Tom Marcellino (9-5 MMA, 2-4 WSOF) is waiting on the World Series of Fighting.
Well, the Professional Fight League to be exact. On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, WSOF announced it would be turning into a new promotion in January 2018.
The organization takes a similar approach to the late International Fight League. The only difference is PFL will not consist of teams.
The inaugural season will run for ten months and includes seven different weight classes. Each fighter on the roster will compete in three regular season fights and will be seeded for the playoffs based off their performance leading up to that time.
The seven winners will win a 1 million dollar purse. Another 3 million dollars will be shared between various regular season and playoff competitors.
One of the fighters looking to cash in is Marcellino.
“If the money is right, most definitely,” Marcellino said.
A six-time WSOF veteran, Marcellino is currently riding a two-fight win streak while under the promotional banner. Most recently, the 33-year-old earned a unanimous decision nod over Bill Jones at WSOF 35 March 18, 2017.
After starting off (0-4) inside the WSOF cage, “Tommy Gunz” earned his first win at WSOF 34 by tapping out Matt Denning via first-round guillotine choke December 31, 2016.
With no future plans scheduled, Marcellino is hoping to stay with WSOF. It is still unclear how many current fighters on the roster will transition over to PFL.
The Amsterdam, New York native is intrigued, but waiting for more information.
“I haven’t got a contract,” Marcellino said. “Sounds very interesting, just waiting for the real details.”
Currently, the promotion plans to hold four events in 2017. Those cards are scheduled for June 30, Sept. 30, Oct. 30 and Nov. 4.
There are approximately 100 fighters on the WSOF roster. Marcellino’s four-fight contract with the WSOF ended in March when he defeated Jones.
Although he is not currently employed by the promotion, the lightweight likes the direction it is headed.
“I think it’s a good move, they got bigger money backing them now,” Marcellino said. “Money is what makes great cards.”
By Connor Northrup