Alexander Krupenkin (left) (photo via M-1 Challenge)

By Press Release

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (November 9, 2016) – The already loaded M-1 Challenge 73: Battle of Narts card has been bolstered by the M-1 Global announcement that two American fighters, Lee “American Bulldog” Morrison and “The Finisher” Josh Rettinghouse, have been added to the 2016 season-ending event December 9th in Ingushetia, Russia.

A super showdown between M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Ramazan Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0) and KO artist specialist Anatoly Tokov (24-2-0, M-1: 9-1-0) will headline M-1 Challenge 73: Battle of Narts in a battle of elite Russian fighters.

In the co-feature, M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (31-4-0, M-1: 6-0-0), fighting out of Slovakia, defends his title belt against undefeated Russian challenger Magomed Idrisov (5-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0).

M-1 Challenge 73 will be streamed live from Ingushetia 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 the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

Morrison (15-7-0, M-1: 2-4-0) and Rettinghouse (13-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) are both fighting out of the state of Washington.

Morrison faces undefeated Russian prospect Moysar Evoloev (5-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0) in a fight contested at a 140-pounds (63.5 kilograms) catchweight.  Morrison is a grappler who defeated current M-1 Challenge bantamweight title-holder Pavel Vitruk by decision at M-1 Challenge 58.

Rettinghouse, the King of the Cage champion, takes on Sergey Morozov (6-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0) in a bantamweight with future title implications for the winner.

A submission master who has a strong Brazilian Ju-Jitsu background, Rettinghouse is coming off his successful M-1 Global debut this past May at M-1 Challenge 66, in which Rettinghouse stopped Vadim Zhloboch in the opening round due to an injury.

Morozov, fighting out of Kazakhstan, is an outstanding striker and well-rounded MMA fighter.  He was on the wrong end of the M-1 Challenge 68 Fight of the Night last July in a loss by decision to Rafael Dias.

At M-1 Challenge 59, Morozov was awarded the Knockout of the Night award for his demolishing of Andy Young a year ago July.

An impressive victory will position the Rettinghouse-Morozov winner for a potential M-1 Challenge bantamweight title fight with defending champion Vitruk.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Nov. 18 – M-1 Challenge 72:  Kunchenko vs. Abdulaev in Moscow, Russia

Dec. 9 – M-1 Challenge 73: Emeev vs. Tokov in Ingushetia, Russia