Fight Nights Global 73 set for Sept. 4 in Dagestan with Maldonado, Palhares, Brandao

Russia’s Fight Nights Global will soon host an event with a very Brazilian flair; three of the nation’s most recognized MMA names will be featured on the card.

FNG officials recently confirmed with MMAjunkie that FNG 73 will take place on Sept. 4 at Ali Aliev Sports Palace in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, Russia. Broadcast/streaming plans for the event have not been finalized.

Three bouts have been made official for the card, including Fabio Maldonado (23-11) vs. Kurban Omarov (8-0) for the promotion’s light heavyweight title, welterweights Rousimar Palhares (19-8) vs. Shamil Amirov (3-0), and featherweights Diego Brandao (22-11) vs. Akhmed Aliev (15-4).

The iron-chinned Maldonado made his promotional debut in June 2016 in a controversial majority decision loss to Fedor Emelianenko, a bout that was one of the most well-watched in Russian MMA history. Maldonado then also suffered a decision loss to Mikhail Mokhnatkin before rebounding in March with a first-round TKO win over Abdul-Khamid Davlyatov.

Meanwhile, Omarov made his professional debut in February 2013 and has since remained undefeated in the first eight pro bouts. Most recently, Omarov notched back-to-back knockout wins over Artur Astakhov and Joaquim Ferreira while competing under the FNG banner.

Palhares made his promotional debut in July, when he needed just 37 seconds to score a heel-hook victory over Alexei Ivanov that saw “Toquinho” snap a disappointing two-fight slide. He now faces Amirov, who made his professional debut in October 2016 and has since scored three wins under the FNG banner.

Brandao was released from the UFC in 2016 following a 10-fight stint for the world’s largest MMA promotion. “The Ultimate Fighter 14” winner has found success under the FNG banner, scoring a 39-second knockout of Vener Galiev in May following a highlight-reel helicopter armbar finish of Murad Machaev in January.

Meanwhile, Aliev carries a five-fight winning streak to the cage that includes a February win over “The Ultimate Fighter 8” winner Phillipe Nover. After opening his professional career with a 3-3 mark, Aliev is now 12-1 in his past 13 appearances.