(PRESS RELEASE) -- LAS VEGAS – World Series of Fighting (WSOF) will head to The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for the first time ever with a star-studded, world championship event featuring the long-awaited return of Tyrone Spong as well as a title defense by reigning featherweight champion Lance Palmer, on Friday, Dec. 18, live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST.
Tickets to WSOF 26 go on-sale Friday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. PST. Priced at $119, $69 and $39, tickets will be available for purchase at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com , www.WSOF.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
“We are looking forward to making our debut at one of the finest venues in the fight capital of the world, and to another historic night of MMA action with the return of both Tyrone Spong, one of the sport’s hottest commodities, and Lance Palmer, a prolific world champion,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.
At age 30, Spong’s appearance will bring an end to the phenom’s absence from competition that was prompted by a broken leg that he sustained in the kickboxing ring in April 2014.
A veteran of 87 professional bouts collectively across MMA, kickboxing and boxing, the one-of-a-kind Spong, who began his career as a protégé of retired K-1 kickboxing legend Ernesto Hoost, has devoted his life to becoming the first fighter to capture a major world championship in each combat sport.
Palmer, a member of superstar Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male fight squad, will risk his title for the second time since the 27-year-old seized the coveted championship from rival Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn in the co-main event of WSOF 16 on Dec, 13, 2014.
With the third round (3:09) submission (rear-naked choke) victory over Glenn, Palmer snapped Glenn’s incredible, unbeaten run that spanned 13 fights over four years.
Palmer, who owns six wins by way of submission, successfully defended his belt for the first time on June 5, forcing battle-tested veteran Chris Horodecki to tap out from a neck crank in the first round (4:28) of action.
Additional matchups for WSOF 26 will be announced soon. The card is subject to change.
ABOUT WORLD SERIESOF FIGHTING
"World Series of Fighting" (WSOF) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. 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 NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 85 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL) – including two games of the Stanley Cup Final -- Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2015, NASCAR. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk, The Dan Patrick Show, and NASCAR America. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.
ABOUT THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a luxury resort offering a decidedly different perspective. Located at the heart of The Strip, the resort’s uniquely vertical multi-tower design offers spectacular views of the vibrant city. The new 2,959-room resort features oversized residential-style living spaces with expansive, one-of-a-kind private terraces. The Cosmopolitan’s luxurious resort amenities include a 100,000 square foot casino; Sahra Spa & Hammam and Violet Hour Hair Nails Beauty; three unique pool experiences; Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub, a multi-level integrated indoor/outdoor nightclub; 150,000 square feet of state-of-the-art convention and meeting space; 40,000-square foot performance and event space The Chelsea; and modern supper club Rose. Rabbit. Lie. An eclectic line-up of new-to-market retailers include: AllSaints Spitalfields, CRSVR Sneaker Boutique, DNA2050, Jason of Beverly Hills, Kidrobot, Molly Brown's Swimwear, Rent the Runway, Retrospecs & Co, Skins 62 Cosmetics, Stitched and U*tique Shop. Signature restaurants include: Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill by restaurateurs Bruce and Eric Bromberg; Estiatorio Milos, by international restaurateur Costas Spiliadis; Holsteins from Block 16 Hospitality; Jaleo and China Poblano restaurants by acclaimed Chef José Andrés; Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. by award-winning Chef Scott Conant; and popular steakhouse STK from The ONE Group; bustling culinary food hall The Wicked Spoon; and The Henry, an all-day dining concept.