Earlier this year, mixed martial arts promotions World Series of Fighting announced that it had acquired new investors and would be undergoing a new formation and name change. WSOF would become the Professional Fighters League according to the organization's President Ray Sefo.
PFL ready to launch
Set to debut in 2018, it seemed as if the already announced dates for WSOF events might all together fold and be forgotten. Today it was discovered that PFL will hold a fight card on June 30 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
While not officially part of the inaugural PFL season set to start next year, the June 30 event will go down as the promotion's first official event.
The fight will be part of the Coca-Cola Firecracker 250 NASCAR Infinity Series and air live on NBCSN. The fights will take place before the race initially kicks off and be part of the fan fest held outside the track. This contest will be regulated and officiated by the Florida State Athletic Commission.
The four-fight card will be headlined by a fight between WSOF welterweight champion Jon Fitch and WSOF lightweight tournament finalist Brian Foster who will be moving up in weight.
PFC President of Event Production and Business Operations told MMA Junkie earlier today that this partnership was the first of it's kind (between NASCAR and an MMA promotion).
Has this been done before?
Bellator MMA just did the exact same type of event at the NASCAR event in Charlotte, North Carolina two weeks ago. The difference will be the level of competition as the PFL card will have more notable fighters on their card. Also, the Bellator card was not available for live streaming or viewership whereas the PFL card will be.
The current line up for the PFL debut on June 30 is:
- Jon Fitch vs. Brian Foster
- Ronny Markes vs. Smealinho Rama
- Joao Zeferino vs. Herman Terrado
- Caros Fodor vs. Jason High
Fitch last fought and defended his WSOF welterweight title in the theater at Madison Square Garden, New York on December 31, 2016, when he defeated Jake Shields via decision.
Fitch announced in the cage that afternoon that he may not fight again on the recommendations of doctors. He later said that he had to seek further guidance and recommendation from physicians. With this PFL fight being booked it appears as if Fitch has been medically cleared to continue to compete in MMA.
Fitch once challenged for the UFC welterweight title back at UFC 87 in 2008 against then-champion Georges St. Pierre.
