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Category Archives: M-1
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (October 2, 2018) — Undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov will put his title belt on the line November 2, when he takes on challenger Bruno Blindado Silva, headlining M-1 Challenge 98 in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Frolov (on top) has a super ground attack
Undefeated Roman Bogatov captures M-1 Challenge lightweight title
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KAZAN, Russia (September 29, 2018) – Undefeated Russian wrestling sensation Roman Bogatov captured the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title last night, taking a unanimous decision over Rubenilton “Rubinho” Pereira, in the M Challenge 97 / Tatfight 7 main event, held in Kazan, Russia.
The judges were very busy as all five main event fights, plus three of five undercard matches, went the full distance on a card of evenly matched fights.
Competing fighters represented nine different countries: Russia, Brazil, Spain, France, Canada, China, Finland, Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland.
Fighting out of Orenburg, Russia, Bogatov improved his pro MMA record to 7-0, 6-0 in M-1 Global competition, displaying improved striking ability to complement his outstanding wrestling skills.
Pereira’s (20-6-0) superior BJJ techniques from bottom were nullified Bogatov when the fight went down to the mat. Pereira was adversely affected by Bogatov’s takedown attack, which opened-up strong punches to Pereira’s head, resulting in a flash knockdown in the third round. Pereira got back in the fight midway through round four, connecting with punches and knees to the body, but the Brazilian needed a strong fifth and final round to win a decision. Bogatov, however, remained aggressive, firing strikes and making take-downs, on his way to a unanimous five-found decision and the coveted M-1 Challenge lightweight title belt.
In the co-featured event, veteran Spanish middleweight Enoc Solves Torres (23-10-1) registered a unanimous decision victory against previously undefeated Ruslan Shamilov (4-1-0), of Russia. Torres decked Shamilov early in the opening round, controlled the match, never relenting for a hard-earned win.
Past M-1 Challenge title challenger Maxim Grabovich (9-4-0), of Russia, overcame a rocky moment in the second round against his Brazilian opponent, Tiago Varejao Lacerda (27-6-1), to control most of the action to take a split decision.
French lightweight Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout (18-9-2) and always tough Russian Alexey “Ataman” Makhno battled tooth and nail in a bloody war (see pictures below). Lebout hit Makhno in the face with everything but the proverbial kitchen sink, but the Russian refused to go down and even landed a few solid shots on Lebout, who also has good “whiskers”. Lebout won an entertaining fight by way of a unanimous three-round decision.
In the main card opener, dangerous striker Pavel Gordeev (12-1-0) edged grappling specialist Alik Albogachiev (5-1-0) by way of a split decision in a showdown between Russian lightweights. The fighters were upright in the first two rounds, much to Gordeev’s advantage, and the previously Albogachiev was unable to close the gap in the final frame.
On the undercard, Canadian welterweight Spencer “Judge” Jebb (13-6-0) overcame a first-round knockdown, pounding his way to a unanimous decision versus Russian Vladimir “The Woodcutter” Tyurin (4-4-0) and another Canadian, bantamweight Chris “The Greek Assassin” Kelades (13-4-0) outworked the much younger Sergey Klyuev (6-2-0), of Russia, to win a three-round unanimous decision.
Russian featherweight Timur Dorinin (4-1-0) locked in a rear naked choke to defeat Kangkang “The Knife” Fu (3-3-0), of China, by submission in round two.
Finnish lightweight Jani Salmi (9-6-0) scored his second M-1 victory, using a rear naked choke for an opening round win by submission over Ruslan Khisamutdinov (10-5-0), of Russia. In a spirited match between Russian bantamweights, settled by a unanimous decision, Ivan Eremenko (8-2-0) was too much to handle for Nidzhat Imanov (4-4-1).
On the pre-undercard, Russian heavyweight Nikolay Rachek (8-6-0) punched out Midaugas Gerve (3-2-0), fighting out of Northern, Ireland, via an unanswered barrage in the opening round. Russian middleweight Denis Titulialin (3-3-0) connected with a devastating knee, knocking out pro-debuting, fellow countryman Nikita Shamov in round one. Azerbaijan welterweight Gadzhibaba Gadzhibabaev turned in an impressive pro debut, knocking out Russian Zakhar Popel (1-1-0) via punches midway through the first round.
Full results and more pictures below:
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Bogatov (7-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), Russia
WDEC5
Rubenilton Pereira (20-6-0, M-1: 4-3-0), Brazil
(Bogatov won vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title)
CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Enoc Solves Torres (23-10-1, M-1: 7-7-1), Spain
WDEC3
Ruslan Shamilov (4-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
WELTERWEIGHTS
Maxim Grabovich (8-4-0, M-1: 6-4-0), Russia
WDEC3
Tiago Varejao Lacerda (27-6-1, 1 NC, M-1: 1-1-0), Brazil
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Mickael Lebout (18-9-2, M-1: 2-1-0), France
WDEC3
Alexey Makhno (18-7-0, M-1: 5-4-0), Russia
Pavel Gordeev (12-1-0, M-1: 6-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Alik Albogachiev (5-1-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Russia
UNDERCARD
WELTERWEIGHTS
Spencer Jebb (13-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Canada
WDEC3
Vladimir Tyurin (4-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Jani Salmi (9-6-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Finland
WSUB1 (rear naked choke – 3:52)
Ruslan Khisamutdinov (10-5-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Russia
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Timur Doronin (4-1-0, M-1:1-0-0), Russia
WSUB2 (rear naked choke – 3:06)
Kangkang Fu (3-3-0, M-1: 0-2-0), China
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Chris Kelades (13-4-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Canada
WDEC3
Sergey Klyuev (6-2-0, M-1: 4-2-0), Russia
Ivan Eremenko (8-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Nidzhat Imanov (4-4-1, M-1: 1-1-1), Russia
PRE-UNDERCARD
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Nikolay Rachek (8-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia
WKO1 (punches – 4:28)
Midaugas Gerve (3-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Northern Ireland
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Denis Tiuliulin (3-3-0, 1 NC, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia
WKO1 (knee – 2:56)
Nikita Shamov (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
WELTERWEIGHTS
Gadzhibaba Gadzhibabaev (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Azerbaijan
WTKO1 (punches – 3:20)
Zakhar Popel (1-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
Roman Bogatov (L) remained undefeated with a decision win vs. Rubenilton Pereira
AND THE NEW M-1 CHALLENGE 97 CHAMPION IS…..ROMAN BOGATOV
Enoc Solves Torres & Ruslan Shamilov (front) had a close fight
Alexey Makhno (L) and Michael Lebout had a bloody war (pictured above & below)
Pavel Gordeev (L) & Alik Albogachiev battled from start to finish
INFORMATION:
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In The Rage…… ROMAN BOGATOV
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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 26, 2018) — Undefeated Russian rising star Roman Bogatov takes on, Brazilian mixed-martial-arts veteran Rubenilton Pereira (20-5-0, M-1: 4-2-0) this Friday in the M-1 Challenge 97 / Tatfight 7 main event, for the vacant M-1 Challenge 97 lightweight title, at Kazan, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 97 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 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 97 also will be available on www.FITE.TV (preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card).
The M-1 Challenge lightweight crown is vacant because the last champion, Damir Ismagulov, recently relinquished his title to sign a UFC contract.
Bogatov (6-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0) is a submission master, four of his six pro victories have been by way of choke-outs, because of his dangerous grappling skills and techniques. In his last fight this past June at M-1 Challenge 94, Bogatov earned his title shot by defeating always tough Raul Tutarauli (18-5-0), whose previous fight was a decision loss to Ismagulov in the latter’s final M-1 Challenge title defense.
Bogatov recently entered The Rage to answer a few questions of interest:
How was training camp?
RB: “For the fight against Pereira, I’ve trained in Ekaterinburg, Russia, at RMK Academy with famous fighters like Ivan Shtyrkov, Alexey Kunchenko, Mikhail Ragozin, Artur Karavaev and Pavel Gordeev, who was preparing for his fight at the same event, M-1 Challenge 97 / Tatfight 7. In camp, I have focused on my cardio, because this is the foundation of my success and a key to victory. I also had many sparring and wrestling sessions and had CrossFit workouts in the morning.”
What advantages do you have over your opponent?
RB: “I have will power, wrestling and grappling skills and I’m ready to constantly push forward and dominate this fight. Pereira is a patient and tough opponent, so it’s not simple to finish him. He is used to long fights, has good cardio, decent striking and wrestling skills and as any Brazilian, he has a solid BJJ game.”
How is it preparing for this fight?
RB: “Before fights I am doing my best not to think too much about the upcoming battle. I prefer just to train and spend time with my family and friends. Right before the fight, you start to pump yourself up. When you need to cut weight, you become a bit more aggressive, because that’s not an easy thing to do. At the face-off when you are looking right into the eyes of your opponent, you get a boost of motivation and can’t wait to enter The Rage.”
What is your goal?
RB: “My goal is to win the belt, defend it, and be an active and dominant champion. Some of the M-1 Challenge champs have signed contracts with the UFC and I would love to follow their path in the future.”
What is your best experience?
RB: “The most pleasant thing in the game is not the victory itself, not even winning the belt. The best thing is the feeling when you come back home, see the smile on your mother’s face, and give hugs to your parents and family. This is the best feeling in the world.”
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In The Rage Rubenilton Pereira
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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 21, 2018) — Brazilian mixed-martial-arts veteran Rubenilton Pereira faces undefeated Russian rising star Roman Bogatov(6-0-0), September 29, for the vacant M-1 Challenge 97 lightweight title, headlining M-1 Challenge: Tatfight in Kazam, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 97 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 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 97 will also be is available on www.FITE.TV (preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card).
The M-1 Challenge lightweight crown is vacant because the last champion, Damir Ismagulov, recently relinquished his title to sign a UFC contract.
Pereira (20-5-0, M-1: 4-2-0) has won his last four fights, including a technical knockout in his last action, also at M-1 Challenge 94 last June, when Oktom Baktybek ws unable to continue to fight after the opening round. Pereira’s two M-1 Global losses have been to a pair of M-1 Challenge champions, Ismagulov and Alexander Butenko, both by decision.
Pereira recently entered The Rage to answer a few questions of interest:
How do you feel about this title shot and not getting a rematch against?
RP: “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to fight for the title. I have been working hard to receive my title shot and, of course, I was hoping to have a rematch with the champ, Damir Ismagulov. I was surprised when they told me Ismagulov left the belt vacant to sign with the UFC. I’m happy for him. He is a great fighter and I know he can become the UFC champion, too”.
How do you feel about fighting in M-1 Global?
RP: “I enjoy fighting in M-1 Global and I’d like to stay here for a long time. They’ve treated me really good. Now, I’m on a four-fight winning streak, but I was not that successful when I first joined the promotion. After two losses in a row I thought they were going to send me home, but they gave me another chance and I seized it.
How do you effectively drop nearly 50 pounds from your walk-around weight to fight as a lightweight?
RP: “I have no special secret. I just train hard, three times a day, Sunday to Sunday. Usually, I weigh around 92 kg (203 lbs), but I never miss weight and always make 70 kg (154 lbs) for the weigh-ins. Some think this is a huge advantage for me in the fight but, trust me, I suffer much more than anybody to make weight.”
What do you know about your next opponent, Roman Bogatov?
“Roman Bogatov is a tough opponent. Maybe he has better wrestling and takedowns, but I’m a much better grappler. I’m self-confident and know that I can tap him out. If he takes me down, that’s better for me. I had a great camp and I’m ready for five rounds, but one of us will fall before round three.”
INFORMATION:
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M-1 Challenge 49 still holds the Russian MMA live attendance record
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M-1 Challenge 49 still holds the single MMA event live attendance record (23,255) in RussiaSAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 19, 2018) – Contrary to some media reports, the 22,603 fans at last weekend’s UFC Fight Night 136 in Moscow did not set a Russian MMA live attendance record.
M-1 Global still holds the record for the highest live attendance of an MMA event in Russia, when 23,255 fans attended M-1 Challenge 49: Battle in the Mountains on June 7, 2014 in Ingushetia, which is officially registered in the Russian Book of Records.
Last weekend’s UFC debut event in Russia UFC Fight Night 136 is the second-most fans to attend a Russian MMA event.
Living legend Fedor Emelianenko‘s return from retirement on November 20, 2011 at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson drew 22,000 fans, dropped to third place on the all-time Russian MMA live attendance list.
INFORMATION:
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Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:
Sept. 28 – M-1 Challenge 97/TATFIGHT 7: Bogatov vs. Pereira in Kazan, Russia
M-1 Global veterans & ex-champions Talk about M-1 & UFC Moscow
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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 14, 2018) – M-1 Global veterans and former champions recently expressed their thoughts and opinions about their M-1 experiences and tomorrow’s (Sept. 15) UFC Moscow card at Olympic Stadium in Moscow.
Alexei Oleinik, M-1 Global veteran, vs. Mark Hunt in UFC Moscow main event:
“M-1 Global is a great Russian promotion and I really enjoyed the time when I fought there. Each fight for me was another step in my career. We did not choose opponents, had rated fights, and took part in the Grand-Prix.”
Alexander Volkov, former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion:
“One of the best moments that I had in M-1 Global was the victory for our team at M-1 Selection. At that time there were team competitions in M-1 Global and I miss that format. Another great moment was when I won the M-1 Challenge heavyweight title. Every important fight is very memorable.”
“My first M-1 Global fights were in M-1 Selection team competitions, which helped me as a young fighter to start my career, find my place in this sport and understand that I belong to MMA. At the time it was a great opportunity for young athletes to demonstrate their skills and show up on local TV stations, so M-1 Global was the first step in my professional career.”
“UFC has a huge impact on development of the Russian MMA market. The partnership between M-1 Global and UFC gives M-1 Global many advantages on the local market and makes it much more attractive for Russian fighters. All mixed martial artists have a dream to fight in the UFC and now the way is clear. As we’ve seen many times, top fighters and champions from M-1 Global compete on the highest level in the UFC.”
Ramazan Emeev, former M-1 Challenge middleweight champion, vs. Stefan Sekulic at UFC Moscow
“I feel some responsibility for this fight because I’m fighting at home. Many friends and fans will come to root for me and I don’t want to let them down. I want to put on a great show, win the fight, and make everyone who’s supporting me happy.
“Since I’m fighting at home, I don’t have to fly somewhere and acclimate. In my previous fights I had to fly across the ocean to compete. Now, it’s their turn, and everything will be by my rules.”
Rustam Khabilov M-1 Global veteran, vs. Kajan Johnson at UFC Moscow
“There’s a great responsibility fighting at home when the crowd is waiting for you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s M-1 Global or UFC. Crowds are the same. Many friends and fans will be worried, and they’ll come to root for me, so I owe this victory to them. I must win. That’s why I trained three times as hard for this fight. Now, I’m anticipating an opponent. Everything will be fine.”
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, one of best MMA coaches in the world and father of UFC and former M-1 Global fighter Kabib Nurmagomedov
“M-1 Global is the history of Russian MMA and it’s not a coincidence that many fighters who started their careers in M-1 Global are very successful in the MMA world. M-1 Global was a foundation for mixed martial arts in Russia, faced some challenges, learned from their mistakes and kept moving forward. Most Russian fighters who are now signed with the UFC came exactly from M-1 Global.”
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Upcoming M-1 Challenge Event:
Sept. 28 – M-1 Challenge 97 in Kazan, Russia
Fighting in UFC dream come true for M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov
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Sept. 15 at UFC Moscow vs. C.B. Dollaway |
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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 5, 2018) – Fighting in the UFC is a dream come true for undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov (11-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), who will make his UFC debut September 15, fighting on the UFC Moscow card at Olympic Stadium in Moscow.
Frolov recently agreed on short notice (2 weeks) to replace injured Omari Ashkedov against veteran American fighter C.B. “The Doberman” Dollaway (17-8-0).
Fighting at home in Russia, the 26-year-old Frolov won his M-1 Challenge title belt last October, when he took a unanimous decision from Caio Magalhaes at M-1 Challenge 84. This past June at M-1 Challenge 93, Frolov made his first and lone title defense to date against Joe Riggs, who suffered a knee injury that led to a doctor’s stoppage in the second round.
Yesterday, Frolov sat down for a one-on-one interview:
How long have you working on a deal to sign with UFC?
AF: “My manager has been working on signing me with the UFC for a while, but until the last few days, we had no solid agreement. A few days ago, they finally offered me a contract and asked to step in to replace an injured fighter at UFC Moscow.
“I thought it over and decided it was a great opportunity to join the UFC, which I did not want to miss. I would not say this contract was a surprise for me, people have been working on it, so I was ready.”
How does it feel to sign with UFC?
AF: “I’m excited to sign with the best promotion in the world, but I know that my debut fight won’t be easy, I’m stepping in on a short notice just two weeks before the show. I was going to defend my belt in M-1 Global in a couple months, so now I need to cut weight fast. The most difficult thing is not just to cut weight, but afterwards to recover well. In the UFC, IVs are banned and you have to be extremely careful with supplements you take to recover.”
What shape are you in for this fight considering only two-week’s notice?
AF: “I was preparing for a fight in M-1 Global, so I’m in good shape. We are going to work on my speed now but first, I have to cut weight. Once in my career I took a fight on a short notice, I had three weeks to prepare and I won that fight by TKO in the second round.”
What do you know about your opponent, C.B. Dollaway?
AF: “I’ve seen a couple of C.B. Dollaway’s UFC fights, but I have never considered him as my opponent, so did not pay too much attention to him. There are many good fighters in the UFC, so I can’t say that I know a lot about my opponent. We don’t have not enough time to concentrate on him, so we’ll concentrate on me.”
When do you feel you can challenge the top UFC fighters in your weight class?
AF: “I’m not going to demand huge fights with the top opponents in the UFC. I’ll take my time and be ready to fight any opponent they’ll give me. I need time to get used to new conditions, tune up my preparation, and put in order the whole system and then I will be ready for any challenges.
“Everything is in our hands; nothing is impossible. If someone wants something badly, sets a goal and works hard to achieve it, he or she will succeed. I’m just a regular guy who had a dream to fight in the UFC and I made it. Dream big, set goals and achieve them!”
INFORMATION:
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Upcoming M-1 Challenge Event: Aug. 25 – M-1 Challenge 96: Mikutsa vs. Ibragimov in Saint Petersburg, Russia |
M-1 Challenge middleweight champ Artem Frolov steps in to fight C.B. Dollaway, Sept. 15, at UFC Moscow
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Artem Frolov (center) is the M-1 Challenge middleweight champion
Frolov (L) is shown here landing a powerful strike smack on Caio Magalhaes’ chinRoman Bogatov & Rubenilton Pereira clash for Vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title in M-1 Challenge 97 main event
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Khadis Ibragimov new M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion
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Khadis Ibragimov (L) wore down Dmitry Mikutsa
Viktor Kolesnik (L) kicked his way past Daniel Swain
