Picture taken by Lucas Noonan/World Series of Fighting

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Nov. 3, 2012) – Re-born former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (18-9) of Minsk, Belarus scored a crushing first round (2:37) TKO on Devin Cole (20-10) of Medford, Ore. in the main event of the 10-bout inaugural World Series of Fighting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Saturday, Nov. 3, live on NBC Sports Network.

In the light heavyweight (205 pounds) co-main event, superstar Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (15-3) of Boca Raton, Fla. put D.J. Linderman (14-4) of Yreka, Calif. flat on the canvas with a hard right hand, earning his fourth consecutive victory by way of first round KO (3:58).

The four-bout telecast will re-air on NBC Sports Network tomorrow/Sunday, Nov. 4 at 11 p.m. EST/8 p.m. PST.

Arlovski was light on his feet as he and Cole circled around one another in the opening seconds of the bout.  As Cole moved forward, Arlovski cracked him with an overhand right that connected on top of Cole’s head and sent Cole to the canvas.

Arlovski pounced on his downed opponent and scored several hammer fists before Cole rolled onto his side and the referee stopped the bout.

Shortly after the opening bell rang for the co-main event, Johnson landed an accidental groin kick that put Linderman on the mat in pain.  After Linderman stood up and the bout resumed, Johnson went on the attack, but suddenly turned to referee Herb Dean, claiming that he had been poked in the eye.

Unaware of an eye poke, Dean instructed the fighters to resume their efforts and, shortly after they did, Linderman came forward, only to feel the impact of a straight right hand from Johnson that put Linderman on the canvas face-first and prompted Dean to call an end to the fight.

Two-time national Muay Thai champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Marlon Moraes (9-4) of Jupiter, Fla. via Nova Friburgo, Brazil pulled off an upset over former world champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Miguel Torres (40-6) of East Chicago, Ind.

Moraes consistently beat Torres to the punch while Torres appeared to be gun shy throughout three rounds of action.  Moraes scored power shots to the head and landed enough leg kicks to convince two of three judges to give him the nod.

The highly-anticipated MMA debut of kickboxing superstar Tyrone Spong (1-0) of Boca Raton, Fla. via Amsterdam, Netherlands lived up to its hype as the 27-year-old came out of the gates launching an all-out assault against Travis Bartlett (7-3) of Bangor, Maine in a light heavyweight matchup.  Spong scored a finishing straight right hand that put Bartlett down and out on the floor.

Complete World Series of Fighting Results:

Main Card:

- Andrei Arlovski def. Devin Cole via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:37
- Anthony Johnson def. D.J. Linderman via KO (punch) – Round 1, 3:58
- Marlon Moraes def. Miguel Torres via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
- Tyrone Spong def. Travis Bartlett via KO (punch) – Round 1, 3:15

Preliminary Card:

- Tyson Steele def. Gregor Gracie via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:52
- Brian Cobb def. Ronys Torres via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Steve Carl def. Ramico Blackmon via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:11
- Josh Burkman def. Gerald Harris via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- J.Z. Cavalcante def. T.J. O’Brien via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:03
- David Branch def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Jay Cee – The MMA Review

@themmareview

*This is an official World Series Of Fighting press release. A press release is an announcement of an event, performance, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the press.