will make for the best performance of my career going forward and starting with this fight."

TYLER STINSON:

"You saved the best for last. I'm just so excited to get back in there and ready to show Ray and Ali that I'm capable of fighting world-class fighters and Burkman is just that. He's not on the conference call yet. I don't if he's just too Hollywood or if he's just scared to talk to me, but I'm going to go out there and do what I do and knock his lights out."

 

NBCSN-TELEVISED MAIN CARD

Champion Steve Carl vs. Rousimar Palhares - for welterweight title

Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse - for inaugural bantamweight title

Yushin Okami vs. Svetlozar Savov

Josh Burkman vs. Tyler Stinson

Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Johnny Nunez

WSOF.COM-STREAMED PRELIMINARY CARD

Mike Corey vs. Shane Kruchten

Chris Gruetzemacher vs. John Gunderson

Sean Cantor vs. Bryson Hansen

Phil Dace vs. Danny Davis

Brenson Hansen vs. Boostayre Nefarios

Jimmy Jones vs. Rudy Morales

Gil Guardado vs. Jimmy Spicuzza