LAS VEGAS (Mejju 20, 2016) -World Serje ta 'Fighting (WSOF.com) has signed undefeated middleweight (185 liri) prospett Phil Hawes (3-0) għal esklussiva, ftehim promozzjonali multiannwali.

A product of the famed Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., 6-marda, 27-year-old Hawes who hails from Little Ferry, N.J., se jagħmel id-debutt tiegħu kontra promozzjonali Joshua “The Prince of MMA” Key (6-11, 2 NC) on the live, five-bout NBCSN telecast (9 p.m. U/6 p.m. PT) of WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, fil Foxwoods Resort Casino fil Mashantucket, Conn. fuqIl-ġimgħa, Ġunju 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,"Qal World Series tal-ġlieda kontra President Chiefs missier.

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 fuq Ottubru 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 "Għadam" Jones, Hawes has been described by Jones as having“limitless” potential.

Pprezzati minn $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. U, u l-ewwel bout karta preliminari se jibda fi 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 liri) ko-prinċipali avveniment, superstars Jason "Il-Belt Bandit Kansas" High (19-5) u Mike "Il Martian" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND
CARD MAIN (Jgħixu fuq NBCSN)

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

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

CARD PRELIMINARI (Jgħixu fuq WSOF.com)

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