Ali Abdel-Aziz picked up the phone and started dialing a few months ago. He called just about every member of World Series of Fighting's lightweight division.
Did they want a title shot? Absolutely. Were they willing to beat three men in one night to do it? Well, that wasn't as easy a question to answer.
Eight men did accept the offer, though, and they will be competing Friday night in an old-school, one-night tournament at WSOF 25 in Phoenix that will air live on NBC Sports Network. There will also be two alternate bouts. The tourney winner takes on lightweight champion Justin Gaethje on a future card.