LAS VEGAS (Junie 15, 2016) -World Reeks Veg (WSOF.com) vandag bekend gemaak dat Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 pond) wedstryd teen John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), Wie sal nou in die gesig staar“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 pond) bout at the much-anticipated WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world championship doubleheader Mixed Martial Arts (Plaasmoorde) gebeurtenis, woon op NBCSN (9 namiddag. EN/6 namiddag. PT) van Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. op Vrydag, Junie 17.

Daarbenewens, onoorwonne Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford in die geskeduleerde liggewig (155 pond) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Fla., die 5-voet-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, by way of (T)KO of voorlegging. Tot op datum, 12 van sy 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) WIE (aftrede) van Carl Dieckmann Julie 12, 2013.

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

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 Uría Hall, Siyar Bahadurzada en Cathal Pendred.

Prys van $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 namiddag. EN, and the first of seven preliminary card bouts will begin at 5:45 namiddag.

Die hele voorlopige stryd kaart sal live stream op 'n Inlegbare video speler op WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, lewe NBCSN beeldsending, 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).

In die lig mede-hoofren, supersterre Jason "Die Kansas City Bandit" High (19-5) en Mike "Die Mars" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND

MAIN CARD (Woon op NBCSN)

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

Liggewig Co-Main Event:
Jason High vs. Mike Ricci

Middelgewigtitel: John Howard vs. Mike Arrant
Veergewigtitel: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Middelgewigtitel: Phil Hawes vs. Josh Sleutel

VOORLOPIGE CARD (Woon op WSOF.com)

Liggewig: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Swaargewig: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Swaargewig: Tyler King vs. Lorenzo Hood
Weltergewig: Robert Fonseca vs. Sean Lally
Liggewig: Bruce Boyington vs. Saul Almeida
Kapokgewig: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Ben Pierre-Saint
Liggewig: Marcus Surin vs. Christian Torres