World Series of Fighting Announces Bas Rutten, Todd Harris as Broadcast Team

The NBC Sports Network broadcast was initially expected to be hosted by play-by-play man Michael Schiavello, pro-wrestling star Kurt Angle and Rutten, but Angle was replaced by Renzo Gracie due to a conflict of interest. No official reason was given for Harris replacing Schiavello, though a source close to the promotion told Sherdog.com that time conflicts made the switch necessary.

WSOF 1 takes place at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and is headlined by a heavyweight confrontation between ex-UFC champion Andrei Arlovski and former Strikeforce talent Devin Cole. The main card broadcast will also see former WEC bantamweight king Miguel Torres lock horns with Marlon Moraes, while onetime Octagon talent Anthony Johnson collides with Bellator alum D.J. Linderman at light heavyweight.

Formerly the WEC’s play-by-play announcer on Versus prior to the network becoming NBC Sports, Harris is now likely best known by MMA fans as the host of Fuel TV’s “UFC Tonight.” Since the WEC was folded into the UFC last year, the announcer has continued to work for NBC, calling action at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

A former UFC heavyweight champion, Rutten previously served as one of the voices of the Pride Fighting Championships alongside Stephen Quadros and Mauro Ranallo. El Guapo” has co-hosted “Inside MMA” with Kenny Rice on AXS TV since the program’s inception in 2007.