MFP action (photo via MFP)

By Press Release

The landscape is changing in MMA on an international level with announcement of the highly anticipated MMA World Cup. MFP is now joined by 19 other World Cup Teams, including WSOF Global, represented in sixteen countries on six continents, which will each have the opportunity to host their own World Cup Events in 2017 and beyond. The top talent from each team will get to represent their country and organization and compete throughout the world.

Modern Fighting Pankration is the newest World Cup Team to participate, representing some of the very best talent in all of Russia, including reigning WSOF-GC Heavyweight Champion, Evgeny Erokhin (17-5), who is undefeated in the heavyweight division dating back to 2013, with all of his wins coming via KO/TKO. Based out of Khabarovsk, MFP has been promoting events dating back to 2003.

MFP’s Vice President, Alexei Zhernakov, stated, “We are very pleased about the collaboration with worldwide MMA organizations and see a great future in our work together.” With this new relationship formed, also comes the announcement of the very first World Cup event, The MMA World Cup 1: MFP vs WSOF-GC, to be held in Khabarovsk, Russia on May 13.

“With UFC and Bellator having never hosted events in Russia, that area of the world is unchartered territory for most MMA fans,” states WSOF-GC President, Shawn Wright. “We are thrilled to be working alongside MFP and their long-standing history of success. They have shown a great capacity to work with other promotions for the advancement of their athletes and the sport. It is an honor to be able to partner with them and be the very first US-based organization to promote an event there. We look forward to assisting them by bringing in talent from all over the world, as well as giving their athletes the same opportunities to travel abroad.”

“As a matchmaker, The MMA World Cup is a dream come true,” added WSOF-Global Vice President of Operations, Jason Lilly. “When you have the ability to utilize champions and rising stars from nearly two dozen promotions to put together the best fights, it’s hard not to get excited about what this is going to do for MMA. This will be much more than just having a championship belt on the line. Organizational pride and national honor will be on the line for everyone, including the fans. We hope to continue adding promotions. This has all the potential to be the dawn of a new era in combat sports.”

MFP’s previous events will be making their way into The MMA World Cup Fight Library, which will be the exclusive online home for The MMA World Cup in 2017. Watch The MMA World Cup, MFP, and all of the World Cup Teams’ LIVE and previous events at www.THEMMAWORLDCUP.com!

World Series of Fighting Global Championship is dedicated to growing the international brand of World Series of Fighting throughout the world by adding affiliate organizations to develop their athletes and provide them with opportunities to compete on larger platforms for the advancement of the sport of MMA. Media inquiries should be sent to Jason Lilly, Vice President of Operations of World Series of Fighting Global Championship, at jlilly@wsof.asia. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @wsofglobal

The MMA World Cup’s ultimate mission is to bring together the best athletes from organizations and countries across the world to compete for a true, globally-recognized world champion. Media inquiries should be sent to Darren Owen, Chief Operating Officer of The MMA World Cup, at dowen@themmaworldcup.com. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @themmaworldcup