Lightweight Fury Added to M-1 Challenge XXIII – Taisumov vs. Ivlev

Lightweight Fury Added to M-1 Challenge XXIII

Moscow, Russia (February 7, 2011) – With the M-1 Challenge XXIII card growing stronger by the day, adding the lightweight contention battle between Mairbek ‘Beckan’ Taisumov and Yuri ‘Cable Guy’ Ivlev is like adding gasoline to an already raging inferno. With Taisumov eager to get back in the title hunt and Ivlev seeking redemption after taking his first loss in a year, these elite strikers are set to steal fight of the night honors. Fans worldwide can catch the entire event from the Crocus City Arena in Moscow, Russia LIVE and for free on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00am on Saturday March 5^th.

“The bout between Taisumov and Ivlev is an awesome opportunity for both fighters to cement their position as a top lightweight title contender,” says Evgeni Kogan, M-1 Global’s Director of Operations. “It’s an incredible addition to M-1 Challenge XXIII; it could easily be worthy of co-main event status. We couldn’t be more excited about the way 2011 is starting off.”

Current lightweight champ, Artiom Damkovsky, is gearing for his first title defense against 2010 M-1 Selection Americas winner, Jose Figueroa, in M-1 Global’s sophomore Challenge of 2011 event being announced shortly.

M-1 Challenge XXIII Under Card Bouts:

Mairbek Taisumov (13-3) vs. Yuri Ivlev (14-6) Lightweight

Byron Byrd (3-0) vs. Alihan Magomedov (8-2) Light Heavyweight

Shamil Tinagadjiev (7-3) vs. Tomasz Narkun (4-1) Light Heavyweight

Goncalo Salgado (7-1) vs. Arsen Abdulkerimov (3-1) Heavyweight

Rashid Magomedov (7-1) vs. Rafal Moks (6-2) Welterweight

Magomed Sultanakhmedov (28-5) vs. Plinio Cruz (5-3) Middleweight

Daniel Weichel (25-7) vs. Magomedrasul Khasbulaev (16-4) Lightweight

Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (5-3) vs. Alexander Volkov (9-2-1) Heavyweight

• Additional bouts to be announced

Championship Bouts

Heavyweight Division:

Guram Gugenishvili, M-1 Challenge Champion (10-0) clashes with

Maxim Grishin, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (7-4)

Welterweight Division:

Shamil Zavurov, M-1 Challenge Champion (18-1) clashes with

Tom ‘Da Tank’ Gallicchio, M-1 Selection Americas 2010 champion (15-5)

Free LIVE broadcast coverage of the entire M-1 Challenge XXIII event from Moscow, Russia will be available to viewers worldwide on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST on Saturday March 5th.