Kenny Garner (right) (photo via M-1 Global)

By FCF Staff

In the wake of Satoshi Ishii’s withdrawal due to injury, M-1 Global has announced that Kenny Garner will fight Pride veteran, Sergei Kharitonov on November 25th.

The heavyweight bout will be part of M-1 Challenge 53, which will be hosted by the Wukesong Arena in Beijing, China.

Garner (14-7) is coming off victories over Scott Barrett and Matt Kovacs, after losing four straight fights under the M-1 Challenge banner.

Kharitonov (21-5), meanwhile, has won three fights in a row, since he was tapped out by Josh Barnett at a Strikeforce event in 2011.

M-1 Challenge 53 will also feature a heavyweight fight between reigning champ Macrin Tybura and challenger Denis Smoldarev. In addition, the card will see Konstantin Gluhov battle former heavyweight champ Damian Grabowski.

The upcoming card will be streamed live at www.M1Global.TV.