LAS VEGAS (Maggio 20, 2016) -World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) has signed undefeated middleweight (185 libbre) prospettiva Phil Hawes (3-0) a un esclusivo, accordo di promozione pluriennale.

A product of the famed Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., il 6-foot, 27-year-old Hawes who hails from Little Ferry, N.J., farà il suo debutto contro promozionale Joshua “The Prince of MMA” Key (6-11, 2 NC) on the live, five-bout NBCSN telecast (9 p.m. E/6 p.m. PT) of WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, al Foxwoods Resort Casino di Mashantucket, Conn. suVenerdì, Giugno 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,"Ha dichiarato World Series of Fighting Presidente Padre 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 su Ottobre 18 – by way of armbar submission.

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

Fissato il prezzo da $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, e il primo incontro preliminare carta avrà inizio alle 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 libbre) co-main event, superstar Jason "The Kansas City Bandit" Alta (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 PRINCIPALE (Live on NBCSN)

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

Leggero: Jason Alta vs. Mike Ricci
Welter: John Howard vs. Thiago Meller
Piuma: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Peso medio: Phil Hawes vs. Joshua Key

CARD PRELIMINARE (Live on WSOF.com)

Leggero: Tom Marcellino vs. Devin Powell
Heavyweight: Juliano Coutinho vs. Justin Willis
Heavyweight: Tyler King vs. Lorenzo Hood
Welter: Robert Fonseca vs. Sean Lally
Leggero: Bruce Boyington vs. Saul Almeida
Peso gallo: Rodrigo Almeida vs. Ben Pierre-Saint
Leggero: Sam Watford vs. Christian Torres