Tag Archives: Rashid Yusupov

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abukar Yandiev destroys Alexander Butenko
To become new M-1 Challenge lightweight champion
M-1 CHALLENGE 74 OFFICIAL RESULTS
 
 

 
Yusupov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), fighting out of 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-), of 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 of the first round.


 

 
Kazakhstan-native Damir Ismagulov (10-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), fighting out of 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, respectively, over Brazilian Erivan “Negao” Pereira (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.
On the preliminary card, Swiss welterweight Pablo Ortman (7-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) remained undefeated with a first-round submission win (triangle choke) 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) submitted (rear naked choke) Russian Payzula Magomedov (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0) in the third round, 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) by way of a second-round submission (triangle choke), 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) in the third round.

Complete results and picture gallery below:

 
 
 
MAIN CARD
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 (punches – 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 – (punches — 1:31)
Morgam Heraud (6-6-0, M-1: 0-1-0), France
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Artiom Damkovsky (23-10-0, M-1: 13-7-0), Belarus
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 (guillotine choke – 1:59)
Artur Tulparova (1-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia
PRELIMINARY CARD
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 (triangle choke – 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 (rear naked choke – 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 (triangle choke – 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 (punches – 0:45)
Denes Carvalho (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil

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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18 in 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.
In the main event, undefeated M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusupov (6-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), of Russia, defends his title against former titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), of Germany.
M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko (42-11-2, M-1: 9-1-0) faces challenger Abukar Yandiev (8-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0) in theM-1 Challenge 74 co-feature.
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.
Light heavyweight 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 will be streamed live from St. Petersburg 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 Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
Also fighting on the M-1 Challenge 74 main card, 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), of 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), of Belarus, vs. undefeatedBrazilian Pablo “Negao” Pereira (7-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), and Ukrainian welterweight Vyacheslav “Bison” Bogomol (9-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) vs. unbeatenPablo Ortmann (6-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Switzerland.
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M-1 Challenge lightweight title fight Butenko vs. Yandiev added to M-1 Challenge 74

February 18 in 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) in the M-1 Challenge 74 co-feature on February 18, in 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), of Russia, defends his title against former titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), of Germany.
M-1 Challenge 74 will be streamed live from St. Petersburg 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 Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
Also announced is a fight between top bantamweights Vitaly Branchuk andMoktar “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.
In his last action, at M-1 Challenge 71 in October, 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 (choke) 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 andAlexey Naumov, respectively, by knee and punch.
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M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion  Rashid Yusupov vs. Stephan Puetz to headline  M-1 Challenge 74

February 18 in St. Petersburg, Russia
 

(L-R) – Rashid Yusupov and Stephan Puetz
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (December 6, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced a blockbuster match-up to kick-off its 2017 season as undefeated M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusupov takes on former titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz in the M-1 Challenge 74 main event, February 18, in St. Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 74 will be streamed live from St. Petersburg 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 Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
The 24-year-old Yusupov (6-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), fighting out of Dagestan, Russia, will be making his first title defense having captured his coveted belt this past May at M-1 Challenge 66, by way of a 5-round unanimous decision over defending champion Viktor Nemkov.
Yusupov (2 KO/TKO, 1 SUB), representing Gorets fight club (Highlander), has three other victories in M-1 Challenge competition over Martin Zawada (DEC3), Mitry Madvedev (KO/TKO1 – Punch) and Charles Andrade (DEC3).
Puetz, 29, has won six of seven M-1 Challenge fights going into fifth title fight.  The talented German (5 KO/TKO, 5 SUB) from Team Spirit burst upon the M-1 Global scene 2 ½ years ago, at M-1 Challenge 46, when he challenged M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Nemkov that ended in a 5-round split decision in favor of the new champion, Puetz.
Puetz successfully defended his title, in order, against Luis Fernando(SUB2 – Choke) and Valery Myasnikov (KO2 – Punches), followed with a Super Fight knockout (nose injury) of M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura in the third round of their May 2, 2015 non-title fight at M-1 Challenge 72.  Puetz then lost his title to Nemkov by way of a 5-round majority decision in the M-1 Challenge 63 Fight of the Night.
To get back into title contention, Puetz  won his last two fights against Andrey Seledtsov (DEC3) and Marcus Vinicius (SUB3 – Choke) this past October at M-1 Challenge 71.
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M-1 CHALLENGE 71 RESULTS

Nemkov decisions Vegh
Vitruk 1st M-1 Challenge bantamweight champion
Puetz, Romanov & Butenko winners
INGUSHETIA, Russia (October 22, 2016) – Former two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov put himself in position for another title shot and Pavel Vitruk became the first M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Champion at last night’s entertaining M-1 Challenge 71 in Ingushetia, Russia.
Kazakhstan-native Nemkov (24-6-0, M-1: 17-5-0), fighting out of Stary Oskol, Russia, won a three-round unanimous decision from former Bellator champion Attila “Pumukli” Vegh(29-8-2, M-1: 0-2-0), of Slovakia, in the main event.
Nemkov (L) had too much for Vegh
Fighting in the inaugural M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Championship, Russian fighter Vitruk (14-2-0, M-1: 8-2-0) defeated Vitali Branchuk (21-6-0, M-1: 1-2-0), of Ukraine, by way of a fourth-round submission.
Vitruk forced Branchuk into submission
Russian welterweight Sergey Romanov (9-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) took a three-round unanimous decision from Carlos Alexandre “Indio” Pereira (37-11-1, M-1: 1-1-0), of Brazil, while M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander Butenko (42-11-2, M-1: 9-1-0) decisioned Brazilian foe Rubenilton “Rubinkho” Pereira (16-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) in a non-title fight contested at a 160-pound catrchweight.
Former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), of Germany, also put himself in position for another title fight, possibly against his arch-rival Nemkov, by forcing Brazilian Marcus Vinicius “Mountan” Lopes (9-2-0, M-1: 1-1-0) into submission via a rear naked choke in the third round.
 
Official Results & photo gallery below:
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Viktor Nemkov (24-6-0, M-1: 17-5-0), Russia
WDEC3
Attila Vegh (29-8-2, M-1: 0-2-0), Slovakia
Stephan Puetz (15-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), Germany
WSUB3
Marcus Vinicius Lopes (9-2-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Brazil
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Pavel Vitruk (14-2-0, M-1: 8-2-0), Russia
WDUB4
Vitali Branchuk (21-6-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Ukraine
(Vitruk won vacant M-1 Challenge bantamweight title)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Sergey Romanov (9-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Carlos Alexandre Pereira (37-12-1 (M-1: 1-1-0), Brazil
CATCHWEIGHT (160 lbs.)
Alexander Butenko (42-11-2, M-1: 9-1-0), Ukraine
WDEC3
Rubenilton Pereira (16-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
Puetz (R) domianted Lopes
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Nov. 18 – M-1 Challenge 72:  Kunchenko vs. Abdulaev in Moscow, Russia
Dec. 9 – M-1 Challenge 73: Emeev vs. Tokov in Ingushetia, Russia
  
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M-1 Challenge 71 weights & pictures from Russia

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
VIKTOR NEMKOV (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0), Russia  205 lbs. (93.1 kg)
vs.
ATTILA “Pumukli” VEGH (29-7-2, M-1: 0-1-0), Slovakia 204 lbs. (92.7 kg)

 
STEPHAN “T-800” PUETZ (14-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0) 205 lbs. (93.2 kg)
vs.
MARCUS VINICIUS “Montanha” LOPES (9-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Brazil 204 lbs. (92.7 kg)
VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE BANTWMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
PAVEL VITRUK (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), Russia 134 ½ lbs. (61.2 kg)
vs.
VITALI BRANCHUK (21-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Ukraine 134 lbs. (61 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
SERGEY ROMANOV (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia 176 lbs. (79.9  kg)
vs.
CARLOS ALEXANDRE “Indio” PEREIRA (37-11-1 (M-1: 1-0-0), Brazil 175 lbs. (79.5 kg)
CATCHWEIGHT – 3 X 5
ALEXANDER BUTENKO (41-11-2, M-1: 8-1-0), Ukraine 160 ½ lbs. (73 kg)
vs.
RUBENILTON “Rubinkho” PEREIRA (16-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 160 lbs. (72.9 kg)
WHEN:                       Friday, October 21, 2016
WHERE:                     Ingushetia, Russia
 
PROMOTER:              M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (11.00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT in USA) 
         
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Stars out for M-1 Challenge 71

Sergey Romanov vs. Carlos Alexandre Pereira
Stephan Puetz vs. Marcus Vinicius Lopes
Alexander Butenko vs. Rubenilton Pereira
Added to loaded main card
October 21 in Saint Petersburg, Russia
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (October 3, 2016) – M-1 Global stars will be out Friday, October 21, for M-1 Challenge 71 as two new intriguing bouts have been added to an already loaded main card in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Russian welterweight Sergey Romanov will take on Brazilian fighter Carlos Alexandre “Indio” Pereira, former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz, of Germany, faces Brazilian opponent Marcus Vinicius “Montanha” Lopes, and M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexander Butenko meets Brazilian Rubenilton “Rubinkho” Pereira in a non-title bout..

The inaugural M-1 Challenge bantamweight championship match between Pavel Vitruk(13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) and Vitali Branchuk (21-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), as well as a light heavyweight showdown featuring 2-time former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight Viktor Nemkov (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0) and Attila “Pumukli” Vegh (29-7-2, M-1: 0-1-0), were previously announced by M-1 Global.

M-1 Challenge 71 will be streamed live from Russia 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 Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

Romanov (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0) is riding a seven-fight win streak, including a pair of victories at M-1 Challenge 68 over Andreas Birgels by way of an opening-round knockout (punches), which was exactly the same way Romanov finished off Sergio de Fatimaat M-1 Challenge 65.

Sergey Romanov has position vs. Sergio de Fatima

Pereira (37-11-1, M-1: 1-0-0) made an impressive M-1 debut a year ago at M-1 Challenge 61, defeating Ruslan Zhemukov in the first round with the Submission of the Night. The large majority of his fights have been held in Brazil against his fellow countrymen.

Carlos Alexandre Pereira forced Ruslan Zhemukov to submit

Puetz (14-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0) captured the covered M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title in 2014, when he defeated defending champion Nemkov by way of a five-round split decision. The gifted German successfully defended his title belt twice against Luis Fernando Miranda (SUB2 – choke) at M-1 Challenge 50 and Valery Myasnikov(KO/TKO2 – punches) at M-1 Challenge 54. Puetz followed up with a third-round stoppage of then-M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura in a non-title fight at M-1 Challenge 57.

Puetz lost his M-1 Challenge title belt to Nemkov by way of a five-round majority decision at M-1 Challenge 63 in the Fight of the Night. In his last action this past May at M-1 Challenge 66, Puetz won a hard fought three-round unanimous decision over Andrey Seledtsov in another Fight of the Night.

Stephan Puetz (R) and Viktor Nemkov have had two bloody wars

Lopes (10-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) also had an impressive M-1 debut at M-1 Challenge 69 this past July, in which he took a three-round unanimous decision from Kurban Ibragimov. It marked Lopes’ only pro fight outside of his native Brazil.

Marcus Vinicius Lopes unleashed a devastating kick here

Butenko (41-22-1, M-1: 8-1-0), fighting out of Ukraine, captured his M-1 Challenge welterweight crown in his last fight, taking a five-round unanimous decision from Artiom Damkovsky for the vacant title this past June at M-1 Challenge 67.

Butenko’s (R) title will not be on the line at M-1 Challenge 71 vs. Pereira

Pereira (16-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0) will be making his M-1 debut. He is a champion in Brazil, holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and will be fighting professionally for the first time outside of his native Brazil.

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M-1 Challenge 71  Viktor Nemkov vs. Attila Vegh

October 21 in Saint Petersburg, Russia
 

Two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov (L) returns Oct. 21 in M-1 Challenge 71 against former Bellator champion Attila Vegh
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 21, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced M-1 Challenge 71, featuring world-class light heavyweights Viktor Nemkov and Attila “Pumukli” Vegh in a light heavyweight showdown, will be held Friday, October 21, at Saint Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 71 will be streamed live from Russia 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 Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
A native of Kazakhstan fighting out of famed Stary Oskol, Russia, Nevkov (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0) is a former two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion.  He first captured the coveted belt nearly three years ago, when he defeated Vasily Babich by way of a second-round submission (arm-lock) for the vacant title.
 
Last December, Nevkov became a two-time M-1 Challenge champion, defeating German Stephan Puetz by majority decision in the M-1 Challenge 63 Fight of the Night.  In his first defense this past May at M-1 Challenge 66, Nemkov lost a split decision to reigning champion Rashid Yusupov.
 
Vegh, fighting out of Slovakia, is a former Bellator champion.  In his M-1 Global debut last June at M-1 Challenge 68, Vegh was stopped in the opening round of his title challenge on punches to M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov.  
 
 Attila Vegh (R) is out to make his mark in M-1 Challenge competition
 
Additional M-1 Challenge 71 fights will soon be announced.
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M-1 Challenge 66 Viktor Nemkov vs. Rashid Yusopov M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Championship May 27, 2016 * Orenburg City, Russia


Presents
 
Yusopov upsets Nemkov to become new
M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion
 
Puetz decisions Seledtsov
M-1 CHALLENGE 66 OFFICIAL RESULTS
New M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusopov
ORENBURG CITY, Russia (May 28, 2016) – Last night’s M-1 Challenge 66 event had its share of upsets, leading with a main event split decision victory by Rashid Yusopov over defending M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov, in Orenburg City, Russia.
Former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz took a unanimous 3-round decision from Andrey Seledtsov in the co-feature.
Russian challenger Yusopov (7-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0) won a hard fought 5-round split decision over defending champion Nemkov (23-6-0, M-1: 14-5-0), fighting out of Russia by way of Kazakhstan, who was making his initial title defense.
Nemkov had captured the coveted M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title this past December, taking a 5-round decision from defending champion Puetz, who had won a 5-round split decision April, 2014 against Nemkov for the title.  Nemkov is a two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion having defeated Vasily Babich (WSUB3 – arm-lock) for the vacant title that he then lost in his first title defense to Puetz.
 
The 23-year-old Yusupov was riding a 4-fight win streak going into his fight with Nemkov.  A former Russian, European and World Amateur MMA champion, Yusupov is known as a dangerous striker whose signature moves are powerful kicks.
Puetz vs. Seledtsov was billed as “Terminator” vs. “Spetsnev” and it lived up to its name as Puetz won a unanimous 3-round decision.   Puetz, of Germany, had successfully defended his M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title twice, after beating Nemkov in their original championship match, against Luis Fernando Miranda (SUB2 – choke) August 15, 2014 atM-1 Challenge 50, and Valery Myasnikov (KO/TKO2 – punches) December 17, 2014 atM-1 Challenge 54. In a non-title fight this past May, Puetz stopped then-M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura in the third round due to a severely damaged broken nose.
Seledtsov, 28, is a former Spetsnev solider known for his powerful boxing, combat samba and MMA background.  A local White-Rex promotion champion, the Russian was making his M-1 Global debut.
 
In other M-1 Challenge 66 fights, Damir Ismagulov (7-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0) stopped Georgian lightweight Raul Tutarauli (6-3-0, M-1: 3-1-1) near the end of the third round on punches, American bantamweight Josh “The Finisher” Rettinghouse (13-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) made an impressive M-1 Global debut when the doctor stopped his fight against BelarussianVadim Zhlobich (4-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) in the opening round, Timur Nagibin (8-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) won a 3-round decision over fellow Russian countryman Mikhail Korobkov (9-1-1, M-1: 0-1-1), and Russian featherweight Movsar Evloev (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0) punched outAlexander Krupemkin (1-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), fighting out of Ukraine.
Complete results & photo gallery below:
 
MAIN CARD
M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
RASHID YUSOPOV (7-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
WDEC5
VIKTOR NEMKOV (23-6-0, M-1: 14-5-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan
(Yusopov M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
STEPHAN PUETZ (14-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Germany
WDEC3
ANDREY SELEDTSOV (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
DAMIR ISMAGULOV (7-2-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan
WKO/TKO3 (Punches – 3:49)
RAUL TUTARAULI (6-3-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Georgia
BANTWAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
JOSH RETTINGHOUSE (13-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0), United States
WKO/TKO1 (Doctor Stoppage – 3:10)
VADIM ZHLOBICH (4-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Belarus
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
TIMUR NAGIBIN (8-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
MIKHAIL KOROBKOV (9-1-1, M-1: 0-1-1), Russia
MOVSAR EVLOEV (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0)
WKO/TKO1 (Punches – 4:09)
ALEXANDER KRUPEMKIN (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Ukraine
 

Yusopov strikes Nemkov
 

(L-R) – Yusopov & Nemkov
 

(L-R) — Yusopov & Nemkov
 

(L-R) — Puetz & Seledtsov
 

Vadim Zhlobich fight vs. Josh Rettinghouse was stopped by the doctor due to these cuts
 

Nagibin & Korobkov
 
Upcoming Events:
June 4, 2016M-1 Challenge 67: Buchinger vs. Idrisov @ Baku, Azerbaijan.
June 16, 2016M-1 Challenge 68: Shlemenko vs. Vasilevsky @ St. Petersburg, Russia
 
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M-1 Challenge 66 Viktor Nemkov vs. Rashid Yusopov M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Championship May 27, 2016 * Orenburg City, Russia

 
 
M-1 Challenge 66, Friday in Orenburg City, Russia
WATCH FREE ON M-1GLOBAL.TV
Friday, May 27 at 11 a.m. / 8 a.m. PT in U.S.A.
(L-R) – Viktor Nemkov & Rashid Yusopov
 
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
MAIN EVENT – M-1 GLOBAL LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
VIKTOR NEMKOV (23-5-0, M-1: 14-4-0) Champion, Russia by way of Kazakhstan 205 lbs. (93 kg)
vs.
RASHID YUSOPOV (6-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Challenger, Russia 204 lbs. (92.7 kg)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
STEPHAN “T-800” PUETZ (13-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Germany 204 ½ lbs. (92.9 kg)
vs.
ANDREY SELEDTSOV (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 205 lbs. 93 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
RAUL TUTARAULI (6-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Georgia 154 ½ lbs. (70.3 kg)
vs.
DAMIR ISMAGULOV (6-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan 154 ½ lbs. (70.3 kg)
 BANTWAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
JOSH RETTINGHOUSE (12-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), United States 139 lbs. (63.3 kg)
vs.
VADIM ZHLOBICH (4-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Belarus 138 lbs. (62.7 kg)
 FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
MIKHAIL KOROBKOV (9-0-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)
vs.
TIMUR NAGIBIN (7-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia 144 ½ lbs. (65.7 kg)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ALEXANDER KRUPEMKIN (pro debut), Ukraine 131 LBS. (59.6 kg)
vs.
MOVSAR EVLOEV (2-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0) 136 lbs. (61.75 kg)
WHEN:             Friday, May 27, 2016
WHERE:           Orenburg City, Russia
PROMOTER:    M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: FREE at www.m-1global.tv (Friday, May 27 at 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT in USA) 
 


 
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