Finnish lightweight veteran Niko Puhakka (27-12) has signed a multi fight deal with the M-1 promotion according our content partner FightSport.fi. The contract will push Puhakka straight to a title fight where the Finn will meet reigning M-1 Lightweight champion Musa Khamanaev (12-3). The bout will take place in Orenburg, Russia on the 27th of February. Puhakka steps in on a very short notice for injured Mairbek Taisumov.
Finland’s Puhakka has gone 7-1 during last two years. Puhakka has recently won at the KSW lightweight tournament in Poland, Draka belt in Russia and also beat UFC veteran John Gunderson in Finland. The lone loss came in the hands of Yoshiyuki Yoshida at Fight Festival 32 where the Finn got submitted in the third round after winning the first two rounds.
Russia’s Khamanaev got the M-1 belt by heelhooking Daniel Weichel in the first round in June of 2012. Before that he beat Artiom Damkovsky by decision in May of 2012. Khamanaev has been suffering from injuries lately which explains why he hasn’t fought since the Weichel bout.
Both fighters are strong wrestlers with dangerous submission on the ground so stylistically this is a very interesting match up.
Fight Card:
M-1 lightweight title fight: Musa Khamanaev vs Niko Puhakka
M-1 HW Grand Prix reserve fight: Marcin Tybura – Denis Komkin
Daniel Weichel – Artiom Damkovsky
Mariusz Radziszewski – Dzhambulat Kurbanov
Albert Duraev – Julio Cesar Alves
Damian Stasiak – Magomed Magomedov
