World Series of Fighting signs top-10 ranked welterweight Jake Shields to an exclusive, multi-fight deal and is expected to debut in July, 2014

Top-10 ranked welterweight expected to debut in July

  

                                                              PHOTO: WSOF

LAS VEGAS (April 21, 2014) - World Series of Fighting continues to build an extremely stacked welterweight division with the addition of former Strikeforce champion and UFC title contender Jake Shields.  

With the addition of Shields, the World Series of Fighting welterweight division is now one of the best on the planet with such top talent as current champion Rousimar Palhares and top contenders Jon Fitch, Josh Burkman, Steve Carl, and Gerald Harris. 

The California-based fighter recently announced that he signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion and is expected to debut in the World Series of Fighting decagon in July. He brings a 29-7-1 record into the cage and will make his first appearance against an opponent to be named shortly.

Shields has beaten a very impressive who's who list of fighters that includes Dan Henderson, Carlos Condit, Paul Daley, Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Martin Kampmann, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Jason Miller and Yushin Okami. 

Shields is ranked as a top-10 welterweight and has built himself a hall-of-fame worthy resume in 15 years of professional fighting. The 35-year-old is a proud member of the "Skrap Pack," where he trains alongside some of MMA's best, including Gilbert Milendez as well as Nick and Nate Diaz. He also works closely with coach Tareq Azim at his Empower gym in San Francisco.

Shields, an American Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, previously held the EliteXC welterweight title, as well as the Strikeforce middleweight championship. "I have so much to prove, and I will become the World Series of Fighting welterweight champion," Shields said. "I'm really looking forward to fighting at my new home with World Series of Fighting.  I think that when you look at the World Series of Fighting welterweight roster, there is no denying that they're housing many of the world's best, and I'm proud to be a part of that group."

"Jake has been a top fighter in professional mixed martial arts for years now, " World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. "You know you've got one of the best in the world when you sign someone who has won multiple championship belts and has had 15-fight win streaks over some of the world class fighters he's beaten. This kid is an extremely tough, proven warrior capable of beating anyone who stands in his way. I'm extremely proud we were able to sign him and I will continue bringing fighters of this caliber to World Series of Fighting."

About WSOF

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 WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo@SugarRaySefo.

Watch World Series of Fighting on March 29, Download and Play in WSOF/Shout TV Game To Win a $10,000 Ducati Monster Street Bike

LAS VEGAS, (March 18, 2014) - On March 29, when World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Steve Carl and challenger Rousimar Palhares headline World Series of Fighting 9, live on NBCSN, fans will find out who is the better fighter, but who is the smartest World Series of Fighting fan?  For the first time ever, that question will be answered when fans participate in SHOUT TV's "Champions Challenge" game.

The stakes are high as the fan that racks up the most points will win a new Ducati Monster street bike valued at nearly $10,000.

While stars such as Marlon Moraes, Josh Rettinghouse, Yushin Okami, Josh Burkman and Tyler Stinson compete in the cage, fans watching the event live at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel or on television at home can collide "mano y mano" in a battle of wits for cash, prizes and a Ducati 696 motorcycle.

The popular "Champions Challenge" game allows fans to intellectually spar against one another during this and other live events by trying to predict the outcomes of certain scenarios such as, "Which fighter will land the most leg kicks?" or "Which fighter will win?"

The challenge will be played during the World Series of Fighting 9, 10 and 11 live events thanks to a recent partnership between the skyrocketing Las Vegas-based pro fight league and SHOUT TV, the leader in real-time fan engagement.

"After the fights, somebody's riding home on a brand new Ducati," said SHOUT TV CEO Darl McBride. "SHOUT is partnering with World Series of Fighting to bring a new twist to cagefighting. Instead of just wondering which fighter will win, fans will be asking themselves 'How big of a prize can I win tonight?' Why just be a fan or a spectator when you could be a player or a participant?  Think of it as a series of intellectual cage matches for fans.

"We think SHOUT and World Series of Fighting are very synergistic. Why should fighters be the only winners? Why can't the fans win, too?"

"SHOUT TV is the leader at engaging and entertaining sports fans in trivia and one-on-one competitions, so they're a great fit for World Series of Fighting and our fast-growing international expansion," said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo. "MMA fans are the most rabid and loyal fans in the world, and this free application offers one more tool for fans to interact and win valuable prizes while watching our world-class athletes fight during live broadcasts."

SHOUT TV's real-time challenges have engaged and entertained fans competing against each other during the Super Bowl, soccer, NFL, NBA and MLB games, as well as the Daytona 500, Oscars, Grammys and reality shows like "The Bachelor."

Signing up and competing in the SHOUT fan competitions is free and fast. SHOUT can be downloaded by visiting the Apple, iPhone or Android stores (using search word: "Shout"). SHOUT can also be downloaded from this link: http://www.shout2win.com. Prizes awarded to fan winners during the WSOF events will range from gift cards to Amazon or Starbucks ($5 up to $25) to iPads and Xboxes, all the way up to the Ducati Monster.

About SHOUT

SHOUT TV is led by CEO Darl McBride and other Founders who share a love of sports and mobile technology.  Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz al Saud recently became SHOUT's largest investor, providing the capital to fuel SHOUT's growth plans. In addition to McBride, he joins a team of investors that also includes Deron Williams of the Brooklyn Nets, Ron Heinz, Partner of Signal Peak Ventures and a number of successful angel investors. Prince Abdullah, 47, and grandson of the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, is a prominent businessman and industrialist who also has a love of football, both American and soccer style.

The company's mobile Android and iPhone Apps provide engagement for fans before, during and after live events. SHOUT keeps fans excited and engaged with a platform for continuous interaction whether or not they are physically at the event. Through the "game within a game" concept and model, SHOUT gives brands and fans a broad new arena in which to engage, making every event a richer and better experience for all. For more information about partnerships, sponsorships and upcoming event opportunities, visit www.shout2win.com. #Shout or contact us at 844-SHOUT2WIN.

SHOUT  - The Ultimate Fan Challenge. Watch. Play. Win

SHOUT and Vote are the registered trademarks of SHOUT TV, Inc.   All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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.

Top-ranked middleweight Yushin Okami vs. Svetlozar Savov added to World Series of Fighting 9's star-studded lineup

  

  

Brenson Hansen vs. Boostayre Nefarios also added to preliminary card, lineup complete now with 13 fights

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LAS VEGAS (March 4, 2014) - Perennially top-ranked middleweight Yushin "Thunder" Okami (29-8) makes his World Series of Fighting debut on March 29, as he battles Svetlozar Savov (12-4) on the NBCSN-broadcast main card of "World Series of Fighting 9: Carl vs. Palhares."

Additionally, a featherweight matchup between Brenson Hansen (5-2) and Boostayre "Bullit" Nefarios (2-1) has also been added to the night's WSOF.com-streamed preliminary card.

"I was already excited for World Series of Fighting 9, but the addition of Yushin Okami against Svetlozar Savov to our live NBCSN broadcast leaves no question that this is the best card we've ever put together," World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. "This card now has some of the world's most established talent, as well as some of the top up-and-coming names in the sport. This truly is a card you do not want to miss."

"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.

The 32-year-old Okami, of Kanagawa, Japan, is a judo black belt who owns career victories over MMA notables Alan Belcher, Hector Lombard, Nate Marquardt, Mark Munoz, Anderson Silva and Mike Swick, among others. He now meets 25-year-old Bulgarian prospect Savov, who boasts 11 stoppage wins among his 12 career victories.

Hansen has already fought three times under the World Series of Fighting banner, earning wins over Josh Montalvo and Tom Marcellino before suffering a hard-fought split-decision loss to Freddy Assuncao at January's World Series of Fighting 8 event. Meanwhile, Nefarios makes his World Series of Fighting debut. The son of longtime MMA veteran Marvin Eastman, Nefarios is a well-known name on the Las Vegas fight scene after fighting several times in Sin City as an amateur before making the transition to the pro ranks.

With the two additions, the World Series of Fighting 9 lineup now includes:

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

WSOF announces second International division this month with Pancrase partnership

  

  

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 29, 2013) - The World Series of Fighting continues to expand its global footprint with the launch of World Series of Fighting Japan (WSOF Japan).

World Series of Fighting launches its new Japanese division in a partnership with the long-running and highly respected Pancrase organization, a Tokyo-based group that has promoted mixed martial arts events since 1993 and is widely considered one of the most historically important organizations in the sport.

"Japan has long been a home of top-level martial arts competitions of all types, and I personally have enjoyed some of the best moments of my fighting career there," World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. "I'm excited to announce this new division with the launch of World Series of Fighting Japan.

"I look forward to working with Pancrase CEO Masakazu Sakai and his team, and together we will produce amazing events for the Japanese fight fans, as well as big opportunities for both Asia-based fighters and MMA fighters around the globe."

The first World Series of Fighting Japan event is expected to take place in early 2014. The relationship will allow fighters from both sides of the Pacific Ocean to be featured in fight cards in both the U.S. and Japan, including recent World Series of Fighting addition Yushin "Thunder" Okami (29-8), one of the world's top-ranked middleweights.

The launch of World Series of Fighting Japan marks the second international branch of the WSOF brand to be announced in the past month alone, as World Series of Fighting Canada is set for a Dec. 7 debut. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

World Series of Fighting signs top-ranked middleweight Yushin Okami; Japanese standout expected to make promotional debut in early 2014

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 14, 2013) - World Series of Fighting officials are happy to announce the addition of perennial top-ranked middleweight Yushin Okami (29-8) to the company's roster.

The 32-year-old "Thunder" Okami recently signed a multi-fight deal with the Las Vegas-based World Series of Fighting promotion, and he's expected to make his first appearance for the company in early 2014.

"We're extremely excited to announced that Yushin Okami as the newest member of our middleweight division," World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. "MMA fans around the world know Yushin has long been among the best 185-pound fighters in the sport, and we're happy to have him as a member of the World Series of Fighting family."

A judo black belt, Okami has been competing professionally since 2002. After building an impressive 16-3 record competing largely in his native Japan, Okami in 2006 debuted for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He would go on to fight 18 times for the UFC, including an August 2011 bid for the promotion's middleweight title.

Okami's career record includes wins over MMA notables Alan Belcher, Dean Lister, Hector Lombard, Nate Marquardt, Mark Munoz, Anderson Silva, Mike Swick and Evan Tanner, among others.

While Okami's debut date and opponent have not yet been officially determined, he could prove an immediate title contender in World Series of Fighting's 185-pound division. The company will crown its first middleweight champion in early 2014, as the winner of World Series of Fighting 7's Elvis Mutapcic vs. Jesse Taylor bout moves on to meet David Branch in the finals of the company's four-man middleweight tournament.

About WSOF

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 visitWSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

Don't Miss Silva vs Stann Live Tomorrow Night

Tomorrow - 'The Axe Murderer' Returns to Japan For A 205-lb. Battle With Brian Stann Wanderlei Silva returns to the land where he became a legend to take on "All-American" Brian Stann in a five round light heavyweight showdown! Plus, Mark Hunt takes on Stefan Struve, Diego Sanchez battles Takanori Gomi and Yushin Okami goes toe-to-toe with Hector Lombard! Live at 10pm ET / 7pm PT on FUEL TV - to find FUEL TV in your area, visit www.fuel.tv See The Prelims Live Tomorrow On Facebook Before the action hits FUEL TV, see the prelims live on Facebook starting at 7:50pm ET / 4:50pm PT Silva or Stann? Make Your UFC Fantasy Picks Now Make your picks today for a chance to win!

UFC on FUEL TV: Silva vs Stann on FUEL TV - Sat. March 2 - Tokyo, Japan UFC 158: St-Pierre vs Diaz on Pay-Per-View - Sat. March 16 - Montreal, Canada

Don't Miss UFC 155 Live Tomorrow Night

Don't Miss dos Santos vs Velasquez 2 Live Tomorrow Night The heavyweight title is on the line as champion Junior dos Santos faces off with the man he defeated for the belt, Cain Velasquez, live tomorrow night in Las Vegas! Plus, Jim Miller takes on Joe Lauzon and Yushin Okami battles Alan Belcher! UFC 155 Dos Santos vs Velasquez Presented by Bud Light live on Saturday, December 29 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT on Pay-Per-View and UFC.TV See The Prelims Live On Facebook and FX Before the action hits Pay-Per-View, see the first half of the prelims starting at 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT on Facebook, followed by the rest at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on FX! "LIKE" the UFC on Facebook to see the prelims live and free!

UFC 155: Dos Santos vs Velasquez on Pay-Per-View - Sat. December 29 - Las Vegas, NV Strikeforce: Marquardt vs Saffiedine on Showtime - Sat. January 12 - Oklahoma City, OK