As this past weekend’s UFC 187 main card was about to begin in Las Vegas, WSOF President Ray Sefo sat near cageside feeling awfully proud.

While his promotion had the night off, Sefo saw a few of his former fighters enjoying the limelight in a rival organization. And he knew that if it weren’t for the second chance that WSOF offered them, they might not be there.

Sure, three-time WSOF fighter Anthony Johnson (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) came up short in the headliner and suffered a submission loss to Daniel Cormier (16-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant UFC light-heavyweight title. But the former welterweight, who famously flamed out of the UFC in 2012 after a series of weight-cutting gaffes, earned his way back.

“Rumble’s” WSOF victories over D.J. Linderman, Andrei Arlovski and Mike Kyle eventually prompted the UFC to re-sign him, and one of MMA’s most surprising career turnarounds headlined a major PPV event.

Additionally, three fights prior, three-time WSOF fight Arlovski (24-10 MMA, 13-4 UFC) continued his remarkable career resurgence with a significant upset of heavyweight contender (17-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC).

For Sefo, who enjoys a cozier relationship with the UFC than most promoters, it was a fulfilling night.

“Again, I couldn’t be any happier for the guys,” he told MMAjunkie Radio. “They were part of our team, and now they’re over there, and they continue to show the world that they’re still here and they’re still strong forces in the game.”

Arlovski’s victory, which came in a “Fight of the Year” contender, was especially satisfying.

“Every guy that’s been with us, I wish them the best,” Sefo said. “It’s so good to see Andrei, who’s a former UFC champion, come back and show that he is still a force to be reckoned with.”

However, Sefo still isn’t willing to roll over for the world’s largest and most prominent MMA organization. On Tuesday he confirmed a championship triple-header, as well as an intriguing bout between Tyrone Spong and Mike Kyle, slated for Aug. 1 at WSOF 22.

The NBCSN-telesived event goes head-to-head with UFC 190, which features UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia.

Still, Sefo, a former kickboxer and MMA fighter who still trains often at Xtreme Couture, could appreciate UFC 187, his former fighters’ big opportunities, and the part WSOF played in getting them there.

“That was a great UFC card for sure,” he said.

For more on WSOF 22 and UFC 190, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site. And for complete coverage of UFC 187, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM channel 92, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.