Watch live on Internet PPV this Saturday at Mikko Suvanto makes his M-1 Challenge debut as Team Finland faces Bulgaria.

Replacing the best pound-for-pound fighter in the M-1 Challenge at a time when Finland is in the midst of Group A title contention is a high-pressure situation to be debuting in the M-1 Challenge debut. But for middleweight Mikko Suvanto, he views the opportunity to represent Team Finland as a opportunity of a lifetime.

And to a man, all of his teammates insist that Suvanto is the best fighter to step in for Linhares during the “M-1 Challenge Presented by Affliction” during Team Finland’s best-of-five series vs. Bulgaria during the latest installment of the M-1 Challenge on July 4 in Seoul, which will take place from the Olympic Hall and be available live on Internet PPV courtesy of www.M-1Global.com.

Little is known about the 7-2 Suvanto, so M-1 took the time to sit down with him in order to learn more about him in anticipation of Saturday’s but vs. Rosen Dmitirov.

M-1Global.com: This will be your M-1 Challenge debut and the first time many fans will get to see you fight. What would you like them to know about you?

Mikko Suvanto: Well. I am sn MMA Fighter from Imatra, Finland. I am BJJ brown belt and have also fights in thai boxing and submission wrestling under my belt. I hope all fans enjoy my fight in the Korea

M-1Global.com: Can you talk about your style as a fighter? What do you consider your strength and what do you consider your weakness?

Mikko Suvanto: Like I said I have competed in submission wrestling and Thai boxing. My strength is that I’m well rounded but if I have to choose then it’s my stand up.

M-1Global.com: When were you told you’d be filling in for Lucio Linhares and what was your reaction?

Mikko Suvanto: I heard about this two weeks ago. Three weeks is pretty short time to get ready but we’ll see.

M-1Global.com: Lucio is one of the best fighters in the M-1 Challenge and Finland has to win on July 4 to have any shot at the post-season. Are you feeling a lot of pressure?

Mikko Suvanto: No.

M-1Global.com: In case it is not answered in the previous questions, what does it mean to be representing your home country of Finland in a team competition?

Mikko Suvanto: It’s really cool. Its was main reason why I took this fight and of course it’s also a big step up for me.

M-1Global.com: If Lucio graduates to “Superfight” status much like Karl Amoussou and no longer competes in the M-1 Challenge, is becoming the permanent 185 lbs. representative for Finland something you are interested in?

Mikko Suvanto: Yes, I am.

M-1Global.com: At one point you had been scheduled to fight Jordan Radev, a former UFC fighter. Are you disappointed that he’s been replaced for this fight by Rosen Dmitirov?

Mikko Suvanto: Rosen Dmitirov is also a very good fighter with very strong sambo and judo background. I want to fight with good guys, so I am not disappointed.

M-1Global.com: Which fighters in Finland and from around the world have influenced and inspired you?

Mikko Suvanto In Finland I don’t have any single fighter but worldwide it’s absolutely George St. Pierres.

M-1Global.com: For the first time ever, fans in Finland will be able to watch Team Finland live on Internet PPV on M-1Global.com. How does it feel knowing that friends and family will have a chance to see you compete even though you will be half-way across the world?

Mikko Suvanto: It’s really nice and I think it’s also a very important step for M-1.

M-1Global.com: Is going to South Korea the furthest you’ve traveled for a fight?

Mikko Suvanto: Yes.

M-1Global.com: What are some of the drawbacks to having to travel such a long way and then got off the plane, go to the hotel, and have to make weight?

Mikko Suvanto: Of course it’s hard but it’s same for all European fighters.

M-1Global.com: There are a lot of tensions between the United States and North Korea right now. Is that something you are aware of and if so, do you have any concern about traveling to South Korea?

Mikko Suvanto: I don’t care. This is sport and I hope we can do our job in peace.

M-1Global.com: To all the fans from Finland who will be watching you take on Rosen Dmitirov on July 4 on Internet PPV, what would you like to say to them?

Mikko Suvanto: I hope all fans enjoy our fights. Finland has a very good team so it will be hard times for the Bulgarian guys.