The World Series of Fighting is setting a new standard for the way MMA fans across the globe consume their events online.
In a recent press release, the organization announced that WSOF 9—and all future events—will be streamed for free internationally on NBCSports.com.
There will be no validation for a television subscription to NBC Sports; users will simply select whether they are international or U.S. viewers, and the card will be open for their enjoyment, according to WSOF publicist Danny Brener.
In addition, Brener told Bleacher Report via text message that, while the vast majority of the card will be seen online, the first two bouts of the night will not be available for streaming. That means that bouts Nos. 3 through 11 will be shown, which includes the co-main and main events.
This is huge news for us, as well as for our fans in the U.S. as well all around the world, World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. I am constantly receiving emails and tweets from fans who are eager to be able to watch our fights, and I'm so proud to finally offer them this opportunity. It's been my mission since day one to have these amazing fights playing in homes all around the world, and this is a massive step in that direction!
World Series of Fighting 9 will be the first card to test this new means of consumption, and the WSOF brass assembled a nice slate of fights for its inaugural run.
The welterweight championship will be on the line, as champion Steve Carl faces ex-UFC fighter Rousimar Palhares in the night's main event.
In addition, Marlon Moraes will battle Josh Rettinghouse for the inaugural WSOF bantamweight championship, and ex-UFC middleweight Yushin Okami makes his promotional debut against Svetlozar Savov.
The event takes place March 29 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and the stream will begin at on NBCSports.com at 7 p.m. EST.
