LAS VEGAS (Giugno 15, 2016) -World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) ha annunciato oggi che Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 libbre) gara contro John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), che ora affronterà“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 libbre) bout at the much-anticipated WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world championship doubleheader Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) evento, vivere NBCSN (9 p.m. E/6 p.m. PT) dal Foxwoods Resort Casino di Mashantucket, Conn. su Venerdì, Giugno 17.

In aggiunta, imbattuto Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford in leggero in programma (155 libbre) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Fla., il 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Arrant, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, resides in Las Vegas, where he is a member of legendary champion Randy “The Natural” Couture’s Xtreme Couture fight squad.

Arrant is looking to return to the win column following a unanimous decision defeat in his last start on August 7, 2015, at the hands of two-time UFC veteran Brock Jardine.

Prior to the loss, Arrant had reeled off six consecutive victories, five of which he produced in the first round, a titolo di (T)KO o sottomissione. Ad oggi, 12 della sua 15 professional wins have been finishes.

During the six-fight win streak, Arrant seized his first championship – regional promotion SteelFist Fight Night’s welterweight title – with a first round (5:00) WHO (la pensione) di Carl Dieckmann luglio 12, 2013.

Like Arrant, the 5-foot-7, 33-year-old Howard boasts a phenomenal finish rate with 15 della sua 23 professional victories having come by way of (T)KO o sottomissione.

Howard will make his promotional debut with World Series of Fighting following a second stint with the UFC that spanned seven fights and included wins over Uriah Sala, Siyar Bahadurzada e Cathal Pendred.

Fissato il prezzo da $39.99, tickets for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland are on sale at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 5 p.m. E, and the first of seven preliminary card bouts will begin at 5:45 p.m.

L'intera scheda preliminare lotta sarà in streaming in diretta su un video player incorporabile su WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, vivere NBCSN trasmissione televisiva, reigning World Series of Fighting heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will put his title on the line against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (12-3).

Nel co-main event leggero, superstar Jason "The Kansas City Bandit" Alta (19-5) e Mike "The Martian" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND

CARD PRINCIPALE (Live on NBCSN)

World Series of Fighting Heavyweight Championship Main Event:
Blagoy Ivanov (Campione) vs. Josh Copeland (Sfidante)

Co-Main Event leggero:
Jason Alta vs. Mike Ricci

Peso medio: John Howard vs. Mike Arrant
Piuma: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Peso medio: Phil Hawes vs. Josh Key

CARD PRELIMINARE (Live on WSOF.com)

Leggero: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Heavyweight: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Heavyweight: Tyler King vs. Lorenzo Hood
Welter: Robert Fonseca vs. Sean Lally
Leggero: Bruce Boyington vs. Saul Almeida
Peso gallo: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Ben Pierre-Saint
Leggero: Marcus Surin vs. Christian Torres