Category Archives: Russia

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 Challenge 84 Promo Video Alexey Kunchenko vs. Sergey Romanov M-1 Challenge Welterweight Title Fight 

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M-1 Challenge 84, Oct. 27, in Saint Petersburg, Russia
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (October 11, 2017) – Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0) will make his third title defense in the M-1 Challenge 84 main event against once-beaten challenger Sergey Romanov on (11-1-0, M-1: 5-0-0) October 27 at Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 84 will be streamed live from Saint Petersburg 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.

INFORMATION:

www.M1Global.tv

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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko to defend title against Top contender Sergey Romanov

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M-1 Challenge 84, Oct. 27, in Saint Petersburg, Russia
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (October 4, 2017) – Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko will make his third title defense in the M-1 Challenge 84 main event against once-beaten challenger Sergey Romanov on October 27at Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 84 will be streamed live from Saint Petersburg 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.
In a battle of Russian welterweight fighters, Kunchenko (16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0) is a Muay Thai specialist who captured his title on April 9, 2016, at M-1 Challenge 65, when Murad Abdulaev retired in the fourth round.
Kunchenko has made two successful title defenses, both won by way of unanimous decisions, against Abdulaev in a rematch and this past March in his last action versusMaksim Grabovich.
  Kunchenko unloaded on Grabovich
Romanov (11-1-0, M-1: 5-0-0), who is also unbeaten in M-1 Global competition, defeating Arda Adas, Magomed Sultanakhmedov, Carlos Pereira, Andreas Birgels and Sergio de Fatima. Romanov is a strong striker with eight knockouts on his impressive resume.
Romanav was too much for de Fatima
Undefeated Russian middleweight prospect Artiom Frolov (9-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0) steps up in terms of quality opposition against dangerous Brazilian middleweight Caio “Hellboy” Magalhaes (10-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0) in a fight that has future title implications. Frolov is coming off back-to-back victories in M-1 main card fights against Talekh Nadzhafzade and veteran American fighter Luigi Fioravanti. Magalhaes has fought professionally in the UFC and in his M-1 Global debut at M-1 Challenge 78 last May, he choked Dmitry Voitov into an opening-round submission.
American middleweight Joe “Diesel” Riggs (45-17-1, M-1: 1-0-0) takes on Oleg Olenichev (9-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) in an intriguing match-up. Another former UFC fighter, Riggs has also had success fighting in Bellator and Strikeforce. The battle-tested Riggs, who was born in Maine and fights out of Arizona, is riding a five-fight win streak. Olenichev made his M-1 Global debut in his last fight, this past June at M-1 Challenge 79, winning a three-round unanimous decision over Enoc Solves Torres (19-9-1), of Spain.
In other main card match-ups, Finnish bantamweight Janne “Jamba” Elonen-Kulmala (15-5-1, M-1: 1-0-1) throws-down with Bair Shtepin (4-2-0, M-1: 1-2-0), and Russian welterweight Temirlan Sharipov (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) takes on fellow countryman Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-3-0).
Two preliminary bouts are set as American heavyweight Philip “F-11” De Fries (12-6-0, M-1: 0-0-0) and Russian Anton Vyazigin (7-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) square-off and Finnish lightweight Jani Salmi (9-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0) faces Russian Roman Bogatov (2-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0).
Additional bouts will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
INFORMATION:

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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia
boxing, M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

Brandon Halsey defeats Mikhail Ragozin by Decision in light heavyweight Super Fight

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Aleksander Doskalchuk captures inaugural
M-1 Challenge flyweight championship
 
M-1 CHALLENGE 83 RESULTS

 Brandon Halsey recorded his first M-1 Global victory
KAZAN, Russia (September 23, 2017) – American MMA fighter Brandon “Bull” Halsey, fighting as a light heavyweight for the first time, won a hard-fought, three-round unanimous decision over his Russian opponent, Mikhail Ragozin, in yesterday’s (Saturday) M-1 Challenge 83: TATFIGHT 5 main event, marking the first international MMA event ever held in Kazan, Russia.
In the co-feature, Aleksander Doskalchuk became the first M-1 Challenge flyweight champion.
Eight different countries – Russia, USA, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Kyrgyzstan, and Netherlands – were represented by fighters in this international event.
The 30-year-old Halsey (10-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), fighting out of Huntington Beach, California, was a standout wrestler at the California State University in Bakersfield. He is a former two-time Bellator whose decision to move up to light heavyweight from middleweight, after him being stopped in the opening round ofM-1 Challenge 79 this past June to Russian MMA star Alexander Shlemenko, proved correct as he won a three-round decision over Ragozin for his initi  al M-1 Global victory, establishing himself as a leading contender for the coveted M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title.
Doskalchuk (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), of Ukraine, used a choke hold to force Russian flyweight Vadim “Bad Santa” Malygin (11-3-1, M-1: 2-2-1) to tap out in the second round. Doskalchuk became the first M-1 Challenge flyweight champion.
In other main event action, Georgian lightweight Raul Tutarauli (18-3-0, M-1: 6-1-0) took a three-round unanimous decision over previously undefeatedVladimir Kanunnikov (8-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0, of Russia; American featherweightNate “The Train” Landwehr (9-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0) stopped his Russian foe,Mikhail Korobkov (13-3-1, M-1: 1-3-1), on punches in the second round; Kazakh bantamweight Sergey Morozov (10-3-0, M-1: 5-2-0) punched out Luan Fernandes (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) in the second fame.
 
Nate “The Train” Landwehr celebrated his first M-1 win
The judges were very busy working the undercard as only two fights ended before the full distance with Russian featherweight knocking out his countryman, pro-debuting Rinat Shakirov in the third round, and Russian lightweight Viktor Kolesnik (11-3-1, M-1: 2-0-1) doing the same to Netherlands kickboxing specialist Brian Hooi (14-7-0, M-1: 0-1-0), only in the opening round.
Ukrainian light heavyweight Vadim Shabadash (5-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0) and Russian bantamweight Alexander Osetrov won unanimous decisions over, respectively, Russian Kirill Kusmin (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0) and pro-debuting Lenar Suleymanov, of Russia.
Russian light weight Alik Albagachiev (4-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) took a majority decision win from Russian Ruslan Khisamutdinov (4-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0) and Russian welterweight Vadim Sinitsyn (2-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) had the exact same outcome versus Timur Gilimzyanov (4-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0). Brazilian lightweightDiego Davela (18-6-1, M-1: 1-1-1) and Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (8-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1), of Kyrgyzstan, fought to a three-round split draw.
Complete results and photo gallery below:
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Brandon Halsey (10-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), USA
WUDEC3
Mikhail Ragozin (8-3-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia
INAUGURAL M-1 CHALLENGE FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Aleksander Doskalchuk (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Ukraine
WSUB2 (CHOKE – 1:26)
Vadim Malygin (11-3-1, M-1: 2-2-1), Russia
(Doskalchuk Won M-1 Challenge flyweight title)
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Raul Tutarauli (18-3-0, M-1: 6-1-0), Georgia
WUDEC
Vladimir Kanunnikov (8-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia)
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Nate Landwehr (9-2-0 (M-1: 1-0-0), USA
WKO/TKO (punches – 1:31)
Mikhail Korobkov (13-3-1, M-1: 1-3-1), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Sergey Morozov (10-3-0, M-1: 5-2-0), Kazakhstan
WKO/TKO2 (punches – 4:48)
Luan Fernandes (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
PRELIMINARY CARD
 
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Vadim Shabadash (5-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Ukraine
WUDEC
Kirill Kuzmin (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
WELTERWEIGHTS
Vadim Sinitsyn (2-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WMDEC
Timur Gilimzyanov (4-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Diego Davella (18-6-1, M-1: 1-1-1), Brazil
SD
Busurmankul Abditbait Uulu (8-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Kyrgyzstan
Viktor Kolesnik (11-2-1, M-1: 2-0-1), Russia
WKO/TKO1 (punches – 3:36)
Brian Hooi (14-7-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Netherlands
Alik Albagachiev (4-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WMDEC
Ruslan Khisamutdinov (4-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Nidzhat Imanov (2-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0)
WKO/TKO3 (punches)
Rinat Shakirov (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Alexander Osetrov (2-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WUDEC
Lenar Suleymanov (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
 
 
 
 INFORMATION:

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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 CHALLENGE 83 WEIGHTS 

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KAZAN, Russia (September 22, 2017) – The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow’s M-1 Challenge 83 in Kazan, Russia. See weights and pictures below.
M-1 Challenge 83 will be streamed live from Kazan 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.
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
 (R) Mikhail Ragozin(8-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 205 lbs. (93 kg)
(L) Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), USA 204 lbs. (92,8 kg)
 INAUGURAL M-1 CHALLENGE FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP — 5 X 5
(L) Aleksander Doskalchuk (7-1-00, M-1: 1-0-0), Ukraine 125 lbs. (56,7 kg)
(R) Vadim “Bad Santa” Malygin (11-2-1, M-1: 2-1-1), Russia 125 lbs. (56,7 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
(R) Vladimir Kanunnikov (8-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 153 ½ lbs. (69,6 kg)
(L) Raul Tutarauli (17-3-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Georgia 153 ½ lbs. (69,8 kg)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
(L) Nate “The Train” Landwehr (8-2-0 (M-1: 0-0-0), USA 144 lbs. (65,5 kg)
(R) Mikhail Korobkov (13-2-1, M-1: 1-2-1), Russia 143 OBS. (65,2 KG)
  BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
(R) Sergey Morozov (9-3-0, M-1: 4-2-0), Kazakhstan 135 LBS. (61,3 kg)
(L) Luan Fernandes (8-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 133 lbs. (60,5 kg)
PRELIMINARY CARD
 
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Kirill Kuzmin (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 200 lbs. (91 kg)
Vadim Shabadash (4-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Ukraine 202 lbs. (91,7 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Timur Gilimzyanov (4-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 168 ½ lbs. (76,6 kg)
Vadim Sinitsyn (1-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 168 lbs. (76,3 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Diego Davella (18-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Brazil 149 lbs. (67,8 kg)
Busurmankul Abditbait Uulu (8-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Kyrgyzstan 149 lbs. (67,8 kg)
Brian Hooi (14-6-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Netherlands 153 lbs. (69,6 kg)
Viktor Kolesnik (10-2-1, M-1: 1-0-1), Russia 154 ½ lbs. (70,3 kg)
Ruslan Khisamutdinov (4-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 154 lbs. (69,9 kg)
Alik Albagachiev (3-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 154 lbs. (70 kg)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Rinat Shakirov (pro debut), Russia 138 lbs. (62,7 kg)
Nidzhat Imanov (1-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0) 138 ½ lbs. (63 kg)
BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Lenar Suleymanov (pro debut), Russia 133 lbs. (60,6 kg)
Alexander Osetrov (1-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 134 lbs. (61,1 kg)
(all fights & fighters subject to change)
WHEN:           Saturday, September 23, 2017
WHERE:         Kazan, Russia
 
PROMOTER:  M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (9.00 a.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. in USA)
INFORMATION:
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 83: Sept. 23, 2017 in Kazan, Russia
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

Promo video for M-1 Challenge 83, September 23, in Kazan, Russia

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M-1 Challenge 83 will be streamed live from Kazan 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.
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
 
M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 83: Sept. 23, 2017 in Kazan, Russia
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

Super Fight: Mikhail Ragozin vs. Brandon Halsey plus Doskalchuk vs. Malygin Inaugural M-1 Challenge Flyweight title fight

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (September 13, 2017) – The M-1 Challenge 83 main card is set for the first international mixed-martial-arts event ever held in the Republic of Tatarstan, September 23, in Kazan, Russia,
M-1 Challenge 83 will be streamed live from Kazan 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.
World-class light heavyweight contenders Mikhail Ragozin (8-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), representing New Stream Team, Storm School and Club Boets, and Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) are matched against each other in the main event, while Aleksander Doskalchuk (7-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0) takes on Vadim “Bad Santa” Malygin (11-2-1, M-1: 2-1-1).
Last May in his most recent action, 25-year-old Ragozin (pictured below) stopped Alan Bispo,of Brazil, in the third round at M-1 Challenge 78. The Russian fighter hadn’t fought in M-1 Global competition since 2015.
Halsey, 30, is from Huntington Beach, California. A wrestler from the California State University in Bakersfield, Halsey captured the Bellator middleweight title three years ago by way of an opening-round submission (choke) of Russian MMA star Alexander Shlemenko, who avenged that loss with a knockout of Halsey in the first round this past June at M-1 Challenge 79. Halsey had difficulty dropping weight for his rematch with Shlemnenko and he immediately decided to move up in weight to light heavyweight.
Ukraine-born Doskalchuk (pictured below on left) rides a four-fight win streak, including a three-round unanimous decision last May at M-1 Challenge 78 over Son Le Binh.
The winner of his last three fights, Malygin (pictured below on right) is a Russian flyweight on a three-fight win streak, including a win by three-round unanimous decision over Fabricio “Bill” Sarraff at M-1 Challenge 78.
Also scheduled to fight on the M-1 Challenge 83 card is undefeated Russian lightweight prospect Vladimir Kanunnikov (8-0-0), who will be making his M-1 Global debut against Georgian Raul Tutalrauli (17-3-0, M-1: 5-1-0). American featherweight Nate “The Train” Landwehr (8-2-0) will also be making his M-1 Global debut versus veteran Russian fighter Mikhail Korobkov (13-2-1, M-1: 1-2-1), while Brazilian lightweight Diego (D’Avila) Davella (18-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0) takes on former Interim M-1 Challenge lightweight title challenger Alexey Nevzorov (12-3-0, M-1: 6-2-0), of Russia.
The M-1 Challenge 83 preliminary card will showcase local pro fighters such asRuslan Khisamutdinov, Kirill Kuzmen and Lenar Suleymanov.
INFORMATION:
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 83: Sept. 23, 2017 in Kazan, Russia
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

Ragozin vs. Halsey to headline M-1 Challenge 83: Tatfight 5 Sept. 23 in Kazan, Russia

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ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (August 22, 2017) – M-1 Global will promote the first international mixed-martial-arts event in Republic of Tatarstan history, September 23, as Kazan, Russia hosts M-1 Challenge 83: Tatfight 5.

The main event of the evening will be a light heavyweight bout between American invader Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), the two-time Bellator champion, and Mikhail Ragozin (8-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), a National Pankration champion of Russia who is also a pupil of legendary Russian MMA fighter Alexander Shlemenko.

The inaugural M-1 Challenge Flyweight Championship will be contested as the two Grand Prix finalists, Ukrainian MMA National Champion Alexander Doskalchuk (7-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0) takes on Russian Vadim “Bad Santa” Malygin (11-2-1, M-1: 2-1-1), who is a multiple regional champion in hand-to-hand combat and kickboxing.

Also scheduled to fight on the growing M-1 Challenge 83 card is Georgian champion Raul Tutarauli (17-3-0, M-1: 5-1-0) against multiple Russian Army hand-to-hand combat champion Vladimir Kanunnikov (8-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0) in an M-1 Challenge lightweight eliminator to determine the No. 1 contender.

The Republic of Tatarstan will be represented at this event by the best fighters from Kazan City, including 2015 & 2016 Republic of Tatarstan MMA champion Ruslan Khisamutdinov, representing the “Divizion” Fight Club, two-time Republic of Tatarstan and Volga Federal District MMA champion Kirill Kuzmin, representing the “Bars Profi” Fight Club, Kyokushin Karate prize-winning Russian champion and winner of the TATFIGHT tournament in Kyokushin Karate, Lenar Suleymanov.

Viewing fans of the event will watch more than a dozen spectacular battles featuring many of the best MMA fighters from Russia, USA, Brazil, Germany, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Georgia.

M-1 Global invites true connoisseurs of this courageous and spectacular sport, as well as those who are joining the amazing world of one of the fastest growing sports to the planet, to watch M-1 Challenge 83: Tatfight 5 on September 23 via M-1 Global.tv or in Canada on Fight Network.

INFORMATION:

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M-1, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

One-on-One with M-1 Global president  Vadim Finkelchtein

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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (August 16, 2017) – M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein recently sat down with mixfight.ru to discuss the recent M-1 Challenge 82 in Finland, M-1 Challenge 83 in next month in Kazan, Russia, and what fight he considers to be the most anticipated this autumn.

M-1 Challenge 82 tournament has just ended in Helsinki. Tell us your impressions and did everything go as planned beforehand?

VF: “Yes, the tournament fully met our expectations. We initially set it very high, promotingM-1 Challenge 82 at the largest venue in Finland, Hartwall Arena. In the history of Finland’s MMA tournaments, prior to our show, MMA shows had never been held in large arenas. There were halls for 1,500 to 2,000 viewers, at most, and that’s why M-1 Global had such as a large responsibility. I am very glad that we managed to fill the arena by 70-80 percent, setting record attendance for MMA tournaments in Finland. Our matchmakers did a great job. They managed to gather some of the best Finnish fighters for this tournament and found some worthy opponents for them as well. This attracted a lot of attention to the tournament, of course, for Finnish MMA fans.”

Do you plan to come back to Finland and hold tournaments on a regular basis there?

VF: “Undoubtedly! We have such intentions. We have seen good interest in our tournaments, not only on the part of the audience, but television and the media as well. This year we have signed a contract with one of the leading TV channels of Finland – RUUTU — to broadcast all M-1 Challenge tournaments. I think we will definitely return next year to Finland.”

When is the next M-1 Challenge tournament and where?

VF: “The next tournament will be held in Kazan (Russia) on September 23rd. This will be the first M-1 tournament in this city and we’re thoroughly prepared for it. The main event forM-1 Challenge 83 is a fight between Brandon Halsey and Mikhail Ragozin, one of the most promising Russian heavyweights. Mikhail is a pupil of Alexander Shlemenko, who is also a New Stream team fighter.”

Fans are now excited about the tournament in St. Petersburg, of course, especially the title super-bout between two bright punchers, Alexei Kunchenko and Sergei Romanov. What do you expect from this fight?
 
VF: “I’m sure this fight will be the pinnacle of the entire season in Russian MMA. This will be a duel between the two strongest fighters in this weight category in Russia, but it’s also a fight between two bright and prominent shock-punchers. Kunchenko has never been defeated. He is more experienced of the two, he has already won the belt and has defended it a few times. And Romanov is very hungry, winning fighter, who improves progressively as a professional from fight to fight. And, of course, there will be crowded fan sectors on his side in St. Petersburg. Already, as of today, 2 ½ months before the tournament, Sergey’s fans have bought more than 1000 tickets! I myself am looking forward to this fight!”

INFORMATION:

 

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boxing, Russia

Chicago Cruiserweight Junior Wright to Face Russia’s Ruslan Fayfer for IBF #2 Spot This Friday in Russia

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This Friday, August 18, in Krasnodar, Russia, IBF #14-rated cruiserweight “Hurricane” Junior Wright (16-2-1, 13 KOs) of Chicago will face hometown favorite and IBF #8-rated Ruslan Fayfer (20-0, 14 KOs) in an eliminator for the #2 contender spot.
For the talented 31-year-old Wright, a victory would spell another shot at a world championship. But when a fighter is coming into a Russian fighter’s hometown, that isn’t always easy. Still, Wright and his trainer Rick Wilson have spent eight weeks preparing for this fight, believing that Junior is coming back to US with the victory.
“Fighters come from the US to fight in Russia they all come home with a bad story,” said Wright, “but we’re not. We’re coming out of Krasnodar with a beautiful gift.”
Wright was last seen stopping Detroit’s Damon McCreary in two rounds in January of this year.

“Junior Wright has shown throughout his career that he is one of the most dedicated fighters in the cruiserweight division,” said his promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “Fighting the best available contenders, Junior is once again showing his will and desire to be the best cruiserweight in the world.  I expect a ‘Hurricane-like’ performance from him on Friday.”
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

Zayats defeats Vanttinen by decision in M-1 Challenge 82 main event

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
Mikhail Zayats was too much for Marcus Vanttinen

HELSINKI, Finland (August 6, 2017) – Russian light heavyweight Mikhail Zayats defeated Marcus “Caveman” Vanttinen by unanimous decision in last night’s M-1 Challenge 82main event, which headlined the first M-1 Global event held in Finland during the last nine years.

Zayats (23-8-0, M-1: 13-5-0) returned to an M-1 Global-promoted event for the first time in nearly six years. The Russian strongman see pictured below), who had fought the past few years in Bellator, ruined the night for local favorite Vanttinen (24-6-0, M-1: 2-3-0), one of six Finnish fighters on the Helsinki card.

International fighters represented nine different countries: Russia, Finland, Brazil, USA, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Ukraine and Sweden.
Finnish bantamweight Janne “Jambo” Elonen-Kulmala (15-5-1, M-1: 0-0-1) and Brazilian veteran fighter Heilton (Dos Santos) Davella (15-6-1, M-1: 0-1-1) fought to a three-round split-draw, Finnish flyweight Mikhail “Hulk” Silander (17-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0) took a three-round unanimous decision from Vitali Branchuk (22-7-0, M-1: 2-3-0), of Ukraine.
“Jambo” nails Davella
(L) Silander made hometown fans happy
Russian lightweight prospect Pavel Gordeev (8-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) and Ukrainian welterweight Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko (44-12-3, M-1: 10-2-1), respectively, won three-round unanimous decisions over Brazilian Michel “Sassarito” Silva (18-7-0, M-1: 0-2-0) and American Keith “The One” Johnson (12-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0).
Gordeev is a promising prospect
(L) Butenko and Johnson put on a good show.
Also on the main card, Finnish welterweight Juho Valamaa (15-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) made a successful M-1 debut with a first-round technical knockout victory of Portugal’s Aires Bendrouis (10-6-0, M-1: 0-1-0).
Valamaa celebrated
On the preliminary card, Swedish bantamweight Son Le “Buddah” Binh (5-3-0, M-1: 1-2-0) lost a three-round unanimous decision to Oleg Lichkovakha (8-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), fighting out of Russia, and Ukrainian heavyweight Boris “Bora” Polezhay (17-6-0, M-1: 2-1-0) defeated Finland’s Toni Valtonen (27-16-0, M-1: 6-3-0) by decision.
Russian middleweight Ruslan Shamolov (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0) stopped American“Motown” Moses Murrietta (5-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0) in the opening round, French lightweightArnaud Kherfallah (4-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0) used a guillotine choke to force Patrik Pietila (8-5-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Finland, to tap-out in round one, and Russian flyweight Akaki Khorava (2-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0) tapped out in the second round as his Swiss opponent,Frederico “Muskito” Gutzwiller (3-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0), locked on an arm-bar.
In M-1’s popular Medieval Fight, Ukrainian heavyweight Vladimir Nicheporenkodefeated Russian Yuro Slobodyanik by way of a first-round knockout.

Complete results below:
 
OFFICIAL RESULTS
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Mikhail Zayats (23-8-0, M-1: 13-5-0), Russia
WDEC3
Marcus Vanttinen (24-7-0, M-1: 2-3-0), Finland lbs. (kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Juho Valmaa (14-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Finland
WTKO1 (4:52 – referee stoppage)
Aires Bendrouis (10-5-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Portugal
Alexander Butenko (44-12-3, M-1: 10-2-1), Ukraine
WDEC3
Keith Johnson (12-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), USA
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Pavel Gordeev (8-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Michel Silva (18-7-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Brazil
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Janne Elonen-Kulmala (15-5-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Finland
D3
Heilton (Dos Santos) Davella (15-6-1, M-1: 0-1-1), Brazil
FLYWEIGHTS
Mikael Silander (17-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Finland
WDEC3
Vitali Branchuk (22-7-0, M-1: 2-3-0), Ukraine
PRELIMINARY CARD
 
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Boris Polezhay (17-6-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Ukraine
WDEC3
Toni Valtonen (27-16-0, M-1: 6-3-0), Finland
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Ruslan Shamilov (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia
WKO1 (3:10)
Moses Murrietta (5-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), USA
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Arnaud Kherfallah (4-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), France
WSUB1 (4:22 – guillotine choke)
Patrik Pietila (8-5-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Finland
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Oleg Lichkovakha (8-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Son Le Binh (5-3-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Sweden
FLYWEIGHTS
Frederico Gutzwiller (3-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Switzerland
WSUB2 (1:59 – armbar)
Akaki Khorava (2-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Georgia
MEDIEVAL FIGHT
HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Vladimir Nicheporenko, Ukraine
WKO1 (1:22)
Yuri Sloboyanik, Russia
INFORMATION:

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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 200 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. 2017 has been another sensational year of world-class competition, featuring 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.