M-1 Challenge 77 Main Card Finalized

M-1 Challenge 77’s main card has been finalized. Russia’s leading MMA promotion will take over Sochi on May 19 with a stacked card that is slated to be headlined by Viktor Nemkov taking on Ronny Markes.

Nemkov, a two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion, lost his title to Rashid Yusupov at M-1 Challenge 66 a year ago, but has since rebounded with a win over Attila Vegh.

Markes, meanwhile, went 2-2 in the UFC and was released from the promotion after back-to-back losses to Yoel Romero and Thiago Santos. He recently scooped up wins in the World Series of Fighting and King of the Cage promotions and is set for his M-1 debut. The Brazilian is 2-3 in his last five contests overall.

Additionally, unbeaten middleweight prospect Artiom Frolov will tango with Talekh Nadzhafzade in the co-feature, while featherweight Viktor Kolesnik will collide with Felipe Rego. Rounding out the main card will be Audrey Lezhnev against Kurbanali Abdusalamov at welterweight and Raul Tutarauli versus Artur Lemos at lightweight.

The action will be streamed live on www.M1Global.tv beginning at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT.