Less than a week after scoring near-record low ratings for a Strikeforce event, Showtime has more MMA coming to air with M-1 Global returning to the premium cable provider for the third time in October.
On Thursday, the promotion announced an M-1 Challenge event is set for the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, AZ, on Friday, October 14th at 11 pm EST/PT (West Coast delay).
The event will be headlined by a rematch between M-1 Global Heavyweight Champion Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) and Kenny Garner (7-3) with M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Champion Vinny Magalhaes (8-5) defending against Mikhail Zayats (14-5) in the co-main event.
Since debuting in July 2009, Gugenishvili has yet to taste defeat with 10 of his 11 victories coming via submission. He won his title by submitting Garner in the 2nd round in October 2010. Garner last beat Patrick Bennett by 2nd round KO at a July M-1 Challenge event.
Magalhaes has won four in a row and was last seen in April submitting Viktor Nemkov to win the 205-pound title. Zayats has also won four in a row with three submission finishes and a 2nd round TKO finish of Malik Merad in April.
After debuting in March 2011 with 189,000 viewers, M-1 saw their ratings drop in their July return to Showtime with 161,000 viewers.