The first event of the year, M-1 Challenge 31, was held on March 16, 2012, at the Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
In the main event, Alexander Emelianenko defeated Tadas Rimkevičius officially by technical knockout at 1:52 of the second round.
The M-1 Global Welterweight Championship was won by Rashid Magomedov from Yasubey Enomoto after a five-round unanimous decision victory.
[4] The event will include a Lightweight Championship bout in which Daniel Weichel will attempt to defend his title against Yuri Ivlev.
[8] On June 21, 2012, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Fedor Emelianenko faced three-time UFC heavyweight title contender Pedro Rizzo in an event promoted by M-1 Global.