WSOF 31 Results

It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Friday, June 17th, 2016) will come from WSOF 31. Headlining the card are Blagoy Ivanov and Josh Copeland, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the rest of the main card. Blagoy Ivanov and Josh Copeland

The post WSOF 31 Results appeared first on LowKick MMA.

It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Friday, June 17th, 2016) will come from WSOF 31. Headlining the card are Blagoy Ivanov and Josh Copeland, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the rest of the main card.

Blagoy Ivanov and Josh Copeland met in a heavyweight title bout in the main event.

Jason High vs. Mike Ricci met in a lightweight bout.

John Howard vs. Michael Arrant met in a featherweight bout. In round 1, both guys were conservative but mixed up their strikes well. Not too much action in this one. In round 2, Howard came out aggressive and went for a takedown early but Arrant held the fence and Howard couldn’t get it. Howard scored takedown to end the round. In round 3, Howard scored a takedown to open the round but Arrant got back to his feet. Howard took him down with a minute to go. Howard won the fight by decision.

Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes met in a middleweight bout. Palomino came out in round one and unloaded then reset. Both guys started to pick up the action midway through this round and started to have some wild exchanges. In round 2, Moraes continued to poke him in the eye due to his fingers being extended. Both guys mixed up kicks and strikes well. Palomino threw bombs to close the round. In round 3, Palomino scored a brief takedown but Moraes got to his feet. Both guys tired down in this round. Moares won the fight by decision.

Opening the main card on NBCSN was Phil Hawes vs. Joshua Keys in a welterweight bout. Keys shot for an early takedown but Hawes caught him and took him down and got mount within the first minute of the first round. Hawes rained down elbows from mount. Hawes then went for an armbar but couldn’t get it. Keys rolled out. Moments later, Hawes got mount and rained down more elbows to finish the first in the first round.

Here are the results:

Main Card: (NBCSN – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT)

Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) vs. Josh Copeland (13-1)

Jason High (19-5) vs. Mike Ricci (11-4)

John Howard def. Michael Arrant via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Sheymon Moraes de. Luis Palomino via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) r3, 5:00

Phil Hawes def. Joshua Key via TKO (Punches) R1, 2:52

Preliminary Card: (WSOF.com – 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT)

Devin Powell def. Tom Marcellino via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)

Justin Willis def. Juliano Coutinho via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:30

Tyler King def. Lorenzo Hood via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 4:20

Bruce Boyington def. Saul Almeida via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Marcus Surin def. Christian Torres via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:51

The post WSOF 31 Results appeared first on LowKick MMA.

WSOF 31 Weigh-In Results From Mashantucket, Connecticut

blagoy-ivanov-weigh-in

On Friday evening, World Series Of Fighting (WSOF) Heavyweight Champion Blagoi Ivanow will put his title on the line in the main event of WSOF 31 against Josh Copeland, but before that happens, all of the fighters on Friday’s card must tip the scales.

Later this evening, the official weigh-in results for the WSOF 31 event will take place in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Make sure to check back here for the official numbers from the WSOF 31 weigh-ins.

Below is the official lineup for Friday night’s WSOF 31 event, which emanates live from the Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and will air live on the NBC Sports Network.

WSOF 31 Main Card:

– Blagoi Ivanov () vs. Josh Copeland ()
– Jason High () vs. Mike Ricci ()
– John Howard () vs. Mike Arrant ()
– Luis Palomino () vs. Sheymon Moraes ()
– Phil Hawes () vs. Joshua Key ()

WSOF 31 Preliminary Card:

– Tom Marcellino () vs. Devin Powell ()
– Juliano Coutinho () vs. Justin Willis ()
– Tyler King () vs. Lorenzo Hood ()
– Robert Fonseca () vs. Sean Lally ()
– Bruce Boyington () vs. Saul Almeida ()
– Rodrigo Almeida () vs. Ben Pierre-Saint ()
– Marcus Surin () vs. Christian Torres ()

blagoy-ivanov-weigh-in

On Friday evening, World Series Of Fighting (WSOF) Heavyweight Champion Blagoi Ivanow will put his title on the line in the main event of WSOF 31 against Josh Copeland, but before that happens, all of the fighters on Friday’s card must tip the scales.

Later this evening, the official weigh-in results for the WSOF 31 event will take place in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Make sure to check back here for the official numbers from the WSOF 31 weigh-ins.

Below is the official lineup for Friday night’s WSOF 31 event, which emanates live from the Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and will air live on the NBC Sports Network.

WSOF 31 Main Card:

– Blagoi Ivanov () vs. Josh Copeland ()
– Jason High () vs. Mike Ricci ()
– John Howard () vs. Mike Arrant ()
– Luis Palomino () vs. Sheymon Moraes ()
– Phil Hawes () vs. Joshua Key ()

WSOF 31 Preliminary Card:

– Tom Marcellino () vs. Devin Powell ()
– Juliano Coutinho () vs. Justin Willis ()
– Tyler King () vs. Lorenzo Hood ()
– Robert Fonseca () vs. Sean Lally ()
– Bruce Boyington () vs. Saul Almeida ()
– Rodrigo Almeida () vs. Ben Pierre-Saint ()
– Marcus Surin () vs. Christian Torres ()

WSOF 31 This Friday Night With Heavyweight Title Fight In Main Event

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ6ODc79ybg[/embed]

Blagoy Ivanov defends his World Series of Fighting heavyweight title this Friday night against Josh Copeland in the main event of WSOF 31.

The main card airs live on NBC Sport Network beg…

WSOF

Blagoy Ivanov defends his World Series of Fighting heavyweight title this Friday night against Josh Copeland in the main event of WSOF 31.

The main card airs live on NBC Sport Network beginning at 9 p.m. ET from the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.

Along with Ivanov-Copeland, lightweights Jason High and Mike Ricci square off to determine the No. 1 contender to Justin Gaethje.

WSOF Adds Phil Hawes To Active Roster, Puts Him On June Card

WSOF 31

Phil Hawes was denied in his bid to become the next Ultimate Fighter.

Now, he’ll get his chance at finding success in the World Series of Fighting.

The promotion announced that they have signed Hawes, unbeaten in his middleweight career, to a contract. He will face Joshua Key at WSOF 31 next month.

Below is the complete press release:

World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) has signed undefeated middleweight (185 pounds) prospect Phil Hawes (3-0) to an exclusive, multi-year promotional agreement.

A product of the famed Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., the 6-foot, 27-year-old Hawes who hails from Little Ferry, N.J., will make his promotional debut against Joshua “The Prince of MMA” Key (6-11, 2 NC) on the live, five-bout NBCSN telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) of WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Friday, June 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,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

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 on October 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.

Priced from $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. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 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 pounds) co-main event, superstars Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High (19-5) and Mike “The Martian” Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF 31

Phil Hawes was denied in his bid to become the next Ultimate Fighter.

Now, he’ll get his chance at finding success in the World Series of Fighting.

The promotion announced that they have signed Hawes, unbeaten in his middleweight career, to a contract. He will face Joshua Key at WSOF 31 next month.

Below is the complete press release:

World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) has signed undefeated middleweight (185 pounds) prospect Phil Hawes (3-0) to an exclusive, multi-year promotional agreement.

A product of the famed Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., the 6-foot, 27-year-old Hawes who hails from Little Ferry, N.J., will make his promotional debut against Joshua “The Prince of MMA” Key (6-11, 2 NC) on the live, five-bout NBCSN telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) of WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Friday, June 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,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

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 on October 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.

Priced from $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. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 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 pounds) co-main event, superstars Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High (19-5) and Mike “The Martian” Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

WSOF 31 Prelim Lineup All Set With Seven Fights

WSOF 31

The prelims for World Series of Fighting 31 were confirmed by the promotion on Thursday, as seven fights will stream live via an embeddable video player.

Set for June 17 from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, the NBC Sports Network main card features Blagoy Ivanov defending his heavyweight title against Josh Copeland and lightweights Mike Ricci and Jason High meeting in a No. 1 contender match.

Below is the complete press release with details on the prelim fights:

World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) today announced a complete, seven-bout preliminary fight card for its WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world heavyweight championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event, live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Friday, June 17.

The WSOF31 undercard lineup includes the promotional debut of heavyweight knockout artist Lorenzo Hood (9-3), who will square off with fellow finisher Tyler “The Marauder” King (10-4).

The 6-foot-3, 27-year-old Hood of Chicago, Ill. is a former professional football player turned MMA wrecking machine who has notched all 9 of his professional victories by way of (T)KO in the first round of battle.

King, a 6-foot-5, 35-year-old resident of North Attleboro, Mass. has earned 8 of his 10 career wins via (T)KO or submission. He is coming off a 51-second submission (heel hook) of Eric Bedard on April 16.

In another heavyweight contest, Juliano “Banana” Coutinho (7-2) of Cape Cod, Mass. via Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will look to secure his second straight victory when he faces off with Team AKA product Justin Willis (3-1) of San Jose, Calif.

Willis, who is riding a three-fight win streak, was originally slated to face Chris “Huggy Bear” Barnett on the main card portion of the bill.

Returning to the decagon cage for the fourth time, submission specialist Tom “Tommy Gunnz” Marcellino (7-4) of Amsterdam, N.Y. will take on Devin Powell (6-1) of South Berwick, Maine in one of three lightweight (155 pounds) matchups on the WSOF31 preliminary bout card.

Powell boasts won four straight fights, three by way of (T)KO or submission.

In welterweight (170 pounds) action, Robert Fonseca (10-3, 1 NC) of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil will seek his fourth consecutive victory when he squares off with Sean Lally (4-2) of Orleans, Mass.

Saul “The Spider” Almeida (18-6) of Boston, Mass. will make his third start in the decagon cage in a lightweight matchup with prolific power striker Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington of Bangor, Maine.

Thirty-year-old rising star Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida of Woburn, Mass. will do battle with Ben Pierre-Saint (9-4) of Superior, Wisc. at bantamweight (135 pounds).

In the leadoff preliminary card fight, unbeaten Sam Watford (2-0) of Mount Vernon, N.Y. will face Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y.

Priced from $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. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 6 p.m.

In the live NBCSN televised main event, reigning world heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will risk his title against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1) while, in the lightweight co-main event, superstars Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High (19-5) and Mike “The Martian” Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

Elsewhere on the live NBCSN telecast, John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12) will make his highly-anticipated World Series of Fighting debut against submission expert Thiago “Minu” Meller (20-7) at welterweight.

In a featherweight (145 pounds) tilt between two prolific strikers, Luis “Baboon” Palomino (24-12) will battle former world championship challenger Sheymon Moraes (8-1).

WSOF 31

The prelims for World Series of Fighting 31 were confirmed by the promotion on Thursday, as seven fights will stream live via an embeddable video player.

Set for June 17 from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, the NBC Sports Network main card features Blagoy Ivanov defending his heavyweight title against Josh Copeland and lightweights Mike Ricci and Jason High meeting in a No. 1 contender match.

Below is the complete press release with details on the prelim fights:

World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) today announced a complete, seven-bout preliminary fight card for its WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world heavyweight championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event, live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Friday, June 17.

The WSOF31 undercard lineup includes the promotional debut of heavyweight knockout artist Lorenzo Hood (9-3), who will square off with fellow finisher Tyler “The Marauder” King (10-4).

The 6-foot-3, 27-year-old Hood of Chicago, Ill. is a former professional football player turned MMA wrecking machine who has notched all 9 of his professional victories by way of (T)KO in the first round of battle.

King, a 6-foot-5, 35-year-old resident of North Attleboro, Mass. has earned 8 of his 10 career wins via (T)KO or submission. He is coming off a 51-second submission (heel hook) of Eric Bedard on April 16.

In another heavyweight contest, Juliano “Banana” Coutinho (7-2) of Cape Cod, Mass. via Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will look to secure his second straight victory when he faces off with Team AKA product Justin Willis (3-1) of San Jose, Calif.

Willis, who is riding a three-fight win streak, was originally slated to face Chris “Huggy Bear” Barnett on the main card portion of the bill.

Returning to the decagon cage for the fourth time, submission specialist Tom “Tommy Gunnz” Marcellino (7-4) of Amsterdam, N.Y. will take on Devin Powell (6-1) of South Berwick, Maine in one of three lightweight (155 pounds) matchups on the WSOF31 preliminary bout card.

Powell boasts won four straight fights, three by way of (T)KO or submission.

In welterweight (170 pounds) action, Robert Fonseca (10-3, 1 NC) of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil will seek his fourth consecutive victory when he squares off with Sean Lally (4-2) of Orleans, Mass.

Saul “The Spider” Almeida (18-6) of Boston, Mass. will make his third start in the decagon cage in a lightweight matchup with prolific power striker Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington of Bangor, Maine.

Thirty-year-old rising star Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida of Woburn, Mass. will do battle with Ben Pierre-Saint (9-4) of Superior, Wisc. at bantamweight (135 pounds).

In the leadoff preliminary card fight, unbeaten Sam Watford (2-0) of Mount Vernon, N.Y. will face Christian “The Terminator” Torres (0-0) of Endicott, N.Y.

Priced from $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. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 6 p.m.

In the live NBCSN televised main event, reigning world heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will risk his title against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1) while, in the lightweight co-main event, superstars Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High (19-5) and Mike “The Martian” Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

Elsewhere on the live NBCSN telecast, John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12) will make his highly-anticipated World Series of Fighting debut against submission expert Thiago “Minu” Meller (20-7) at welterweight.

In a featherweight (145 pounds) tilt between two prolific strikers, Luis “Baboon” Palomino (24-12) will battle former world championship challenger Sheymon Moraes (8-1).

Three Bouts Complete WSOF 31 Main Card For June 17

john-howard

With the main and co-main events for World Series of Fighting 31 already confirmed, the promotion has finished out the remainder of the NBC Sports Network main card.

Scheduled for June 17 from the Foxwoods Resort Casino, the card will feature Josh Copeland challenging Blagoy Ivanov for the heavyweight title and a lightweight contender match pitting Mike Ricci vs. Jason High.

Announced on Tuesday were three new fights, as John Howard battles Thiago Meller, Chris Barnett faces off with Justin Willis and Luis Palomino meets Sheymon Moraes.

Below is the complete release, which details each of the three new fights:

World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) today announced the addition of three star-studded matchups to complete the main card for its WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world heavyweight championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event, live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Friday, June 17.

In a second heavyweight matchup, dynamic, rising star Chris “Huggy Bear” Barnett (14-2) will make his World Series of Fighting debut against Team AKA prodigy Justin Willis (4-1).

Also stepping in the decagon cage for the first time, battle-tested warrior John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12) will collide with submission expert Thiago “Minu” Meller (20-7) in a welterweight (170 pounds) affair.

In a featherweight (145 pounds) scrap between two prolific strikers, Luis “Baboon” Palomino (24-12) will face off with former world championship challenger Sheymon Moraes (8-1).

In the main event, reigning world heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will risk his title against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1) while, in the lightweight (155 pounds) co-main event, superstars Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High (19-5) and Mike “The Martian” Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

Chris Barnett vs. Justin Willis

After spending the last year and a half making waves in Japan, the 5-foot-9, 29-year-old Barnett of Tampa, Fla. will suit up as “Huggy Bear,” and make his way onto a major stage in the U.S. for the first time in his career.

With heavy hands and tremendous agility for a fighter of his massive stature, Barnett has notched 12 of his 14 career victories by way of (T)KO, and has celebrated his wins in flamboyant fashion, with everything from cartwheels to breakdancing to hand stands.

Like Barnett, the stocky, 6-foot-3, 28-year-old Willis, a training partner of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) greats Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier, has been enjoying success in Japan under the promotion of Inoki Genome Federation (IFG).

Willis will make his first start of 2016, and look to extend his win streak to four consecutive bouts. In his last effort on August 29, he earned a unanimous decision over Rizvan Kuniev in Tokyo.

Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes

The 5-foot-8, 35-year-old Palomino of Miami, Fla. via Lima, Peru is coming off an epic year in which he engaged in two, all-out wars with reigning, undefeated World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje, both of which earned “Fight of the Month” honors.

After closing out 2015 with a gutsy appearance in World Series of Fighting’s first-ever, one-night, eight-man tournament in which he scored a devastating, first round (4:55) TKO (punches) on Rich Patishnock in the event’s quarterfinal stage, before being stopped in the semifinal stage of battle via second round (4:19) TKO (punches) at the hands of eventual tournament winner Brian Foster, Palomino will return to the featherweight division where he has held two world titles.

The 5-foot-8, 25-year-old Moraes of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil returned to form in his last bout, decimating fellow knockout artist Robbie “Problems” Peralta by way of TKO (punches) in the second round (3:21) of their matchup at WSOF26.

A seasoned Muay Thai stylist, Moraes ran to seven straight victories in his first seven starts as a professional MMA competitor before being handed his first career defeat by way of third round (3:46) submission (rear-naked choke) in a title bid against reigning bantamweight (135 pounds) champion Marlon Moraes.

John Howard vs. Thiago Meller

Following his second stint with the UFC that spanned seven bouts and included victories over Uriah Hall, Siyar Bahadurzada and Cathal Pendred, the 5-foot-7, 33-year-old Howard of Boston, Mass. will aim to rebound from a second round (:21) KO (punches) loss to Tim Means on December 10.

To date, Howard has notched 15 of his 23 career victories by way of (T)KO or submission. During his initial run with the UFC between January 2009 and June 2011, Howard scored a memorable, third round (4:55) KO (punches) on submission ace Dennis “Superman” Hallman on December 5, 2009, marking his third consecutive conquest in the league.

Meller of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil will look to collect his second win in a row, following his first round submission (rear-naked choke) of Leonardo Rodriguez on June 26, 2015.

The 5-foot-10, 33-year-old Meller, a near 13-year veteran of the sport, has emerged victorious in 14 of his 20 career wins, by way of submission.

The preliminary bout card lineup for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland will be announced soon.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for the event are on sale at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, at 5 p.m. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 6 p.m.

john-howard

With the main and co-main events for World Series of Fighting 31 already confirmed, the promotion has finished out the remainder of the NBC Sports Network main card.

Scheduled for June 17 from the Foxwoods Resort Casino, the card will feature Josh Copeland challenging Blagoy Ivanov for the heavyweight title and a lightweight contender match pitting Mike Ricci vs. Jason High.

Announced on Tuesday were three new fights, as John Howard battles Thiago Meller, Chris Barnett faces off with Justin Willis and Luis Palomino meets Sheymon Moraes.

Below is the complete release, which details each of the three new fights:

World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) today announced the addition of three star-studded matchups to complete the main card for its WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland world heavyweight championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event, live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Friday, June 17.

In a second heavyweight matchup, dynamic, rising star Chris “Huggy Bear” Barnett (14-2) will make his World Series of Fighting debut against Team AKA prodigy Justin Willis (4-1).

Also stepping in the decagon cage for the first time, battle-tested warrior John “Doomsday” Howard (23-12) will collide with submission expert Thiago “Minu” Meller (20-7) in a welterweight (170 pounds) affair.

In a featherweight (145 pounds) scrap between two prolific strikers, Luis “Baboon” Palomino (24-12) will face off with former world championship challenger Sheymon Moraes (8-1).

In the main event, reigning world heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (13-1) will risk his title against Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-1) while, in the lightweight (155 pounds) co-main event, superstars Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High (19-5) and Mike “The Martian” Ricci (11-4) will square off with their division’s number one contender ranking at stake.

Chris Barnett vs. Justin Willis

After spending the last year and a half making waves in Japan, the 5-foot-9, 29-year-old Barnett of Tampa, Fla. will suit up as “Huggy Bear,” and make his way onto a major stage in the U.S. for the first time in his career.

With heavy hands and tremendous agility for a fighter of his massive stature, Barnett has notched 12 of his 14 career victories by way of (T)KO, and has celebrated his wins in flamboyant fashion, with everything from cartwheels to breakdancing to hand stands.

Like Barnett, the stocky, 6-foot-3, 28-year-old Willis, a training partner of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) greats Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier, has been enjoying success in Japan under the promotion of Inoki Genome Federation (IFG).

Willis will make his first start of 2016, and look to extend his win streak to four consecutive bouts. In his last effort on August 29, he earned a unanimous decision over Rizvan Kuniev in Tokyo.

Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes

The 5-foot-8, 35-year-old Palomino of Miami, Fla. via Lima, Peru is coming off an epic year in which he engaged in two, all-out wars with reigning, undefeated World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje, both of which earned “Fight of the Month” honors.

After closing out 2015 with a gutsy appearance in World Series of Fighting’s first-ever, one-night, eight-man tournament in which he scored a devastating, first round (4:55) TKO (punches) on Rich Patishnock in the event’s quarterfinal stage, before being stopped in the semifinal stage of battle via second round (4:19) TKO (punches) at the hands of eventual tournament winner Brian Foster, Palomino will return to the featherweight division where he has held two world titles.

The 5-foot-8, 25-year-old Moraes of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil returned to form in his last bout, decimating fellow knockout artist Robbie “Problems” Peralta by way of TKO (punches) in the second round (3:21) of their matchup at WSOF26.

A seasoned Muay Thai stylist, Moraes ran to seven straight victories in his first seven starts as a professional MMA competitor before being handed his first career defeat by way of third round (3:46) submission (rear-naked choke) in a title bid against reigning bantamweight (135 pounds) champion Marlon Moraes.

John Howard vs. Thiago Meller

Following his second stint with the UFC that spanned seven bouts and included victories over Uriah Hall, Siyar Bahadurzada and Cathal Pendred, the 5-foot-7, 33-year-old Howard of Boston, Mass. will aim to rebound from a second round (:21) KO (punches) loss to Tim Means on December 10.

To date, Howard has notched 15 of his 23 career victories by way of (T)KO or submission. During his initial run with the UFC between January 2009 and June 2011, Howard scored a memorable, third round (4:55) KO (punches) on submission ace Dennis “Superman” Hallman on December 5, 2009, marking his third consecutive conquest in the league.

Meller of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil will look to collect his second win in a row, following his first round submission (rear-naked choke) of Leonardo Rodriguez on June 26, 2015.

The 5-foot-10, 33-year-old Meller, a near 13-year veteran of the sport, has emerged victorious in 14 of his 20 career wins, by way of submission.

The preliminary bout card lineup for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland will be announced soon.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for the event are on sale at WSOF.com and Foxwoods.com.

Doors at The Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open for WSOF31: Ivanov vs. Copeland, at 5 p.m. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 6 p.m.