Alexander Shlemenko was slated to face Ramazan Emeev in the grand finale of the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Tournament, which headlines M-1 Challenge 68 next month. But when Emeev suffered a torn ligament in his elbow during training last week, the promotion had to scramble with a decision as to postpone the bout or alter it.

They chose the latter and one-time Shlemenko opponent Vyacheslav Vasilevsky has stepped in to rescue the event.

“We were in a very difficult situation after Ramazan Emeev got injured,” M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein explained in a statement. “The whole event was in jeopardy. So, now, we're grateful to Vyacheslav Vasilevsky for agreeing to step in and face Shlemenko in our M-1 Grand Prix finals being held on his [Vasilevsky’s] birthday.”

But considering how important the original headliner was because Emeev and Shlemenko bout fought their way through the tournament, why not just postpone it?

“Due to our contract obligations, we were unable to postpone the event because it is officially included in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, which is something every one of our fighters knew from the very beginning,” Finkelchtein explained. “There's a paragraph in the Grand Prix fighters' contract stating we can use one of the guys who fought in the semifinals of the tournament in case someone gets injured. Now we're making one of the most anticipated rematches in the history of Russian MMA.”

Shlemenko and Vasilevsky will pick up right where they left off when they lock horns again on June 16 at Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersubrg, Russia. The two middleweights waged a memorable war inside the ring, but Shlemenko was the one who walked out with his hand raised, the victor of a split decision in February at M-1 Challenge 64.

M-1 Challenge 68 will also see heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov the make the first defense of his title Attila Vegh. Middleweight prospect Valery Myasnikov will take on Enoc Solves Torres as well.

M-1 Challenge 68 will stream live on M1Global.tv.