UFC Vet John Howard Returns, Faces ‘Leprechaun’ Carroll in Oct. 27 CES MMA 46 Headliner

This year in Rhode Island, “Doomsday” comes four nights prior to Halloween.

Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran John Howard will return the cage to take on “The Leprechaun” Roger Carroll, headlining for longstanding northeastern outfit Classic Entertainment and Sports MMA. CES MMA 46 “Howard vs. Carroll” takes place Oct. 27 from the promotion's familiar digs at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I.

CES MMA announced the headlining pair on Monday.

The 34-year-old Howard is no stranger to the CES MMA cage. After being released from his first stint in the UFC in late 2011, “Doomsday” got his career back on track with a 6-1 run outside the Octagon, largely predicated on his success inside the New England promotion. In a 14-month span, Howard went 5-0 with five finished in CES MMA, which helped him earn him a second UFC contract in the summer of 2013.

The Boston native is 2-5 in his last seven starts and hasn't competed since dropping a unanimous decision to Abubakar Nurmagomedov at World Series of Fighting 33 nearly a year ago. A 13-year pro, Howard holds career wins over the likes of Siyar Bahadurzada, Charlie Brenneman, Uriah Hall and Cathal Pendred.

Claremont, N.C.'s Carroll is riding a three-fighting losing streak. “The Leprechaun” was defeated via unanimous verdict by UFC vet Ryan Thomas in March 2015, then lost consecutive bouts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran John Howard will return the cage to take on Roger “The Leprechaun” Carroll, headlining for longstanding northeastern outfit Bellator MMA cage to Brennan Ward via knockout in July 2015, then undefeated Neiman Gracie on points in March 2016.

The main card of CES MMA 46 “Howard vs. Carroll” is scheduled to air live on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET on Oct. 27.