Las Vegas (June 15, 2016) Series -World pugnandi (WSOF.com) announced today that Thiago Meller has withdrawn from his scheduled welterweight (170 libras) aduersus John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12), qui iam nunc“Mad” Mike Arrant (15-10) in a middleweight (185 libras) bout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) event, live on NBCSN (9 p.m. ATQUE/6 p.m. PT) ex Foxwoods Obstinatus Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Friday, June 17.

In addition, Invictus Marcus Surin (3-0) of Stamford, Conn. has been tabbed to step in for Sam Watford in scheduled lightweight (155 libras) preliminary card contest against Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y..

Originally hailing from Orlando, Fla., ad pedem V-IX-, 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, by way of (T)KO aut submissionem. Modernum, 12 eius 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) QUI (retirement) autem Carl Dieckmann on July 12, 2013.

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

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 atque Cathal Pendred.

Pretium ex $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. ATQUE, and the first of seven preliminary card bouts will begin at 5:45 p.m.

Totam praeviam pugna card fluent live on an embeddable video ludio ludius WSOF.com.

In the main event of the five-bout, vivere NBCSN telecast, 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).

In pelagus eventus leve co-, superstars Jason "The Kansas urbem Bandit" Maximum (19-5) atque Mike "Martia" Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF31: IVANOV VS. COPELAND

CARD PRINCEPS (Live on NBCSN)

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

Lightweight Co-Main Event:
Jason Maximum vs. Mike Ricci

Middleweight: John Howard vs. Mike Arrant
Featherweight: Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes
Middleweight: Phil Hawes vs. Key josh

CARD PRIMUS (Vivere WSOF.com)

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