Tag Archives: Shavkat Rakhmonov

M-1 Challenge 87: Mikael Silander-Arman Ashimov Interim M-1 Challenge Flyweight title fight headliner

Grand Opening of M-1 Arena, Feb. 9
Saint Petersburg, Russia
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (January 25, 2018) – The Interim M-1 Challenge flyweight title will be on the line February 9, when Mikael “Hulk” Silander and Arman Ashimov square off in the M-1 Challenge 87 main event, in the grand opening of M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Both events will be live-streamed 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 atwww.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
One of Scandinavia’s all-time best MMA fighters, the 32-year-old Silander (17-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0) earned his title shot by winning a three-round majority decision over Vitaliy Branchuk (23-6-0), last August at M-1 Challenge 82 in his native Finland.
Ashimov (7-2-1, M-1: 2-0-0), fighting out of Almaty, Kazakhstan, is unbeaten in M-1 Global fights having knocked out Rodrigo Melonio this past November at M-1 Challenge 85, and Gadzhimurad Aliev last July at M-1 Challenge 81.
A loaded main card also features undefeated Kazakh welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0) versus his Russian opponent, Levan Solodovnik (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0) Juho Valamma (15-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Brazilian light heavyweight Kleiber Raimundo “Orgugho” Silva (14-7-0, M-1: 1-0-0) vs. Dmitry Mikutsa (7-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Ukraine, Russian featherweight Timur Nagibin (13-3-0, M-1: 5-2-0) vs. Jadison Dimitry “Tita” Silva (23-8-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Brazil, and Pavel Gordeev (9-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), of Russia, TBA.
The preliminary card has undefeated Swiss welterweight prospect Pablo Ortmann (7-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) vs. Ingiskhan Ozdoev (5-3-0, M-1: 4-3-0), of Russia, unbeaten Russian heavyweight Adam Bogatyrev (5-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) vs. Jose “Agus” Augustine Jimenez (5-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), French welterweight Charles-Henri Tchoungui (9-7-1, M-1: 0-1-0), vs. Artem Nenakov (6-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Russia, and Georgian welterweight Amiran Gogoladze (4-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0) vs. Stanislav “Stas” Podolsky (5-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0).
All fighters and fights are subject to change.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
Feb. 9 – M-1 Challenge 87: Silander vs. Ashimov, M-1 Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Feb. 22 – M-1 Challenge 88: Ismagulov vs. Tutarauli, Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
M-1 CHALLENGE 74 OFFICIAL RESULTS
 

(R) Alexander Shlemenko kicked his way to another victory
MOSCOW (March 4, 2017) — Russian middleweight Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko defeated American Paul “The Gentleman” Bradley and undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko retained his title last night in the loaded M-1 Challenge 75 card at Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow, Russia
A three-time Bellator champion, Shlemenko (55-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 5-0-0) spoiled the M-1 Global debut of former Ring of Combat champion Bradley (23-8-0, M-1: 0-1-0), fighting out of San Diego, by way of a three-round unanimous decision in the main event of the evening.  Shlemenko, who last year captured the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship, remained undefeated in M-1 Global competition.
Kunchenko (16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), of Russia, kept his professional MMA record intact with his 16th victory, half of which in M-1 Global competition, with a five-round unanimous decision over fellow countryman Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-1-0) in the co-feature.
 (R) — Alexey Kunchenko cruised to his 16th pro win with a defeat
Popular Russian welterweight Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (11-1-0, M-1: 4-0-0) made a strong statement as a legitimate title contender with his three-round unanimous decision over Russian MMA veteran Mogamed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-6-0, M-1: 10-2-0), the former M-1 Selection middleweight champion.
Former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) positioned himself for another title shot, stopping American Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (11-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0) on punches in the second round.
In the final main card fight, Brazilian light heavyweight Carlos “Cachorrao” Eduardo (15-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) made an impressive M-1 Global debut, taking a three-round decision from his Ukrainian opponent, Boris “Bora” Polezhay (15-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0).
In preliminary card action, Russian middleweight Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasinikov (11-1-2, M-1: 2-1-2) lived up to his nickname with an opening-round knockout of Brazilian Amilcar Alves (15-11-0, M-1: 0-1-0), undefeated Russian welterweight Abubakar Mestoev (4-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) took a three-round unanimous decision from German Niko Samsonidse (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), pro-debuting Russian lightweight Roman Bogatov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) used an arm-triangle choke to submit Ukrainian Aleksey Sotnikov (4-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0),  South Korean Bok Kil Young (8-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1) and Russian Viktor Kolesnik (9-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1) fought to a three-round draw, Russian welterweight Danila Prikaza (6-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0) locked in a rear-naked choke hold to defeat German Arda “Boma Ye” Adas (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) by first-round submission, and Georgian lightweight Raul Tutarauli (8-4-0, M-1: 4-1-0) punched out Mohamed Grabinski (14-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Germany, in the second round.
 
Complete results & photo gallery below:
 
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Alexander Shlemenko (55-9-0, 1 NC, M-1: 5-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Paul Bradley (23-8-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-1-0), USA
M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Alexey Kunchenko (16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), Russia
WDEC5
Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
(Kunchenko retained M-1 Challenge welterweight title)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Seregey Romanov (11-1-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Magomed Sultanakhmedov (18-6-0, M-1: 10-2-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Maxim Divnich (12-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), Russia
WTKO/KO2 (punches – 2:03)
Keon Caldwell (11-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), USA
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Carlos Eduardo (15-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
WDEC3
Boris Polezhay (15-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Ukraine
PRELIMINARY CARD
 
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Valery Myasinikov(11-1-2, M-1: 2-2-2), Russia.
WTKO/KO1 (punches – 2:59)
Amilcar Alves (15-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
WELTERWEIGHTS
Abubakar Mestoev (4-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Niko Samsonidse (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany
Danila Prikaza (6-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
WSUB1 (rear-naked choke – 1:54)
Arda Adas (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Roman Bogatov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WSUB1 (arm-triangle choke – 1:56)
Aleksey Sotnikov (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Ukraine
Bok Kil Young (8-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1), South Korea
D3
Viktor Kolesnik (9-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Russia
Raul Tutarauli (8-4-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Georgia
WTKO/KO2 (punches – 3:50)
Mohamed Grabinski (14-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany

 



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M-1 CHALLENGE 75 OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

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

WHEN:             Friday, March 3, 2017

WHERE:           Moscow, Russia
 
PROMOTER:    M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (12.00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT in USA) 
         
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

American middleweight Paul Bradley Steps up to challenge “Storm” Alexander Shlemenko in main event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
M-1 Challenge 75, March 3, in Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 27, 2017) – American MMA veteran Paul “The Gentleman” Bradley has stepped up to meet the awesome challenge presented by 2016 M-1 Grand Prix middleweight champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko in the March 3rd M-1 Challenge 75 main event in Moscow.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. 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.
A three-time Bellator champion, Shlemenko (54-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0) defeated former M-1 Challenge champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky last year in the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship semifinals and championship final, respectively, by three-round majority decision and third-round submission (choke).  Shlemenko vs. Vasilevsky I & II were also the M-1 Challenge 68 & 64 Fights of the Night.
Former Ring of Combat champion Bradley (23-7-0, M-1: 0-0-0) will be making his M-1 Challenge debut, however, he’s a seasoned MMA veteran having fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator and World Series of Fighting.
The 33-year-old Bradley, fighting out of San Diego (California), was a standout wrestler at the powerhouse University of Iowa.  He is known for his physical strength, tremendous endurance, and balanced stand-up and ground skills.
Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), of Russia, will defend his title in the co-feature against Maksin Grabovich (5-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0), of Russia, who replaced injured Kazakh challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0).
Russian welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) meets Russian veteran Magomed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0), while another American fighter, lightweight Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), will make his M-1 Global debut against former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0), of Ukraine.
Rounding out a loaded M-1 Challenge 75 main card is a middleweight clash between Russian favorite Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasinikov (10-1-2, M-1: 1-1-2) and Spaniard Enoc Solves Torres (19-9-1, M-1: 5-6-1).
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

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

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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
American lightweight 
Keon Caldwell added to loaded card
March 3 in Moscow, Russia
 

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

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

 

M-1 Challenge 75, March 3 in Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 9, 2017) – A serious knee injury requiring surgery has forced undefeated Kazakhstan challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) to withdraw from his first title fight, March 3 against unbeaten M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), of Russia, at M-1 Challenge 75 in Moscow.
“I wanted this fight badly and put a lot of effort into preparation for it,” a dejected Rakhmonov explained.  “Unfortunately, I tore ligaments in my knee and, based on my medical exam, I will need surgery soon.   I apologize to all the MMA fans who were anticipating this fight.  I’ll do my best to return stronger than ever.”
Welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) takes on Russian veteran Magomed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0) on the M-1 Challenge 75 card.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow 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.
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

Sergey Romanov preparing to ruin Magomed Sultanakhmedov’s comeback party

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

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

M-1 Challenge Champion Alexey Kunchenko vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov To headline M-1 Challenge 75 in Battle of Undefeated Welterweights 

March 3 in Moscow, Russia
 

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 2, 2017) – M-1 Global has announced a battle of undefeated fighters to headline M-1 Challenge 75 as M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko takes on top challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov, March 3, in Moscow, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow 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.
Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, used his tremendous Muay Thai skills to capture the coveted M-1 Challenge welterweight title belt last April at M-1 Challenge 65, when defending titlist Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round.
In a non-title fight, Kunchenko won a 3-round unanimous decision over Eduardo Ramon at M-1 Challenge at M-1 Challenge 70 last September.  His first title defense was December 5 at M-1 Challenge 72, in which Kunchenko (pictured below) won a 5-round unanimous decision over Abdulaev in a rematch.
 
Fighting out of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) is a former MMA amateur star who captured gold medals at the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) world and Asia Championships.  The prodigy has continued his dominance as a professional, consistently displaying his world-class Combat Sambo talent.
Rakhmonov (pictured below) received the M-1 Challenge 59 Submission of the Night on July 3, 2015, as he choked out Michal Wiencek only 49-seconds into the opening round.  In his most recent M-1 Challenge fight, Rakhmonov knocked out Marcelo Brito in the first-round last June at M-1 Challenge 67.
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

 M-1 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