World Series of Fighting (WSOF) is poised to make its mixed martial arts (MMA) return in Ontario, Calif., via NBC Sports Network on Sat., Aug. 10, 2013.
The promotion's fourth event will be headlined by a 205-pound slugfest featuring kickboxing sensation Tyrone Spong, as he crosses over to cage fighting for the second time to battle light heavyweight veteran Angel DeAnda.
Ray Sefo will be there, as usual, but he won't be acting as WSOF president. Officials today (July 16, 2013) announced that the longtime K-1 veteran is taking a leave of absence from his executive duties to concentrate on fighting, which includes his upcoming bangfest opposite Dave Huckaba.
Sefo elaborates:
"I'm looking forward to another chance to step into the cage, but before I do, I felt taking a temporary leave from my executive duties was the right thing to do. I'm fortunate to have an outstanding team at World Series of Fighting which I know will handle our operations while I'm gone. Even though I took on an executive role at World Series of Fighting, I never actually retired from active competition. About three years ago, I set a personal goal of reaching the century mark, 100 fights, and then calling it quits. Now I'm excited to say I have a chance to do that. But I knew I couldn't be the president of World Series of Fighting and fight for the company at the same time. To try and do so would have been a disservice to all of our fighters and my team at WSOF, not to mention me as an athlete and to all of the fans who will be watching me in action again. I'm fortunate to work with an outstanding group at World Series of Fighting, and I have total confidence their work will allow the success we've enjoyed so far to continue on Aug. 10."
And going out with a win wouldn't hurt, either.
The 42 year-old Sefo (2-1) -- who hasn't competed in MMA since a first-round submission loss to Valentijn Overeem under the Strikeforce banner back in Feb. 2011 -- is expected to resume his role as promotion president following next month's event.
For the latest and greatest WSOF 4 new and notes click here. To see the current "Spong vs. DeAnda" fight card and rumors click here.