LAS VEGAS (Mei 20, 2016) -World Reeks Veg (WSOF.com) has signed undefeated middleweight (185 pond) vooruitsig Phil Hawes (3-0) om 'n eksklusiewe, multi-jaar promosie ooreenkoms.

A product of the famed Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., die 6-voet, 27-year-old Hawes who hails from Little Ferry, N.J., sal sy buiging teen promosie Joshua “The Prince of MMA” Key (6-11, 2 NC) on the live, five-bout NBCSN telecast (9 namiddag. EN/6 namiddag. PT) of WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, op Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. opVrydag, Junie 17.

“Phil is one of the most exciting, young prospects in the sport of MMA, so we are excited to welcome him to the World Series of Fighting family, and we look forward to seeing how his career develops under our promotion,"Sê World Series of Veg President Vader Chiefs.

The matchup with Key will be Hawes’ first start since 2014, his professional debut year when he ran to three straight victories, the first two by way of TKO and the third – a first round victory over Brandon Collins op Oktober 18 – by way of armbar submission.

A 2009 junior college national wrestling champion for Iowa Central Community College, the alma mater of UFC champion and Jackson-Winklejohn teammate Jon "Bones" Jones, Hawes has been described by Jones as having“limitless” potential.

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, en die eerste voorlopige card bout sal begin by 6 namiddag.

In the main event of the live NBCSN telecast, reigning world heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will risk his title against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1).

In the lightweight (155 pond) 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: Jason High vs. Mike Ricci
Weltergewig: John Howard vs. Thiago Meller
Veergewigtitel: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Middelgewigtitel: Phil Hawes vs. Joshua Key

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: Sam Watford vs. Christian Torres