Rick Glenn (photo via Score Fighting Series)

By Kelsey Mowatt

While the World Series of Fighting continues to build around established vets like Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson, Paulo Filho and Aaron Simpson, among many others, the promotion has also been securing the services of rising prospects like Marlon Moraes and Rick Glenn. In the case of Glenn, the WSOF has not only brought on board one of the Roufusport camp’s emerging fighters, but a featherweight that many observers believed was headed to the UFC.

“Of course we were trying to get in with the UFC, and they’re featherweight roster is pretty full right now,” Glenn told Full Contact Fighter recently. “I’ve tried getting on a few last minute cards with them but they just never wanted to pick me up. World Series hit me up so I’m going with them. I’m taking it one day at a time and ready to go in there and kick some ass.”

According to the 23 year-old Glenn, he has signed a five fight deal with WSOF, which will promote its second event March 23rd in Atlantic City. The card will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network.

“I’m really excited,” said Glenn, who is riding a five fight win streak which includes victories over Tristan Johnson, Charron Spain and most recently Lyndon Whitlock, who he stopped a Score Fighting Series event in October.

“I’ve been fighting for a while, so it’s nice to finally move up, make a little more and get my name out there. It’s going to be awesome fighting on NBC Sports too. A lot of viewers.”

Glenn will make his WSOF debut against Alexandre “Pulga” Pimentel. The decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and Nova Geracao Combate fighter has gone 12-0 since transitioning into MMA in 2008.

“He wasn’t familiar to me but I’ve learned a little about him through some of our jiu-jitsu guys, Diego and Daniel Moraes,” Glenn said about his upcoming, 34 year-old opponent.

“They told me he has high level jiu-jitsu; I know he’s a black belt, and I just don’t plan on going on my back. I have to fight smart. I’ve been training hard so I’m ready.”

“I’m really excited about that too; a little bit bigger step up in competition,” Glenn added. “He’s got a great record, so it’s going to look even better.”

While Glenn has taken time out to learn more about his opponent, the Milwaukee fighter reports that he won’t be spending hours on end either, reviewing tape of Pimentel’s past performances.

“I don’t get hung up on too much footage,” said Glenn. “The highlight videos are of course going to be their good stuff, but, I’m just going to focus on what I should or shouldn’t do…make sure I do everything right.”

Although Roufusport is renowned for the high level strikers it has produced, on account of fighters like Anthony Pettis and Erik Koch among others, the team also consists of noted jiu-jitsu trainers like the Moraes brothers and decorated wrestler, Ben Askren.

“I think honestly my grappling is better than my striking,” said Glenn, who has also recorded several submission victories to go along with multiple TKO wins. “With any fight I go into, I don’t want to go on my back; it doesn’t look dominating when someone is on their back. I might catch them with a submission but I want to be dominating.”

The upcoming, March 23rd WSOF event will be hosted by the Revel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.