LAS VEGAS (Meitheamh 15, 2016) -World Sraith de Troid (WSOF.com) announced today that Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 punt) comórtas i gcoinne John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), a bheidh aghaidh anois“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 punt) bout at the much-anticipated WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world championship doubleheader Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) imeacht, beo ar NBCSN (9 p.m. AGUS/6 p.m. PT) ó Foxwoods Saoire Casino i Mashantucket, Conn. ar Dé hAoine, Meitheamh 17.

Chomh maith leis sin, undefeated Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford sa sceidealta lightweight (155 punt) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Fla., an 5-chos-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, trí (T)KO nó aighneacht. Go dtí seo, 12 de chuid 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) de Carl Dieckmann Iúil 12, 2013.

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

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 Halla, Siyar Bahadurzada agus Cathal Pendred.

Phraghas ó $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. AGUS, and the first of seven preliminary card bouts will begin at 5:45 p.m.

Beidh an réamh cárta troid ar fad sruth beo ar imreoir físeán inleabaithe ar WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, cónaí 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).

I gcás comh-príomh lightweight, superstars Jason "An Kansas City meirleach" Ard- (19-5) agus Mike "An Martian" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND

PRÍOMH CÁRTA (Beo ar NBCSN)

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

Co-Príomh Lightweight Imeacht:
Jason High vs. Mike Ricci

MBoston: John Howard vs. Mike Arrant
Featherweight: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
MBoston: Phil Hawes vs. Josh Eochair

CÁRTA Réamhráiteach (Beo ar WSOF.com)

Lightweight: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Trom: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Trom: 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