Fight News Unlimited

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premier entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With its office in St Petersburg, Russia, the M-1 brand has staged more than 160 events worldwide, including M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge, M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the U.S. network, Showtime. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Sergei Kharitonov, Aleksander Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2015 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global Champions among the greatest fighters in the sport.

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

Fight Network, M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

Fight Network Presents M-1 Challenge 60 LIVE Tomorrow, August 5 at 1:30 p.m. ET

August 5, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

TORONTO (Aug. 4, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a live broadcast of M-1 Challenge 60 tomorrow,Wednesday, August 5 at 1:30 p.m. ET from Orel, Russia.

Fight Network’s live broadcast of M-1 Challenge 60 will air on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Suddenlink Communications, 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.

A pair of past M-1 Challenge championship contenders, Maro “Mean Machine” Perak and Viktor Nemkov, will battle in the main event with the winner positioning himself for a potential title shot against M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan Puetz.

In other featured bouts, Marcin Zontek takes on Maksim Futin at light heavyweight, Zulfikar Usmanov faces Alexey Makhno in a battle of Russian lightweights, Brazilian featherweight Marcelo Costa enters enemy territory against Russia’s Zalimbek Omarov, plus bantamweights Elias Boudegzdame and Evgeni Lazukov kick off the main card festivities live on Fight Network.

The full main card and weigh-in results are below:

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MARO “Mean Machine” PERAK (23-5-1), Croatia 205 lbs. (93 kg)

VIKTOR NEMKOV (21-5-0), Russia 204 ½ lbs. (92.9 kg)

MARCIN ZONTEK (14-8-0), Poland 204 lbs. (92.8 kg)

MAKSIM FUTIN (4-2-0), Russia 204 ½ lbs. (92.9 kg)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ZULFIKAR USMANOV(7-4-1), Russia 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)

ALEXEY “Ataman” MAKHNO (9-3-0), Russia 159 lbs. (72.2 kg)

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MARCELO COSTA (11-2-1), Brazil 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

ZALIMBEK OMAROV (4-1-1), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ELIAS BOUDEGZDAME (9-3-0), Algeria 134 ½ lbs. (61.2 kg)

EVGENI LAZUKOV (7-2-0), Russia 134 lbs. (60.9 kg)

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.

M-1 Challenge 60: Battle in Orel, OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES

August 5, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

WATCH LIVE ON M-1GLOBAL.TV

MAIN CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MARO “Mean Machine” PERAK (23-5-1), Croatia 205 lbs. (93 kg)

VIKTOR NEMKOV (21-5-0), Russia 204 ½ lbs. (92.9 kg)

MARCIN ZONTEK (14-8-0), Poland 204 lbs. (92.8 kg)

MAKSIM FUTIN (4-2-0), Russia 204 ½ lbs. (92.9 kg)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ZULFIKAR USMANOV(7-4-1), Russia 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)

ALEXEY “Ataman” MAKHNO (9-3-0), Russia 159 lbs. (72.2 kg)

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MARCELO COSTA (11-2-1), Brazil 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

ZALIMBEK OMAROV (4-1-1), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ELIAS BOUDEGZDAME (9-3-0), Algeria 134 ½ lbs. (61.2 kg)

EVGENI LAZUKOV (7-2-0), Russia 134 lbs. (60.9 kg)

PRELIMINARY CARD

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

TELEKH NADZHAFADZE (3-1-0), Azerbaijan 183 lbs. (83.3 kg)

IVAN ZAKABUNYA (1-0-0), Russia 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

JOSIP “Arti” ARTUKOVIC (11-4-0), Croatia 169 lbs. (76.9 kg)

DENIS GENYUK (6-4-0), Russia 168 ½ lbs. (76.6 kg)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

VALERIU MIRCEA (4-1-0), Italy154 lbs. (70.1 kg)

RAUL TUTARAULI (4-2-0), Georgia 154 lbs. (70.2 kg)

JAVIER FUENTAS (6-2-0), Spain 154 ½ lbs. (70.3 kg)

ALEXANDER SANKOV (2-1-0), Russia 153 lbs. (69.7 kg)

BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

DMITRY SHVETC (2-1-0), Ukraine 134 ½ lbs. (61.2 kg)

ALEXANDER KOLESNIK (1-0-0), Russia 134 ½ lbs. (61.1 kg)

MEDIEVAL KNIGHT FIGHT

DMITRY KOVRIZHKIN (3-0-0), Russia

ROMAN ZUEV (4-0-0), Russia LBS. (KG))

WHAT: M-1 Challenge 60: Battle in Orel

WHEN: Wednesday, August 5, 2015

1:30 p.m. (New York City), 8:30 p.m. (Moscow)

WHERE: Grinn Arena in Orel, Russia 1:30

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

LIVE STREAM: WWW.M1GLOBAL.TV

M-1 Challenge 60 will be streamed live from Orel 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.

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 60 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable, Suddenlink Communications and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Upcoming Event: Sept. 5,, 2015 – M-1 Challenge 61 in Beijing, China

Information

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura to defend title Sept. 5 vs. Ante Delija in Beijing China

July 31, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you byM-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (July 30, 2015) – M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura will defend his title September 5 against challenger Ante “The Walking Trouble” Delija, headlining M-1 Challenge 61 in Beijing, China.

Marcin Tybura Ante Delija

M-1 Challenge 61 will be streamed live from Beijing 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 29-year-old Tybura (12-1, 3 KO/TKO, 5 SUB) captured the coveted M-1 Challenge heavyweight title August 15, 2014, chocking out defending champion Damian Grabowskiin the opening round with theM-1 Challenge 50“Submission of the Night”.

The 6′ 3″, 250-pound Tybura (on top in picture to left), fighting out of Poland, successfully defended his title in his first defense last November in Beijing against previously undefeated Denis Smoldarev, using another choke hold in the first round at M-1 Challenge 53.

A former M-1 Challenge Grand Prix heavyweight titlist, Tybura is coming off his only professional loss this past May at M-1 Challenge 57, in which he was stopped in the third round by M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan Puetz in their “Super Fight,” due to a severely broken nose.

Undefeated in his last five fights, Delija (14-2-0, 5 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) is a grappling specialist from Croatia, who is coached by M-1 Challenge light heavyweight contender Maro Perak, who is headlining M-1 Challenge 60 versus Viktor Nemkov on August 5 in Orel, Russia.

The 6′ 5″, 250-pound Delija (standing in picture to right) won a three-round decision over veteran Konstantin Gluhov last April at M-1 Challenge 56 to earn this heavyweight title shot. Delija, 24, and Tybura have two common opponents: both defeated Gluhov – Tybura by first-round submission – Delija lost to Smoldarev by second-round submission.

Fights and fighters are subject to challenge. Additional bouts will soon be announced.

M-1 Challenge 61 will be held in association with the Beijing International Economic Forum at a unique cultural business center, Chang An No. 1 (see picture below headline), which consists of 78 palaces and villas located on 3.2 million square feet (250,00 square meters) of natural landscape.

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 61 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable, Suddenlink Communications and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Upcoming Event:M-1 Challenge 60, August 5 in Orel, Russia.

Information

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

M-1, mixed martial arts

M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelchtein: “Fedor fighting again will be a great gift to MMA fans”

July 17, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelchtein talks about Fedor’s possible match-ups and expectations from his long-awaited return to MMA

(L) Living MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko and M- Global president Vadim Finkelchtein

Were you surprised when you heard about Fedor returning to professional fighting?

VF: “Well, yes, I was surprised. I lost hope for his comeback after one or two years of negotiations. I just couldn’t do it. One time he asked me not to talk about this anymore. But about a week ago he told me that he might make a comeback. I couldn’t believe what I heard. I was happy to hear that, but the real decision he made only a couple of days ago.”

Will Fedor continue his work in Russian MMA Union?

VF: “Yes, I’m sure that fighting wouldn’t become a distraction from his post of President of MMA Federation.”

What did Fedor Emelianenko tell you about his possible match-ups and opponents?

VF: “There’s no definite information yet. The only thing he told me is that he needed to prepare well enough to become as dangerous as he used be. Mentally, he is ready to fight; his attitude about fighting is great. I think he has good chance to show the best version of himself.

What do you think about his next fight? When will we see it?

VF: “I can’t tell you exactly right now. I would like him to make his first fight in Russia, of course, but this is all up to him, after all. But it would be great if first he makes it for his Russian fans. They would be happy.”

Will you make the third M-1 Global event with Fedor as the headliner?

VF: “I’d like that, of course. It would be awesome to make a show in “Olimpiyskiy” like we did when he was leaving. That show gathered 22,000 spectators and was a great present for all his fans. And then he would go abroad. This is of course is only my desire for now. I will work on it. Maybe we will make it happen.”

Who do you see as his next opponent?

VF: “I think any M-1 heavyweight would accept this fight. Actually, he can face any TOP heavyweight from all over the World.”

How long will Fedor be able to fight in your opinion?

VF: “I think for a couple of years, easily.”

Information

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

Light heavyweight contenders Maro Perak & Viktor Nemkov To headline M-1 Challenge 60 August 5 in Orel, Russia

July 16, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (July 15, 2015) – A pair of past M-1 Challenge championship contenders, Maro “Mean Machine” Perak and Viktor Nemkov, will battle August 5 in the main event at M-1 Challenge 60 in Orel, Russia with the winner positioning himself for a potential title shot against M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan Puetz..

Perak (R) unsuccesfuly fought Denis Smoldarev for the coveted M-1 Challenge heavyweight title earlier this year

Perak (23-5-1, 12 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), fighting out of Croatia, is coming off tough, competitive fights against two of the best heavyweights in the world, another past M-1 Challenge title challenger, Denis Smoldarev, and reigning M-1 Challenge champion Marcin Tybura.

This past February at M-1 Challenge 55, Perak lost by submission (arm-lock) to Smoldarev in the opening round. Perak’s only title fight to date was April 4, 2014, in which he was stopped in the third round by Tybura’s punches.

After his aforementioned fights, Perak decided to drop down in weight to fight as a light heavyweight. He was scheduled face Rashad Yusupov last May at M-1 Challenge 57, however, a knee surgery forced Perak out of that fight and he will instead make his M-1 light heavyweight debut versus Nemkov. Perak will be looking for his first win in M-1 Global competition, fighting for the fourth time in an event presented by the highly respected Russian promotional company.

Nemkov (on top) gave M-1Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan Puetz all he could handle in their bout

A native of Kazakhstan, now fighting out of Belgorod, Russia, Nemkov (16-8-0, 9 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) hopes the third time is the charm for him. He has lost two M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title fights, March 14, 2014 toPuetz by split decision at M-1 Challenge 46, and back in 2011 to Vinny Magalhaes by third-round submission (choke) at M-1 Challenge 25.

A veteran of 16 M-1 Global fights (9-7-0), Nemkov has been sidelined the past 1 ½ years recovering from a series of injuries.

Nemkov’s return and Perak’s debut as a light heavyweight adds up to an explosive fight for the right to challenge Puetz.

Three other fights have been announced this far for M-1 Challenge 60: Battle in Orel. All fights and fighters are subject to change, additional bouts will soon be announced.

Polish light heavyweight Marcin Zontek (14-8-0, 6 KO/TKO, 5 SUB) takes on Maxim Futin, of Russia, Zulfikar Usmanov (7-4-1, 1 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) faces Alexey “Ataman” Makhno (9-3-0, 4 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) in a battle of Russian lightweights, and French bantamweight Moktar Benkaci (11-6-0) meets Evgeni Lazukov (7-2-0, 1 KO/TKO, 1 SUB), of Russia.

Zontek (14-8-0, 6 KO/TKO, 5 SUB) (pictured to left) plans a spectacular comeback from his 2012 bloody fight with Sergey Korneev for the M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title. Zontek needed more than 2 ½ years to fully recover from his loss but he won his last two fights going into his Aug. 5 fight.

A two-time Combat Sambo champion and European vice-champion, Futin (4-2-0, 4 KO/TKO) is an exciting fighter who often spars with Vyacheslav Vasilevky. Futin is always in great shape and known as an excellent striker.

Usmanov (pictured below left) is an experienced MMA fighter from St. Petersburg.

A powerful striker, he has twice been awarded “Fight of the Night” bonuses. Riding a five-fight win streak, Makhno is a promising prospect whose M-1 Challenge debut ended with a sensational knockout victory over Rakhman Makhazhiev (pictured below right).

In his most recent fight, Benkaci (11-7-0, 3 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) gave Nikita Chistyakovall he could handle, albeit in a loss by majority decision. Benkaci (pictured below left), whose previous fights have been at featherweight, was at a disadvantage fighting Chistyakov at lightweight. When M-1 Global launched its bantamweight division last month, dropped down to a much more comfortable weight class for him.

A seven-time European Universal Combat champion, Lazukov (pictured below right) showed his potential early, defeating UFC flyweight contender Ali Begautinov during his relatively young professional career.

M-1 Challenge 60 will be streamed live from Orel 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 Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 60 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Information

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 Results: Kharitonov stops Garner in 1st round

July 5, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

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, M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, RFA

Fight Network Presents M-1 Challenge 59, RFA 27 LIVE this Friday, July 3

July 3, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

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.

Sergei Kharitonov: “I’m the only Russian fighter who defeated Fabricio Werdum”

July 1, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

M-1 Global heavyweight, PRIDE FC and Strikeforce veteran Sergei Kharitonov talks about his fighting career and upcoming rematch with Kenny “Deuce” Garner at M-1 Challenge 59, this Friday (July 3) in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Sergei, how bad did you want this rematch?

SK: “The rematch with Kenny Garner is extremely important fight for me. This fight will be held in Kazakhstan where many of my fans will come to support me. Our last fight in China didn’t go as I planned. Kenny is a dangerous fighter, though he is at an advanced age already. I did a lot to prepare myself for this fight and I hope to show a spectacular fight on July 3.”

What went wrong at your last fight with “Deuce”?

SK: “Well, Kenny showed a really impressive ground game and had almost succeeded in holding me in parter. He even tried to make a submission on me. That was a total surprise. In addition, I didn’t have a full complete training camp for that fight as I had been preparing for the kickboxing championship. But I promised M-1 Global to fight him no matter what and I did.”

What mistakes did you make in your 1^st fight with Garner?

SK: The only one: I didn’t prepare well for that fight. I’d spent too much time to prepare for my kickboxing fight and was extremely exhausted. That was a risk but I gave my word to Vadim Finkelchtein (M-1 Global president) and M-1 to fight. So, I didn’t have a choice. Now it will all be different as I’ve just completed training camp and I’m ready.”

What edge do you have over Garner?

SK: “My stand-up game is, for sure, a significant competitive edge. I used to fight in kickboxing a lot, so I’m confident in my striking. He, on the other hand, has a benefit in parter (ground game) and wrestling.”

Tell us about your training camp in Thailand?

SK: “I was training there with Alistair Overeem and other fighters from Europe and Brazil. In addition, I visited my coach in Belarus. The major part of my work was dedicated to conditioning and parter game.”

Was your training with Alistair Overeem useful for you?

SK: “That’s for sure. Overeen is a Top-10 best heavyweight in the World. So, I think training with him was good for me and that it will show in my fight with Kenny.”

Would you like to fight for the M-1 Global heavyweight title belt with Marcin Tybura?

SK: “I’d like that for sure! I don’t turn down any fight. I’m still the only Russian fighter who defeated current UFC champ Fabricio Werdum. And I have a lot of wins over noticeable fighters such as Nogueira, Overeem, Arlovski, and Rua. They are elite MMA fighters, they are champions. I’ve never turned down any fight. If M-1 offers me a fight with Marcin Tybura. I will accept that fight immediately. I would accept it right now.”

Are you thinking about calling it a career these days?

SK: “Not at all. I’m young and I think that my fighting career is only at its beginning. I’m ready for big fights!”

__________________________________________________________________

M-1 Challenge 59 will be streamed live from Kazakhstan 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 Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 59 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Information:
www.mixfight.ru

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

Alistair Overeem special guest at M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Narts 5

June 26, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

Kharitonov vs. Garner 2 headlines July 3 in Astana, Kazakhstan

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (June 25, 2015) – MMA star Alistair Overeem will be a special guest of M-1 Global and main event fighter Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov on July 3 at M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Kharitonov (22-5-0, 12 KO/TKO, 9 SUB), who faces Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-8-0, 9 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) in their highly anticipated rematch, and Overeem are longtime training partners. In fact, the two have fought twice. In 2006, Kharitonov dislocated his shoulder and tapped out against Overeem at PRIDE 31 in Japan. At the K-1 Hero’s Tournament 1 ½ years later, Kharitonov stopped Overeem on punches in the opening round.

Overeem (39-14-0, 1 NC), who was born in England and fights out of The Netherlands, fought in M-1 Global back in 2002. He forced Sergey Kaznovsky into a first-round submission via an arm-lock at M-1 MFC: Russia vs. World 3 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Information:
www.mixfight.ru

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook: