Tag Archives: Alexey Kunchenko

Alexander Shlemenko defeats Paul Bradley, Kunchenko retains M-1 Challenge title

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
M-1 CHALLENGE 74 OFFICIAL RESULTS
 

(R) Alexander Shlemenko kicked his way to another victory
MOSCOW (March 4, 2017) — Russian middleweight Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko defeated American Paul “The Gentleman” Bradley and undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko retained his title last night in the loaded M-1 Challenge 75 card at Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow, Russia
A three-time Bellator champion, Shlemenko (55-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 5-0-0) spoiled the M-1 Global debut of former Ring of Combat champion Bradley (23-8-0, M-1: 0-1-0), fighting out of San Diego, by way of a three-round unanimous decision in the main event of the evening.  Shlemenko, who last year captured the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship, remained undefeated in M-1 Global competition.
Kunchenko (16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), of Russia, kept his professional MMA record intact with his 16th victory, half of which in M-1 Global competition, with a five-round unanimous decision over fellow countryman Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-1-0) in the co-feature.
 (R) — Alexey Kunchenko cruised to his 16th pro win with a defeat
Popular Russian welterweight Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (11-1-0, M-1: 4-0-0) made a strong statement as a legitimate title contender with his three-round unanimous decision over Russian MMA veteran Mogamed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-6-0, M-1: 10-2-0), the former M-1 Selection middleweight champion.
Former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) positioned himself for another title shot, stopping American Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (11-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0) on punches in the second round.
In the final main card fight, Brazilian light heavyweight Carlos “Cachorrao” Eduardo (15-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) made an impressive M-1 Global debut, taking a three-round decision from his Ukrainian opponent, Boris “Bora” Polezhay (15-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0).
In preliminary card action, Russian middleweight Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasinikov (11-1-2, M-1: 2-1-2) lived up to his nickname with an opening-round knockout of Brazilian Amilcar Alves (15-11-0, M-1: 0-1-0), undefeated Russian welterweight Abubakar Mestoev (4-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) took a three-round unanimous decision from German Niko Samsonidse (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), pro-debuting Russian lightweight Roman Bogatov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) used an arm-triangle choke to submit Ukrainian Aleksey Sotnikov (4-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0),  South Korean Bok Kil Young (8-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1) and Russian Viktor Kolesnik (9-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1) fought to a three-round draw, Russian welterweight Danila Prikaza (6-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0) locked in a rear-naked choke hold to defeat German Arda “Boma Ye” Adas (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) by first-round submission, and Georgian lightweight Raul Tutarauli (8-4-0, M-1: 4-1-0) punched out Mohamed Grabinski (14-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Germany, in the second round.
 
Complete results & photo gallery below:
 
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Alexander Shlemenko (55-9-0, 1 NC, M-1: 5-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Paul Bradley (23-8-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-1-0), USA
M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Alexey Kunchenko (16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), Russia
WDEC5
Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
(Kunchenko retained M-1 Challenge welterweight title)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Seregey Romanov (11-1-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Magomed Sultanakhmedov (18-6-0, M-1: 10-2-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Maxim Divnich (12-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), Russia
WTKO/KO2 (punches – 2:03)
Keon Caldwell (11-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), USA
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Carlos Eduardo (15-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
WDEC3
Boris Polezhay (15-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Ukraine
PRELIMINARY CARD
 
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Valery Myasinikov(11-1-2, M-1: 2-2-2), Russia.
WTKO/KO1 (punches – 2:59)
Amilcar Alves (15-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
WELTERWEIGHTS
Abubakar Mestoev (4-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Niko Samsonidse (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany
Danila Prikaza (6-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
WSUB1 (rear-naked choke – 1:54)
Arda Adas (8-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Roman Bogatov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WSUB1 (arm-triangle choke – 1:56)
Aleksey Sotnikov (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Ukraine
Bok Kil Young (8-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1), South Korea
D3
Viktor Kolesnik (9-2-1, M-1: 0-0-1), Russia
Raul Tutarauli (8-4-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Georgia
WTKO/KO2 (punches – 3:50)
Mohamed Grabinski (14-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany

 



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M-1 CHALLENGE 75 OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

(L) ALEXANDER SHLEMENKO (54-9-0, 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia  184 1/2 lbs. (83.9 kg)
vs.
(R) PAUL BRADLEY (23-7-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-0-0), USA 184 lbs. (83.6 kg)
M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
(L) ALEXEY KUNCHENKO (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), Champion, Russia 169 1/2 lbs. (77 kg)
vs.
 (R) MAKSIM GRABOVICH (5-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Challenger, Russia 164 1/2 lbs. (74.8 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
SERGEY ROMANOV (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 169 1/2 lbs. (77 kg)
MAGOMED SULTANAKHMEDOV (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0), Russia 169 1/2 lbs.  (77.1 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS — 3 X 5
MAXIM DIVNICH (12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0), Russia 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)
vs.
KEON CALDWELL (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), USA 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
BORIS POLEZHAY (15-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Ukraine 204 1/2 lbs. (92.9 kg)
vs.
CARLOS  EDUARDO (14-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 205 lbs. (93 kg)
 
PRELIMINARY CARD
 
MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
VALERY MYASINIKOV (10-1-2, M-1: 1-2-2), Russia. 187 lbs. (84.9 kg)
vs.
AMILCAR ALVES (15-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 187 lbs. (84.9 kg)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
NIKO SAMSONIDSE (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 154 lbs. (70 kg)
vs.
ABUBAKAR MESTOEV (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 154 1/2 lbs. (70.2 kg)
ARDA “Boma Ye” ADAS (8-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 176 lbs. (80.0 kg)
vs.
DANILA PRIKAZA (5-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia 173 1/2 lbs.  (78.9 kg)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
ALEKSEY SOTNIKOV (4-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Ukraine 149 lbs. (67.8 kg)
vs.
ROMAN BOGATOV (0-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 149 lbs. (67.9 kg)
BOK KIL YOUNG (8-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), South Korea 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)
vs.
VIKTOR KOLESNIK (9-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)
MOHAMED GRABINSKI (14-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 158 lbs.  (71.9 kg)
Vs.
RAUL TUTARAULI (7-4-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Georgia 158 1/2 lbs. (72.0 kg)

WHEN:             Friday, March 3, 2017

WHERE:           Moscow, Russia
 
PROMOTER:    M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (12.00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT in USA) 
         
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M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

American middleweight Paul Bradley Steps up to challenge “Storm” Alexander Shlemenko in main event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
M-1 Challenge 75, March 3, in Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 27, 2017) – American MMA veteran Paul “The Gentleman” Bradley has stepped up to meet the awesome challenge presented by 2016 M-1 Grand Prix middleweight champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko in the March 3rd M-1 Challenge 75 main event in Moscow.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow 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.
A three-time Bellator champion, Shlemenko (54-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0) defeated former M-1 Challenge champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky last year in the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship semifinals and championship final, respectively, by three-round majority decision and third-round submission (choke).  Shlemenko vs. Vasilevsky I & II were also the M-1 Challenge 68 & 64 Fights of the Night.
Former Ring of Combat champion Bradley (23-7-0, M-1: 0-0-0) will be making his M-1 Challenge debut, however, he’s a seasoned MMA veteran having fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator and World Series of Fighting.
The 33-year-old Bradley, fighting out of San Diego (California), was a standout wrestler at the powerhouse University of Iowa.  He is known for his physical strength, tremendous endurance, and balanced stand-up and ground skills.
Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), of Russia, will defend his title in the co-feature against Maksin Grabovich (5-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0), of Russia, who replaced injured Kazakh challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0).
Russian welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) meets Russian veteran Magomed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0), while another American fighter, lightweight Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), will make his M-1 Global debut against former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (12-2-0, M-1: 6-2-0), of Ukraine.
Rounding out a loaded M-1 Challenge 75 main card is a middleweight clash between Russian favorite Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasinikov (10-1-2, M-1: 1-1-2) and Spaniard Enoc Solves Torres (19-9-1, M-1: 5-6-1).
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M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

Maksim Grabovich new opponent for M-1 Challenge welterweight champion  Alexey Kunchenko

M-1 Challenge 75, March 3, in Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 23, 2017) – Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko will now be challenged by fellow Russian Maksim Grabovich, who has replaced injured Shavkat Rakhmonov, March 3, at M-1 Challenge 75 in Moscow.
M-1 Grand Prix middleweight champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (54-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0),the three-time Bellator champion, will headline M-1 Challenge 75 against an opponent to soon be announced.
Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, is a Muay Thai specialist who captured his M-1 Challenge welterweight title belt last April at M-1 Challenge 65, when defending titlist Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round.
In a non-title fight, Kunchenko won a three-round unanimous decision over Eduardo Ramon at M-1 Challenge at M-1 Challenge 70 last September.  His first title defense was December 5 at M-1 Challenge 72, in which Kunchenko won a 5-round unanimous decision over Abdulaev in a rematch.
Grabovich (5-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0), fighting out of famed Stary Oskol in Russia, has won his last three fights in addition to being undefeated in four M-1 Global matches.  His signature victory to date was last June at M-1 Challenge 68, in which Grabovich won a three-round unanimous decision in the Fight of the Night.
In other announced main card fights, American lightweight Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0) makes his M-1 Global debut against former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (12-2-0 (M-1: 6-2-0), while Russian welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) faces Russian veteran Magomed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0).
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow 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.
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M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

“Storm” Warning! Alexander Shlemenko to headline M-1 Challenge 75

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
American lightweight 
Keon Caldwell added to loaded card
March 3 in Moscow, Russia
 

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 19, 2017) – M-1 Global has announced that 2016 M-1 Grand Prix middleweight champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko will headline M-1 Challenge 75 in Moscow.
It has also been announced that American lightweight Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell will make his M-1 Global debut versus former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow 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.
Shlemenko (54-9-0. 1 NC, M-1: 4-0-0), a three-time Bellator champion, defeated former M-1 Challenge champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (see picture above with Shlemenko on right) last year in the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship semifinals and championship final, respectively, by three-round majority decision and third-round submission (choke).  Shlemenko vs. Vasilevsky I & II were the M-1 Challenge 68 & 64 Fights of the Night.
In a much-anticipated All-Russian middleweight showdown, Shlemenko was supposed to fight reigning M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Ramazan Emeev, who was unfortunately injured during training camp, forcing him out of that match.  Vasilevsky replaced Emeev against Shlemenko in the championship final.
In his last action, Shlemenko stopped Kendall Grove in the second round of their main event fight on Bellator 162 last October in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Alexander Shlemenko fighting in Russia is always a significant event,” M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein said, “as he is a true legend of Russian MMA.  His fights always sellout arenas, no matter who his opponent.  We all know that the story we started last year at M<-1 Grand Prix 2016 isn’t over, yet.  The whole country is waiting for the fight between Russia’s two best middleweights – Alexander Shlemenko and Ramazan Emeev.
“Ramazan was injured and Shlemenko had contractual obligations with Bellator. So, throughout the past month, we were waiting for Shlemenko to receive permission to fight in Russia.  Now, we have arranged for him to fight on M-1 Challenge 75.  We’ve done a great job to make this possible and now hope that, this time, we will be able to complete this exciting story.”
Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), of Russia, will defend his title against an opponent to be announced, due to originally announced Kazakh challenger, unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), withdrawing due to a knee injury.
Russian welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) faces Russian veteran Magomed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0) on the M-1 Challenge 75 card.
Caldwell (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), fighting out of Georgia, is the US-based Island Fights champion.  A powerful puncher who has nine knockouts in his 11 pro victories, Caldwell was supposed to compete in the 13th season of The Ultimate Fighter, but he withdrew due to personal reasons.  He has had several fights in World Series of Fighting.
A Ukrainian fighting out of Moscow, Divnich captured the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title in 2014 at M-1 Challenge 54, stopping Dzhambulat Kurbanov in the third round on punches in the Fight of the Night.  In 2015, Divnich lost his first title defense by third-round knockout to Mansour Barnaoui at M-1 Challenge 57.  In his last fight, Artiom Damkovsky knocked out Divnich with a kick in the second-round of their fight this past September at M-1 Challenge 70.
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M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

Injured Shavkat Rakhmonov pulls out of Welterweight title fight vs. Alexey Kunchenko

 

M-1 Challenge 75, March 3 in Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 9, 2017) – A serious knee injury requiring surgery has forced undefeated Kazakhstan challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) to withdraw from his first title fight, March 3 against unbeaten M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), of Russia, at M-1 Challenge 75 in Moscow.
“I wanted this fight badly and put a lot of effort into preparation for it,” a dejected Rakhmonov explained.  “Unfortunately, I tore ligaments in my knee and, based on my medical exam, I will need surgery soon.   I apologize to all the MMA fans who were anticipating this fight.  I’ll do my best to return stronger than ever.”
Welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov (10-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) takes on Russian veteran Magomed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0) on the M-1 Challenge 75 card.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow 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.
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M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

Sergey Romanov preparing to ruin Magomed Sultanakhmedov’s comeback party

M-1 Challenge 75, March 3 in Moscow, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 5, 2017) – Hot welterweight prospect Sergey “Streetfighter” Romanov is training hard to ruin the comeback of Russian veteran Magomed “The White Wolf” Sultanakhmedov in an interesting match-up March 3 at M-1 Challenge 75 in Russia.

The M-1 Challenge 75 main event, featuring a battle of undefeated welterweights between defending champion Alexey Kunchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), of Russia, takes on Kazakhstan challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0),was previously announced.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow 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.
Due to a series of injuries, Sulktanakhmedov (18-5-0, M-1: 10-1-0) has been inactive for the past five years, since he knocked out Tyson Jeffries in the second round of their 2011 fight at M-1 Challenge 24.
A former M-1 Selection champion, Sultanakhmedov is dropping down one weight class from middleweight to fight Romanov.  During his MMA career, feared striker Sultanakhmedov has knocked out the likes of Dmitri Samoilov, Victor Nemkov, Pavel Kusch and Pliinio Cruz, among the more notables.
His tremendous flair and style makes him a fan favorite, especially his “one-shoot, one-kill” attack.  The 32-year-old has fought outside of his native Russia, in the United States and Japan, and during his fighting hiatus he served as referee.
Although he isn’t looking past Sultanakhmedov, fellow Russian fighter Romanov hopes that an impressive victory over Sultankhmedov will position him for his first M-1 Challenge title shot against the Kunchenkp-Rakhmonov winner.
Romanov has had impressive victories in M-1 Challenge competition, including a decision over against Brazilian foe Carlos Pereira last October at M-1 Challenge 71, as well as a first-round stoppage via punches of Andreas Birgels this past June at M-1 Challenge 68.
“I’ve been working on my strength,” Romanov said from his training camp, “because the champion in my weight class, Alexey Kunchenko, is physically strong.  I need to catch up.  Not that I’m looking forward to a title fight, but I always have grandiose plans, so, we’ll see how that goes.  Right now, I’m focused on Sultanakhmedov, and I think my fight with him would be no harder than a possible fight with Kunchenko.
“I started training camp with two workouts a day, but I felt sick and decided to cutback to only one workout a day until I soon return to full mode.  I’ve been training at home (St. Petersburg) but will soon go to Ryazan to wrestling training camp. Then, I will go back to St. Petersburg to prepare at camp, and go to Borovaya for boxing.  My opponent is left-handed, so I need appropriate sparring partners, but the guys in my camp are a great help.
“I know my opponent well having watched his fights as a youngster when he was champion.  Now, we need to reevaluate him. He was a good fighter who trains at ‘Gorets’ where there is, in principle, guys there who are top level.  It’s difficult to say what form he has now because he hasn’t fought in so long.  Now, he is at the peak age for a fighter, 32, so we’ll see.  I don’t think I’ll be favored in this fight, but I will go forward despite being the underdog.”
 
Romanov (R) is a solid all-around MMA fighter
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M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

M-1 Challenge Champion Alexey Kunchenko vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov To headline M-1 Challenge 75 in Battle of Undefeated Welterweights 

March 3 in Moscow, Russia
 

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 2, 2017) – M-1 Global has announced a battle of undefeated fighters to headline M-1 Challenge 75 as M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko takes on top challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov, March 3, in Moscow, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 75 will be streamed live from Moscow 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 (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0), fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, used his tremendous Muay Thai skills to capture the coveted M-1 Challenge welterweight title belt last April at M-1 Challenge 65, when defending titlist Murad Abdulaev retired during the fourth round.
In a non-title fight, Kunchenko won a 3-round unanimous decision over Eduardo Ramon at M-1 Challenge at M-1 Challenge 70 last September.  His first title defense was December 5 at M-1 Challenge 72, in which Kunchenko (pictured below) won a 5-round unanimous decision over Abdulaev in a rematch.
 
Fighting out of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) is a former MMA amateur star who captured gold medals at the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) world and Asia Championships.  The prodigy has continued his dominance as a professional, consistently displaying his world-class Combat Sambo talent.
Rakhmonov (pictured below) received the M-1 Challenge 59 Submission of the Night on July 3, 2015, as he choked out Michal Wiencek only 49-seconds into the opening round.  In his most recent M-1 Challenge fight, Rakhmonov knocked out Marcelo Brito in the first-round last June at M-1 Challenge 67.
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M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 74 – Feb. 18, 2017 – St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 75 – March 3, 2017 – Moscow, Russia

Undefeated M-1 Challenge Welterweight Champion Alexey Kuchenko decisions Murad Abdulaev in rematch 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
M-1 CHALLENGE 72 RESULTS
MOSCOW (November 19, 2016) – In his first title defense, M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kuchenko(15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0) won a five-round decision over challenger Murad “Hunter” Abdulaev (15-5-0, M-1: 3-3-0) last night in a rematch to headline M-1 Challenge 72 in Mowcow.
Kunchenko, fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, defeated defending champion Abdulaev, of Russia, last April at M-1 Challenge 65 when he was unable to continue in round four.
Rising Russian middleweight star Artem Frolov (8-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0) also remained unbeaten, stopping veteran American fighter Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (26-15-0, M-1: 4-4-0), a former M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenger, on punches in the opening round.
Former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Artiom Damkovsky (22-10-0, M-1: 12-7-0), of Belarus, may have positioned himself for another title shot by defeating Russian Alexey “Ataman” Makhno (13-5-0, 3-2-0), whose corner stopped the fight in the third round.
Kazak lightweight Damir Ismagulov (9-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), fighting out of Russia, won a three-round unanimous decision over Brazilian Rubenilton “Rubinho” Pereira (16-4-0, M-1: 0-2-0), while Croatian middleweight Kristijan “Pacman” Perak (9-3-2 (M-1: 0-2-2) and Talekh “The Azerbaijan Terminator” Nadzhafzade (4-1-1, M-1: 2-0-1) fought to a three-round draw.
In preliminary card action, Russian featherweight Timor Nagibin (8-2-0, M-1: 3-2-0) knocked out Russian Kurbanali Abdusalamov (6-3-0), M-1: 4-1-1) ibn the third round, French bantamweight Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (12-6-0, M-1: 2-1-0) punched out Ukrainian Alexey Naumov (13-4-0, M-1: 1-3-0) in three rounds, Russian welterweight Danila Prikaza (5-1-1, M-1: 3-1-0) won a hard fought three-round decision over Croatian veteran Ivica “Terror” Truscek (31-28-0, M-1: 0-4-0), Ukrainian bantamweight Alexsandr Lunga (9-8-0, M-1: 1-0-0) took a three-round split decision from Russian Bair Shtepin (3-2-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Russian light heavyweight Artur Tyulparov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) won his pro debut by way of an opening round submission by way of a guillotine choke over Czech Michal Kotalik (2-1-1, M-1: 0-1-0), and Russian welterweight Adam Bakaev (1-1-0, M-1: 1-0–0) submitted Maksim “Mad Max” Melnik (2-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0).
 
Results and photo gallery below:
 
 
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT — M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Alexey Kuchenko (15-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), Russia
WDEC5
Murad Abdulaev (15-5-0, M-1: 3-3-0), Russia
(Kuchenko retained M-1 Challenge welterweight title)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Artem Frolov (8-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0), Russia
WTKO1 (Punches – 2:11)
Luigi Fioravanti (26-15-0, M-1: 4-4-0) USA
Kristijan Perak (9-3-2, M-1: 0-2-2, Croatia
D3
Talekh Nadzhafzade (4-1-1, M-1: 2-0-1), Azerbaijan
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Artiom Damkovsky (22-10-0, M-1: 12-7-0), Belarus
WTKO3 (Corner Stoppage – 1:01)
Alexey Makhno (13-5-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Russia
Damir Ismagulov (9-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan
WDEC3
Rubenilton Pereira (16-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil
PRELIMINARY CARD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Artur Tyulparov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WSUB1 (Guillotine Choke – 0:47)
Michal Kotalik (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Czech Republic
WELTERWEIGHTS
Danila Prikaza (5-1-1, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia
WDEC3
Ivica Truscek (31-28-0, M-1: 0-4-0), Croatia
Adam Bakaev (1-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia
WSUB (Choke)
Maksim Melnik (2-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Ukfaine
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Timor Nagibin (8-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
WTKO3 (Punches – 4:03)
Kurbanali Abdusalamov (6-3-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Alexey Naumov (13-4-0, M-1: 2-2-0), Ukraine
WTKO3 (Punches – 4:08)
Moktar Benkaci (11-7-0, M-1: 1-2-0), France
Alexsandr Lunga (9-8-0, M-1: 1-0-0) Ukraine
WDEC3WDEC3DEC3
Bair Shtepin (3-2-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Russia
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT SHOW: Dec. 17, M-1 Challenge 73, Igushetia, Russia
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Four fights added to solid M-1 Challenge 72 main card

November 18 in Moscow

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (November 3, 2016) – The M-1 Challenge 72 main card is set with the recent announcement of four interesting bouts, headlined by M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko‘s title defense against former title-holder Murad “Hunter” Abduleav, November 18 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.
In addition to the rematch between Kunchenko (14-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0) and Abdulaev (15-4-0, M-1: 3-1-0), the lightweight fight between former champion Artiom Damkovsky and Alexey “Ataman” Makhno had already been announced by M-1 Global.
Undefeated Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (7-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), a strong striker and Combat Sambo master, faces American opponent Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fiorvanti (26-14-0, M-1: 4-3-0) battle with future title fight implications on the line for the winner.
Frolov is coming off a three-round unanimous decision over Rafael Xavier at M-1 Challenge 70, while Fiorvanti is considered a good all-around fighter who is a former M-1 Challenge middleweight title challenger.
In a featherweight bout, fully recovered Kurbaneli Abdusalamor (6-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0) faces fellow Russian Timur Nagibin (7-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0).  Abdusalamov has won four fights in a row, including his last 13 months ago against American Lee Morrison, which ended in a 3-round majority decision for the Russian fighter before he was sidelined with injuries.
Lightweight Damir Ismagulov (8-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), a native of Kazakhstan fighting out of Russia, meets Brazilian Rubenilton “Rubinho” Pereira (16-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0).  Ismagulov has won his last three fights, including a 3rd-round knockout of Raul Tutarauli in the M-1 Challenge 66 Fight of the Night.  Pereira is coming off a non-title fight loss by decision to M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander Butenko.
Croatian middleweight Kristijan “Klitschko” Perak (9-3-1, M-1: 0-2-1) returns to action against Talekh “The Azerbaijan Terminator” Nadzhafzads (4-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0). Perak is seeking his first M-1 victory, Nadzhafzads hopes to improve his unbeaten M-1 record to 3-0.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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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