Mansour "Tarzan" Barnaoui to defend M-1 Challenge lightweight title vs. Artiom Damkovsky

(PRESS RELEASE) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Mansour Barnaoui will make his first title defense, February 19 at Olympic Stadium, against Artiom Damkovsky at M-1 Challenge 64 in Moscow, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 64 will be streamed live from Moscow 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 Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

In a previously announced title fight, newly M-1 Global-signed Alexander Volkov (24-6-0, M-1: 8-3-0), of Russia, takes on Estonian challenger Denis Smoldarev (11-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0) for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.



Barnaoui (12-3-0, M-1: 2-2-0), fighting out of Paris, will be making his first title defense against a dangerous challenger. After defeating previously undefeated Maxim Divnich (10-0-0) (see picture below) by way of a first-round stoppage via punches, May 2, 2015 at M-1 Challenge 57, Barnaoui dropped down in weight and he unsuccessfully challenged M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger this past October by five-round decision at M-1 Challenge 57.

Belarus-native Damkovsky (20-9-0, M-1: 10-6-0), is riding a four-fight win streak to become the top contender going into his title fight showdown with Barnaoui.