World Series of Fighting unveils first championship belt

Friday, October 25, 2013

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Oct 25, 2013 at 8:00 am ET

Ahead of Saturday night’s World Series of Fighting event, the promotion has unveiled its first championship belt.

After more than a year of design and manufacturing, the two-tone belt weighs 10 pounds, seven ounces and boasts more than 43 carats of genuine ruby, diamond, emerald, sapphire and red garnet, according to company officials.

“We wanted to make sure our championship belt was reflective of our commitment to excellence,” World Series of Fighting President Way Sefo stated in an official release. “We’ve been working in the background for more than a year on the design of this belt, and we feel like we got it right. On Saturday night, I feel confident that either Josh Burkman or Steve Carl will be proud of the belt they receive as recognition of their accomplishment as our first-ever welterweight champion.”

“World Series of Fighting 6: Burkman vs. Carl” takes place Saturday night at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Fla. Josh Burkman (26-9) and Steve Carl (20-3) meet in the main event, with the winner crowned the first welterweight champion in the promotion’s history. The four-fight main-card lineup airs on NBC Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET following seven preliminary bouts that stream on MMAjunkie.com beginning at 6 p.m. ET.

Belt designer A.J. LaFons, a former master model maker for Jostens, had never before designed a championship belt. However, the self-admitted MMA fan said he’s excited to see his product wrapped around a victor’s waist.

“These fighters all tell me that the thing they live for is this belt, so I wanted them to all love it,” LaFons stated. “Every one of them that got to see it today loves it. They’re all looking forward to winning one, so that made me feel good.”

The complete “World Series of Fighting 6: Burkman vs. Carl” lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (NBC Sports Network, 9 p.m. ET)

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMAjunkie.com, 6 p.m. ET) For more on WSOF 6, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.
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World Series of Fighting unveils first championship belt