LAS VEGAS (Junho 15, 2016) -World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) anunciou hoje que Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 libras) competição contra John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), que agora vai enfrentar“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 libras) bout at the much-anticipated WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world championship doubleheader Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) evento, viver em NBCSN (9 p.m. E/6 p.m. PT) do Foxwoods Resort Casino, em Mashantucket, Conn. em Sexta-feira, Junho 17.

Além, invicto Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford no agendado leve (155 libras) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.I..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Fla., o 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, por meio de (T)KO ou finalização. A data, 12 da 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) QUEM (retirement) de Carl Dieckmann em julho 12, 2013.

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

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 e Cathal Pendred.

Preços a partir de $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.

Todo o card preliminar luta vai transmitir ao vivo em um player de vídeo embutido em WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, NBCSN transmissão ao vivo, 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).

No caso leve co-main, superstars Jason "The Kansas City Bandit" High (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 PRINCIPAL (Live on NBCSN)

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

Co-Main leve Evento:
Jason High vs. Mike Ricci

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

CARD PRELIMINAR (Live on WSOF.com)

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