Rafal Moks with his M-1 Challenge Middleweight Title. Photo credit: M-1 Global

Rafal “Kulturysta” Moks (6-2) has relinquished his M-1 Challenge Middleweight Title in order to compete as a welterweight and hopefully earn a shot at the 170-pound title.

Moks’ first order of business as a welterweight will be against rising Gorec team prospect, Rashid Magomedov (7-1). The two will clash at M-1 Challenge XXIII on Saturday, March 5, at the Crocus City Arena in Moscow, Russia, and fans will be able to watch the entire M-1 Challenge XXIII event in a LIVE stream on ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) beginning at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT.

M-1 Global Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan commented on Moks’ decision to vacate the title:

“With the success that Moks had in the face of much larger opponents, making the decision to return to his natural weight class had to be extremely tough. Moks has volunteered to vacate the middleweight title which will be fought for later this year. This was a decision that Moks and his camp believe directs his career down the proper path. M-1 supports it and we wish him continued success.”

Moks won the middleweight title in December with a 17-second leg-lock submission of Magomed Sultanakhmedov (28-5), who was much more experienced and considered a heavy favorite going into the fight.

A win over Magomedov at welterweight will  put Moks in direct contention for the 170-pound M-1 Challenge title.

M-1 Challenge XXIII fight card:

  • 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

M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Title Fight:

  • Guram Gugenishvili, M-1 Challenge Champion (10-0) vs. Maxim Grishin, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (7-4)

NOTE:  Additional bouts to be announced shortly

Visit www.M-1Global.com for additional information.

One thought on “Rafal Moks relinquishes middleweight title to return to welterweight at M-1 Challenge XXIII on March 5”
  1. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jack Bratcher, Jack Bratcher. Jack Bratcher said: Rafal Moks relinquishes middleweight title to return to welterweight at M-1 Challenge XXIII on March 5 #mma #ufc #sports http://t.co/5LeZ5qg […]

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