· Two Title Bouts Announced For M-1 Challenge XXVI

European mixed martial arts promotion M-1 Global announced their return to the United States for M-1 Challenge XXVI, scheduled for July 8 and expected to air live on Showtime. At the top of the card, undefeated Georgian-Ukranian fighter Guram Gugenishvili defends his heavyweight title against Team BombSquad fighter, American wrestler Pat Bennet. Fresh off winning the lightweight belt, Jose “The People’s Champ” Figueroa faces German contender Daniel Weichel in a championship showdown. The venue has yet to be disclosed.

“M-1 Global is fully engaged in preparations for this year’s second US-based Challenge event,” M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan explained. “The European fighters who participated in the March card enjoyed great success in their North American debuts, setting the bar extremely high for those who coming from overseas in July. This group of fighters are eager to put on exciting performances for the fans.”

A brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Gugenishvili (11-0) captured the heavyweight crown at “M-1 Challenge XXI: Guram vs. Garner” in October of 2010, defeating American Kenny "Deuce" Garner via guillotine choke in the second round. At just two years into his professional career, Gugenishvili has gone to decision only one time, earning 10 submission wins otherwise.

Bennet (4-2) is the less experienced of the two fighters, but has done well under the M-1 banner up to this point. In his most recent bout, he picked up the unanimous decision over Alexander Volkov at “M-1 Challenge XXII: Narkun vs. Vasilevsky” in December. Bennet has four fights with M-1, triumphing in three of those, and has two knockout victories on his record.

In the second championship fight announced, Figueroa (10-4) makes his inaugural defense since claiming the title on March 25 when he bested Artiom Damkovsky by technical knockout in round two at M-1 XXIV. Figueroa earned “Fight of the Night” honors for his disposal of Damkovsky. The American Top Team fighter is on a three-fight win streak and holds five submission finishes and four knockouts to his credit.

With several M-1 fights under his belt, Weichel (26-7) brings an impressive submission game into the contest with Figueroa. Of his 26 wins, 16 of those were by submission and four by knockout. Weichel last competed at “M-1 Challenge XXIII: Guram vs. Grishin” where he overcame Magomedrasul Khasbulaev, locking in a triangle choke for the finish at 3:26 of the first round.

Two M-1 Selection tournaments are anticipated for 2011 where participants will contend for a title shot against the M-1 Challenge champions in all five weight classes.