By Kelsey Mowatt

Although Kenny Garner was quick to call out M-1 Global Heavyweight Champion Guram Gugenishvili this past weekend, following his second round stoppage of Pat Bennett, the charismatic fighter may have to wait for his rematch.

According to a representative with the promotion, Gugenishvili is “recovering well” from the arm and wrist injury that forced his removal from last Friday’s event in Costa Mesa, California, and will likely return to action in October.

The spokesperson added that although M-1 Global may look to promote Gugenishvili, Garner II at some point, it’s a fight that likely won’t happen until later in the year. In the meantime, the promotion is exploring other opponents for Gugenishvili, who choked out Garner with a second round, guillotine choke last October.

The undefeated Gugenishvili was originally scheduled to face Bennett on July 8^th, in what would have also marked the 11-0 fighter’s American debut. The Ukrainian heavyweight competed last at M-1 Challenge 23 in March, and choked out Maxim Grishin with a first round, rear-naked-choke.

M-1 Global’s next U.S. card and Showtime broadcast is scheduled for October 14^th.