(L-R) Artiom Damkovsky & Mansour Barnaoui

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (December 29, 2015) — M-1 Inselele iqhawe engasindi Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui will make his first title defense, February 19 at Olympic Stadium, ngokumelene Artiom Damkovsky at M-1 Challenge 64 e Moscow, Russia.

In a previously announced title fight, newly M-1 Global-signed Alexander “Drago” Grez (24-6-0, M-1: 8-3-0), of Russia, takes on Estonian challenger Denis Smoldaraev (11-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0) for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.

Barnaoui (12-3-0, M-1: 2-2-0), ukulwa out of Paris, will be making his first title defense against a dangerous challenger. After defeating previously undefeated Maxim Divnich(10-0-0) (bheka isithombe ngezansi) by way of a first-round stoppage via punches, May 2, 2015 atM-1 Challenge 57, Barnaoui dropped down in weight and he unsuccessfully challenged M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger this past October by five-round decision at M-1 Challenge 57.

Belarus-native Damkovsky (20-9-0, M-1: 10-6-0), shown below on mat, is riding a four-fight win streak to become the top contender going into his title fight showdown with Barnaoui.