Malikov Tabbed as M-1 Challenge 28 Foe for Aleksander Emelianenko

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M-1 Global today announced that Russian heavyweight Magomed Malikov on Saturday will step up on short notice to meet Aleksander Emelianenko in the main event of M-1 Challenge 28.

The Nov. 12 event was originally supposed to be headlined by a welterweight title fight between Shamil Zavurov and Rashid Magomedov, but the champion was forced from the contest with an injury. Sherdog.com first reported Emelianenko's status as new headliner on Nov. 3.

Going down from Star Centre in Astrakhan, Russia, the event will also showcase a pair of light heavyweight contests, as Tomasz Narkun meets Saparbek Safarov while Isaiah Larson locks horns with Alihan Magomedov. The main draw will be available for viewing live on Ustream.tv for a price of $9.99, and the prelims will stream live and for free on Facebook.

With only four pro fights on record, Malikov owns but a fraction of Emelianenko's experience. In his most recent in-cage appearances, the first-year pro won a four-man tournament on July 22, besting Alexey Olenik and Yuri Gorbenko to emerge victorious. According to M-1 Global, Malikov intends to compete in the promotion's upcoming heavyweight grand prix, taking place Nov. 19 at M-1 Challenge 29, just one week after Malikov's bout with Emelianenko.

M-1 Challenge 28
Saturday, Nov. 12
Star Centre
Astrakan, Russia

Magomed Malikov vs. Aleksander Emelianenko
Yves Landu vs. Vugar Bahshiev
Tomasz Narkun vs. Saparbek Safarov
Isaiah Larson vs. Alihan Magomedov
David Bodrie vs. Anton Kostishchin
Enok Solves Torres vs. Ruslan Hashanov
Yan Zhdansky vs. Anatoly Tokov
Sunay Hamidov vs. Alexey Martynov
Gregory Baben vs. Alexander Dolotenko