On Friday, June 17, World Series of Fighting hosted its 31st event from the Joint at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.
In the night’s main event, heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov put his belt on the line against UFC veteran Josh Copeland. The 29-year-old Ivanov had earned back-to-back finishes inside the WSOF cage en route to the title. Once a mainstay of Bellator MMA, the Bulgarian had stopped 11 of his 13 wins before the final bell. Copeland, meanwhile, had rebounded from a brief, two-fight losing streak by winning three of his last four outings. He outworked veteran Mike Hayes in his promotional debut in March.
Numerous big-show veterans were in action on the card, including lightweights Jason High and Mike Ricci, as well as welterweight John Howard. Former WSOF title challengers Luis Palomino and Sheymon Moraes also highlighted the night’s main card.
The action kicked off with a preliminary card stream live on Combat Press beginning at 5:45 p.m. ET, before transitioning to the NBC Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET for the five-fight main card.
Jason High def. Mike Ricci by TKO (punches). Round 2, 4:08
John Howard def. Michael Arrant by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Sheymon Moraes def. Luis Palomino by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Phil Hawes def. Joshua Keys by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 2:52
Devin Powell def. Tom Marcellino by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Justin Willis def. Juliano Coutinho by TKO (punches). Round 2, 2:30
Tyler King def. Lorenzo Hood by submission (guillotine choke). Round 2, 4:20
Bruce Boyington def. Saul Almeida by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Marcus Surin def. Christian Torres by TKO (strikes). Round 2, 2:51