WSOF launches Canadian arm, heads to Vancouver for 'WSOF 7: Johnson vs. Kyle'

World Series of Fighting has acquired Canadian promotion Aggression Fighting Championship, and the company hosts its first event under the World Series of Fighting Canada banner on Dec. 7.

Promotion officials today announced the acquisition, as well as the scheduling of “World Series of Fighting 7: Johnson vs. Kyle” for Dec. 7 at the 5,000-seat PNE Agrodome in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

In the main event, Anthony Johnson (15-4) meets Mike Kyle (20-10-1) in a light-heavyweight affair. Additionally, the rescheduled middleweight tournament semifinal bout between Elvis Mutapcic (13-2) and Jesse Taylor (26-9) serves as the night’s co-main event.

The evening’s main card airs on NBC Sports Network. Additional contests are expected to be announced shortly.

“The launch of World Series of Fighting Canada is an incredibly exciting announcement for our promotion,” World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo stated. “From the beginning, we have maintained our desire to bring our elite-level mixed martial arts action to Canada and the great MMA fans that live there, as well as markets around the globe. We embrace this new division of our company that will allow us to make great strides into Canada, which has long proven to have one of the most passionate and knowledgeable MMA fan bases in the world.”

Johnson fights for the third time under the World Series of Fighting banner after earning victories over Andrei Arlovski and D.J. Linderman in his first two appearances. He was supposed to face Kyle at September’s WSOF 5 event, but injury forced him to withdraw.

Meanwhile, Kyle looks to rebound from a loss to Arlovski, who replaced Johnson in the WSOF 5 headliner. That fight took place at heavyweight, but he now returns to 205 pounds for this contest.

Meanwhile, Mutapcic and Taylor were originally scheduled to meet at WSOF 5, but New Jersey State Athletic Control Board officials canceled the fight moments before it was scheduled when an inspector allegedly witnessed Mutapcic taking an unapproved prescription medication in the locker room. Mutapcic steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, and the bout was rescheduled.

The winner takes on Dave Branch at a later date with the promotion’s inaugural middleweight belt on the line.

For more on World Series of Fighting 7, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Anthony Johnson)