Kunchenko to Defend Welterweight Title Against Abdulaev at M-1 Challenge 72

M-1 Global announced Wednesday that reigning welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko will defend his crown against Murad Abdulaev in the main event of M-1 Challenge 72. The action will commence in Moscow on Nov. 18 and will be streamed live on M1Global.tv.

Kunchenko is an unbeaten beast from Tyumen, Russia, and the fight will be the first defense of his title. Kunchenko won the title by stopping Abdulaev in the fourth in April at M-1 Challenge 65. Kunchenko fought at M-1 Challenge 70 in September and he toppled Eduardo Ramon, but it was a non-title affair.

Abdulaev, meanwhile, had won 10 of 11 fights before snatching the vacant 170-pound title by edging Marcelo Brito via decision last June at M-1 Challenge 58. But “Hunter” never successfully defended the belt, though, because his next match was against Kunchenko and now he’s out for vengeance.

M-1 also revealed that former lightweight champ Artiom Damkovsky will take on Alexey Makhno in a scheduled three-rounder at 155 pounds.

More bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.