World Series of Fighting 9 press conference

World Series of Fighting hosted a press conference on Thursday with executives and fighters competing in the NBCSN-televised “World Series of Fighting 9: Carl vs. Palhares” event on Saturday night at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

It was also announced on Thursday by WSOF officials that fight fans across the world will be able to watch the fights through a live stream on NBCSports.com.

Tickets for World Series of Fighting 9, which start at just $39, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at The Joint box office or by phone at (800) 745-3000. The night’s featured fights air live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT local time) following preliminary bouts that start at 3:15 p.m. PT local time, and begin streaming on NBCSports.com beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT local time).

The following are quote highlights from the press conference:

RAY SEFO, WSOF President:
“I don’t think it’s hard to digest at all (Palhares fighting for a title). His record and the people he has fought speaks for itself. He’s fought some of the best in the world. He didn’t get cut from UFC because he lost. He got cut because of a submission he held too long, so they say. That being said, Rousimar Palhares is one of the best fighters in the world.”

ALI ABDELAZIZ, WSOF Executive Vice President:
“Steve Carl is the champion and I think the odds makers have it wrong. I believe he’s the favorite in this fight. Rousimar Palhares has to come into his house and he has to prove he can be the champ. Steve Carl is not the fighter he was three or four years ago. I’m excited as a fan to have the best seat in the house and I’m excited for this fight.

“I think Burkmam-Stinson will be the fight of the night, that’s my prediction.”

JOSH BURKMAN:
“This is my fifth fight at the Hard Rock. It’s really nice to see how much this show has grown, even in the short few months since I fought last. Tyler (Stinson) poses some of the best hands I’ve ever faced in my 40 fights so I’m really looking forward to this challenge on Saturday night. This fight against Stinson will hopefully just prove I had an off night and I’ll be back fighting for Steve Carl’s belt.”

TYLER STINSON:
“I’m here to kick somebody’s ass. The name I signed on the contract today was Burkman. I’m a kid from a small town in Kansas. I’m not even supposed to be here. That’s basically it. I’m just ready to fight. That’s great that Ali thinks this is going to be the Fight of the Night. That’s good, but that means he has to do something good. I’m going to try and dominate this fight. Fight of the Night? I’d rather have Knockout of the Night.”

MARLON MORAES:
“Of course my motivation comes from fighting for a belt. Who wouldn’t want to fight for a belt?”

Marlon Moraes, left, WSOF President Ray Sefo, and Josh Rettinghouse
Steve Carl

Rousimar Palhares

Marlon Moraes

Josh Rettinghouse

Yushin Okami

Svetlozar Savov

Josh Burkman

Tyler Stinson

NBCSN-TELEVISED MAIN CARD
Champion Steve Carl vs. Rousimar Palhares – for welterweight title
Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse – for inaugural bantamweight title
Yushin Okami vs. Svetlozar Savov
Josh Burkman vs. Tyler Stinson
Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Johnny Nunez

NBCSPORTS.COM-STREAMED PRELIMINARY CARD
Shane Krutchen vs. Mike Corey
Bryson Hansen vs. Sean Cantor
John Gunderson vs. Chris Gruetzemacher
Brenson Hansen vs. Boostayre Nefarios
Danny Davis Jr. vs. Phil Dace
Gil Guardado vs. Jimmy Spicuzza