LAS VEGAS (December 4, 2013) – “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) returns to the Sunshine State as “World Series of Fighting 8: Gaethje vs. Cavalcante,” hits the ring January 18, 2014 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Tickets, which start at just $33, go on sale at Ticketmaster.com this Friday, December 6, at 10 a.m. (EST).
In the night’s headlining contest, undefeated contender Justin Gaethje (10-0) meets Brazilian veteran Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (18-7-1) for the right to be called “World Series of Fighting’s” inaugural lightweight champion.
The co-feature sees light-heavyweight sluggers Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (15-4) and Mike “MAK” Kyle (20-10-1) clash in a rescheduled matchup that seems sure to produce fireworks.
The night’s four-fight main card airs live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. (EST)/6 p.m. (PST).
“This has been an incredible year for ‘World Series of Fighting,’ and we’re excited to announce that our first event of 2014 will feature another championship fight,” said Ray Sefo, World Series of Fighting president. “Justin and ‘JZ’ looked well on their way to putting on a fantastic fight in their first meeting before an early cut ended the fight. Justin wants to prove he was deserving of that win, while ‘JZ’ hopes to erase the frustration of the loss. The victor will prove his point and also walk away with our first-ever lightweight title.”
The 25-year-old Gaethje is a member of Colorado’s Grudge Training Center and has already earned WSOF wins over Dan Lauzon, Brian Cobb and Cavalcante. Fighting professionally since 2011, Gaethje is undefeated in his first 10 career fights, and nine of those have ended via stoppage, including eight by knockout.
“It feels like all of the hard work is paying-off by getting to showcase my skills on the headliner of one of the most respected new promotions in the MMA world,” Gaethje shared. “That being said, I find it offensive that Gesias can find the courage to lock himself in a cage with me again. I’m pushing myself like never before, because come January 18th, I have one goal and that is to put Cavalcante to sleep.”
Meanwhile, Blackzilian fighter Cavalcante is 2-1 in the decagon, sandwiching wins over Tyson Girffin and T.J. O’Brien around the March 2013 loss to Gaethje. A veteran of the sport since 2004, Cavalcante has also competed for Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1. Early in his career, Cavalcante scored two tournament wins while competing for K-1 Hero’s, but the WSOF lightweight title would certainly mark the high point of the 30-year-old’s professional career.
“World Series of Fighting 8” marks the promotion’s first event of 2014. On Saturday, the company holds its final event of this year, traveling to Canada for the NBCSN-broadcast “World Series of Fighting 7: Karakhanyan vs. Palmer” event.
Tickets cost $33, $63, $103, $143 and $243, all seats are reserved and available to purchase at Ticketmaster outlets online at www.myhrl.com, ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. *Additional fees may apply.
About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.
About NBC Sports Network
NBC Sports Network, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2013, the Premier League and Formula One. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, The Crossover, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.
About Hard Rock Live
Hard Rock Live, a spectacular state-of-the-art facility, further expands the ultimate entertainment experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This 5,500-seat indoor arena has attracted more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 2005, and has regularly hosted South Florida’s greatest variety of musical acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Kathy Griffin and George Lopez; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and more. For additional information, please visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com or www.myhrl.com, facebook.com/MyHRL and twitter.com/hard_rock_live.
About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino invites you to PLAYHARD! Play, stay, dine, and shop at South Florida’s ultimate entertainment destination. Over 90 tables offer Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold ’em Bonus Poker, Casino War and Let it Ride on a nearly three-acre casino floor. Additionally, over 2,500 slots include the Native-American Casino linked Multi-Area Progressive Jackpots and Mega Jackpots. Separate high-limit rooms for table games and slots, in addition to a non-smoking room, are available for guests to enjoy. Loyal Player’s Club members also have access to the exclusive VIP Plum Lounge and VIP Chef’s Table show kitchen. The Poker Room at Seminole Hard Rock hosts various games and tournaments of Limit and No Limit Texas Hold ’em, 7-Card Stud and two dollar and four dollar limit Omaha Hi Lo games. Located inside the casino is Hard Rock Cafe -Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 138 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants. The Green Lodging Certified by the State of Florida, AAA Four Diamond-rated resort showcases 500 luxurious guest rooms, 40,000 square feet of meeting room space, Rock Spa, award-winning restaurants, high-energy nightclubs, lounges and bars, boutique retail shops, the 350-seat Paradise Live theater and the 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. Located on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) in Hollywood, Florida. Take I-95, exit Stirling Rd. and travel west to 1 Seminole Way. For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1 800-937-0010 or visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, facebook.com/seminolehardrockhollywood, twitter.com/SHRHollywood, instagram.com/semhardrockhollywood and youtube.com/semhardrockhollywood.
