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

M-1 Challenge 71 weights & pictures from Russia

October 22, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

VIKTOR NEMKOV (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0), Russia 205 lbs. (93.1 kg)

vs.

ATTILA “Pumukli” VEGH (29-7-2, M-1: 0-1-0), Slovakia 204 lbs. (92.7 kg)

STEPHAN “T-800” PUETZ (14-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0) 205 lbs. (93.2 kg)

vs.

MARCUS VINICIUS “Montanha” LOPES (9-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Brazil 204 lbs. (92.7 kg)

VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE BANTWMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5

PAVEL VITRUK (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), Russia 134 ½ lbs. (61.2 kg)

vs.

VITALI BRANCHUK (21-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Ukraine 134 lbs. (61 kg)

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

SERGEY ROMANOV (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia 176 lbs. (79.9 kg)

vs.

CARLOS ALEXANDRE “Indio” PEREIRA (37-11-1 (M-1: 1-0-0), Brazil 175 lbs. (79.5 kg)

CATCHWEIGHT – 3 X 5

ALEXANDER BUTENKO (41-11-2, M-1: 8-1-0), Ukraine 160 ½ lbs. (73 kg)

vs.

RUBENILTON “Rubinkho” PEREIRA (16-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 160 lbs. (72.9 kg)

WHEN: Friday, October 21, 2016

WHERE: Ingushetia, Russia

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (11.00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT in USA)

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

Stars out for M-1 Challenge 71

October 6, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

Sergey Romanov vs. Carlos Alexandre Pereira

Stephan Puetz vs. Marcus Vinicius Lopes

Alexander Butenko vs. Rubenilton Pereira

Added to loaded main card

October 21 in Saint Petersburg, Russia

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (October 3, 2016) – M-1 Global stars will be out Friday, October 21, for M-1 Challenge 71 as two new intriguing bouts have been added to an already loaded main card in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Russian welterweight Sergey Romanov will take on Brazilian fighter Carlos Alexandre “Indio” Pereira, former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz, of Germany, faces Brazilian opponent Marcus Vinicius “Montanha” Lopes, and M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexander Butenko meets Brazilian Rubenilton “Rubinkho” Pereira in a non-title bout..

The inaugural M-1 Challenge bantamweight championship match between Pavel Vitruk(13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) and Vitali Branchuk (21-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), as well as a light heavyweight showdown featuring 2-time former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight Viktor Nemkov (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0) and Attila “Pumukli” Vegh (29-7-2, M-1: 0-1-0), were previously announced by M-1 Global.

M-1 Challenge 71 will be streamed live from Russia 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.

Romanov (8-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0) is riding a seven-fight win streak, including a pair of victories at M-1 Challenge 68 over Andreas Birgels by way of an opening-round knockout (punches), which was exactly the same way Romanov finished off Sergio de Fatimaat M-1 Challenge 65.

Sergey Romanov has position vs. Sergio de Fatima

Pereira (37-11-1, M-1: 1-0-0) made an impressive M-1 debut a year ago at M-1 Challenge 61, defeating Ruslan Zhemukov in the first round with the Submission of the Night. The large majority of his fights have been held in Brazil against his fellow countrymen.

Carlos Alexandre Pereira forced Ruslan Zhemukov to submit

Puetz (14-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0) captured the covered M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title in 2014, when he defeated defending champion Nemkov by way of a five-round split decision. The gifted German successfully defended his title belt twice against Luis Fernando Miranda (SUB2 – choke) at M-1 Challenge 50 and Valery Myasnikov(KO/TKO2 – punches) at M-1 Challenge 54. Puetz followed up with a third-round stoppage of then-M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura in a non-title fight at M-1 Challenge 57.

Puetz lost his M-1 Challenge title belt to Nemkov by way of a five-round majority decision at M-1 Challenge 63 in the Fight of the Night. In his last action this past May at M-1 Challenge 66, Puetz won a hard fought three-round unanimous decision over Andrey Seledtsov in another Fight of the Night.

Stephan Puetz (R) and Viktor Nemkov have had two bloody wars

Lopes (10-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) also had an impressive M-1 debut at M-1 Challenge 69 this past July, in which he took a three-round unanimous decision from Kurban Ibragimov. It marked Lopes’ only pro fight outside of his native Brazil.

Marcus Vinicius Lopes unleashed a devastating kick here

Butenko (41-22-1, M-1: 8-1-0), fighting out of Ukraine, captured his M-1 Challenge welterweight crown in his last fight, taking a five-round unanimous decision from Artiom Damkovsky for the vacant title this past June at M-1 Challenge 67.

Butenko’s (R) title will not be on the line at M-1 Challenge 71 vs. Pereira

Pereira (16-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0) will be making his M-1 debut. He is a champion in Brazil, holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and will be fighting professionally for the first time outside of his native Brazil.

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M-1 Challenge 71 Pavel Vitruk vs. Vitali Branchuk for Inaugural M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Championship

September 27, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

October 21 in Saint Petersburg, Russia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 26, 2016) – The inaugural M-1 Challenge bantamweight championship will be at stake Friday, October 21, at M-1 Challenge 71 as Pavel Vitruk battles Vitali Branchuk in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Vitruk (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburgh by way of Ukraine, was riding a 12-fight undefeated streak to start his professional career. He suffered back-to-back losses in 2015 o then undefeated Max Coga (12-0-0) by third-round submission (choke) in the M-1 Challenge 55 Fight of the Night and to Lee Morrison by majority decision.

After his loss to Morrison, Vitruk (pictured below) moved from the featherweight division to bantamweight, defeating Sergey Morozov this past February in the M-1 Challenge 64 Fight of the Night.

Ukraine native Branchuk (21-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0) has won his last eight fights, including a split-decision over Antun “Killer” Racic at M-1 Challenge 64. Branchuk pictured below) is known as a well-rounded fighter and a strong striker.

In a previously announced fight, former two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0) takes on ex-Bellator titlist Attila “Pumukli” Vegh (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0).

Additional M-1 Challenge 71 fights will soon be announced.

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M-1 Challenge 71 Viktor Nemkov vs. Attila Vegh

September 22, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

October 21 in Saint Petersburg, Russia

Two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov (L) returns Oct. 21 in M-1 Challenge 71 against former Bellator champion Attila Vegh

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 21, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced M-1 Challenge 71, featuring world-class light heavyweights Viktor Nemkov and Attila “Pumukli” Vegh in a light heavyweight showdown, will be held Friday, October 21, at Saint Petersburg, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 71 will be streamed live 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 of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

A native of Kazakhstan fighting out of famed Stary Oskol, Russia, Nevkov (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0) is a former two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion. He first captured the coveted belt nearly three years ago, when he defeated Vasily Babich by way of a second-round submission (arm-lock) for the vacant title.

Last December, Nevkov became a two-time M-1 Challenge champion, defeating German Stephan Puetz by majority decision in the M-1 Challenge 63 Fight of the Night. In his first defense this past May at M-1 Challenge 66, Nemkov lost a split decision to reigning champion Rashid Yusupov.

Vegh, fighting out of Slovakia, is a former Bellator champion. In his M-1 Global debut last June at M-1 Challenge 68, Vegh was stopped in the opening round of his title challenge on punches to M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov.

Attila Vegh (R) is out to make his mark in M-1 Challenge competition

Additional M-1 Challenge 71 fights will soon be announced.

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Shlemenko submits Vasilevsky to capture M-1 Grand Prix middleweight championship

June 18, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

Volkov KOs Vegh to retain

M-1 Challenge heavyweight title

M-1 Challenge 68

OFFICIAL RESULTS

New M-1 Grand Prix middleweight champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (June 17, 2016) – Former three-time Bellator champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko submitted Vyacheslav Vasilevsky to capture the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship, while fellow Russian Alexander “Drago” Volkov knocked out Attila “Pumukli” Vegh, last night at M-1 Challenge 68 in St. Petersburg, Russia’s Yubileyny Sports Palace.

Shlemenko (53-9-0, M-1: 4-0-0) qualified for the M-1 Grand Prix middleweight final as did reigning M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Ramazan Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0). Leading up to their showdown, however, Emeev suffered ligament damage to his elbow, forcing him out of his fight with Shlemenko. Vasilevsky (28-5-0, M-1: 10-3-0), who Shlemenko had defeated by decision in the M-1 Grand Prix middleweight semifinals, accepted the challenge to replace Emeev a rematch. Shlemenko used a choke hold to submit the always tough Vasilevsky in the third round.

In his first M-1 Challenge heavyweight title defense, Volkov (26-6-0, M-1: 9-3-0) stopped Vegh (11-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), fighting out of Slovakia, in the opening round.

M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov

In other main event fights, Russian welterweight Sergey Romonav (9-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0) defeated Andreas Birgels (12-10-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Germany, by way of a first-round technical knockout, Russian welterweight Abukar Yandiev (5-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0) submitted Greek-born American Tony Christodoulou (12-7-0, M-1: 0-1-0) in the opening round, Russian middleweight Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasnikov (10-1-2, M-1: 1-1-2) and Spaniard Enoc Solves Torres (18-9-1, M-1: 5-6-1) fought to a three-round draw.

On the preliminary card, Ukrainian featherweight Andrei “Iron” Lezhnev (8-5-0, M-1: 2-2-0) choked out Russian foe Kuznetsov (5-2-0 (M-1: 2-2-0). Russian lightweight Alexey “Ataman” Makhno (11-4-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russian heavyweight Anton Vyazigin (6-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russian welterweight Maksim Grabovich (4-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0) and Belarussian lightweight Maksim Pugachev (3-0-00, M-1 1-0-0) all won their matches by unanimous three-round decisions.

Complete results and photo gallery below:

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – M-1 GRAND PRIX MIDDLEWEIHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Alexander Shlemenko (53-9-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia

WSUB3

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (28-5-0, M-1: 10-2-0), Russia

(Sclemenko won M-1 Grand Prix middleweight title)

CO-FEATURE – M-1 CHALLENGE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Alexander Volkov (26-6-0, M-1: 10-3-0), Russia

WKO1

Attila Vegh (11-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), Slovakia

(Volkov retained M-1 Challenge heavyweight title)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Enoc Solves Torres (18-9-1, M-1: 5-6-1)

DRAW3

Valery Myasnikov (10-1-2, M-1: 1-1-2)

WELTERWEIGHTS

Sergei Romanov (9-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia

WTKO1

Andreas Birgels (12-10-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Germany

Abukar Yandiev (5-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia

WSUB1

Tony Christodoulou (12-7-0, M-1: 0-1-0), USA

PRELIMINARY CARD

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Anton Vyazigin (6-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

Daniil Arepyev (5-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

WELTERWEIGHTS

Maksim Grabovich (4-2-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

Danila Prikaza (3-1-1, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Alexey Makhno (11-4-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia

WDEC3

Felipe Rego (7-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil

Murodzhon Kodirov (2-0-0), M-1: 1-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

Maksim Pugachev (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0)

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Andrei Lezhnev (8-5-0, M-1: 2-2-0), Ukraine

WSUB1

Mikhail Kuznetsov (5-2-0, M-1: 2-2-0), Russia

Vasilvesky & Shlemenko

Volkov & Vegh

Christodoulou & Yandiev

Torres & Myasnikov

Grabovich & Prikaza

Kodirov & Pugachev

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M-1 CHALLENGE 68 OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

June 17, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

M-1 Challenge 68

WATCH ON M-1GLOBAL.TV

Thursday, June 16 at 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT in U.S.A.

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – M-1 GRAND PRIX MIDDLEWEIHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5

ALEXANDER “Storm” SHLEMENKO (52-9-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 184 1/2 lbs. (83.7 kg)

vs.

VYACHESLAV VASILEVSKY (28-4-0, M-1: 10-2-0), Russia 185 lbs. (84.0 kg)

CO-FEATURE – M-1 CHALLENGE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5

ALEXANDER “Drago” VOLKOV (25-6-0, M-1: 9-3-0), Russia 238 lbs. (108.0 kg)

vs.

ATTILA “Pumukli” VEGH (11-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0), Slovakia 220 lbs. (100.1 kg)

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

SERGEI ROMANOV (8-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia 169 1/2 lbs. (76.9 kg)

vs.

ANDREAS BIRGELS (12-9-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Germany 169 1/2 lbs. (76.9 kg)

ABUKAR YANDIEV (4-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia 175 lbs. (79.5 kg)

vs.

TONY CHRISTODOULOU (12-6-0, M-1: 0-0-0), USA 177 1/2 lbs. (80.5 kg)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS — 3 X 5

ENOC SOLVES TORRES (18-9-0, M-1: 5-6-0), Spain 183 1/2 lbs. (83.7 kg)

vs.

VALERY “The Russian Hammer” MYASNIKOV (10-1-1, M-1: 1-1-1), Russia 184 1/2 lbs. (83.7 kg)

PRELIMINARY CARD

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

DANIIL AREPYEV (5-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 271 lbs. (123.3 kg)

vs.

ANTON VYAZIGIN (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 249 lbs. (113.5 kg)

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

DANILA PRIKAZA (3-0-1, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia 169 1/2 lbs. (77.0 kg)

vs.

MAKSIM GRABOVICH (3-2-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia 169 1/2 lbs. (76.9 kg)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

FELIPE REGO (7-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 154 1/2 lbs. (70.2 kg)

vs.

ALEXEY “Ataman” MAKHNO (10-4-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia 154 1/2 lbs. (70.1 kg)

MURODZHON KODIROV (1-0-0), M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 151 1/2 lbs. (68.9 kg)

vs.

MAKSIM PUGACHEV (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0) 154 1/2 lbs. (70.2 kg)

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ANDREI “Iron” LEZHNEV (7-5-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Ukraine 145 lbs. (65.9 kg)

vs.

MIKHAIL KUZNETSOV (5-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia 144 1/2 lbs. (65.6 kg)

WHEN: Thursday, June 16, 2016

WHERE: St. Petersburg, Russia

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

LIVE STREAM: www.m-1global.tv (11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT in USA)

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

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky replaces injured Ramazan Emeev vs. Alexander Shlemenko

May 18, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship

M-1 Challenge 68, June 16 in St. Petersburg, Russia

(L-R) – Vyacheslav Vasilevsky & Alexander Shlemenko

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (May 17, 2016) – Former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight and middleweight champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (28-4-0, M-1: 10-2-0) has stepped up to replace injured Ramazan Emeev against Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (52-9-0, M-1: 3-0-0) in the final of the M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Tournament, headlining

M-1 Challenge 68, June 16 at Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0) suffered a torn ligament in his elbow during training camp. In a M-1 Challenge Grand Prix Middleweight Tournament semifinals match last February, Vasilevsky lost a majority decision to Shlemenko in the M-1 Challenge 64 Fight of the Night.

“We were in a very difficult situation after Ramazan Emeev got injured,” M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein explained. “The whole event was in jeopardy. So, now, we’re grateful to Vyacheslav Vasilevsky for agreeing to step in and face Shlemenko in our M-1 Grand Prix finals being held on his (Vasilevsky) birthday.

“Due to our contract obligations, we were unable to postpone the event because it is officially included in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, which is something every one of our fighters knew from the very beginning. There’s a paragraph in the Grand Prix fighters’ contract stating we can use one of the guys who fought in the semifinals of the tournament in case someone gets injured. Now we’re making one of the most anticipated rematches in the history of Russian MMA.”

M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov (25-6-0, M-1: 9-3-0) will make his first title defense against Attila “Pumuklo” Vegh (29-6-2, M-1: 0-0-0) at M-1 Challenge 68. A match between Russian middleweight Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasnikov (10-1-1, M-1: 1-1-1) and Spanish veteran Enoc Solves Torres (18-9-0, M-1: 5-6-0) has also been announced for the June 16^th card.

“The M-1 Challenge 68 event is going to be huge,” Finkelchtein added. “We’re stacking the card with Alexander Volkov vs Attila Vegh fighting in an M-1 Challenge heavyweight title fight. The Grand Prix winner, Shlemenko still gets $50,000. As for Ramazan Emeev, we will put efforts into arranging his fight with Alexander Shlemenko this fall, if Shlemenko is still fighting in Russia. Emeev versus Shlemenko will provide the answer to all of the questions MMA fans still arguing about.”

M-1 Challenge 68 will be streamed live from St. Petersburg 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.

Upcoming M-1 Global Events:

May 27 – M-1 Challenge 66: Nemkov vs. Yusopov, Orenburg City, Russia

June 4 – M-1 Challenge 67: Buchinger vs. Idrisov, Baku, Azerbaijan

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Injury forces Ramazan Emeev to withdraw from M-1 Challenge 68 vs. Alexander Shlemenko June 16 in St. Petersburg, Russia

May 14, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

For Immediate Release

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (May 14, 2016) – An elbow injury has forced M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Ramazan Emeev (pictured to left) to withdraw from his June 16^thshowdown with Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko at M-1 Challenge 68 at Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0) suffered a torn ligament in his elbow during training camp, postponing his M-1 Grand Prix Middleweight Championship fight against Shlemenko (52-9-0, M-1: 3-0-0) to a future date pending Emeev’s recovery period.

“This is a tough blow for our organization because there is only one month before M-1 Challenge 68 and we have lost one of our main event fighters,” M-1 Global presidentVadim Finkelchtein said. “It was the most anticipated fights for fans. We still have a great heavyweight title fight between defending champion Alexander Volkov and challenger Attila Vegh and we’re looking for a suitable replacement for Emeev to fight Shlemenko. M-1 Global has been working under a lot of pressure recently but, never-the-less, we continue to promote great events for our loyal fans. We will do everything possible to keep our fans happy.”

Upcoming M-1 Global Events:

May 27 – M-1 Challenge 66: Nemkov vs. Yusopov, Orenburg City, Russia

June 4 – M-1 Challenge 67: Buchinger vs. Idrisov, Baku, Azerbaijan

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Ramazan Emeev vs. Alexander Shlemenko M-1 Global Grand Prix Middleweight Championship; Alexander Volkov makes 1st M-1 Challenge Heavyweight title defense vs. Attila Vegh

April 28, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

M-1 Challenge 68, June 16 in St. Petersburg, Russia

(L-R) — Ramazan Emeev & Alexander Shlemenko

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (April 28, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced a blockbuster M-1 Challenge 68 event as Ramazan Emeev and Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko battle in the M-1 Global Grand Prix Middleweight Championship, while M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov makes his first title defense against Attila “Pumuklo” Vegh, Thursday night, June 16, at Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0), fighting out of Russia by way of Dagestan, is the reigning M-1 Challenge middleweight champion, although his title belt will not be at stake against Shlemenko. The 28-year-old Emeev, who was the 2015 M-1 Global Fighter of the Year, is a two-time M-1 Challenge middleweight champion. He originally captured the coveted crown in 2012, taking a decision from Mario Miranda for the vacant title. In his first title defense, Emeev lost to Vyacheslav Vasilevsky, who stopped the defending champion via punches in the fourth round.

In their much anticipated rematch April 10, 2015, Emeev recaptured the title from Vasilevsky, choking the defending champion into an opening-round submission. Last December, Emeev successfully defended his title when Luigi Fiorvanti retired after four rounds. Earlier this month at M-1 Challenge 65, Emeev defeated Maiquel Falcao in the M-1 Grand Prix semifinals, by way of a first-round submission (choke – see picture below), to qualify for the final versus Shlemenko.

The 31-year-old Shlemenko (52-9-0, M-1: 3-0-0) is a three-time Bellator champion from Omsk, Russia. He returned to M-1 Global competition in February, taking a decision from Vasilevsky (see picture below) at M-1 Challenge 64. The Siberian-born Shlemenko hadn’t competed in M-1 Global since 2005.

Volkov (25-6-0, M-1: 9-3-0), 27, also fought in Bellator for three years, 2012 to 2015, returning to M-1 Global action this past February for the first time in 5 ½ years. The popular fighter from Moscow signed a promotional contract with M-1 Global, fighting Denis Smoldaraev Feb. 19, 2016 (see picture below) at M-1 Challenge 64 for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship. Volkov emerged victorious, using a choke in the third round to win with the Submission of the Night.

Vegh (29-6-2, M-1: 0-0-0), will make his M-1 Global debut versus Volkov in their M-1 Challenge title fight. Fighting out of Slovakia by way of his native Czechoslovakia, Vegh (pictured below) is a former Bellator light heavyweight champion who is moving up one weight class to challenge Volkov.

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