By Press Release

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 1`2, 2019) – M-1 Global has announced a pair of title fights will headline M-1 Challenge 105, matching Kazakh against North American mixed-martial-arts fighters, on Saturday, October 19, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

M-1 Challenge 105 will be streamed live from Kazakhstan 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. M-1 Challenge 105 will also be available on www.FITE.TV.

M-1 Challenge bantamweight champion Sergey Morozov (15-4, M-1: 9-3) will make his first title defense, at home in Kazakhstan, against American challenger Josh “The Finisher” Rettinghouse (16-4, M-1: 4-0) in the main event. Morozov vs. Rettinghouse is a rematch or their non-title fight nearly three years ago at M-1 Challenge 73, in which Rettinghouse was a technical knockout victor at the end of opening round via punches.

Morozov has won six of seven fights since his fight against Rettinghouse, including the last four in a row. He captured the M-1 Challenge bantamweight title this past June at M-1 Challenge 102, also held in Nur-Sultan, when he stopped previously unbeaten Alexander Osetrov in the fourth round.

Rettinghouse, fighting out of Spokane, Washington, is undefeated in four M-1 Global matches, the most recent a split-decision over Aleksandr Lunga almost two years at M-1 Challenge 85.

In the co-featured event, M-1 Challenge Interim flyweight title-holder Chris “The Greek Assassin” Kelades (14-4, M-1: 3-1) will defend for the first time the belt he captured last month at M-1 Challenge 103, reversing the outcome of a decision against Alexander Pletenko, versus former M-1 Challenge Interim flyweight champion Arman Ashimov (11-3-1, M-1: 6-1). Kelades, fighting out of Cole Harbour in Nova Scotia, Canada, has won his last two fights.

Ashimov, who will be fighting in front of his fellow countrymen, knocked out Mikael Silander in the second round at M-1 Challenge 87 to become Interim champion. In his next fight, however, he lost to undisputed champion Alexander Doskalchuk at M-1 Challenge 93, when he was unable to fight after two rounds due to a hand injury. Ashimov has won his last three fights to position himself for another title shot.

The 38-year-old Kelades is making a rare Interim title defense, because he was supposed to fight undisputed champ Doskalchuk at M-1 Challenge 103. Doskalchuk pulled out due to an injury that will sideline him for at least six months. Kelades fought and won the Interim crown. The veteran wanted to stay active and he accepted the fight with Ashimov.

The Kelades-Ashimnov winner will certainly want a shot at Doskalchuk.

All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional fights will soon be announced.