The Champ speaks!
Doskalchuk vs. Arman Ashimov this Thursday at M-1 Challenge 92 in
Saint Petersburg, Russia
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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (May 21, 2018) – The “undisputed” M-1 Challenge flyweight title bout will be on the line this Thursday (May 24), when M-1 Challenge flyweight champion Aleksander Doskalchuk (pictured above) and Interim titlist Arman Ashimov square off in the M-1 Challenge 92 co-featured event, at M-1 Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Doskalchuk (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), fighting out of Ukraine, won his title belt last September atM-1 Challenge 83, when he used a Guillotine Choke to submit Vadim Malygin in the second round. Undefeated in M-1 competition, Doskalchuk won a majority decision in his M-1 debut last May, over Binh Son Le at M-1 Challenge 78.
Ashimov (8-2-1, M-1: 3-0-0) earned his Interim title shot this past February by stopping Gadzhimurad Aliev and Ervani Melonio with punches, respectively, in the second and first rounds. At M-1 Challenge 87, the powerfully striking Kazakh punched out Mikael Silander in two rounds to capture the M-1 Challenge Interim Flyweight Championship.
Doskalchuk (pictured above) sat down on the hot seat to participate in an exclusive one-on-one conversation:
It’s been seven months since you won the title. Why did you have to take such a long break?
AD: “I had to take time to heal all my injuries. There were problems with my ankle, so I could not train and fight for a few months. Soon, we’ll see how this break will affect my performance. All my injuries are in the past and I am ready to win the upcoming fight and become the undisputed M-1 Challenge flyweight champion.
What did you feel when you were told an interim title was to be introduced?
AD: “I felt nothing. The interim title does not mean anything to me and I have concentrated only on one thing: winning my fights. It is known that Ashimov is a very fast fighter and has power in his hands. I can’t say anything about his endurance, because it all depends on the way the fight goes. We’ll see how good his endurance is very soon into our fight.”
How do you think your fight will go? Are you going to use your advantage in grappling?
AD: “I am ready for a five-round battle and, of course, I will be looking for an opportunity to finish my opponent at all times. I would not say that my tactics will be focused on submissions. Take a look at my fights; I love boxing and in MMA you cannot rely on just one aspect.
Your fight against Ashimov was rescheduled from the last weekend’s show in China to May 24th in Saint Petersburg, Russia. How did it change your training plan?
AS: “I was ready to fight on May 12th, but Arman did not get his visa, so we had to change plans for the new date. Maybe it’s for the best. The flight to Saint Petersburg is easier and faster than to China. By the way, in Saint Petersburg, many more fans will come to root for me. Support is a very important part of the game and I am grateful to all the fans who will root for me at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, and everybody who will hold their fingers crossed watching the broadcast!”
Russian heavyweight star Sergei Kharitonov (27-6-0, M-1: 5-0-0) headlines M-1 Challenge 92 versus Anton Vyazigin (9-2-1, M-1: 4-1-0) in their SuperFight.
M-1 Challenge 92 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 92 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)
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Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:
May 24 – M-1 Challenge 92: Kharitonov vs. Vyazigin in Saint Petersburg, Russia
June 1 – M-1 Challenge 93: Shelemnko vs. Siva in Chelyabinsk, Russia