M-1 Global and Showtime Reach TV Deal to Broadcast 4 Events in 2011

M-1 Global is coming to Showtime.

Just over a month after M-1 Global chief Vadim Finkelstein told MMAWeekly.com that a deal was in the works between the promotion and Showtime, the deal with its new television partner has been sealed.

M-1 Global has signed a four-event deal with Showtime beginning with its March 25 event with three more following in 2011, according to MMAWeekly.com sources.

M-1 Global and Showtime are expected to make a formal announcement about the deal on Friday.

The main event for the first event will be a lightweight title fight between Artiom Damkovsky and Jose Figueroa. A middleweight title bout will also highlight the card pitting Tyson Jeffries against the winner of the upcoming March 5 bout between Magomed Sultanakhmedov and Plinio Cruz.

Former “Ultimate Fighter” finalist Vinny Magalhaes will be on the March 25 card, but as of now no opponent has been named. M-1 Global is expected to announce an opponent sometime next week.

The deal will bring the European organization to a whole new audience starting in March. While M-1 Global has had exposure in the United States before now, the deal with Showtime will provide by far the best reach they’ve ever had in America.