· “M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner” Weigh-Ins Today In Costa Mesa, Calif.

· Article author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Posted on 07/07 at 02:05 PM

Press Release:

Thursday, July 7, 2011 From The World Famous ‘Hooters’ Restaurant

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 6, 2011) – M-1 GLOBAL and HOOTERS host the official M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner fighter weigh-ins Thursday July 7 at 5pm; the scale-stepping formalities will be followed up with a fan-favorite ‘Ring Card Girl’ contest with the top entrants winning the opportunity to carry the round cards during the Friday night event’s undercard. Hooters is located at 1507 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa CA.

Headlined with the rematch between the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight finalists Pat Bennett (4-2) and Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (6-3), M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner takes place from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California and airs LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).

“We’re excited to open the weigh-ins for Friday’s event,” said M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan. “M-1 is well known for its Ring Card Girls and we’re inundated with requests to try-out; we’re giving the local contestants a chance to become one of the faces of our second US-based event. We hope the fans come out and take in the action.”

The Co-main event pits 2010 M-1 Selection Americas middleweight tournament winner Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries (7-5) versus feared Russian striker Arthur Guseinov (7-2). As a marquee middleweight (185 Lbs.) bout, the clash sets the stage for Jeffries to battle back into title contention.

The card also features fierce lightweight (155 Lbs.) battles between feared German submission specialist Daniel Weichel (26-7) and former NCAA Division I collegiate wrestler Beau ‘Blackjack’ Baker (8-4) while unstoppable European lightweight Mairbek ‘Beckan’ Taisumov (14-3) faces scrappy Josh ‘Iron Heart’ Bacallao (6-3).

The U.S. Army’s Captain ‘G.I.’ Jason Norwood (11-2) hooks up with the rage of Eddie ‘Crazy Face’ Arizmendi (14-4) in their middleweight tilt to kick off the telecast.

Filling in the undercard, California’s own warriors wage war: Richard Schiller (5-2-1) goes against Aaron Miller (9-7) in their 150 Lbs. catch-weight affair, Diman Morris (2-1) meets Brandon Michaels (1-3) in a light heavyweight (205 Lbs.) bout and lightweights Mike Derobers (1-0) and Max Martyniouk (0-1) go toe-to-toe.

Tickets are still available at $50 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com, or by calling Roy Englebrecht Promotions at (949) 760-3131.

The official M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner After Party takes place at Sutra Lounge: 1870 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA http://www.sutraoc.com/

For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.

Mauro Ranallo will call the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports^® is David Dinkins, Jr.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.