A mixed martial arts promotion has launched a nationwide search to find two veterans to square off on national television as part of a Nov. 12 fight card, and while experience in the cage is a plus, it’s not a must.
The World Series of Fighting wants former troops as part of its “Who’s the Toughest?” program, sending WSOF President Ray Sefo to gyms in search of fighters who’ve picked up the sport after time in service, even if they’ve only been at it for a short while.
“We’re trying to identify some new, great fighters,” said Carlos Silva, WSOF’s chief executive officer, adding that the fight may be held as an exhibition and that the fighters’ personal stories and interactions with Sefo would influence the selection process alongside in-ring skill and experience.
“The real goal would be to get them in the cage, and get them to be part of our show,” he said “I don’t know that they have to be pros to do that.”
Sgt. 1st Class Colton Smith, top, hammers Washington Nunes da Silva during their October World Series of Fighting bout. The promotion is seeking military veterans to join Smith, an active-duty soldier, on its roster.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of WSOF
The promotion hopes to find more veterans this year and next, planning to feature more “Who’s the Toughest” fights on future WSOF shows into 2017, Silva said. Both male and female fighters will be considered. The promotion’s cards air on NBC Sports Network, with preliminary bouts streamed live online.
The site for the Nov. 12 card has yet to be determined. MMA fans may already have Nov. 12 circled on their calendars — the UFC has a show set for New York’s Madison Square Garden on that date, which is expected to include some of that promotion’s top talent.
Active duty represents
Some fighters already have reached out to WSOF officials seeking inclusion. One message came from Sgt. 1st Class Colton Smith, an active-duty soldier and former UFC fighter who is 1-0 under the WSOF banner:
“I say it all the time: There are 20 more [service members] like me, if not better,” Smith told Army Times. “There are some stellar fighters out there. Duty calls, and they put that first. They haven’t had that opportunity to spread their wings, per se, and show the world where they belong in the mixed martial arts realm.”
Silva said he’ll work with Smith to find such fighters, and he’s also saving space for Smith on future cards following the soldier’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
“When he comes back, they’ll be a seat waiting for him, and we’ll work him into the schedule,” Silva said.
The Fort Hood, Texas-based Smith fought April 30 on a charity card in Weatherford, Oklahoma, defeating Joe “The Caveman” Valadez via decision. Plans for a WSOF-sanctioned spring fight fell through, he said, praising WSOF for allowing him to compete outside the promotion to raise money for Honoring America’s Warriors.
He said he hopes another WSOF win could earn him a shot at the promotion’s welterweight title, now in the hands of UFC veteran Jon Fitch.
“That’s my ultimate goal, to get that championship,” said Smith, who followed three straight UFC losses with his current four-fight win streak. “I think I’m ready. … I think I have all the tools and the attributes to do that.”
