M-1 GLOBAL NEWS: March 25 Showtime event officially announced with two Challenge title fights

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

M-1 Global and Showtime on Wednesday officially announced the first M-1 Challenge event set to come to the network on March 25.

The fight card, the first of four that will air on Showtime from M-1 Global in 2011, takes place from the Constant Center in Norfolk, Va.

The event is headlined by an M-1 Challenge Lightweight Championship bout between Artiom Damkovsky and Jose Figueroa, as well as a bout between Tyson Jeffries and Magomed Sultanakhmedov for the vacant M-1 Challenge Middleweight Title.

"I am extremely happy about the venture between M-1 Global and Showtime," said Vadim Finkelchtein, co-founder of M-1 Global. "There is no better TV network for M-1 than Showtime. And no better market to seriously compete in than the U.S."

"Our ability to televise quality boxing and MMA fights at the highest level has been aided tremendously by our commitment to showcasing prospects and lesser known international stars on our feeder series like ShoBox: The New Generation and Strikeforce Challengers,? said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Showtime Sports. "M-1 Challenge events fit perfectly into that mold and will enhance our mixed martial arts offerings even further."

According to a press release from the two organization, Mauro Ranallo will call the action for the broadcast, while Pat Miletich will serve as the analyst.

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