Anthony Johnson punching DJ Linderman (photo via Lucas Noon/ WSOF)

By FCF Staff

World Series of Fighting made its debut this past weekend in Las Vegas, and unlike the vast majority of promotions, it’s first card was also broadcast on cable. The WSOF 1 event, which featured several notable UFC veterans like Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson and Miguel Torres was carried by the NBC Sports Network.

According to a report from MMA Junkie, industry sources are saying that WSOF 1 drew an average of 197,000 viewers. Bellator, which is currently broadcast on MTV 2, pulls in similar numbers on a weekly basis.

The NBC channel, which used to be titled Versus, carried WEC events between 2008 and 2010 that drew on average over 600,000 viewers.

The second WSOF card is scheduled for January 26th in Las Vegas, however, it remains to be seen if NBC elects to broadcast the event on its Sports Network.

WSOF 1 featured Arlovski stopping Devin Cole in the main event, and the aforementioned Johnson recorded a highlight reel knockout win over DJ Linderman.

The card also included the MMA debut of kickboxing star Tyrone Spong, who KO’d Travis Bartlett. The former WEC bantamweight champ Torres dropped a split decision loss to Marlon Moraes.