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Buchinger retains M-1 Challenge featherweight title Decisions Barnaoui

October 12, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

M-1 Challenge 62 Results

Ivan Buchinger (R) vs. Mansour Barnaoui

SOCHI, Russia (October 11, 2015) – M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger successfully defended his title last night with a hard fought five-round unanimous decision over Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui in the M-1 Challenge 62

main event at The Ice Cube Curling Center in Sochi, Russia.

Buchinger (30-4-0, 7 KO/TKO, 16 SUB), fighting out of Slovakia, improved his M-1 Global record to a perfect 5-0 with his second title defense victory. He originally captured his title belt a year ago, stopping Tural Ragimov in the fourth round at M-1 Challenge 52.

Barnaoui (12-3-0, 4 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), of Paris, relinguished his M-1 Challenge lightweight title belt he won this past May in his M-1 Global debut, when he knocked out Maxim Divnich via punches at M-1 Challenge 57.

Former M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (27-3-0, 11 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), of Russia, used a rear naked choke for a win by second-round submission against Croatian opponentKristijan “Pacman” Perak (8-2-1, 3 KO/TKO, 2 SUB).

Russian featherweight Kurbanali Abdusalamov (6-2-0, 1 KO/TKO, 3 SUB) won a decision over American invader Lee “American Bulldog” Morrison (14-6-0, 4 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), while red-hot Russian light heavyweight prospect Adam “The Beard” Yandiev (9-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 6 SUB) defeatedDemitry Voitov (10-5-0, 4 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) by way of an opening-round neck crank.

Rounding out the main card, Russian welterweight Alexey Kunchenko (10-0-0, 8 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) continued on his roll, punching out Brazilian Alexandre “Sangue” Ramos (9-3-0 (1 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) in the first round.

Fighting on the preliminary card, Spainard Enoc Solves Torres (17-9-0) won by armbar in the opening round versus Georgian middleweight Nodar Kudukjasvili (10-2-0), Ukrainian featherweight Andrey “Iron” Leshnev (8-4-0) won a three-round decision over Russian favorite Nikita “Piranha” Chistyakov (4-2-1), and Russian Delgat Kudbudinov (3-0-0) submitted Italian Georgia Belsanti (4-5-0) by way of a neck crank.

Also fighting on the preliminary card, Ukrainian lightweight Sergey Astapov (6-4-0) locked a rear naked choke on Russian Nikolay Kaushansky (6-3-0) for a third-round win by submission. Ukrainian light heavyweight Boris Polezhay (9-5-0) opened the night with a first-round submission victory via an arm-bar over previously unbeaten Russian Alexey Shopin (3-1-0).

Complete results below:

MAIN CARD

M-1 CHALLENGE FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Ivan Buchinger (30-4-0), Slovakia

WDEC5

Mansour Barnaoui (12-3-0), Challenger, France

(Buchinger retained M-1 Challenge featherweight title)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (27-3-0), Russia

WSUB2 (Rear Naked Choke – 1:02)

Kristijan Perak (8-2-0), Croatia2

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Adam Yandiev (9-0-0), Russia

WSUB1 (Neck Crank – 4:34)

Dmitry Voitov (10-5-0), Belarus

WELTERWEIGHTS

Alexey Kunchenko (10-0-0), Russia

WKO/TKO1 (Punches – 4:32)

Alexandre Ramos (9-3-0), Brazil

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Kurbanali Abdusalamov (6-2-0), Russia

WDEC3

Lee Morrison (14-6-0), USA

PRELIMINARY CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Boris Polezhay (9-5-0), Ukraine

WSUB1 (Armbar – 4:39)

Alexey Shopin (3-1-0), Russia

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Enoc Solves Torres (17-9-0), Spain

WSUB1 (Armbar – 1:54)

Nodar Kudukjasvali (10-2-0), George

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Sergey Astapov (5-4-0), Ukraine

WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke – 3:26)

Nikolay Kaushansky (6-2-0), Russia

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Andrey Leshnev (8-4-0), Ukraine

WDEC3

Nikita Chistyakov (4-2-1), Russia

Giorgio Belsanti (5-4-0), Italy

WSUB1 (Neck Crank – 3:25

Delgat Kudbudinov (2-1-0), Russia

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M-1 Challenge 62 weights & pictures from Sochia, Russia

October 10, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

M-1 Challenge 62

WATCH LIVE ON M-1GLOBAL.TV

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger

MORE PICTURES BELOW

MAIN CARD

M-1 CHALLENGE FEATHERWIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5

IVAN “Buki” BUCHINGER (29-4-0), Champion, Slovakia 143 ½ lbs. (65.2 kg)

MANSOUR “Tarzan” BARNAOUI (12-2-0), Challenger, France 143 ½ lbs. (65.3 kg)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

VYACHESLAV VASILEVSKY (26-3-0), Russia 185 lbs. (84 kg)

KRISTIJAN “Pacman” PERAK (8-1-0), Croatia 184 lbs. (83.6 kg)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ADAM “The Beard” YANDIEV (8-0-0), Russia 193 lbs. (87.6 kg)

DMITRY VOITOV (10-4-0), Belarus 192 ½ lbs. (87.5 kg)

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ALEXEY KUNCHENKO (9-0-0), Russia 168 ½ lbs. (76.6 kg)

ALEXANDRE “Sangue” RAMOS (9-2-0), Brazil 168 ½ lbs. (76.6 kg)

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

LEE “American Bulldog” MORRISON (14-5-0), USA 143 ½ lbs. (65.3 kg)

KURBANALI ABDUSALAMOV (5-2-0), Russia 144 lbs. (65.5 kg)

PRELIMINARY CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS 3 X 5

BORIS POLEZHAY (8-5-0), Ukraine 203 lbs. (92.3 kg)

ALEXEY SHOPIN (3-0-0), Russia 200 lbs. (90.7 kg)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ENOC SOLVES TORRES (16-9-0), Spain 186 lbs. (84.5 kg)

NODAR KUDUKJASVILI (10-1-0), Georgia 186 lbs. (84.5 kg)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

NIKOLAY KAUSHANSKY (6-2-0), Russia153lbs. (69.5 kg)

SERGEY ASTAPOV (5-4-0), Ukraine 153 ½ lbs. (69.8 kg.)

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

NIKITA “Piranha” CHISTYAKOV (4-1-1), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

ANDREY “Iron” LESHNEV (7-4-0), Ukraine 144 lbs. (65.5 kg)

GIORGIO BELSANTI (4-4-0), Italy 143 ½ lbs. (65.3 kg)

DELGAT KUDBUDINOV (2-0-0), Russia 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

WHAT: M-1 Challenge 62

WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2015

START TIMES: Main Card: 12:30 p.m. (New York City), 7:30 p.m. (Moscow)

Preliminary Card: 10:00 a.m. (New York City, 5:00 p.m. (Moscow)

WHERE: The Ice Cube Curling Center in Sochi, Russia 1:30

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

LIVE STREAM: WWW.M1GLOBAL.TV

M-1 Challenge 62 will be streamed live from Sochie, 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 atwww.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 62 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.

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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 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, martial arts, mixed martial arts

Fight Network LIVE this Weekend – ONE: Tigers of Asia, RFA 31, M-1 Challenge 62 & Enfusion 32

October 10, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

Toronto | New York – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, delivers an action-packed weekend of live combat sports, beginning this Friday, October 9 at 9 a.m. ET with a live presentation of ONE Championship: Tigers of Asia from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Later that day at 10 p.m. ET, Resurrection Fighting Alliance takes over the airwaves with RFA 31: Smith vs. Marunde from Las Vegas.

On Saturday, October 10, the live action continues at 12:30 p.m. ET as M-1 Global presents M-1 Challenge 62 from Sochi, Russia, immediately followed by a live broadcast of Enfusion 32 world-class kickboxing from Gent, Belgium.

Airing live exclusively in Canada on Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. ET, ONE Championship: Tigers of Asia features a ONE middleweight championship clash between world champion Igor “Lionheart” Svirid (10-1) and undefeated Russian challenger Vitaly Bigdash (7-0). In other featured tilts, Adrian Pang(21-8-2) throws down with Peter Davis (10-3) in a lightweight bout, Ev Ting (9-3) meets Honorio Banario (8-5) in featherweight action, Ann Osman (3-1) takes on newcomer Irina Mazepa (0-0) in a women’s flyweight encounter, plus fan favorite Eric Kelly (11-1) returns for a featherweight barnburner against Japan’s Hiroshige Tanaka (10-2).

Airing live exclusively in Canada and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East on Oct. 9 at 10 p.m. ET, RFA 31: Smith vs. Marunde from Downtown Las Vegas is headlined by a pair of championship clashes, as RFA welterweight champion Gilbert Smith (11-4) defends against fellow UFC veteran Bristol Marunde (16-9), while Zoila Frausto (12-4) meetsJocelyn Lybarger (5-1) for the inaugural RFA women’s strawweight title. Other matchups include a middleweight meeting between Mike Jasper (9-2) and Gabriel Checco (8-2), a bantamweight bout between Matthew Lopez (6-0) and Justin Linn (7-1), a flyweight bout between Shai Lindsey (4-0) and Joseph Peukert (7-3) and a welterweight showcase between Bojan Velickovic (11-3) andVardan Sholinian (5-1). The domestic U.S. broadcast airs on AXS TV.

Airing live across North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East on Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET, M-1 Challenge 62 features a showdown for the M-1 featherweight title in the main event, as kingpinIvan Buchinger (29-4) defends his crown against highly touted Mansour Barnaoui (12-2). In other action, Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (26-3) takes on Kristijan Perak (8-1-1) in a middleweight bout,Kurbanali Abdusalamov (5-2) tangles with Lee Morrison (13-5) in a featherweight contest, light heavyweight Adam Yandiev (8-0) puts his perfect mark on the line against Dmitry Voitov (11-4), plus Alexey Kunchenko (10-0) looks to extend his unblemished record against Brazilian welterweight Alexandre Ramos (9-2).

Airing live across North America immediately following M-1 Challenge 62 on Oct. 10, Enfusion Live 32 from Gent, Belgium promises an exhilarating kickboxing card, headlined by Morocco’s Nordin Ben Moh against Spaniard Sergio Sanchez in a -70 kg clash. Plus the Enfusion -61 kg women’s title is on the line as Belgium’s Anke Van Gestel meets Holland’s Aleide Lawant, DutchmanDexter Suisse battles Frenchman Brice Guidon in a heavyweight special attraction, plus Morocco’sMohammed Jaraya enters enemy territory against Belgium’s Youssef Boulahtari.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky vs. Joe Ray Added to M-1 Challenge 62

September 18, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

Buchinger vs. Barnaoui title fight headlines

Oct. 10 in Sochi, Russia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 17, 2015) – Former M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky will take on “The” Joe Ray in the second full fight announced for M-1 Challenge 62, October 10,at The Ice Cube Curling Center in Sochi, Russia.

Headlining M-1 Challenge 62 is a Super Fight between M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (29-4-0, 7 KO/TKO, 16 SUB) and former M-1 Challenge lightweight titlist Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui (12-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 7 SUB).

M-1 Challenge 62 will be streamed live from Sochi, 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.

Vasilevsky has top position here vs. Emeev in their 2014 title fight

Vasilevsky (26-3-0, 11 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), fighting out of Russia, captured the M-1 Challenge middleweight title September 7, 2014, stopping Ramazan Emeev on punches in the fourth round at M-1 Challenge 51. This past April 10^th at M-1 Challenge 56, Vasilevsky lost his first title defense being choked out in the opening round, snapping this three-year win streak, to Emeev.

Joe Ray celebrates

An American MMA fighter from Florida, Lee (13-4-0, 9 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) has been living in Thailand in order to help improve his Muay Thai skills. Lee will be making his M-1 Global debut versus Vasilevsky. Lee’s most notable victory, perhaps, is a knockout of M-1 Global veteran Luigi Fioravanti.

Also fighting on the card against an opponent to be determined is undefeated Russian light heavyweight Adam “Beard” Yandiev (8-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 5 SUB), a rising MMA star who is a judo specialist. In his last fight at M-1 Challenge 58, Yandiev defeated previously undefeated (7-0-0) Valdas Pocevicius in the first round via a choke hold.

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

Upcoming Event: M-1 Challenge 61, September 19, 2015 in Ingushetia, Russia.

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M-1 Challenge 61 Super Fight Featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger vs. Ex-lightweight champion Mansour Barnaoui Oct. 10 in Sochi, Russia

September 11, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Ivan Buchinger Mansour Barnaoui

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 10, 2015) – M-1 Global has announced a Super Fight between M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger and M-1 Challenge lightweight titlist Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui will headline M-1 Challenge 62, October 10,at The Ice Cube Curling Centerin Sochi, Russia.

Buchinger strikes Tural Ragimov in their 2014 title fight

Buchinger (29-4-0, 7 KO/TKO, 16 SUB), unbeaten in M-1 fights with a perfect 4-0-0 record, will be making the second defense of the M-1 Challenge title he captured October 17, 2014 at M-1 Challenge 52, when he stopped Tural Ragimov in the fourth round in their “Fight of the Night.”

Fighting out of Gabcikovo, Slovakia, Buchinger is riding an eight-right win streak, last losing nearly three years to Conor McGregor. “Buki” successfully defended his crown this past April at M-1 Challenge 56, punching out Aliyar Sarkerov in two rounds.

Barnaoui celebrates his title-winning victory over Maxim Divnich

Barnaoui (12-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), fighting out of Paris, won the M-1 Challenge lightweight championship in his last fight, knocking out Maxim Divnich in the opening round this past May at M-1 Challenge 57. Barnaoui, who has vacated his lightweight title, has won his last four fights.

Yandiev’s hand is raised in victory at his last fight vs. Pocevicius

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

Upcoming Event: M-1 Challenge 61, September 19, 2015 in Ingushetia, Russia.

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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!”

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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

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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