Branch-Villefort, Mutapcic-Taylor set for four-man 185 tournament at WSOF 5

Four middleweights will fight for No. 1 contender status and a tournament title at World Series of Fighting’s fifth event on Sept. 14 in New Jersey.

The promotion today announced matchups for the competition, which include Dave Branch (12-3) vs. Danillo Villefort (14-4) and Elvis Mutapcic (13-2) vs. Jesse Taylor (26-9).

WSOF 5 takes place Sept. 14 at Revel Atlantic City. The event’s main card, which features a light heavyweight bout between Anthony Johnson and Mike Kyle, airs live on NBC Sports Network after online prelims that will stream at MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Tickets for the event start at $29 and go on sale Friday. It’s WSOF’s second event at the Atlantic City resort.

Branch and Villefort return after successful debuts in their respective bouts at WSOF 2 in March. Branch, who’s 4-1 since a 2-2 run in the UFC, took home a unanimous decision over Paulo Filho, while one-time octagon vet Villefort earned a split call over UFC vet Kris McCray.

Mutapcic makes his promotional debut after a stint in Canada’s Maximum Fighting Championships, where he won the middleweight title and defended it in February. He enjoys a five-fight win streak, which includes a 25-second knockout of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” winner Cezar Ferreira.

UFC, DREAM and Strikeforce vet Taylor is on a roll at middleweight after bouncing between 170, 185 and even 205 pounds. He’s won his past six fights and in May defended the Cage Warriors middleweight belt he won this past December.

The WSOF 5 card now includes:

• Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Kyle
• Dave Branch vs. Danillo Villefort – middleweight tournament semifinals
• Elvis Mutapcic vs. Jesse Taylor – middleweight tournament semifinals

For more on WSOF 5, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Jesse Taylor)