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M-1 Challenge Middleweight Title Fight Champion Alexey Kunchenko vs. Murad Abdulaev To Headline M-1 Challenge 72

October 20, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

Also announced lightweights

Artiom Damkovsky vs. Alexey Makhno

November 18 in Moscow

(L-R) – Alexey Kunchenko amd Murad Abdulaev

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (October 19, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced a rematch between M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko and former titlist Murad “Hunter” Abduleav will headline the November 18th M-1 Challenge 72 in Moscow, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 72 will be streamed live from Moscow 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 the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

Also announced was a lightweight battle between former champion Artiom Damkovsky and Alexey “Ataman” Makhno.

Kunchenko (14-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, will be making his first title defense. He defeated defending champion Abdulaev, who was unable to continue in round four of their fight this past April at M-1 Challenge 65.

Abdulaev (15-4-0, M-1: 3-2-0), fighting out of Anapa, Russia, originally captured the M-1 Challenge welterweight title at M-1 Challenge 58, taking a decision from Marcello Britoon June 6, 2015 for the vacant title.

(L-R) – Murad Abdulaev vs. Alexey Kunchenko

Damkovsky (21-10-0, M-1: 11-7-0), fighting out of Minsk, Belarus, has a crowd pleasing style. His last fight resulted in a kick-knockout victory (see picture below) of Maxim Divnich this past September at M-1 Challenge 70.

A native of Moscow, 26-year-old Makhno (13-4-0, M-1: 3-1-0) is a superior kicker and strong striker. In his last fight, this past June at M-1 Challenge 68, Makhno won a decision over Felipo Rego (see picture below).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Oct. 21 — M-1 Challenge 71: Nemkov vs. Vegh in St. Petersburg, Russia

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 Middleweight Champion Ramazan Emeev vs. Anatoly Tokov to Headline M-1 Challenge 73: Battle of Narts

October 14, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

December 9 in Ingushetia

(L-R) – Anatoly Tokov and Ramazan Emeev

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (October 13, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced a super showdown between M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Ramazan Emeev and knockout artist Anatoly Tokov to headline the December 9th M-1 Challenge 73: Battle of Narts in Ingushetia, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 73 will be streamed live from Ingushetia 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 fight between Ramazan Emeev and Anatoly Tokov is the most anticipated fight in Russian MMA, “M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein said. “Both Tokov and Emeev are fighters of the elite level, not only in Russia, but in the world. This fight is being held to achieve our main goal: to make the most spectacular match-ups between the strongest MMA fighters of our time.”

Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0), who was the M-1 Global 2015 Fighter of the Year, returns to action after suffering a torn ligament in his elbow, which forced the Azerbaijan native to withdraw from his scheduled M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship fight withAlexander Shlemenko.

The 29-year-old Emeev, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia, first captured the vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title in 2012, taking a 5-round unanimous decision from Mario Miranda at M-1 Challenge 35, and he successfully won the rematch five months later atM-1 Challenge 38, stopping Miranda via strikes in the third round.

In 2014, Emeev lost his title belt to Vyacheslav Vasilevsky by way of a fourth-round knockout (punches) at M-1 Challenge 51 in 2014. The resilient Emeev, however, bounced back to regain his throne as M-1 Challenge middleweight champion, using a choke hold to submit Vasilevsky in the opening round at

M-1 Challenge 56.

Emeev has successfully defended his title against Luigi Fioravanti, who was unable to continue after four rounds at M-1 Challenge 63, and this past April Emeev defeated Brazilian Maiquel Falcao (see picture above) at M-1 Challenge 65 in the first round by submission (choke).

Tokov (24-2-0, M-1: 9-1-0), 26, is a former ABC champion who fights out of Stary Oskol, Russia. He is riding a 17-fight win streak, including knockouts of Enoc Solves Torres atM-1 Challenge 54 and Albert Duraev at M-1 Challenge 46.

A feared striker with tremendous power, Tokov has stopped 14 of his 24 victims to date, resulting in him developing into one of MMA’s most spectacular fighters and a true rising MMA star throughout Russia and Europe.

Tokov can give and take

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Stars out for M-1 Challenge 71

October 6, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

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 Pavel Vitruk vs. Vitali Branchuk for Inaugural M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Championship

September 27, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

October 21 in Saint Petersburg, Russia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 26, 2016) – The inaugural M-1 Challenge bantamweight championship will be at stake Friday, October 21, at M-1 Challenge 71 as Pavel Vitruk battles Vitali Branchuk in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Vitruk (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburgh by way of Ukraine, was riding a 12-fight undefeated streak to start his professional career. He suffered back-to-back losses in 2015 o then undefeated Max Coga (12-0-0) by third-round submission (choke) in the M-1 Challenge 55 Fight of the Night and to Lee Morrison by majority decision.

After his loss to Morrison, Vitruk (pictured below) moved from the featherweight division to bantamweight, defeating Sergey Morozov this past February in the M-1 Challenge 64 Fight of the Night.

Ukraine native Branchuk (21-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0) has won his last eight fights, including a split-decision over Antun “Killer” Racic at M-1 Challenge 64. Branchuk pictured below) is known as a well-rounded fighter and a strong striker.

In a previously announced fight, former two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0) takes on ex-Bellator titlist Attila “Pumukli” Vegh (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0).

Additional M-1 Challenge 71 fights will soon be announced.

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M-1 Challenge 71 Viktor Nemkov vs. Attila Vegh

September 22, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

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 70 results & pictures

September 13, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

Alexey Kunchenko decisions Eduardo Ramon

Remains undefeated at 14-0-0

M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko improved to 14-0-0 with a non-title victory by decision last night against Eduardo Ramon

SYKTYVKAR, Russia (September 11, 2016) – M-1 Challenge welterweight championAlexey Kunchenko improved his record to 14-0-0 (M-1: 7-0-0) with a non-title win by unanimous decision last night over late replacement Eduardo “Camelo” Ramon (11-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) to headline M-1 Challenge 70: Battle in Taiga in Syktyvkar, Russia.

Judges and referees were busy as six of 10 fights went the complete distance and there were no submissions.

Kunchenko, fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, won a 3-round decision over Ramon, of Brazil, who made his M-1 Global debut filling in as a late replacement for an injured Maxin Grabovich. al record on the line against Ramon in their non-title fight. Kunchenko captured the coveted M-1 Challenge welterweight title belt, which was not on the line last night, this past April at M-1 Challenge 65 when Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round.

German light heavyweight Rene Hoppe (6-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), who also made his M-1 Global debut, won a 3-round unanimous decision over Andrey Seledtsov (5-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Russia.

Former M-1 Challenge lightweight title challenger Artem Damkovsky (20-11-0, M-1: 11-7-0), of Belarus, stopped former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich(12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburg, Russia by way of Ukraine, in the second round.

Russian featherweight Alexey Nevzorov (10-2-0, 5-1-0) won a 3-round unanimous decision from his fellow countryman, Timur Naginbin (7-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0), while French bantamweight Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (12-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0) knocked out Vadim “Bad Santa” Maygin (6-2-1, M-1: 0-1-1), of Russia, in the second round.

In preliminary bouts Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (7-0-0) remained unbeaten with a 3-round unanimous decision versus Brazilian Rafael “Kratos” Xavier (3-2-0), Ukrainian middleweight Artem “Shockwave” Shokalo (18-14-1) knocked out RussianRoman “War” Yarynkin (6-2-0) in round two, Russian middleweight Khabib Isaev (2-0-0) took a 3-round unanimous decision from countryman Artur Potekaylov (2-2-0), Russian bantamweight Sergey Voloshin (2-0-0) defeating pro-debuting countrymanVitaly Chesnokov by way of a technical knockout in the third round, and South Korean flyweight Son “Buddah” Li Binh (5-1-0) took a 3-round majority decision from Emin Guseynov (2-2-1), of Azerbaijan.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

RENE HOPPE (6-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany

WDEC3)

ANDREY SELEDTSOV (5-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

WELTERWEIGHTS

ALEXEY KUNCHENKO (14-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

EDUARDO RAMON (11-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil

LIGHTWEIGHTS

ARTEM DAMKOVSKY (21-10-0, M-1: 11-7-0), Belarus

WKO2

MAXIM DIVNICH (12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0)

FEATHERWEIGHTS

ALEXEY NEVZOROV (10-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Russia

WDEC3

TIMUR NAGIBIN (7-2-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Russia

BANTAMWEIGHTS

MOKTAR BENKACI (12-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), France

WKO2

VADIM MAYGIN (6-2-1, M-1: 0-1-1), Russia

PRELIMINARY CARD

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

ARTEM FROLOV (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

RAFAEL XAVIER (3-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil

ARTEM SHOKALO (18-15-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Ukraine

WTKO2

ROMAN YARYNKIN (7-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

KHABIB ISAEV (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

ARTUR POTEKAYLOV (3-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

BANTAMWEIGHTS

SERGEY VOLOSHIN (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia

WTKO3

VITALY CHESNOKOV (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

FLYWEIGHTS

SON LI BINH (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), South Korea

WDEC3

EMIN GUSEYNOV (2-2-1, M-1: 0-1-0), Azerbaijan

Artem Damkovsky vs. Maxim Divnich

Alexey Nevzorov vs. Timur Nagibin

Vadim Maygin vs. Moktar Benkaci

Artem Frolov vs. Rafael Xavier

Artem Shokalo vs. Roman Yarynkin

Khabib Isaev vs. Artur Potekaylov

Sergey Voloshin vs. Vitaly Chesnokov

Son Li Binh vs. Emin Guseynov

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M-1 CHALLENGE 70: “BATTLE IN TAIGA” Official Weights and Weigh-In Photos

September 10, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

MAIN CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ANDREY SELEDTSOV (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia 196 lbs. (89.0 kg)

vs.

RENE HOPPE (5-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 194 ½ lbs. (88.3 kg)

Kunchenko weighs in

MAIN EVENT — WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ALEXEY KUNCHENKO (13-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), Russia 174 lbs. (79.0 kg)

vs.

EDUARDO “Camelo” RAMON (11-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 174 lbs. (79.0 kg)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MAXIM DIVNICH (12-0-0, M-1: 6-1-0), Russia 154 ½ lbs. (70.1 KG)

vs.

ARTEM DAMKOVSKY (20-1-0, M-1: 10-7-0), Belarus 154 ½ lbs. (70.3 kg)

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

TIMUR NAGIBIN (7-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia 144 lbs. (65.6 kg)

vs.

ALEXEY NEVZOROV (9-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia 144 lbs. (65.6 kg)

BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MOKTAR “Le Kabyle” BENKACI (11-6-0, M-1: 0-1-0), France 135 lbs. (61.3 kg)

vs.

VADIM “Bad Santa” MAYGIN (6-1-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Russia 135 lbs. (61.3 kg)

PRELIMINARY CARD

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ARTEM FROLOV (6-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 185 lbs. (84.0 kg)

vs.

RAFAEL “Kratos” XAVIER (3-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 184 ½ lbs. (83.8 kg)

ARTEM “Shockwave” SHOKALO (17-15-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Ukraine 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)

vs.

ROMAN “War” YARYNKIN (7-1-0, M-1: 0-0-00), Russia 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)

KHABIB ISAEV (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)

vs.

ARTUR POTEKAYLOV (3-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 184 ½ lbs. (83.7 kg)

BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

SERGEY VOLOSHIN (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 138 ½ lbs. (62.8 kg)

vs.

VITALY CHESNOKOV (Pro Debut), Russia 137 lbs. (62.2 kg)

FLYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

EMIN GUSEYNOV (2-1-1, M-1: 0-0-0), Azerbaijan

vs.

SON Buddah” LI BINH (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), South Korea

WHEN: Saturday, September 10, 2016

WHERE: Syktyvkar, Russia

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (10.30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT in USA)

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OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

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Solid M-1 Challenge 70 main card set Eduardo Ramon new opponent for Alexey Kunchenko in non-title fight headliner

September 10, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

This Saturday in Syktyvkar, Russia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 8, 2016) – M-1 Global has put together a solid main card, headlined by M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko against late replacement Eduardo “Camelo” Ramon (11-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), for this Saturday’s (Sept. 10) M-1 Challenge 70in Syktyvkar, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 70 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.

Kunchenko (13-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, will put his undefeated professional record on the line against Ramon in their non-title fight. Kunchenko captured the coveted M-1 Challenge welterweight titl belt in his last fight, when defending M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round this past April at M-1 Challenge 65.

Ramon is a late replacement for an injured Maxin Grabovich. The talented Brazilian will be making his M-1 debut.

Russian Andrey Seledtsov (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) takes on undefeated German Rene Hoppe (5-0-0), who will be making his M-1 debut, in a light heavyweight clash with future title fight implications at stake.

In another match-up that could very well lead to a title fight, former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (12-1-0, M-1: 6-1-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburg, Russia by way of Ukraine, takes on former M-1 Challenge lightweight title challenger Artem Damkovsky (20-1-0, M-1: 10-7-0), of Belarus.

Round out the M1 Challenge 70 main card are two more potentially explosive fights as Russian featherweights Timur Naginbin (7-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) and Alexey Nevzorov (9-2-0, 4-1-0) throw-down, while French bantamweight Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (11-6-0, M-1: 0-1-0) faces Vadim “Bad Santa” Maygin (6-1-1, M-1: 0-0-1), of Russia.

The preliminary bouts include undefeated Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (6-0-0) vs. Brazilian Rafael “Kratos” Xavier (3-1-0), Ukrainian middleweight Artem “Shockwave” Shokalo (17-14-1) vs. Russian Roman “War” Yarynkin (6-1-0), Russian middleweight Khabib Isaev (1-0-0) vs. countryman Artur Potekaylov (2-1-0) and Russian bantamweight Sergey Voloshin (2-0-0) vs. pro-debuting countryman Vitaly Chesnokov.

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M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko to make first title defense vs. Maxim Grabovich at M-1 Challenge 70

August 20, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

September 10 in Syktyvkar, Russia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (August 19, 2016) – M-1 Challenge welterweight Alexey Kunchenko will put his title belt and undefeated record on the lineSeptember 10 versus upset-minded challenger Maxim Grabovich, headlining M-1 Challenge 70 in Syktyvkar, Russia, M-1 Global has announced.

The 32-year-old Kunchenko (13-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, captured the title in his last fight, when defending M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round this past April at M-1 Challenge 65. Kunchenko (pictured below) is a Muay Thai specialist originally slated to defend his title in a rematch with Abdulaev, who was unable to accept the challenge at this point do to an injury.

Kunchenko is a feared, powerful striker

Grabovich (4-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), a fellow Russian, earned his title shot by going undefeated in thre M-1 Challenge fights to date. Known for his Greco-Roman wrestling skills, Grabovich’s last action was in June at M-1 Challenge 68, in which he took a decision against Danill Prikaza in the Fight of the Night.

Talented wrestler Grabovich hopes to pull off a major upset

Other fighters expected to be in action Sept. 10 on the M-1 Challenge 70card include former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich(12-1-0, M-1: 6-0-0) and former M-1 Challenge lightweight title challengerArtem Damkovsky (20-10-0, M-1: 10-7-0), along with Russian fighters such as light heavyweight Andrey Seledtsov (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), featherweight Timur Nagibin (7-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) and middleweight Artem Frolov (6-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0).

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