Category Archives: M-1

M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Russia

Alexander Shlemenko defeats Paul Bradley, Kunchenko retains M-1 Challenge title

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Kia tukuna tonutia atu
M-1 CHALLENGE 74 Otinga whaimana

(R) Alexander Shlemenko kicked his way to another victory
MOSCOW (March 4, 2017) — Whitu Russian Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko American patua Paora “Ko te Pūwhero” Bradley and undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko retained his title last night in the loaded M-1 Challenge 75 card at Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow, Russia
A three-time Bellator champion, Shlemenko (55-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 5-0-0) spoiled the M-1 Global debut of former Ring of Combat champion Bradley (23-8-0, M-1: 0-1-0), fighting out of San Diego, by way of a three-round unanimous decision in the main event of the evening. Shlemenko, who last year captured the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship, remained undefeated in M-1 Global competition.
Kunchenko (16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), o Russia, kept his professional MMA record intact with his 16th wikitoria, half of which in M-1 Global competition, with a five-round unanimous decision over fellow countryman Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-1-0) i roto i te tahi-āhuatanga.
(R) — Alexey Kunchenko cruised to his 16th pro win with a defeat
Popular Russian welterweight Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (11-1-0, M-1: 4-0-0) made a strong statement as a legitimate title contender with his three-round unanimous decision over Russian MMA veteran Mogamed “Ko te White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-6-0, M-1: 10-2-0), the former M-1 Selection middleweight champion.
Former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) te tūnga ia ia mo tetahi pere taitara, stopping American Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (11-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0) on punches in the second round.
In the final main card fight, Taumahamaha marama Palāsilá Carlos “Cachorrao” Eduardo (15-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) made an impressive M-1 Global debut, taking a three-round decision from his Ukrainian opponent, Boris “Bora” Polezhay (15-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0).
I roto i te tuatahi mahi kāri, Whitu Russian Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasinikov (11-1-2, M-1: 2-1-2) lived up to his nickname with an opening-round knockout of Brazilian Amilcar Alves (15-11-0, M-1: 0-1-0), undefeated Russian welterweight Abubakar Mestoev (4-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) took a three-round unanimous decision from German Niko Samsonidse (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), pro-debuting Russian lightweight Roman Bogatov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) used an arm-triangle choke to submit Ukrainian Aleksey Sotnikov (4-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), South Korean Bok Kil Young (8-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1) a Russian Viktor Kolesnik (9-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1) whawhai ki te Unuunu e toru-a tawhio noa, Welterweight Russian Danila Prikaza (6-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0) locked in a rear-naked choke hold to defeat German Arda “Boma Ye” Adas (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) by first-round submission, and Georgian lightweight Raul Tutarauli (8-4-0, M-1: 4-1-0) punched out Mohamed Grabinski (14-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), o Germany, i roto i te rua o a tawhio noa.
Complete results & taiwhanga whakaahua i raro nei:
KĀRI MAIN
MAHI MAIN – MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Alexander Shlemenko (55-9-0, 1 NC, M-1: 5-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Paora Bradley (23-8-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-1-0), USA
M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Alexey Kunchenko (16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), Russia
WDEC5
Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
(Kunchenko retained M-1 Challenge welterweight title)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Seregey Romanov (11-1-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Magomed Sultanakhmedov (18-6-0, M-1: 10-2-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Maxim Divnich (12-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), Russia
WTKO/KO2 (nifó – 2:03)
Keon Caldwell (11-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), USA
HEAVYWEIGHTS LIGHT
Carlos Eduardo (15-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
WDEC3
Boris Polezhay (15-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Ukraine
KĀRI PRELIMINARY
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Valery Myasinikov(11-1-2, M-1: 2-2-2), Russia.
WTKO/KO1 (nifó – 2:59)
Amilcar Alves (15-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
WELTERWEIGHTS
Abubakar Mestoev (4-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Niko Samsonidse (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany
Danila Prikaza (6-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
WSUB1 (kowaowaotia iho muri-tahanga – 1:54)
Arda Adas (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Roman Bogatov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WSUB1 (ringa-tapatoru kowaowaotia – 1:56)
Aleksey Sotnikov (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Ukraine
Bok Kil Young (8-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Korea South
D3
Viktor Kolesnik (9-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Russia
Raul Tutarauli (8-4-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Georgia
WTKO/KO2 (nifó – 3:50)
Mohamed Grabinski (14-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany




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M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Russia

M-1 CHALLENGE 75 Pauna Official

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KĀRI MAIN

MAHI MAIN – MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

(L) Alexander SHLEMENKO (54-9-0, 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia 184 1/2 lbs. (83.9 kg)
vs.
(R) PAUL BRADLEY (23-7-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-0-0), USA 184 lbs. (83.6 kg)
M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
(L) Alexey KUNCHENKO (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), Champion, Russia 169 1/2 lbs. (77 kg)
vs.
(R) MAKSIM GRABOVICH (5-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Kaiwero, Russia 164 1/2 lbs. (74.8 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
SERGEY ROMANOV (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 169 1/2 lbs. (77 kg)
MAGOMED SULTANAKHMEDOV (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0), Russia 169 1/2 lbs. (77.1 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS — 3 X 5
MAXIM DIVNICH (12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0), Russia 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)
vs.
KEON CALDWELL (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), USA 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)
HEAVYWEIGHTS LIGHT – 3 X 5
Boris POLEZHAY (15-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Ukraine 204 1/2 lbs. (92.9 kg)
vs.
CARLOS EDUARDO (14-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 205 lbs. (93 kg)
KĀRI PRELIMINARY
MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
VALERY MYASINIKOV (10-1-2, M-1: 1-2-2), Russia. 187 lbs. (84.9 kg)
vs.
AMILCAR ALVES (15-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 187 lbs. (84.9 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
NIKO SAMSONIDSE (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 154 lbs. (70 kg)
vs.
ABUBAKAR MESTOEV (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 154 1/2 lbs. (70.2 kg)
ARDA “Boma Ye” ADAS (8-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 176 lbs. (80.0 kg)
vs.
DANILA PRIKAZA (5-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia 173 1/2 lbs. (78.9 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ALEKSEY SOTNIKOV (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Ukraine 149 lbs. (67.8 kg)
vs.
ROMAN BOGATOV (0-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 149 lbs. (67.9 kg)
BOK KIL YOUNG (8-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Korea South 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)
vs.
VIKTOR KOLESNIK (9-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)
MOHAMED GRABINSKI (14-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 158 lbs. (71.9 kg)
Vs.
Raul TUTARAULI (7-4-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Georgia 158 1/2 lbs. (72.0 kg)

No: Rāmere, March 3, 2017

HEA: Moscow, Russia
Kaiwhakatairanga: M-1 Global
Awa ora: www.m1global.tv (12.00 p.m. AND / 9:00 a.m. PT in USA)
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Russia

Rashid Yusupov defeats Stephan Puetz To retrain M-1 Challenge light heavyweight crown

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Abukar Yandiev destroys Alexander Butenko
To become new M-1 Challenge lightweight champion
M-1 CHALLENGE 74 Otinga whaimana

Yusupov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), whawhai i roto i Russia, remained undefeated with a brutal, bloody victory over former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-3-0, 6-2-), o Germany, whose corner stopped the fight during the third round.


Wildly popular Russian fighter Yandiev (9-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0) immediately opened his title fight challenge with a powerful right-handed punch that floored defending champion
Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko (42-12-2, M-1: 9-2-0). Yankiev relentlessly attacked veteran Butenko, firing more than 60 unanswered strikes on the fallen Ukranian veteran, until the referee mercifully halted the fight at 1:65 o te a tawhio tuatahi.



Kazakhstan-native Damir Ismagulov (10-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), whawhai i roto i Russia, stopped French welterweight Morgan Heraud (6-6-0, M-1: 1-0-0) on punches in the third round. Belarussian lightweight Artium Damkovsky (23-10-0, M-1: 13-7-0) and Ukrianian bantamweight Vitaly Branchuk (22-6-0, M-1: 2-2-0) won three-round unanimous decisions, aua, over Brazilian Erivan “Negao” Pear (7-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0) and Frenchman Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (13-8-0, M-1: 2-2-0).
In the soccer club fans match, Dmitry Tebekin (5-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0) locked a guillotine choke on fellow Russian light heavyweight Artur Tulparova (1-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0) for a submission victory in the first round.
I runga i te kāri tuatahi, Swiss welterweight Pablo Ortman (7-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) remained undefeated with a first-round submission win (tapatoru kowaowaotia) over Ukrainian Vyacheslav “Bison” Bogomol (9-4-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Brazilian welterweight Bruce Souto (10-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) tuku (muri kowaowaotia iho tahanga) Russian Payzula Magomedov (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0) i roto i te toru o tawhio, Brazilian heavyweight Marcus Vinicius “Montanah” Lopes (11-5-0, M-1: 2-1-0) decisioned Russian Evgeni Myakinkin (14-8-1, 1 NC, M-1: 2-2-0), Ukrainian bantamweight Dmitry Orlov (13-6-0, M-1: 1-0-0) defeated Russian Mikhail Kuznetsov (4-3-0, M-1: 2-3-0) i te ara o te tāpaetanga rua-a tawhio noa (tapatoru kowaowaotia), Russian bantamweight Vadim Malygin (8-2-1, M-1: 0-2-1) knocked out Brazilian Denes Carvalho (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) i roto i te toru o tawhio.

Kua oti te hua me te taiwhanga pikitia i raro:

KĀRI MAIN
M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Rashid Yusupov (7-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0), Russia
WTKO3 (corner stoppage – 3:26)
Stephan Puetz (15-3-0, M-1: 6-2-0), Germany
(Yusupov M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title)
M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Abukar Yandiev (9-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia
WTKO1 (nifó – 1:65)
Alexander Botenko (42-12-2, M-1: 9-2-0), Ukraine
WELTERWEIGHTS
Damir Ismagulov (10-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan
WTKO3 – (nifó — 1:31)
Morgam Heraud (6-6-0, M-1: 0-1-0), France
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Artiom Damkovsky (23-10-0, M-1: 13-7-0), Peraruhia
WDEC3
Erivan Pereira (7-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Vitalay Branchuck (22-6-0, M-1: 2-2-0), Ukraine
WDEC3
Moktar Benkaci (13-8-0, M-1: 2-2-0), France
SOCCER CLUB FANS
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Dmitry Tebekin (5-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WSUB1 (kowaowaotia iho pororere – 1:59)
Artur Tulparova (1-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia
KĀRI PRELIMINARY
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Marcus Vinicius Lopes (11-5-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Brazil
WDEC3
Evgeni Myakikkin (14-2-7, 1 NC, M-1: 2-2-0), Russia
WELTERWEIGHTS
Urs Pablo Ortmann (7-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Switzerland
WSUB1 (tapatoru kowaowaotia – 1:26)
Vyacheslav Bogomol (9-4-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Ukraine
Bruce Souto (10-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Brazil
WSUB3 (muri kowaowaotia iho tahanga – 2:40)
Payzula Magomedov (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Dmitry Orlov (13-6-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Ukraine
WSUB2 (tapatoru kowaowaotia – 1:36)
Mikhail Kuznetsov (4-3-0, M-1: 2-3-0), Russia
Vadim Malygin (8-2-1, M-1: 1-1-1), Russia
WKO3 (nifó – 0:45)
Denes Carvalho (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil

KŌRERO:

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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Russia

MMA fighters & fans of rival Russian soccer teams Added to M-1 Challenge 74 kāri

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February 18 i roto i te St. Petersburg, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (February 2, 2017) – The February 18th M-1 Challenge 74 card in St. Petersburg got even more interesting with M-1Global’s announcement that a fight between fans of arch-rival Russian soccer (non-American football) teams will square-off in full team colors.
I roto i te hui matua, undefeated M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusupov (6-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), o Russia, defends his title against former titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), o Germany.
M-1 Challenge toa Kōmāmā Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko (42-11-2, M-1: 9-1-0) anga kaiwero Abukar Yandiev (8-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0) i roto i teM-1 Challenge 74 co-āhuatanga.
Billed as the first MMA fight part of a major event to feature MMA fighters who are also fans of two of the top soccer clubs in Russia, CSKA and Spartak, battling between the ropes to determine the strongest soccer fan under MMA rules, not in the street.
Taumahamaha te marama Dmitry Tebekin (4-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), representing CSKA, will throw-down against Spartak fan Arthur Reig Tjul’parov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0). Tebekin was the St. Petersburg Cup winner and vice-champion of St. Petersburg, while Tjul’parov was also vice-champion of St. Petersburg as well as the third-place finisher in the All-Russian Grand Prix
.
M-1 Challenge 74 Ka rere ora i St. Petersburg i roto i te tautuhinga teitei i runga iwww.M1Global.TV. Ka taea ki te mataara i te whawhai tuatahi, me te kāri matua i te takiuru ki runga ki ki te rēhita i Viewers www.M1Global.TV. Kia mataara katoa o te mahi pā i runga i to ratou rorohiko, me te i runga i te waea atamai, me papa Android me Apple.
Also fighting on the M-1 Challenge 74 kāri matua, in addition to Yusupov-Puetz and Butenko-Yandiev, is former M-1 Challenge bantamweight champion Vitaly Branchuk (21-6-0, M-1: 1-2-0), o Ukraine, vs. Frenchman Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (13-7-0); two-time M-1 Challenge lightweight title challengerArtiom Damkovsky (22-10-1, M-1: 12-7-0), o Peraruhia, vs. tūturuBrazilian Pablo “Negao” Pear (7-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), and Ukrainian welterweight Vyacheslav “Bison” Bogomol (9-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) vs. hinga korePablo Ortmann (6-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Switzerland.
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American middleweight Paul Bradley Steps up to challenge “Storm” Alexander Shlemenko in main event

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M-1 Challenge 75, March 3, i roto i te Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 27, 2017) – American MMA veteran Paora “Ko te Pūwhero” Bradley has stepped up to meet the awesome challenge presented by 2016 M-1 Grand Prix middleweight champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko in the March 3RD M-1 Challenge 75 main event in Moscow.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Ka taea ki te mataara i te whawhai tuatahi, me te kāri matua i te takiuru ki runga ki ki te rēhita i Viewers www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, me te i runga i te waea atamai, me papa Android me Apple.
A three-time Bellator champion, Shlemenko (54-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0) patua toa M-1 Challenge mua Vyacheslav Vasilevsky last year in the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship semifinals and championship final, aua, by three-round majority decision and third-round submission (kowaowaotia iho). Shlemenko vs. Vasilevsky I & II were also the M-1 Challenge 68 & 64 Fights of the Night.
Former Ring of Combat champion Bradley (23-7-0, M-1: 0-0-0) will be making his M-1 Challenge debut, Heoi, he’s a seasoned MMA veteran having fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator ko Ao Series o te Fighting.
The 33-year-old Bradley, fighting out of San Diego (California), was a standout wrestler at the powerhouse University of Iowa. He is known for his physical strength, tremendous endurance, and balanced stand-up and ground skills.
Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), o Russia, will defend his title in the co-feature against Maksin Grabovich (5-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0), o Russia, who replaced injured Kazakh challenger Shaukat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0).
Russian welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) meets Russian veteran Magomed “Ko te White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0), while another American fighter, Kōmāmā Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), will make his M-1 Global debut against former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0), o Ukraine.
Rounding out a loaded M-1 Challenge 75 main card is a middleweight clash between Russian favorite Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasinikov (10-1-2, M-1: 1-1-2) and Spaniard Solves Enoc Torres (19-9-1, M-1: 5-6-1).
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Russia

Maksim Grabovich new opponent for M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko

Waiho he tākupu
M-1 Challenge 75, March 3, i roto i te Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 23, 2017) – Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko will now be challenged by fellow Russian Maksim Grabovich, who has replaced injured Shavkat Rakhmonov, March 3, i M-1 Challenge 75 i roto i te Moscow.
M-1 Grand Prix middleweight champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (54-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0),the three-time Bellator champion, hinaaro kupu matua M-1 Challenge 75 against an opponent to soon be announced.
Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, is a Muay Thai specialist who captured his M-1 Challenge welterweight title belt last April at M-1 Challenge 65, when defending titlist Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round.
In a non-title fight, Kunchenko won a three-round unanimous decision over Eduardo Ramon at M-1 Challenge at M-1 Challenge 70 last September. His first title defense was Hakihea 5 i M-1 Challenge 72, in which Kunchenko won a 5-round unanimous decision over Abdulaev in a rematch.
Grabovich (5-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0), fighting out of famed Stary Oskol in Russia, has won his last three fights in addition to being undefeated in four M-1 Global matches. His signature victory to date was last June at M-1 Challenge 68, in which Grabovich won a three-round unanimous decision in the Fight of the Night.
In other announced main card fights, American lightweight Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0) makes his M-1 Global debut against former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (12-2-0 (M-1: 6-2-0), while Russian welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) faces Russian veteran Magomed “Ko te White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0).
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Ka taea ki te mataara i te whawhai tuatahi, me te kāri matua i te takiuru ki runga ki ki te rēhita i Viewers www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, me te i runga i te waea atamai, me papa Android me Apple.
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, Russia

“Storm” Warning! Alexander Shlemenko to headline M-1 Challenge 75

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American lightweight
Keon Caldwell added to loaded card
March 3 i roto i te Moscow, Russia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 19, 2017) – M-1 Global has announced that 2016 M-1 Grand Prix middleweight champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko hinaaro kupu matua M-1 Challenge 75 i roto i te Moscow.
It has also been announced that American lightweight Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell will make his M-1 Global debut versus former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Ka taea ki te mataara i te whawhai tuatahi, me te kāri matua i te takiuru ki runga ki ki te rēhita i Viewers www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, me te i runga i te waea atamai, me papa Android me Apple.
Shlemenko (54-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0), a three-time Bellator champion, patua toa M-1 Challenge mua Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (see picture above with Shlemenko on right) last year in the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship semifinals and championship final, aua, by three-round majority decision and third-round submission (kowaowaotia iho). Shlemenko vs. Vasilevsky I & II were the M-1 Challenge 68 & 64 Fights of the Night.
In a much-anticipated All-Russian middleweight showdown, Shlemenko was supposed to fight reigning M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Ramadan Emeev, who was unfortunately injured during training camp, forcing him out of that match. Vasilevsky replaced Emeev against Shlemenko in the championship final.
I roto i tona mahi whakamutunga, Shlemenko stopped Kendall Grove in the second round of their main event fight on Bellator 162 last October in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Alexander Shlemenko fighting in Russia is always a significant event,” Peresideni M-1 Global Vadim Finkelchtein mea, “as he is a true legend of Russian MMA. His fights always sellout arenas, no matter who his opponent. We all know that the story we started last year at M<-1 Grand Prix 2016 isn’t over, ano. The whole country is waiting for the fight between Russia’s two best middleweights – Alexander Shlemenko and Ramazan Emeev.
“Ramazan was injured and Shlemenko had contractual obligations with Bellator. Na, throughout the past month, we were waiting for Shlemenko to receive permission to fight in Russia. Na, we have arranged for him to fight on M-1 Challenge 75. We’ve done a great job to make this possible and now hope that, tenei wā, we will be able to complete this exciting story.”
Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), o Russia, will defend his title against an opponent to be announced, due to originally announced Kazakh challenger, hinga kore Shaukat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), withdrawing due to a knee injury.
Russian welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) faces Russian veteran Magomed “Ko te White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0) i runga i te M-1 Challenge 75 kāri.
Caldwell (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), fighting out of Georgia, is the US-based Island Fights champion. A powerful puncher who has nine knockouts in his 11 pro victories, Caldwell was supposed to compete in the 13th season of Ko te Ultimate Fighter, but he withdrew due to personal reasons. He has had several fights in World Series of Fighting.
A Ukrainian fighting out of Moscow, Divnich captured the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title in 2014 i M-1 Challenge 54, ka tu Dzhambulat Kurbanov in the third round on punches in the Fight of the Night. I roto i te 2015, Divnich lost his first title defense by third-round knockout to Mansour Barnaoui i M-1 Challenge 57. I roto i tona whawhai whakamutunga, Artiom Damkovsky knocked out Divnich with a kick in the second-round of their fight this past September at M-1 Challenge 70.
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Russia

M-1 Challenge lightweight title fight Butenko vs. Yandiev added to M-1 Challenge 74

Waiho he tākupu
February 18 i roto i te St. Petersburg, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 16, 2017) – M-1 Global has announced that M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko will take on challenger Abukar Yandiev (8-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0) i roto i te M-1 Challenge 74 co-feature on February 18, i roto i te St. Petersburg, Russia.
The previously announced main event pits undefeated M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusupov (6-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), o Russia, defends his title against former titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), o Germany.
M-1 Challenge 74 Ka rere ora i St. Petersburg i roto i te tautuhinga teitei i runga i www.M1Global.TV. Ka taea ki te mataara i te whawhai tuatahi, me te kāri matua i te takiuru ki runga ki ki te rēhita i Viewers www.M1Global.TV. Kia mataara katoa o te mahi pā i runga i to ratou rorohiko, me te i runga i te waea atamai, me papa Android me Apple.
Also announced is a fight between top bantamweights Vitaly Branchuk aMoktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci will also be in action with the winner positioning himself for a potential title shot with M-1 Challenge bantamweight championPavel Vitruk in the not-too-distant future.
A strong Ukrainian with superior wrestling skills, Butenko (42-11-2, M-1: 9-1-0) is an eight-year MMA veteran who has found a welcomed home in M-1 Challenge competition and he has taken advantage of the opportunity. Riding a six-fight win streak, the 29-year-old Butenko captured the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title belt last June at M-1 Challenge 67, when he took a five-round unanimous decision over Artiom Damkovsky.
I roto i tona mahi whakamutunga, i M-1 Challenge 71 i roto i te nuku, Butenko won a unanimous three-round decision against Rubenilton Pereira in a non-title fight.
Butenko’s first title defense will be against one of the most popular MMA fighters in Russia, the fighting powerhouse Yandiev, who also is a strong wrestler, plus a solid Judo background. The rising lightweight star will be a certain fan favor because of his nationality as well as his style of fighting, resulting in first-round endings in all his pro fights to date.
Last June at M-1 Challenge 68, Yandiev used an armlock for a first-round submission of Tony Christodoulou, fought at a 177 ½ lbs. catchweight.
Like Butenko, Branchuk (21-6-0, M-1: 1-2-0) also fights out of Ukraine. The 25-year-old fighter is a former M-1 Challenge bantamweight title challenger, who was riding an eight-fight into his last fight, in which he lost by fourth-round submission (kowaowaotia iho) to the aforementioned Vitruk (see accompanying picture to left). In M-1 Challenge competition, Branchuk defeated Antun Racicone year ago, by way of a three-round split decision at M-1 Challenge 64.
Benkaci (13-7-0, (M-1: 2-1-0) is a grappling specialist from France. Known and highly respected for his great conditioning and endurance, he lost a disputed three-round decision in his M-1 Challenge debut to Nikita Chistyakov 1-½ years ago, but the talented Frenchman bounced back to knockout his last two opponents, Vadim Malygin aAlexey Naumov, aua, by knee and punch.
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M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Russia

Injured Shavkat Rakhmonov pulls out of Welterweight title fight vs. Alexey Kunchenko

Waiho he tākupu

 

M-1 Challenge 75, March 3 i roto i te Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 9, 2017) – A serious knee injury requiring surgery has forced undefeated Kazakhstan challenger Shaukat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) to withdraw from his first title fight, March 3 against unbeaten M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), o Russia, i M-1 Challenge 75 i roto i te Moscow.
“I wanted this fight badly and put a lot of effort into preparation for it,” a dejected Rakhmonov explained. “Kia aroha mai, I tore ligaments in my knee and, based on my medical exam, I will need surgery soon. I apologize to all the MMA fans who were anticipating this fight. I’ll do my best to return stronger than ever.”
Welterweight amanaki Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) takes on Russian veteran Magomed “Ko te White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0) i runga i te M-1 Challenge 75 kāri.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Ka taea ki te mataara i te whawhai tuatahi, me te kāri matua i te takiuru ki runga ki ki te rēhita i Viewers www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, me te i runga i te waea atamai, me papa Android me Apple.
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, Russia

Sergey Romanov preparing to ruin Magomed Sultanakhmedov’s comeback party

Waiho he tākupu
M-1 Challenge 75, March 3 i roto i te Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 5, 2017) – Hot welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov is training hard to ruin the comeback of Russian veteran Magomed “Ko te White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov in an interesting match-up March 3 i M-1 Challenge 75 i roto i te Russia.

Te M-1 Challenge 75 hui matua, featuring a battle of undefeated welterweights between defending champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), o Russia, takes on Kazakhstan challenger Shaukat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0),was previously announced.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Ka taea ki te mataara i te whawhai tuatahi, me te kāri matua i te takiuru ki runga ki ki te rēhita i Viewers www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, me te i runga i te waea atamai, me papa Android me Apple.
Due to a series of injuries, Sulktanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0) has been inactive for the past five years, since he knocked out Tyson Jeffries in the second round of their 2011 whawhai i M-1 Challenge 24.
A former M-1 Selection champion, Sultanakhmedov is dropping down one weight class from middleweight to fight Romanov. During his MMA career, feared striker Sultanakhmedov has knocked out the likes of Dmitri Samoilov, Victor Nemkov, Pavel Kusch a Pliinio Cruz, i roto i te atu atu rangatira.
His tremendous flair and style makes him a fan favorite, especially his “one-shoot, one-kill” attack. The 32-year-old has fought outside of his native Russia, in the United States and Japan, and during his fighting hiatus he served as referee.
Although he isn’t looking past Sultanakhmedov, fellow Russian fighter Romanov hopes that an impressive victory over Sultankhmedov will position him for his first M-1 Challenge title shot against the Kunchenkp-Rakhmonov winner.
Romanov has had impressive victories in M-1 Challenge competition, including a decision over against Brazilian foe Carlos Pereira last October at M-1 Challenge 71, as well as a first-round stoppage via punches of Andreas Birgels this past June at M-1 Challenge 68.
“I’ve been working on my strength,” Romanov said from his training camp, “because the champion in my weight class, Alexey Kunchenko, is physically strong. I need to catch up. Not that I’m looking forward to a title fight, but I always have grandiose plans, na, we’ll see how that goes. Tika i teie nei, I’m focused on Sultanakhmedov, and I think my fight with him would be no harder than a possible fight with Kunchenko.
“I started training camp with two workouts a day, but I felt sick and decided to cutback to only one workout a day until I soon return to full mode. I’ve been training at home (St. Petersburg) but will soon go to Ryazan to wrestling training camp. Na, I will go back to St. Petersburg to prepare at camp, and go to Borovaya for boxing. My opponent is left-handed, so I need appropriate sparring partners, but the guys in my camp are a great help.
“I know my opponent well having watched his fights as a youngster when he was champion. Na, we need to reevaluate him. He was a good fighter who trains at ‘Gorets’ where there is, in principle, guys there who are top level. It’s difficult to say what form he has now because he hasn’t fought in so long. Na, he is at the peak age for a fighter, 32, so we’ll see. I don’t think I’ll be favored in this fight, but I will go forward despite being the underdog.”
Romanov (R) is a solid all-around MMA fighter
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia