ST. Petersburg, Russia (June 29, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced heavyweights Denis Smoldarev and American MMA veteran Kenny “Deuce” Garner will square off in the M-1 Ipenija 69 akọkọ ìṣẹlẹ, Saturday night, July 16, in Ingushetia, Russia.

Known as the “Brock Lesnar of Estonia,” Smoldarev (11-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) is a combat sambo specialist and two-time M-1 Challenge heavyweight title challenger. In his last fight this past February at M-1 Ipenija 64, Smoldarev lost by third-round submission via a choke to Alexander Volkov for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.

Smoldarev (dudu ogbologbo) drives a knee into his opponent

Garner (16-9-0, M-1: 9-7-0), ija jade ti Port St. Lucie, Florida, was the M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion four years ago. Ni 2011 ni M-1 Ipenija 27, Garner submitted Maxin Grishin in the fifth round by strikes to become Interim M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion. After successfully defending his Interim title versus Magomed Malikov (KO3 – dasofo) ni M-1 Ipenija 32, the stage was set for Garner to challenge “deede” M-1 Challenge heavyweight title-holder Guran Gugenishvilli in a rematch to avenge an earlier loss.

Garner graduated from Interim to “deede” M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion June 21, 2012 with a victory over Gugenishvilli via doctor’s stoppage in the third round. Six months later ni won “roba baramu,”, Garner stopped Gugenishvilli on punches in the fourth round to retain his title belt.

Ni M-1 Ipenija 44 ni Kọkànlá Oṣù 2013, Garner lost his crown to Polish challengerDamian Grabowski nipa kẹta-yika ifakalẹ (choke). Ninu re kẹhin ija ni M-1 Ipenija 59, Garner was punched out in the opening round by Russian great Sergei Kharitonov one year ago in Kazakhstan.

One other fight has been announced for M-1 Ipenija 69 as Croatian featherweight Antun “Apani” Racic (18-7-0, M-1: 3-4-0) gba lori undefeated Russian afojusọna Movsar Evloev (5-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0).

Racic, who is coming off a split decision loss to Vitali Branchuk last February at M-1 Ipenija 64, is a submission master, while Evloev is a strong striker who stopped Alexander Krupenkin in the opening round at M-1 Ipenija 66 in his most recent action.

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