ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Pipiri 29, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced heavyweights Denis Smoldarev and American MMA veteran Kenny “Deuce” Garner will square off in the M-1 Challenge 69 hui matua, Rāhoroi po, Hōngongoi 16, i roto i te 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 Challenge 64, Smoldarev lost by third-round submission via a choke to Alexander Volkov for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.

Smoldarev (kahiwi pango) drives a knee into his opponent

Garner (16-9-0, M-1: 9-7-0), whawhai i roto i Port St. Lucie, Florida, was the M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion four years ago. I roto i te 2011 i M-1 Challenge 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 – aro) i M-1 Challenge 32, the stage was set for Garner to challenge “te wā” M-1 Challenge heavyweight title-holder Guran Gugenishvilli in a rematch to avenge an earlier loss.

Garner graduated from Interim to “te wā” M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion June 21, 2012 with a victory over Gugenishvilli via doctor’s stoppage in the third round. Six months later i roto i to ratou “kēmu rapa,”, Garner stopped Gugenishvilli on punches in the fourth round to retain his title belt.

I M-1 Challenge 44 i roto i te Whiringa- 2013, Garner lost his crown to Polish challengerDamian Grabowski na roto i te tāpaetanga tuatoru-a tawhio (kowaowaotia iho). In his last fight at M-1 Challenge 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 Challenge 69 as Croatian featherweight Antun “Killer” Racic (18-7-0, M-1: 3-4-0) takes on undefeated Russian prospect 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 Challenge 64, is a submission master, while Evloev is a strong striker who stopped Alexander Krupenkin in the opening round at M-1 Challenge 66 in his most recent action.

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