M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champions, Tybura vs. Puetz, May 2 in Russia

(PRESS RELEASE) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - M-1 Global has announced a special five-round, heavyweight Super Fight on May 2 as unbeaten M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura takes on M-1 Challenge light heavyweight titlist Stephan Puetz, headlining M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champions, in Orenburg, Russia.

The historic M-1 Challenge 57 will be streamed live in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

The 29-year-old Tybura (12-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) captured the coveted M-1 Challenge heavyweight title last August 15 at M-1 Challenge 50: Battle on Neva, locking-in a choke hold on defending champion Damian Grabowski (19-1-0) in the first-round for the Submission of the Night.

The 6'3", 248-pound native of Poland made his first title defense last November in Beijing, China, by way of another opening-round submission of previously undefeated Denis Smoldarev (9-0-0) via a choke hold. Tybura is unbeaten in six M-1 Global fights.

"I think this fight is the best option for me at the moment," Tybura said. "I'm always looking for a challenge. I know Stephan weighs around 110 kilograms (242 lbs.), normally, and that he's a great fighter. All of that gives me motivation. Fights are never easy; I always expect them to be hard and to go the full distance. We're both champions, proving we know how to win title fights, and that makes it a great matchup."

Puetz (12-1-0, 5 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), 27, is 3-0-0 in M-1 Global fights, all in M-1 Challenge light heavyweight championship matches. The 6' 5" German is stepping up to fight as a heavyweight this one time against Tybura.

A decorated fighter in Germany before signing with M-1 Global, Puetz won the crown March 14, 2014 at M-1 Challenge 46, taking a five-round split decision from veteran Viktor Nemkov (19-4-0). Puetz has had successful title defenses against Luis Fernando Miranda (12-1-0) last August at M-1 Challenge 50 by second-round choke submission, and this past December at M-1 Challenge 54, in which he punched his way to a second round knockout of previously undefeated Valery Myasnikov (8-0-0).

"It was an easy decision for me to take this fight (at heavyweight) because I consider Tybura one of the best fighters out there and I love any sort of challenge," Puetz explained his decision. "My motivation is to be the best and I have to beat the best in order to achieve that. I still consider this fight a "one-off" as my long term future is in the light heavyweight division. I usually walk around between 106-110 kilograms (233-242 lbs.), but I might even come into this fight a little lighter in order to work on my quickness. I will be in great shape for sure. This fight is the biggest fight M-1 can put out! It´s also a historical fight with the light heavyweight champion meeting the heavyweight champion. We are both known as fighters who constantly move forward and are willing to take a risk in order to finish our opponents. This fight won´t be any different. You better be prepared for a real WAR between MAN vs. Machine!"

All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional fights to soon be announced.

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 57 live on Cablevision's Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.