WSOF sets four-man middleweight tourney with Taylor, Mutapcic, Branch, Villefort

With its recently announced four-man tournament, World Series of Fighting will have a middleweight champion by year’s end.

WSOF recently announced the four-man field, which ultimately will determine the organization’s inaugural 185-pound champion in December.

The tournament participants include Jesse Taylor, Elvis Mutapcic, Dave Branch and Danillo Villefort.

Although the opening-round matchups haven’t been unveiled, one bout will take place at WSOF 4 on Aug. 10, and the other is slated for WSOF 5 in September, according to the announcement. Both events air live on NBC Sports Network.

Taylor (26-9), Cage Warriors’ reigning middleweight champion, joins the WSOF while on a six-fight win streak. The fighter, who was a finalist on “The Ultimate Fighter 7,” most recently submitted John Phillips in a title defense at Cage Warriors 54.

Mutapcic (13-2), an MFC champion who also recently signed with the WSOF, is on a five-fight win streak and has won 10 of his past 11 fights. Eleven of his career wins have come via stoppage.

Branch (12-3), a former UFC and Bellator fighter, joined the WSOF in late 2012 and has posted decision wins over Dustin Jacoby and Paulo Filho while with the organization. He’s now 4-1 since his four-fight UFC stint.

Villefort (14-4), the field’s lone Brazilian fighter, recently made his WSOF debut and earned a split-decision victory over Kris McCray. The onetime UFC and WEC fighter is now 5-1 in his past six fights. The lone defeat came via decision to Nate James under the Strikeforce banner.

For the latest on WSOF 4 and WSOF 5, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Dave Branch)