Tag Archives: Luigi Fioravanti

 M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 Results: Kharitonov stops Garner in 1st round

M-1 Global Prsidet Vadim Finkelchtein congratulates Sergie Kharitonov

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN (July 4, 2015) – For the second time in less than eight months, Russian striker Sergei “Paratrooper” Kharitonov defeated former M-1 Challenge champion Kenny Garner in a Heavyweight SuperFight, stopping the dangerous American in the opening round this past Fridaynight in M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 main event in Astana, Kazakhstan.

 

Kharitonov (23-5-0, 13 KO/TKO, 9 SUB) defeated Garner at the 4:11 mark of the first round via punches, setting the stage for a potential showdown with M-1 Challenge heavyweight Marcin Tybura

 

A pair of promising Kazakh prospects, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Sergey Morozov, gave their fellow countrymen in attendance plenty to cheer about. Rakhmonov (3-0-0, 1 KO/TKO 2 SUB), the 2013 WMMAA welterweight champion, locked in a guillotine choke on Polish welterweight Michael Wiencek (5-3-0, 0 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) only 49-seconds into their fight for a win by submission. In M-1 Challenge’s inaugural bantamweight fight, Morozov remained undefeated with a second-round technical knockout of the United Kingdom’s Andy “Naz” Young (6-7-0, 0 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) by way of a spinning back fist and punches.

 

In two other main event fights, American middleweight Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (26-13-0, 10 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) used a rear-naked choke to force a second-found submission of previously undefeated Sergey Kovalev ,(5-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB), while Azerbaijan heavyweight Zaur Hajibabayev (4-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) punched out Spaniard David Trallero (2-4-0, 2 KO/TKO) in round two.

 

On the preliminary card, Kazakh welterweight Rashid Dagaev (3-1-0) won a three-round unanimous decision over Daniel “The Gladiator” Tabera (18-8-3), of Spain, Russian lightweight Damir Ismagulov (4-1-0) registered a win by first-round technical knockout (punches) against Spain’s Pedro Eugenio Granjo (3-2-0), Georgian middleweight Nodar Kudikhashvili improved his record to 10-1-0 with a decision over pro-debuting Ukrainian Aleksander Boyko (0-1-0), Russian light heavyweightBatraz Agnaev (3-0-0) remained unbeaten with a first-round technical knockout (punches) of UkrainianAnton Pazenko (2-1-0), and Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (4-0-0) used a triangle choke to win by opening round decision over pro-debuting Russian Inshel Erkimbek (0-1-0).

 

Complete results and picture gallery below:

 

 

MAIN CARD

 

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPER FIGHT

Sergei Kharitonov(23-5-0), Russia              WTHO1 (Punches – 4:11)                        Kenny Garner (16-9-0), USA

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Zaur Hajibabayev (4-1-0), Azerbaijan             WTKO2 (Punches – 4:37)                    David Trallero (2-4-0), Spain

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Luigi Fioravanti (26-13-0), USA           WSUB2 (Reared Naked Choke – 1:56)      Sergey Kovalev (5-1-0), Russia

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Shavkat Rakhmonov (3-0-0), Kazakhstan   WSUB1 (Guillotine Choke – 0.49)      Michal Wiencek (5-3-0), Poland                              

 

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Sergey Morozov(6-0-0), Kazakhstan   WTKO2 (Spinning Back Fist & Punches – 3:50)    Andy Young (6-7-0), UK

 

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Batraz Agnaev (3-0-0), Russia                    WTKO1(Punches – 3:00)                    Anton Pazenko (2-1-0), Ukraine

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Nodar Kudukhashvili(10-1-0), Georgia                  WDEC3                                Aleksander Boiko (0-1-0), Ukraine

Artem Frolov (4-0-0), Russia                   WSUB1 (Triangle Choke – 1:15)             Inzhel Erkimbek (0-1-0), Russia

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Damir Ismagulov(4-1-0), Russia                   WTKO1 (Punches – 2:53)         Pedro Eugenio Granjo (3-2-0), Spain

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Rashid Dagaev (3-1-0), Kazakhstan                      WDEC3                                      Daniel Tabera (18-8-3), Spain

 

 

 

Kenny Garner & Sergei Kharitonov

 

Kharitonov (right) hammers Garner

(L-R) Shavka Rakhmonov & Michel Wiencek

Luigi Fioravanti (bottom) closes show vs. Sergey Kovalev

Zaur Hajibabayev & David Trallero

 

Sergey Morozov throws Andy Young

 

Damir Ismaguluv & Pedro Eugenio Granjo

Nodar Kudukhashvili

Batraz Agnaev (top) & Anon Pazenko

 

 

Artem Frolov & Inzel Erkimbek

Daniel Tabera & Rashid Dagaev

Fight Network Presents M-1 Challenge 59, RFA 27 LIVE this Friday, July 3

 

TORONTO (July 2, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a pair of explosive mixed martial arts events this Friday, July 3, beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET with M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 from Astana, Kazakhstan. Later, at 10 p.m. ET, Resurrection Fighting Alliance returns to primetime with RFA 27: Murphy vs. Brock from CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho.

 

Fight Network’s live broadcast of M-1 Challenge 59 will air on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, RFA 27 will air in Canada and internationally on Fight Network, while the domestic U.S. broadcast airs on AXS TV.

 

In the M-1 Challenge 59 main event, Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov (22-5) and Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-8) meet in a highly anticipated heavyweight superfight rematch. In other featured bouts, Poland’s Michal Wiencek (5-2) faces Ukraine’s Shavkat Rakhmonov (3-0) in a welterweight bout, UFC veteran Luigi Fioravanti (25-13) looks to hand Russia’s Sergey Kovalev (5-0) his first pro blemish in middleweight action, England’s Andy Young (6-6) meets Ukraine’s Sergey Morozov(3-0) in a bantamweight matchup, plus Spaniards David Trallero (2-3) and Daniel Tabera (18-7-3) will collide with Zaur Gadzhibabayev (3-1) and Rashid Dagaev (2-1), respectively.

 

In the main event of RFA 27, the first nationally televised MMA event to the state of Idaho, rising prospect and fan favorite Joe Murphy (8-2) returns to face surging veteran Jesse Brock (20-8), who is one of the most accomplished MMA fighters to call Idaho home. The co-main event will feature two of the sport’s most promising flyweight prospects when Idaho’s own Czar Sklavos (11-4) battles Jeremy Horn protégé Nick Burgos (9-3). In other action, Jan Jorgensen (7-1) throws down with JR Lugo (7-1) in heavyweight action, featherweights Daniel Swain (12-4-1) and Scott Thometz (7-4) are set to face off, Miles Hunsinger (4-0) puts his perfect record on the line against Austin Miller (3-1) in welterweight action, plus Darrell Flores (5-4) takes on Stephen Martinez (10-3) in a lightweight tilt.

 

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

 

Sergei Kharitonov: “I’m the only Russian fighter who defeated Fabricio Werdum”

 

 

M-1 Global heavyweight, PRIDE FC and Strikeforce veteran Sergei Kharitonov talks about his fighting career and upcoming rematch with Kenny “Deuce” Garner at M-1 Challenge 59, this Friday (July 3) in Astana, Kazakhstan.

 

 

Sergei, how bad did you want this rematch?

SK: “The rematch with Kenny Garner is extremely important fight for me. This fight will be held in Kazakhstan where many of my fans will come to support me. Our last fight in China didn’t go as I planned. Kenny is a dangerous fighter, though he is at an advanced age already. I did a lot to prepare myself for this fight and I hope to show a spectacular fight on July 3.”

What went wrong at your last fight with “Deuce”?

SK: “Well, Kenny showed a really impressive ground game and had almost succeeded in holding me in parter. He even tried to make a submission on me. That was a total surprise. In addition, I didn’t have a full complete training camp for that fight as I had been preparing for the kickboxing championship.  But I promised M-1 Global to fight him no matter what and I did.”

What mistakes did you make in your 1st fight with Garner?

SK: The only one: I didn’t prepare well for that fight. I’d spent too much time to prepare for my kickboxing fight and was extremely exhausted. That was a risk but I gave my word to Vadim Finkelchtein (M-1 Global president) and M-1 to fight. So, I didn’t have a choice. Now it will all be different as I’ve just completed training camp and I’m ready.”

What edge do you have over Garner?

SK: “My stand-up game is, for sure, a significant competitive edge. I used to fight in kickboxing a lot, so I’m confident in my striking. He, on the other hand, has a benefit in parter (ground game) and wrestling.”

Tell us about your training camp in Thailand?

SK: “I was training there with Alistair Overeem and other fighters from Europe and Brazil. In addition, I visited my coach in Belarus. The major part of my work was dedicated to conditioning and parter game.”

Was your training with Alistair Overeem useful for you?

SK: “That’s for sure. Overeen is a Top-10 best heavyweight in the World. So, I think training with him was good for me and that it will show in my fight with Kenny.”

Would you like to fight for the M-1 Global heavyweight title belt with Marcin Tybura?

SK: “I’d like that for sure! I don’t turn down any fight. I’m still the only Russian fighter who defeated current UFC champ Fabricio Werdum. And I have a lot of wins over noticeable fighters such as Nogueira, Overeem, Arlovski, and Rua. They are elite MMA fighters, they are champions. I’ve never turned down any fight. If M-1 offers me a fight with Marcin Tybura. I will accept that fight immediately. I would accept it right now.”

Are you thinking about calling it a career these days?

SK: “Not at all. I’m young and I think that my fighting career is only at its beginning. I’m ready for big fights!” 

 __________________________________________________________________

 

M-1 Challenge 59 will be streamed live from Kazakhstan in high definition onwww.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 59 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

 

Information:
www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

Alistair Overeem special guest at M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Narts 5

 

Kharitonov vs. Garner 2 headlines July 3 in Astana, Kazakhstan

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (June 25, 2015) – MMA star Alistair Overeem will be a special guest of M-1 Global and main event fighter Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov on July 3 at M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

 

Kharitonov (22-5-0, 12 KO/TKO, 9 SUB), who faces Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-8-0, 9 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) in their highly anticipated rematch, and Overeem are longtime training partners. In fact, the two have fought twice.   In 2006, Kharitonov dislocated his shoulder and tapped out against Overeem at PRIDE 31 in Japan. At the K-1 Hero’s Tournament 1 ½ years later, Kharitonov stopped Overeem on punches in the opening round.

 

Overeem (39-14-0, 1 NC), who was born in England and fights out of The Netherlands, fought in M-1 Global back in 2002. He forced Sergey Kaznovsky into a first-round submission via an arm-lock at M-1 MFC: Russia vs. World 3 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

 

M-1 Challenge 59 will be streamed live from Kazakhstan in high definition onwww.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 59 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

 

Information:
www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

Sergei Kharitonov vs. Kenny Garner Video Review & Preview of rematch

Headlining M-1 Challenge 59, July 3 in Astana, Kazakhstan

The Heavyweight SuperFight rematch between Russian Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov (22-5-0) and American Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-8-0) will headline the July 3rd M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 in Astana, Kazakhstan. 

 

Garner was a replacement for injured Satoshi Ishii this past November 25 against Kharitonov in Beijing. The game Garner dominated the opening round and Kharitonov took the second round. The fight was stopped in the third round an Kharitonov declared the winner due to safety concerns for the badly cut Garner.

  

M-1 Challenge 59 will be streamed live from Kazakhstan in high definition onwww.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

Information:
www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

Sergei Kharitonov-Kenny Garner rematch To headline M-1 Challenge 59 plus Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Michal Wiencek & Luigi Fioravanti vs. Sergey Kovalev July 3 in Astana, Kazakhstan 

(L) Kenny Garner and Sergei Kharitonov exchanged a lot o punches in their original atM-1 Challenge 53 in Beijing,China/

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (June 18, 2015) – The much-anticipated Heavyweight SuperFight rematch between Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov and Kenny “Deuce” Garner will headline the July 3rd M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The 6′ 4″, 260-pound Kharitonov (22-5-0, 12 KO/TKO, 9 SUB), fighting out of Moscow, was a star in the United States-based Strikeforce, as well as Japanese MMA organizations Dream and PRIDE Fighting Championships. His victims have included reigning UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum,former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski and Alistar Overeem, as well as Pedro Rizzo,among the more notables. 

Garner, fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Florida, won the inaugural M-1 Challenge interim heavyweight championship Oct. 14, 2011 atM-1 Challenge: 27, by way of a fifth-round submission (strikes) against Maxim Grishin. Garner successfully defended his title June 21, 2012 at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rizzo, when Guram Gugenishvili was unable to continue fighting in the third round after suffering an injury. 

Garner was a replacement for injured Satoshi Ishii this past November 25 against Kharitonov in Beijing. The rugged American dominated the opening round, even attempting to submit the tough Russian, who rebounded in the second round by keeping the fight in a stand-up mode. The fight was stopped in the third round with Kharitonov declared the winner due to safety concerns for Garner, who suffered serious cuts and other damage to his face and head.

  

 

M-1 Challenge 59 will be streamed live from Kazakhstan in high definition onwww.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

Promising Kazakh welterweight prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov (2-0-0, 1 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) will be showcased in his homeland against Polish foe Michal Wiencek (5-2-0, 2 SUB).

 

The 19-year-old Rakhmonov was the 2013 WMMAA welterweight champions, in addition to capturing top honors in the Asian and Kazakhstan championships. His amateur experience prepared for M-1 Challenge competition, in which he is undefeated in two fights, including his last a first-round knockout of Bartosz Chyrekthis past May 2nd at M-1 Challenge 57.

  

 

Wiencek, 21, was a winner at the Berserkers Grand Prix. In his last fight April 10 at M-1 Challenge 56, he won his M-1 Challenge debut in impressive fashion, choking outRustam Gadzhiev in the third round (see picture to the right).

 

 

 

Another interesting match has been announced as popular American middleweight Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti takes on undefeated Russian Sergey Kovalev.

 

Fiorvanti (striking on right in this picture) is coming off a decision loss this past February 21 to Nodar Kudukhashvili at M-1 Challenge 55.The Italian-American joined the U.S. Marines after graduating from high school. He started training in kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in California and Iraq while active in the military. Fioravanti holds a second-degree black belt in Pancrase Pankration. 

Kovalev (5-0-0, 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) has been out of action more than two years due to an injury. His last fight was April 9, 2013 in his M-1 Challenge debut, in which he choked Gregory Babine into submission

 

All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional fights to soon be announced.

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 59 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

 

  

Information:
www.mixfight.ruwww.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

 M-1 Challenge 55: In Memory of Guram Gugenishvili: OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 55

Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015  *  Tbilisi, Georgia

 

Smoldarev defeats Perak

Garner, Kudukhashvili, Coga, Damkovsky, Abdulkerimov other winners

Denis Smoldarev knees Maro Perak

 

 

TBILISI, Georgia (Feb. 22, 2015) – Last night’s dramatic and entertaining M-1 Challenge 55: In Memory of Guram Gugenishvilli featured just about everything except a knockout. Past M-1 Challenge heavyweight Denis Smoldarev (10-1-0), of Estonia, positioned himself for another title shot, defeating highly-regarded Croatian opponent Maro Perak (23-5-1) in the main event at the Sports Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia.

 

Coming off a loss last November to M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura at M-1 Challenge 53 in Beijing, China, Smoldarev bounced back with an impressive performance over Perak, who lost via an opening round submission by key-lock.

 

In another heavyweight match, former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner (15-8-0), fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Florida, also rebounded from a TKO loss in his last fight to Sergei Kharitonov in China, winning by second-round submission with arear-naked choke of Aslambek “Titan” Musaev (5-2-0), of Chechnya.

 

Rising middleweight star Nodar Kudukhashvili (8-1-0), a 2013 WMMAA champion, pleased his hometown fans with a three-round unanimous decision over American invader Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (25-13-0).

 

In a battle between two of the top featherweight prospects in the world, German Max Coga (11-3-0) gave previously undefeated Pavel Vitruk (12-1-0) his first loss as a professional in a great fight. Coga locked-in a rear naked choke for a third-round submission victory over the talented Ukrainian.

 

Hometown favorite Artiom Damkousky (20-9-0) won his 20th career fight in a hard fought match with a three-round unanimous decision previously unbeaten Azerbaijan lightweight Heydar Mamedaliyev (7-1-0).

In another main card fight, Georgian giant Levan “Zangrief” Razmadze (5-1-0) suffered this first loss, by way of a first-round arm-bar submission to Russian heavyweight Arsen Abdulkerimov (8-2-0).

 

In preliminary fights, Spanish middleweight Enoc Solves Torres (16-8-0) defeated Russian foe Ibragim Tibilos (7-3-0) by third-round submission, using a rear-naked choke hold; Russian light heavyweight Batraz Agnaev (2-0-0) needed only a few minutes to lock-in a rear-naked choke to force his Polish opponent, Lukasz Borowski (3-3-0, into a first-round submission; Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (3-0-0) used a first-round rear-naked choke to submitArtur Oddilobekov (2-4-0), of Tajikistan; and local lightweight Raul Tutarauli (3-1-0), of Georgia, opened the show with a third-round submission (rear naked choke) of Russian Artur Aliev (1-1-1). In swing bouts held after the main event, featherweights Kurbanali Abdusalamov (4-2-0), of Russia, and Georgian pro-debuting Soso Nizharadze (1-0-0) won unanimous three-round decision over, respectively, Archil Tasziashvili (0-2-0), of Georgia, and Russian Shamil libekov (1-1-0).

Complete results and picture gallery below:

 

 

MAIN CARD

 

HEAVYWEIGHT:

Denis Smoldarev (10-1-0), Estonia             WSUB1 (Key-lock)                    Maro Perak (23-5-1), Croatia

 

Kenny Garner (15-8-0), USA      WSUB2 (Rear Naked Choke – 2:50) Aslambek Musaev (5-2-0), Chechnya

 

Arsen Abdulkerimov (8-2-0), Russia        WSUB1 (Armbar – 3:58)          Levan Razmadze (5-1-0), Georgia

MIDDLEWEIGHTS:

Nodar Kudukhashvili (8-1-0), Georgia              WDEC3               Luigi Fioravanti (25-13-0), United States

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS:

Artiom Damkovsky (20-9-0), Belarus               WDEC3               Heydar Mamedaliyev (7-1-0), Azerbaijan

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS:

Max Coga (11-3-0), Germany       WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke – 2:36)      Pavel Vitruk (12-0-0),  Ukraine

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS:

Batraz Agnaev (2-0-0), Russia       WSUB1 (Rear Naked Choke – 2:09)     Lukasz Borowski (3-3-0), Poland

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS:

Enoc Solves Torres (16-8-0), Spain  WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke – 1:35)      Ibragim Tibilos (7-3-0), Russia

 

Artem Frolov (3-0-0), Russia   WSUB 1 (Rear Naked Choke – 2:09)   Artur Oddilobekov (2-4-0), Tajikistan

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS:

Raul Tutarauli (3-1-0), Georgia       WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke – 1:45)            Artur Aliev (1-1-0), Russia

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS:

Soso Nizharadze (1-0-0), Georgia                           WDEC3                                 Shamil Alibekov (1-1-0), Russia

Kurbanali Abdusalamov (4-2-0), Russia              WDEC3                       Archil Taziashvili (0-2-0), Georgia

 

 

 

Denis Smoldarev and Maro Perak exchange punches

 

 

Denis Smoldarev & Maro Perak

 

 

Kenny Garner has top position against Aslambek Musaev

 

 

Kenny Garner – Aslambek Museav

  

Kenny Garner celebrates

Max Coga connects with Pavel Vitruk

Man Coga defeats Pavel Vitruk

Msx Coga

Kurbanali Abdusalamov & Archil  Tasziashvili

 

 

Batraz Agnaev & Lukasz Borowski

 

Enoc Solves Torres chokes out Ibragim Tibilos

  

Heydar Mamedaliyev & Artiom Damkowvky

Levan Razmadze & Arsen Abdulkerimov

 

Upcoming M-1 Global Events: Apr. 10, 2015, M-1 Challenge 56 in Moscow, Russia; May 2, 2015, M-1 Challenge 57 in Orenburg, Russia.

 

Information

www.mixfight.ruwww.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

www.M-1Global.com

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1Global

@VFinkelchtein

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and matchups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

 

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

M-1 Challenge 55: Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

WATCH LIVE ON M-1GLOBAL.TV

MAIN CARD

 

(L-R) – Maro Perek, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Denis Smoldarev

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MARO PERAK (23-4-1), Croatia, 216 lbs. (98.1 kg)

DENIS SMOLDAREV (9-1-0), Estonia, 266 ½ lbs. (121 kg)

 

(L-R) — Kenny Garner, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Aslambek Musaev

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

KENNY “Deuce” GARNER (14-8-0), United States, 263 lbs. (119.5 kg)

ASLAMBEK “Titan” MUSAEV (5-1-0), Chechnya, 211 lbs. (95.8 kg)

 

(L-R) – Luigi Fioravanti, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Nodar Kudukhashvili

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

NODAR KUDUKHASHVILI (7-1-0), Georgia, 182 ½ lbs. (82.9 kg)

LUIGI “The Italian Tank” FIORAVANTI (25-12-0), United States, 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)

 

(L-R) – Max Coga, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Pavel Vitruk

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

PAVEL VITRUK (12-0-0), Ukraine, 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)                                    

MAX COGA (10-3-0), Germany, 144 ½ lbs. (65.5 kg)

 

(L-R) – Arsen Abdulkerimov, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Levan Razmadze

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

LEVAN “Zangrief” RAZMADZE (5-0-0), Georgia, 275 lbs. (124.9 kg)

ARSEN ABDULKERIMOV (7-2-0), Russia, 250 lbs. (113.6 kg)

 

Heydar Mamedaliyev, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Artiom Damkovsky

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ARTIOM DAMKOVSKY (19-0-0), Belarus, 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)

HEYDAR MAMEDALIYEV (7-0-0), Azerbaijan, 157 lbs. (71.3 kg)

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ENOC SOLVES TORRES (15-8-0), Spain *

IBRAGIM TIBILOS (7-2-0), Russia *

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

(L-R) – Raul Tutarauli, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Artur Aliev

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ARTUR ALIEV (1-0-0 ), Russia, 153 lbs. (69.7 kg)
RAUL TUTARAULI (2-1-0), Georgia, 155 lbs. (70.4 kg)

 

(L-R) – Shamil Alibekov, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Soso Nizhardaze

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

SHAMIL ALIBEKOV (1-0-0 ), Russia, 142 ½ lbs. (64.8 kg)

SOSO NIZHARADZE (pro debut), Georgia, 142 ½ lbs. (64.8 kg) 

(L-R) – Batraz Agnaev, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Lukasz Borowski

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

LUKASZ BOROWSKI (3-2-0), Poland, 200 ½ lbs. (91.1 kg)

BATRAZ AGNAEV (1-0-0), Russia, 204 lbs. (92.6 kg)

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ARTEM FROLOV (2-0-0), Russia, 183 ½ lbs. (83.4 kg)

ARTUR ODDILOBEKOV (2-3-0), Tajikistan *

 

(L-R) – Kurbananali Abdusalamov, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Archil Taziashvili

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

KURBANANALI ABDUSALAMOV (3-2-0), Russia, 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

ARCHIL TAZIASHVILI (0-1-0), Georgia, 143 lbs. (65.1 kg)

 

*Fighters hadn’t arrived yet in Tbilisi due to bad weather

 

WHAT:             M-1 Challenge 55: Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show

 

WHEN:             Saturday, February 21, 2015

                        10:00 a.m. (New York City), 6:00 p.m. (Moscow)

 

WHERE:           Tbilisi, Georgia 1:30

 

PROMOTER:     M-1 Global

 

LIVE STREAM:  WWW.M1GLOBAL.TV

 

M-1 Challenge 55 will be streamed live from Georgia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the fights by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV.Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may also watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets. The entire card will also be broadcast live, starting at 10:00 a.m. ET, on Fight Network viaCablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, and on Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

Denis Smoldarev

 

Former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner

 

(L-R) – M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Kenny “Deuce” Garner

 

Information

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

www.M-1Global.com

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1Global

@VadimFinkelchtein

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and matchups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

 

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

Super weekend of MMA & Kickboxing Action on Fight Network

 

NEW YORK/TORONTO (Feb. 18, 2015) – A super weekend of mixed-martial-arts and kickboxing action is on tap this weekend on Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including live airings of M-1 Challenge 55 and KSW 30: Genesis, as well as pre and post-fight coverage of UFC Fight Night 61: Bigfoot vs. Mir.

 

Denis Smoldarev

 

M-1 Challenge kicks things off Saturday morning (Feb. 21) at 10 a.m. from Tbilisi, Georgia. The main event pits past M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Denis Smoldarev (9-1-0), known as the Brock Lesnar of Estonia, against Maro Perak (23-4-1). Former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner (14-8-0), fighting out Port St. Lucie, Florida, takes on Chechnya prospect Aslambek “Titan” Musaev (5-1-0).

 

Also fighting on M-1 Challenge 55 is 20013 WMMA champion and hometown favorite Nodar Kudukhashvili (7-1-0) vs. American middleweight Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (25-12-0) and undefeated Ukrainian featherweight contender Pavel Vitruk (12-0-0) vs. Germany’s Max Coga (10-3-0), as well as unbeaten lightweights Artiom Damkousky (19-0-0), of Belarus, vs. Azerbaijan challenger Heydar Mamedaliyev (7-0-0).

 

The MMA action continues on Fight Network at 1 p.m. ET with the live airing of KSW 30: Genesis from Posnan, Poland. Welterweights take the spotlight as hometown hero “The Tasmanian Devil” Borys Mankowski (16-5-1) faces Russian foe Michail “The Lonely Wolf” Tsarev (29-4-0) in the main event. In the co-feature, Rafal Moks (10-6-0) meets Aslambek Saidov (15-4-0) in a battle of Polish fighters.

 

Saturday night’s exciting programming on Fight Network continues at 5 p.m. ET with the showing of Ring of Combat 47 from January 24, 2014 in Atlantic City, NJ, featuring American lightweights Chris Wade vs. Pat Defranco and Frankie Perezvs. Mike Santiago.

 

Fight Network’s highly acclaimed news shows, Fight News Now: MMA Edition andFight News Now Extra, respectively, follow at 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. ET.

 

Final Fight Championship: Futures 1 MMA, from April 1, 2014 in Croatia, commences and 9:00 p.m. ET the furious action concludes with Final Fight Championship: Futures 1 Kickboxing, starting at 11 p.m. ET, from March 2, 2014 in Croatia.

 

The UFC takes center stage Sunday on Fight Network. A live pre-fight show for UFC Fight Night 61: Bigfoot vs. Mir begins at 5:00 p.m. with a live post-fight show airing at11:30 p.m. ET with highlights and the live press conference.

 

Brazilian heavyweight Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (18-6-0) fights at home in the UFC Fight Night 61 main event against former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir (16-9-0), fighting out of Las Vegas.

 

 

Information:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK:  Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada and available on all major carriers in Canada, streaming live on website KlowdTV.com, and in more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East

M-1 Challenge 55 card getting stacked; Fioravanti vs. Kudukhashvili & Vitruk vs. Coga added

Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show, Feb. 21 in Tbilisi, Georgia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Jan. 21, 2015) – M-1 Global’s 2015 season-opening event, M-1 Challenge 55: Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show, is gradually developing into an exciting, stacked event on February 21 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

 

The latest fights to be added to M-1 Challenge 55, dedicated to the memory of the first M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion, Guran Gugenishvili, is an intriguing middleweight clash between American invader Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti and Georgian favorite Nodar Kudukhashvili, along with undefeated featherweight prospect Pavel Vitruk taking on upset-minded Max Coga.

 

Last week, M-1 Global announced two heavyweight fights for M-1 Challenge 55: past M-1 Challenge title challenger Denis Smoldarev (9-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), of Estonia, vs. Croatian challenger Maro Perak (23-4-1, 12 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), as well as former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner (14-8-0, 7 KO/TKO, 3 SUB), of America, vs. Chechen prospect Aslambek “Titan” Musaev (5-1-0, 1 KO/TKO, 2 SUB).

 

M-1 Challenge 55 will be streamed live in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

Fioravanti (25-12-0, 10 KO/TKO, 6 SUB), fighting out of Florida, is coming off of an impressive first-round stoppage (punches) of
Ruslan Khaskhanov this past December at
M-1 Challenge 54 & ACB 12. He recently signed a new promotional contract with M-1 Global.

 

The 33-year-old Italian-American joined the U.S. Marines after graduating from high school. He started training in kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in California and Iraq while active in the military. Fioravanti, who holds a second-degree black belt in Pancrase Pankration, has won three of his last four fights

 

Kudukhashvili (7-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 3 SUB) is considered one of the strongest of a new generation of Georgian MMA fighters. In 2013, he won the WMMAA championships, defeating Russian champion Shamil Abdulaev in the final competition.

 

In eight professional MMA fights to date, Kudukhashvili has lost only once, by third-round decision to Jamaican-born Uriah “Prime Time” Hall, winner of the The Ultimate Fighter 17. Kudukhashvili will be making his M-1 Global debut against Fioravanti.

 

The 24-year-old Vitruk (12-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) , fighting out of Ukraine, is a rising M-1 Challenge star with a perfect 5-0 record in M-1 Challenge competition dating back to 2013 at M-1 Challenge: Fedor vs. Rizzo. Considered one of the best featherweight prospects in the MMA world today, Vitruk was 2-0 last year, defeating a pair of Brazilians challengers, Rafael Miranda (KO/TKO1 – punches) at M-1 Challenge 53 and Clayton Santos (SUB1 – punches) at M-1 Challenge 46.

Training out of the famed Alexander Nevsky Club in St. Petersburg, Russia, Vitruk has his sights firmly set on M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger, who is a Team MMA Spirit stablemate of Coga.

 

A lightweight champion at home in Germany, Coga will be in fighting in his second M-1 Challenge event having lost last May by first-round knockout (kick) to lightweight contenderMax Divnich at M-1 Challenge 47.

 

The loss to Divnich resulted in a Team Coga decision for him to drop down one weight division to featherweight. In his last action, Coga bounced back strong with an impressive victory in his featherweight debut this past November at Fair FC 2, stopping previously undefeated (5-0-0 pro, 4-0-0 amateur records) Gabriel Sobo in the third round.

 

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 55 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.