Tag Archives: Sergei Kharitonov

Damir Ismagulov stops Maxim Divnich to become new M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
M-1 CHALLENGE 78 RESULTS

New M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Damir Ismagulov
Additional photos are available at: https://yadi.sk/d/qxxExTyC3JYnwN
ORENBURG, Russia (May 27, 2017) – A new M-1 Challenge lightweight champion was crowned last night as Damir Ismagulov knocked out former champion Maxim Divnich at the end of the fifth and final championship round in the M-1 Challenge 78 main event at Orenburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 78 was a true international event with fighters representing eight different countries: Russia, Brazil, Belarus, USA, UK, Sweden, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.
Ismagulov (11-2-0, M-1: 7-1-0), fighting out of Russia by way of Kazakhstan, fought Divnich (13-3-0, M-1: 7-3-0) at home, in Orenburg, for the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title, where Divnich had lost his title belt in 2015.
The title fight commenced with a “feeling-out process” of simple exchanges of blows with Ismagulov working more with his feet, and the round ended with the hometown favorite holding a slight advantage.
Ismagulov, however, dominated the next three rounds and Divnich, whose severely damaged, bloody face showed the ill effects of Ismagulov’s continued assault, was unable to turn things around in the fifth. As the finished neared, Ismagulov failed to submit his game opponent until a barrage of unanswered punched rained on a defenseless Divnich. The referee halted the action with 13-seconds remaining on the clock for a hard-fought Ismagoulov win by technical knockout.
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After the fight 5,000 fans celebrated, roaring their approval for Ismagulov, who said: “I’m from the Orenburg region. I won the belt! Thanks for coming. I want to thank the MMA Orenburg, my coach, Victor Frolov, who saw me as a talent, and Alexander Shlemenko for believing in me. I thank my coaches, my family, and our fans.
“I’ve proved that a simple guy from a small village without the Internet can become champion. If I can, you can. The belt in Orenburg, where it should be.”
Russian light heavyweight Mikhail Ragozin (8-2-0, M-1: 2-0-0) stopped Alan Bispo De Santana (5-2-0, M-1 0-1-0), of Brazil, via punches late in the third round.
Brazilian middleweight Caio “Hellboy” Magalhaes (10-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0) turned in an impressive M-1 debut, using a rear-naked choke hold to submit Dmitry Voitov (15-7-0, M-1: 4-2-0), of Belarus, in the opening frame.
American welterweight Keith “The One” Johnson (12-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0) made an auspicious M-1 debut, also using a rear-naked choke to submit his opponent, former M-1 Challenge welterweight title challenger Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-3-0), of Russia, late in the third round.
Russian bantamweight Vadim “Bad Santa” Malygin (9-2-1, M-1: 2-1-1) won a three-round unanimous decision over veteran Brazilian fighter, Fabricio “Bill” Sarraff (23-10-0, M-1: 0-2-0).
In preliminary card action, Ukrainian bantamweight Alexksander Doskalchuk (7-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0) and Brazilian lightweight Rubenilton “Rubinho” Pereira (17-5-0, M-1: 1-2-0) were three-round majority decision winners, respectively, over Swede Son Le “Buddha” Binh (5-2-0, M-1: 1-1-0) and Orozbek “Nomad” Maripov (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Kyrgyzstan; pro-debuting Russian lightweight Roman Bogatov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) used a bravo choke to submit Brit Richard “Rico” Franco (2-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) in the first round, Russian featherweight Vitali Tverdokhlebov (4-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0) punched out Ukrainian Oleg Mikhailov (0-3-0 (M-1: 0-1-0) in round two, and Salem Evloev (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) took a three-round unanimous decision from Alexey Dubrovny (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0) in a pro-debut battle of Russian bantamweights.
Official results below:
OFFICIAL RESULTS
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Damir Ismagulov (11-2-0, M-1: 7-1-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan
WTKO5 (4:47 – punches)
Maxim Divnich (13-3-0, M-1: 7-3-0)
(Ismagulov won vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Mikhail Ragozin (8-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0-), Russia
WTKO3 (4:32 – punches)
Alan Bispo De Santana (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Caio Magalhaes (10-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Brazil
WSUB1 (1:16 – rear-naked choke)
Dmitry Voitov (15-7-0, M-1: 3-3-0) Belarus
WELTERWEIGHTS
Keith Johnson (12-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0), USA
WSUB3 (4:22 – rear-naked choke)
Maksim Grabovich (5-4-0, M-1: 4-3-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Vadim Malygin (9-2-1, M-1: 2-1-1), Russia
WDEC3
Fabricio Sarraff (23-10-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Brazil
PRELIMINARY CARD
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Roman Bogatov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WSUB1 (4:52 – bravo choke)
Ricardo Franco (2-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0-), England
Rubenilton Pereira (17-5-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Brazil
WDEC3
Orozbek Maripov (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Kyrgyzstan
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Aleksander Doskalchuk (7-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0)
WDEC3
Son Le Binh (5-2-0, M-1: 1-1-0,), Sweden
Salem Evloev (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Alexey Dubrovsky (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Vitali Tverdokhlebov (5-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WTKO2 (punches)
Oleg Mikhailov (0-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Ukraine
        
INFORMATION:

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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 79: Shlemenko vs. Halsey – June 1, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 80: Kharitonov vs/ Lopes – June 15, 2017 in Habin, China

M-1 CHALLENGE 78 OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
Maxim Divnich (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), Ukraine 154 lbs. (70.2 kg)
vs.
Damir Ismagulov (10-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan 154 lbs. (70.2 kg)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Mikhail Ragozin (7-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0-), Russia204 lbs. (92.7 kg)
vs.
Alan Bispo De Santana (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 203 lbs. (92.2 kg)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Dmitry Voitov (15-6-0, M-1: 3-2-0) Belarus 185 lbs. (84.0 kg)
vs.
Caio Magalhaes (9-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 185 lbs. (84.0 kg)

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-2-0), Russia 169 ½ lbs. (76.9 kg)
vs.
Keith Johnson (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), USA 77.3 lbs. (77.3 kg)

BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Vadim Malygin (8-2-1, M-1: 1-1-1), Russia 124 ½ lbs. (56.6 kg)
vs.
Fabricio Sarraff (23-9-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil 127 ½ lbs. (57.9 kg)
PRELIMINARY CARD
 
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Roman Bogatov (pro debut), Russia 157 ½ lbs. (71.6 kg)
vs.
Ricardo Franco (2-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0-), England 157 ½ lbs. (71.6 kg)
Orozbek Maripov (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Kyrgyzstan 158 lbs. (71.3 kg)
vs.
Rubenilton Pereira (16-5-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Brazil 158 lbs. (71.8 kg)
BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Aleksander Doskalchuk (6-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0) 124 1/2 lbs. (56.5 kg)
vs.
Son Le Binh (5-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0,), Sweden 125 lbs. (56.7 kg)
Salem Evloev (pro debut), Russia 135 lbs. (61.3 kg)
vs.
Alexey Dubrovsky (pro debut), Russia 134 ½ lbs. (61.0 kg)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Vitali Tverdokhlebov (4-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia lbs. ( kg)
vs.
Oleg Mikhailov (0-2, M-1: 0-0-0), Ukraine 137 lbs. (62.2 kg)
WHEN:            Friday, May 26, 2017
WHERE:          Orenburg, Russia
 
PROMOTER:    M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (11.00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT in USA)
        
INFORMATION:
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 78: Divnich vs. Ismagulov – May 26, 2017 in Orenburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 79: Shlemenko vs. Halsey – June 1, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 80: Kharitonov vs/ Lopes – June 15, 2017 in Habin, China

Fast & furious 4-week period, May 19 & June 15 M-1 Global to promote four M-1 Challenge events 

M-1 GLOBAL NOTEBOOK
                                 

              Alexander Shlemenko                                             Sergei Kharitonov
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (May 5, 2017) – M-1 Global action will be fast and furious as the Russia-based MMA promotional company will present four major M-1 Challenge events, starting May 19. in less than a four-week period.
All four events 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 the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
M-1 Challenge 77 – May 19 – Sochi, Russia
Former two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov(24-6-0, M-1: 17-5-0) will take on M-1 Global-debuting Ronny Markes (16-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Brazil, in the main event.
Undefeated Russian middleweight prospect Artiom Frolov (8-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0) vs. Talekh “The Azerbaijan Terminator” Nadzhafzade (4-1-1 (M-1: 2-1-0), Russian featherweight Viktor Kolesnik (9-2-1, M-1: 0-0-0) vs. Brazlian Felipe Rego (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), and Ukrainian welterweight Audrey “Iron” Lezhnev(11-7-0, M-1: 3-3-0) vs. Russian Kurbanali Abdusalamov are also scheduled to be in action.
M-1 Challenge 78 – May 26 – Orenburg, Russia
Former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), of Ukraine, and Kazakhstan native Damir Ismagulov (10-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), fighting out of Russia, will square off in the main event for the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title.
German heavyweight Frank “Tattoo” Kortz (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0) faces Nikolay Savilov (4-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0).
M-1 Challenge 79 – June 1 – St. Petersburg, Russia
Former Bellator champions, Russian great Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko(55-7-0, M-1: 5-0-0) and M-1 Global debuting Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0) throw-down in the main event of a rematch originally won by the American.
Russian middleweight Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasnikon (11-1-2, M-1: 2-1-2) meets veteran Enoc Solves Torres (19-9-1, M-1: 5-6-1), of Spain.
M-1 Challenge 80 – June 15 – Harbin, China

Russian heavyweight star Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov (23-6-0, M-1: 3-0-0) returns to M-1 Global against Brazilian invader Marcus Vinicius “Montanha” Lopes (11-5-0, M-1: 2-1-0). In the main event.

M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (31-5-0, M-1:6-1-0), of Slovania, will defend his crown against Russian challenger Timur Nagibin (9-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0).
 
INFORMATION:

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Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 77: Nemkov vs. Markes – May 19, 2017 Sochi, Russia
M-1 Challenge 78: Divnich vs. Ismagulov – May 26, 2017 in Orenburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 79: Shlemenko vs. Halsey – June 1, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 80: Kharitonov vs/ Lopes – June 15, 2017 in Harbin, China

Top Russian heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov Commits to fighting on M-1 Challenge 80 card June 15 in China

 
 

MOSCOW (March 27, 2017) – Russian heavyweight Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov has committed to fighting June 15 on the M-1 Challenge 80 card in Harbin, China.  Kharitonov will square-off against veteran Brazilian MMA fighter Marcus Viniciuds “Montanha” Lopes in the main event.
Kharitonov (23-6-0, M-1: 3-0-0) is undefeated in three M-1 Challenge events having defeated former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner twice, at M-1 Challenge 59 in 2015 at Kazakhstan (WKO/TKO4 – punches) and M-1 Challenge 43 in 2013 at China, (KO/TKO3 – injury), and to Alexei Kudin at M-1 Challenge 53 in 2014 Russia (KO2).
Kharitonov, who has also fought in Strikeforce and PRIDE, has defeated some of the greatest heavyweight MMA fighters of all-time, including Allistair Overeem, Andrei Arlovski, Fabricio Werdum and Pedro Rizzo.
Lopes (15-0-0, M-1: 2-1-0) defeated Evgeni Myakinkin by three-round unanimous decision this past February at M-1 Challenge 74.  Lopes won a three-round unanimous decision over Kurban Ibragimov in his M-1 debut last July.  His lone M-1 loss came at M-1 Challenge 71 this past October to former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan Puetz, who used a choke hold for a third-round submission victory.
A pressure fighter and solid striker, Lopes is a jiu-jitsu champion in his native Brazil, where most of his MMA fights have been held during his 6 1/2-years professional career.
In a recent interview with M-1 Global News, Kharitonov said, “I received a lot of offers but I prefer to fight in M-1 Global.”  Below is the complete Q & A with Kharitonov:
Do you know who your opponent will be at M-1 Challenge and, if not, what are your expectations?
SK: “I don’t not know anything yet.  I received an offer from M-1 to fight in China.  Since I have been talking with (M-1 Global president) Vadim Finkelchtein for a long time and understand each other, I gave my consent   Vadim said I am popular in China and that he wanted me to represent Russia in this tournament.  At this moment, I have no thoughts or assumptions about this fight because I’m focused on my upcoming Bellator fight.  This is my main objective right now and after that fight I will think about the M-1 fight.”
Bellator did not give permission for a fight last December in Russia.  What changed this time and was it difficult to get permission to fight again in M-1?
SK: “There were no problems.  I do not want to comment on how we came to an agreement, bit one thing is for sure, I’ve received permission and after my next Bellator fight I will fight at M-1 Challenge 80 in China.”
 
You fought in China at M-1 Challenge 53.  How do you like the local audience there and what are your overall impressions of the tournament?
SK: “Everything was fine.  I liked the level of organization, fans’ attitude toward the athletes, and the response from the public.  I think M-1 has good experience in terms of holding tournaments in China, so this time they can make it an even bigger show.”
Do you accept offers to fight from other Russian organizations and why did you decided to fight in M-1?
SK: “Yes, I received a lot of offers, especially recently.  I won’t say specifically but they were from major Russian MMA organizations.  But I have a long relationship with M-1 and me and Vadim know each other well.  We get along well and trust each other.  Therefore, O prefer to fight in M-1 Global.”
         
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Two New Main Card Bouts Complete Bellator 175 on March 31

 

LOS ANGELES –(March 15, 2017) A lightweight feature fight pitting undefeated knockout artist Steve Kozola (7-0) against Jake Roberts (7-1) and a featherweight feature clash pairing AKA phenom Noad “Neo” Lahat (10-2) against Lloyd Carter (10-8) completes the main card of Bellator 175: Rampage vs. King Mo 2 on Friday, March 31 at Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL.

The stacked main card is headlined by a heavyweight rematch pitting “Rampage” Jackson (37-11) against “King Mo” Lawal (20-6, 1 NC), as the two powerhouses look to run it back following nearly three years since their first meeting. Also featured on the Spike-televised main card is a featherweight co-main event pitting Emmanuel Sanchez (14-3) against Marcos Galvao (18-7-1) and a heavyweight battle between sluggers Sergei Kharitonov (23-6) and Chase Gormley (14-5).

Bellator 175: Rampage vs. King Mo 2 will be broadcast live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the Allstate Arena Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.

Please see below for a complete list of preliminary action.

Complete Bellator 175: Rampage vs. King Mo 2Main Card:

Heavyweight Main Event: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (37-11) vs. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (20-6, 1 NC)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Emmanuel Sanchez (14-3) vs. Marcos Galvao (18-7-1)

Heavyweight Feature Bout: Sergei Kharitonov (23-6) vs. Chase Gormley (14-5)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Steve Kozola (7-0) vs. Jake Roberts (7-1)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Noad Lahat (10-2) vs. Lloyd Carter (10-8)

 

Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Joaquin Buckley (6-1) vs. Justin Patterson (9-1)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Prince McLean (8-8) vs. Adam Maciejewski (13-6)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Damian Norris (7-2) vs. Tom Shoaff (8-2)

Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Matt Paul (2-1) vs. James Bochnoviv (5-1)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Nate Williams (25-15) vs. Manny Vazquez (9-2)

Lightweight Preliminary “VOW” Bout: J.D. Hardwick (2-0) vs. Tim Cho (4-2)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Tom Holder (Pro Debut) vs. Josh Streaker (Pro Debut)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Cory Galloway (8-7) vs. David Garcia (4-3-1)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Brian Akins (1-0) vs. Mike DeLaVega (1-2)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: James Esposito (0-1) vs. Asef Askar (Pro Debut)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Max Fuentes (2-0) vs. Brandon Shelhart (3-1)

PAUL DALEY RETURNS TO STATESIDE ACTION AGAINST DEREK ANDERSON AT ‘BELLATOR 163’ ON NOVEMBER 4

 

SERGEI KHARITONOV SET FOR BELLATOR MMA HEAVYWEIGHT DEBUT AGAINST JAVY AYALA, LIVE & FREE ON SPIKE

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (October 3, 2016) – A welterweight showdown pitting Paul “Semtex” Daley (38-14-2) against Derek “The Barbaric” Anderson (14-2) as well as a heavyweight bout featuring Sergei Kharitonov (23-5) against Javy “Eye Candy” Ayala (9-5) complete the SPIKE-televised main card of Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis on November 4 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The addition of the two bouts round out a main card chalk full of action, highlighted by a light heavyweight world title main event pitting current champion Liam McGeary (11-0) against Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (16-3). In addition, Saad Awad (19-8) and hometown favorite Brennan Ward (13-4) square-off in a welterweight bash live and free on SPIKE, along with female featherweights Marloes Coenen (23-7) and Talita Nogueira (6-0). Tickets for“Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” are on sale now at Bellator.com, as well as the Mohegan Sun Box Office and Ticketmaster. The event can be seen live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App.

With 54 career fights under his belt, the 33-year-old Daley has seen it all. “Semtex,” a former member of the British Army, made his professional debut in 2003, before competing under the direction of both Strikeforce and UFC. Now the Nottingham, England native seems to have found a home, as he will make his fifth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, following three wins and a pair of knockout finishes in his first stint with the promotion. Daley has emerged victorious in nine of his last 11 contests, with eight of the nine wins coming by way of knockout. It should come as no surprise that the former Cage Rage Welterweight Champion has strung together a recent flurry of finishes, as 30 of his 38 career wins have come by way of finish. Daley hopes to continue along his path of dominance and further cement his name among the division’s elite when he and Anderson square off on November 4.

Fresh off of an entertaining unanimous decision victory over Saad Awad at “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull,” Anderson hops back into the cage in search of his sixth win since joining the Viacom-owned promotion back in 2013. Prior to signing with Bellator MMA, “Barbaric” strung together an unblemished mark of 9-0, finishing all nine of his victims, including six in the first round. Now, the 26-year-old San Diego native will be jumping up in weight class to challenge Daley in the welterweight division for the first time in his professional career. The tall and lengthy Anderson will look to add to his current two-fight winning streak as he faces the British striking sensation in a marquee matchup at Bellator MMA’s latest tentpole offering.

After being forced to withdraw from his originally scheduled Bellator MMA debut earlier this year, the 36-year-old Kharitonov will once again prepare to take center stage for first time under the bright lights of Bellator MMA. A winner in 10 of his last 12 fights, including his last five outings, “The Paratrooper” enters the cage as a surefire contender for the vacant heavyweight belt. A veteran of PRIDE Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, and DREAM, the Moscow native prefers to take matters into his own hands rather than the judges, tallying 22 finishes over his 23 career wins, including stoppages in each of his last 10 victories. The multi-dimensional Kharitonov holds notable wins over former UFC Champions Fabricio Werdum and Andrei Arlovski, all while remaining on active duty with the Russian Airborne Troops.

Ayala, another heavyweight competitor capable of ending a fight in the blink of an eye, has finished his opponent in eight of his nine career wins. “Eye Candy” also has a knack for putting his challengers out of their misery early in the bout, recording seven of his eight finishes in the first round of action. A 6-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, the 28-year-old has recorded victories in four of his six contests since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion back in 2013. Ayala’s success in mixed martial arts runs in the family, as his cousin, Joe Soto, is a former Bellator MMA Champion. Be sure to tune in on November 4 as two of the top finishers in the highly competitive heavyweight division clash at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Complete “Bellator 163: McGeary vs. Davis” Main Card:

Light Heavyweight World Title Bout: Liam McGeary (11-0) vs. Phil Davis (16-3)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Saad Awad (19-8) vs. Brennan Ward (13-4)

Welterweight Feature Bout: Paul Daley (38-14-2) vs. Derek Anderson (14-2)

Heavyweight Feature Bout: Sergei Kharitonov (23-5) vs. Javy Ayala (9-5)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Marloes Coenen (23-7) vs. Talita Nogueira (6-0)

Preliminary Card:

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Josh Diekmann (15-7, 1 NC) vs. Tyler King (11-4)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Blair Tugman (8-6) vs. Walter Smith-Cotito (4-4, 1 NC)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Michael Zichelle (8-4) vs. Tim Caron (5-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Ilya Kotau (1-1) vs. Carlos Corriea (1-0)

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Sarah Payant (1-3) vs. Hannah Regina (Debut)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Keenan Raymond (3-3) vs. Kastroit Xhema (Debut)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Thomas English (6-6) vs. Christopher Foster (9-4)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: James Boran (6-0) vs. Vinicius De Jesus (4-1)

MATT MITRIONE CHOOSES BELLATOR MMA, SIGNING AN EXCLUSIVE, MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT WITH THE PROMOTION

SANTA MONICA (March 14, 2016) – Last week, top mixed martial art’s free agent Matt Mitrione (9-5) joined Ariel Helwani’s “MMA Hour” show and revealed that he had been fielding offers from multiple promotions, including a great bid he had received from Bellator MMA. In a very rare move, Helwani had Mitrione rejoin his popular talk show for a second straight week to announce that the paperwork has been finalized, making Mitrione the newest member of Bellator MMA’s heavyweight division.

 

“There comes a time in every athlete’s life, where the scenarios change and the landscape has eroded from what made you fall in love with it initially,” said Mitrione. “It has become that time for me. After a mutually beneficial free agency period, I’ve decided to move my career to Bellator. I’ve enjoyed almost every second of my career and unlike most that switch organizations due to being cut or no longer being able to perform at the sports highest levels, I am bringing a body and skillset that are only getting better and I cannot wait to test my abilities against the best Bellator has to offer.”

 

Lovingly referred to as “Meathead,” Mitrione is one of the few fighters to have started his professional career with the UFC without previously competing on the regional circuit. His 14-bout stint with that promotion began in 2009, where he faced formidable opponents the likes of: Kimbo Slice, Gabriel Gonzaga, Ben Rothwell, Derrick Lewis, Brendan Schaub, Roy Nelson, Shawn Jordan and Travis Brown amongst others.

 

Prior to competing in MMA, Mitrione earned a scholarship to play defensive tackle for the Purdue Boilermakers football team, not far from where he grew up in Springfield, Ill. After college, he played in the NFL for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings until 2005.

 

At the conclusion of his professional football career, the Shotokan Karate Black Belt focused all of his attention on the sport of MMA. Mitrione spent time training with Duke Roufus and the highly-respected Roufusport team before landing with the famed Blackzilians camp in Boca Raton, FLA, where he trains today.

 

The extremely popular and well-spoken Mitrione has allowed the judges to determine the result of his fight only twice, against Joey Beltran and Cheick Kongo, both of whom currently fight for Bellator MMA. His entertaining fighting style has earned him recognition with “Performance of the Night” (twice) and “Fight of the Night” accolades.

 

Prior to his last fight with his former promotion, Mitrione was forced to participate in a media session barefoot, as his shoes didn’t adhere to the strict company uniform policy. He will have no such problems at Bellator, where he is free to secure his own sponsors and keep his feet warm with the footwear of his choosing.

 

Bellator has been bolstering their heavyweight division as of late, and Mitrione becomes the second heavyweight free agent the promotion has signed in as many months, as Sergei Kharitonov joined the fray in February. The division is currently championed by Vitaly Minakov, and includes other top names like Slice, Bobby Lashley, Cheick Kongo, Vinicius “Spartan,” Tony Johnson, Justin Wren, Dan Charles and Augusto Sakai.

 

BELLATOR MMA INKS SERGEI KHARITONOV TO AN EXCLUSIVE, MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT

SANTA MONICA (February 3, 2015) – Sergei Kharitonov (23-5) is the newest free agent by Bellator MMA, with the news that the Russian heavyweight has been signed to an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight contract. A veteran of both Strikeforce and Pride Fighting Championships, Kharitonov remains on active duty with the Russian Airborne Troops.

 

Doubling as a kickboxer at different points throughout his combat sports career, “The Paratrooper” has decided to parlay his recent five-fight winning streak and focus purely on mixed martial arts. Kharitonov’s resume is extensive, with the 35-year-old scoring wins against some of the sport’s most notable names including UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum, Andrei Arlovski, Pedro Rizzo, Murilo “Ninja” Rua, and Alistair Overeem.

 

“I have had the best seat in the house for some of Kharitonov’s heavyweight outings,” Bellator MMA President Scott Coker said, “and I know Sergei [Kharitonov] can come in and make an immediate impact on our heavyweight division. He is an extremely skilled and experienced fighter who can end a fight in the blink of an eye, and we look forward to having him do just that inside the Bellator cage. Plus, he’s already competed at one ‘Dynamite’ event before, maybe he could do so again in the future!”

 

Kharitonov joins a division that is currently championed by fellow Russian fighter Vitaly Minakov, other top names include Bobby Lashley, Cheick Kongo, Vinicius Queiroz, Kimbo Slice, Tony Johnson, Justin Wren, Dan Charles, and James Thompson.

 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.