M-1 Global may be a promotion based in Russia, but one of its most dominant champions is far from a local talent.

In fact, he is Slovakian.

Ivan Buchinger made a name for himself on the Cage Warriors circuit as their lightweight champion before venturing over to Russia in 2014 to test himself as a featherweight fighter. Since then, he has won four fights under the M-1 banner and defended his title once. He is scheduled to defend his title again on Saturday night when he faces the promotion's former lightweight champ Mansour Barnaoui in main event.

"My training camp went a little longer than usual because I was supposed to fight on the Beijing card, which was cancelled," Buchinger told BloodyElbow.com through his manager Niels Schlaegel. "I began training in August at MMA Spirit in Germany and we even brought in taller training partners this time to match with Barnaoui."

His French foe is a tricky opponent with a four-fight win streak that saw him claim the BAMMA and M-1 lightweight titles. He eventually vacated the 155-pound title in favour of a permanent drop down to featherweight. However, at the weigh-ins on Friday, Barnaoui was nearly 45 minutes late to the event but eventually showed up and weighted 65.3kg (143.9 pounds) on his first attempt. While his opponent made weight, Buchinger felt a "little bit disrespected" by the significant delay to the proceedings.

"I think I've been treated a little bit unfairly," he explained. "It is very important for the MMA Spirit team and all our fighters to be punctual always make weight; that is what we as a team expect from our opponents too. I felt quite bad about it. Everybody knew the schedule was changed from 12pm to 10am.

"This isn't an undercard fight -- this is the main event. I expected him to be punctual. I'll make him pay in the ring."

That is the area where Ivan shines brightest: the ring. Yet despite his impressive 29-4 professional record and current win streak, he remains largely unknown in the North American market because of his inability to communicate in English. It is something that his manager is trying to work on gradually.

"I wouldn't say it is a problem because his achievements speak for themselves," Niels Schlaegel explained. "The problem is he is Slovakia-based and the MMA community there is so small with no big interest. Of course while fighters like Conor McGregor draw a lot of attention through personality, we don't want him to show up in a way that doesn't match his personality. These are things we are trying to work on."

While it is hardy unusual for a fighter to name Conor McGregor as an example during interviews, Buchinger does so with first-hand experience. Ivan faced McGregor for the Cage Warriors lightweight title and lost by knockout in less than four minutes. While Buchinger accepted the loss and developed dramatically since then, he insists that he was at a far different stage of his career back then.

"A lot of things were said during the [Cage Warriors] broadcast that were simply not true. I never had a team before then and didn't have any serious training partners. So when I first hooked up with MMA Spirit, my manager brought me in as a sparring partner for Daniel Weichel, and then they decided they wanted to keep me with the team. I now have real preparation before my fights and a real approach. That is a huge difference."

However, Buchinger was quick t compliment McGregor for his impressive rise through the UFC ranks to become one of the promotion's top stars. He simply did not expect that to be the case in the immediate aftermath of their title fight in 2012.

"I have a lot of respect for what he has achieved. After we fought, I didn't think he would get to this level simply because I think his wrestling is too weak to be at the top. However, he is a great entertainer and his striking is very accurate. He punches very hard. But he is not one of the best pound-for-pound fighters."

Given that the pound-for-pound fighters reside in the UFC, Buchinger - who was offered UFC contracts in the past - would consider dipping his toes in the North American pool. He is, however, displeased with the recent IV ban, even though he can live without it.

"I do use the IV and I think it helps me. I still think I could do without it but it would mean I would have to diet a little bit harder. I only started using the IVs when I dropped down to featherweight and never did it at lightweight. I think a lot of fighters will move up in weight in the UFC or they will simply take the risk of being caught using it."

Despite this, with one fight remaining on his contract after Sochi, Buchinger revealed that he would entertain offers from all promotions to determine his future.

"From my personal point of view, I am doing well in M-1 and we are treated fairly well. But, of course, we are going to listen to any offers, whether it is from the UFC, Bellator or ONE. I'd be happy to fight in any organization where I can make a living. I have a family that I have to take care of and that is the most important thing."