LAS VEGAS (Jun 15, 2016) -World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) je danas objavila da Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 funti) Contest protiv John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), koji sada će se suočiti“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 funti) bout at the much-anticipated WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world championship doubleheader Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) događaj, uživo na NBCSN (9 poslije podne. I/6 poslije podne. PT) od Foxwoods Resort Casino u Mashantucket, Conn. na Petak, Jun 17.

Dodatno, neporažen Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford u zakazano lagan (155 funti) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Florida, 5-noga-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 ili podnošenje. Do danas, 12 njegovog 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 (retirement) od Carl Dieckmann jula 12, 2013.

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

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 Hall, Siyar Bahadurzada i Cathal Pendred.

Po cijeni od $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 poslije podne. I, and the first of seven preliminary card bouts will begin at 5:45 poslije podne.

Čitav preliminarni borba kartica će stream uživo na Zakvaceni video player na WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, žive NBCSN TV prijenos, 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).

U lagan ko-Main Event, superzvijezde Jason "The Kansas City Bandit" High (19-5) i Mike "The Martian" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND

MAIN CARD (Live on NBCSN)

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

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

Bokser srednje kategorije: John Howard vs. Mike Arrant
Pero: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Bokser srednje kategorije: Phil Hawes vs. Josh Key

PRELIMINARNI CARD (Live na WSOF.com)

Lak: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Teška kategorija: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Teška kategorija: Tyler King vs. Lorenzo Hood
Velter kategorija: Robert Fonseca vs. Sean Lally
Lak: Bruce Boyington vs. Saul Almeida
Bantam: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Ben Pierre-Saint
Lak: Marcus Surin vs. Christian Torres