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FIGHT ODDS

Butenko, Yankiev to Clash for Lightweight Title at M-1 Challenge 74

Mike SloanJan 19, 2017

M-1 Global announced that its lightweight title will be on the line next month when reigning champ Alexander Butenko will defend against Abukar Yandiev. The pairing will serve as the co-feature to M-1 Challenge 74, which goes down on Feb. 18 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Butenko captured the M-1 155-pound title last June when he edged Artiom Damkovsky via unanimous decision. The Ukrainian is riding a six-fight winning streak and is coming off a non-title decision win over Rubenilton Pereira at M-1 Challenge 71. Yandiev, meanwhile, is coming off an impressive showing at M-1 Challenge 68 in June where he submitted Tony Christodoulou via arm lock in the first.

M-1 Challenge 74 is slated to be headlined by Rashid Yusupov defending his light heavyweight crown against Stephan Puetz. Also announced for the marquee is a showdown between Vitaly Branchuk and Moktar Benkaci at bantamweight. The event will be streamed live on M1Global.tv.