LAS VEGAS (Hunyo 15, 2016) -World Series sa Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 libra) contest batok sa John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), nga karon atubang“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 libra) bout at the much-anticipated WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world championship doubleheader Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event, nagpuyo sa NBCSN (9 sa gabii. UG/6 sa gabii. PT) gikan sa Foxwoods Resort Casino sa Mashantucket, Conn. sa Biyernes, Hunyo 17.

Dugang pa, undefeated Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford sa gikatakda lightweight (155 libra) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Fla., ang 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, by way of (T)KO o pagpasakop. Sa petsa, 12 sa iyang 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) KINSA (retirement) sa Carl Dieckmann sa Hulyo 12, 2013.

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

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 Si Urias Hall, Siyar Bahadurzada ug Cathal Pendred.

Nagkantidad gikan sa $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 sa gabii. UG, and the first of seven preliminary card bouts will begin at 5:45 sa gabii.

Ang tibuok preliminary away card magaganayan live sa usa ka embeddable video player sa WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, mabuhi NBCSN telecast, 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).

Sa lightweight co-main event, superstars Jason "Ang Kansas City bandidong" Hataas (19-5) ug Mike "Ang Martian" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND

PANGUNANG CARD (Pagpuyo sa NBCSN)

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

Lightweight Co-Main Event:
Jason Hataas vs. Mike Ricci

Middleweight: John Howard vs. Mike Arrant
Featherweight: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Middleweight: Phil Hawes vs. Josh Key

Preliminary CARD (Pagpuyo sa WSOF.com)

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