(L-R) – Rashid Yusupov and Stephan Puetz

ST. Petersburg, Russia (Kaum Ob Hlis Ntuj 6, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced a blockbuster match-up to kick-off its 2017 season as undefeated M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusupov takes on former titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz nyob rau hauv lub M-1 sib tw 74 ntsiab kev tshwm sim, Lub ob hlis ntuj 18, nyob rau hauv St. Petersburg, Russia.

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The 24-year-old Yusupov (6-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), fighting out of Dagestan, Russia, will be making his first title defense having captured his coveted belt this past May at M-1 sib tw 66, by way of a 5-round unanimous decision over defending champion Viktor Nemkov.

Yusupov (2 KO / TKO, 1 Sub), representing Gorets fight club (Highlander), has three other victories in M-1 Challenge competition over Martin Zawada (DEC3), Mitry Madvedev (KO / TKO1 – Punch) thiab Charles Andrade (DEC3).

Puetz, 29, has won six of seven M-1 Challenge fights going into fifth title fight. The talented German (5 KO / TKO, 5 Sub) from Team Spirit burst upon the M-1 Global scene 2 ½ years ago, ntawm M-1 sib tw 46, when he challenged M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Nemkov that ended in a 5-round split decision in favor of the new champion, Puetz.

Puetz successfully defended his title, in order, tiv thaiv Luis Fernando(SUB2 – Choke) thiab Valery Myasnikov (KO2 – Punches), followed with a Super Fight knockout (nose injury) of M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura in the third round of their May 2, 2015 non-title fight at M-1 sib tw 72. Puetz then lost his title to Nemkov by way of a 5-round majority decision in the M-1 sib tw 63 Sib ntaus ntawm cov Hmo ntuj.

To get back into title contention, Puetz won his last two fights against Andrey Seledtsov (DEC3) thiab Marcus Vinicius (SUB3 – Choke) this past October at M-1 sib tw 71.

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