In an effort to stand out from the other MMA organizations the WSOF has decided to hold a one-night, eight-man tournament for a chance to challenge for the lightweight championship. The format harks back to the early days of the UFC where fighters would compete in multiple bouts on one night to win the grand prize. The tournament is slated to take place on November 20 at the WSOF 25 event.

During an interview on the MMA Hour, WSOF executive vice president Ali Abdel-Aziz said about the tournament, “The winner will fight three times, and it’s going to crown a tournament champion. It’s going back to the gladiator days. One gladiator fights and he keeps going and going until he achieves his ultimate goal.”

“We just wanted to do something different,” Adbel-Aziz said. “World Series of Fighting for the next three months will be kicking ass. We’ll be putting on these great fight cards and we’ll be bringing some big names back and we’re building talent.”

The eight fighters who have been selected to take part in the tournament are Islam Mamedov (12-1), Mike Ricci (10-4), Joao Zeferino (18-6), Rich Patishnock (6-2), Jorge Patino (37-15-2), Brian Cobb (20-8), plus the winner of an upcoming bout between LaRue Burley (6-0) and Brian Foster (22-7) will be pitted up against a yet to be named competitor.

WSOF 25 will take place in Seattle, Washington and is expected to air on the NBC Sports Network. The night will also have several lightweight bouts that will serve as reserves in case of injuries to any of the men involved in the tournament.