World Series of Fighting Signs Former XFC Lightweight Champ Nick Newell

WSOF officials announced the news Tuesday in a press release, revealing that Newell will debut for the promotion on NBC Sports this summer.

“Nick Newell is an incredible individual who exemplifies the sheer strength of the human spirit and the kind of courage and determination that martial arts embodies,” WSOF President Ray Sefo stated in the release. “We are naturally thrilled to welcome him to the World Series of Fighting roster.”

A congenital amputee, 27-year-old Newell was born without most of his left arm below the elbow. The lightweight nevertheless went on to become an excellent high school wrestler before competing at Western New England University. “Notorious” made his MMA debut in 2009 and has yet to suffer a setback, winning his first nine fights and posting eight finishes along the way.

Newell captured the XFC lightweight championship this past December, but the title was stripped when he parted ways with the organization two weeks ago after declining to defend his belt against Scott Holtzman at XFC 24.