MMA Viking’s content partner FightSport.fi reports that Finnish veteran Niko Puhakka (27-13) will face Russia’s Mairbek “Beckan” Taisumov (18-4) at M-1 Challenge 40 in Ingushetia on 7th of Jule. Winner of this fight is probably next in line to fight for the promotion’s lightweight belt against the champ Musa Khamanaev.
Puhakka’s last fight took place at Fight For Glory event in April in Finland (fight missing from his Sherdog record). At the FFG event Puhakka had a action packed fight with Netherland’s Berrie Bunthof that ended in Puhakka submitting Bunthof in the second round. Before that he fought on a short notice at M-1 Challenge 37 in February against the champ Khamanaev who outstruck and outgrappled the gutsy Finn for five round.
Taisumov has been scheduled to fight Khamanaev twice but both fighters have canceled once due to injuries. The Russian, who fights out of Vienna, Austria, holds notable wins over Yuri Ivlev and Jarkko Latomäki. Taisumov is 6-1 in his last seven with the lone loss coming in June of 2012 at M-1 Global show where he dropped a split decision to undefeated Ukrainian prospect Marat Gafurov.
