Las Vegas (Tej zaum 20, 2016) -World Series ntawm Sib ntaus (WSOF.com) has signed undefeated middleweight (185 phaus) zeem muag Phil Hawes (3-0) mus rau ib qho kom, multi-xyoo promotional daim ntawv cog lus.

A product of the famed Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., 6-taw, 27-year-old Hawes who hails from Little Ferry, N.J., yuav ua kom nws debut promotional tiv thaiv Joshua “The Prince of MMA” Key (6-11, 2 NC) on the live, five-bout NBCSN telecast (9 p.m. THIAB/6 p.m. PT) of WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, ntawm Foxwoods Resort Twv txiaj yuam pov nyob rau hauv Mashantucket, Conn. rauFriday, Lub rau hli ntuj 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,"Hais tias lub ntiaj teb no Series ntawm Sib ntaus sib tua Thawj Tswj Hwm Leej Txiv 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 rau Lub kaum hli ntuj 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 "Cov pob txha" Jones, Hawes has been described by Jones as having“limitless” potential.

Luv nqi los ntawm $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. THIAB, thiab cov thawj ua ntej card bout yuav pib thaum 6 p.m.

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 phaus) co-ntsiab kev tshwm sim, superstars Jason "Lub Kansas City Bandit" High (19-5) thiab Mike "Lub Martian" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND
MAIN CARD (Nyob rau NBCSN)

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

Sib: Jason High vs. Mike Ricci
Welterweight: John Howard vs. Thiago Meller
Featherweight: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Middleweight: Phil Hawes vs. Joshua Key

Nteg CARD (Nyob rau WSOF.com)

Sib: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Heavyweight: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Heavyweight: Tyler King vs. Lorenzo Hood
Welterweight: Robert Fonseca vs. Sean Lally
Sib: Bruce Boyington vs. Xa-u Almeida
Bantamweight: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Ben Pierre-Saint
Sib: Sam Watford vs. Christian Torres