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M-1, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

“Road to M-1: USA” August 11 in Nashville

June 29, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

Showcasing the American debut of “The Rage”

Worldwide Pay Per View from Music City

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 28, 2018) – “Road to M-1: USA”, presented by M-1 Global USA and Angel Fight Promotions, will be held August 11, airing on worldwide pay-per-view live from Global Mall in Nashville, Tennessee.

Russia-based M-1 Global has been promoting professional MMA events in Russia, China, Finland and other countries for the past 21 years, featuring many of the sport’s greatest fighters, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem and Sergei Kharitonov, among the more notables.

In the past, M-1 Global has promoted seven M-1 Challenges and four M-1 Selection events in the United States.

“We are excited to come back to the USA,” M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein commented. “It’s been almost seven years since M-1 Global held its last show in the United States and the upcoming Road to M-1 is going to be the first step on our way back into American MMA. We’ve been working hard together with our American representatives, Angel Natal and Mike Merriman, to make it happen and on August 11th we are going to have a show to remember!”

A hybrid ring-cage, “The Rage”, will make its American debut at “Road to M-1: USA”, which allows fans optimum viewing, while fighters have the safety associated with a cage.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute “Road to M-1: USA” in North America on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV and DISH in the United States, as well as SaskTel and other outlets to be announced in Canada, and live-streamed worldwide on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, for a suggested retail price of only $19.95.

“I can’t describe how good it feels to be this close to this show airing,” said Merriman, head of operations for M-1 Global USA & Angel Fight Promotions. “Everyone loves to see sweat and blood in the ring, myself included, but so few people see the blood, sweat, and tears spilt while setting something like this up. This show is going to open a lot of eyes… and drop a few jaws!”

The main event pits Georgia middleweight Doug “Yamato” Usher (9-3-0) versus Reggie “The Regulator” Pena (14-6-0), of Florida, while Russian lightweight Vadim Ogar (6-3-0) takes on his Cuban opponent fighting out of North Carolina, Yoislandy “Cuba” Izquierdo(11-4-0) in the co-featured event.

Undefeated Russian bantamweight prospect Saidyokub Kakharamonov (5-0-0), fighting out of Chicago, throws down with Tony Gravely (12-5-0), of Virginia; Georgia flyweight C.J. “The Autobot” Hamilton (12-6-0) faces Floridian fighter Abdiel “The Nightmare” Velazquez (8-5-0), Kentucky welterweight “The Juggernaut” Brandon Bell (5-6-0) meets Jacob “Tick-Tock” McLintock (9-2-0), of Arizona; and Tennessee welterweight James Conway (3-0-0) squares off with P.J. Cajigas (5-7-0), of Chicago, to round out the main card.

Scheduled to fight on the undercard is California heavyweight Cody “The Moose” Goodale (5-4-0) vs. TBA, New Brunswick, Canada bantamweight Chris Johnson (5-6-0) vs. Jerrod “The Hillbilly Hammer” Jennings (2-1-0), of Kentucky, and local Nashville favorite Dwayne Herrelle (0-1-0) vs. pro-debuting Kentucky lightweight Kegan Agnew.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

CLICK HERE FOR PROMO VIDEO:https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ONIDbekTSAUUPhXXlhIpc_xCVqH5LGM/view?usp=sharing

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

Two M-1 Challenge title fights at M-1 Challenge 95 Kamzat Dalgiev vs. Nate Landwehr Movsar Evloev vs. Raphael Dias

June 21, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

July 21 in Ingushetia, Russia

Nate Landwehr (on top) pounded Mikhail Korobkov in his M-1 Global debut last September

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (June 19, 2018) — M-1 Global has announced that M-1 Challenge 95: Battle in the Mountains will feature a pair of title fights on July 21 in Ingushetia, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 95 will be live-streamed from Ingushetia 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 95 will also be available on www.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

American fighter Nate “The Train” Landwehr (10-2-0, M-1: 2-0-0)), fighting out of Clarksville, Tennessee, challenges M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Khamzat Dalgiev (10-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0), while M-1 Challenge featherweight title-holder Movsar Evloev (9-0-0, M-1: 9-0-0) makes his second title defense versus Rafael Dias (15-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0).

Landwehr broke into M-1 Global last year and from the beginning he has become one of the most popular fighters of the promotion. “The Train” fights a not-a-step-back style and starts trading punches with the opponents from the first seconds of the fight. All his fights are spectacular and no matter how the fight goes, he is always ready to find a moment to knock out opponent.

Landwehr stopped Mikhail Korobkov via punches in the second round at M-1 Challenge 83 at September. He followed up that impressive M-1 Global performance with a win by decision last November over Viktor Kolesnik at M-1 Challenge 85.

Dalgiev (10-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0), of Ingushetia, is champion for several good reasons. He is riding a 10-fight win streak, including six consecutive finishes. Last November, he took full advantage of his first title shot, shocking the MMA world with a sensational knock out of defending M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger in the opening round at M-1 Challenge 86. Dalgiev has five submissions and three knockouts on his pro record, including five first-round finishes.

Evloev (9-0-0, M-1: 9-0-0), who will be fighting at home in Ingushetia, is one of the most dominant M-1 Global champions. A cardio machine who has been unstoppable, he is an extremely well-rounded fighter. Evloev is always ready for everything that may happen in The Rage, capable of finishing his opponent early, or torturing him for 25 minutes.

Dias (15-5-0, M-1 1-1-0) prefers to take his time to win by decision, but fans may also remember his stunning victory in his second fight in M-1 Global, locking in a great choke to submit Vadim Malygin at M-1 Challenge 90.

Additional fights will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

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Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:

July 21 – M-1 Challenge 95 in Ingushetia, Russia

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

M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko remains perfect Stops Alexander Butenko to go 18-0-0

March 31, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

And still champion…….Alexey Kuchenko (R)

M-1 CHALLENGE 90 RESULTS

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (March 31, 2018) – M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko improved his professional MMA record to a perfect 18-0-0, stopping Russian challenger Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko in the third round of last night’s M-1 Challenge 9- main event, at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The 33-year-old Kunchenko (17-0-0, M-1: 10-0-0), also fighting out of Russia, has been the M-1 Challenge welterweight champion for nearly two years, when he knocked out Murad Abdulaev in the fourth round at M-1 Challenge 65. Kunchenko notched his 13^th knockout against former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Butenko (45-13-3, M-1: 11-3-1) in the third round on punches in his fourth successful title defense.

In the co-featured event, American veteran Joe “Diesel Riggs (47-18-1, M-1: 2-0-1) and Ukrainian middleweight Boris Polejay (18-6-1, M-1: 2-1-1) battled to a three-round split draw.

Brazilian flyweight Raphael Dias (15-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0) used an arm triangle choke to defeated former M-1 Challenge flyweight title challenger Vadim “Bad Santa” Malygin (12-4-1, M-1: 2-3-1), of Russia, for a second-round victory by submission.

Russian prospect Magomedkamil Malikov (5-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0) kept his perfect pro record intact, punching out Sado “The Panther” Ucar (5-5-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Turkey, in the second round of a match contested at a catchweight.

In the main card opening fight, Russian middleweight Oleg Olenichev (10-5-0, M-1: 1-2-0) took a unanimous decision over Salmar “Sombra” Nunes (35-13-1, M-1: 0-1-0), of Brazil.

Most of the preliminary card action took place on that mat with five eight matches ending in submissions. Frenchman Bakary El Anwar (6-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0) won his M-1 Global debut with an ankle hook on Russian light heavyweight Alexander Popov (2-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0) for an opening-round submission, Russian light heavyweight Dmitry Tebekin (9-3-0, M-1: 3-1-0) took a majority decision over Abylkasym Yakubob (4-5-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Kyrgyzstan, and Yakibob’s countryman, Nureles Aidarov (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), made the most of his M-1 Global debut, knocking out Russian Oleg Lichkovakha (3-3-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-2-0, 1 NC) with a knee in round one.

In a battle of pro-debuting Russian middleweights at a catchweight, Vladimir Trisov‘s anaconda choke was too much to handle for Vyacheslay Babkin, Russian welterweight Movsar Bokov (4-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0) registered a submission win by way of a second-round submission versus Georgian Levan Solodovnik (5-3-0, M-1: 1-2-0) via an angle lock, and Russian lightweight Kurban Taygibov (7-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0) toon a unanimous decision fromLom-Ali Nalgiev (14-7-0, M-1: 5-2-0), of Russia.

In a match-up between a pair of undefeated lightweights, Russian Roman Bogatov (5-0-0, M-1; 4-0-0) submitted Tahir “Tank” Abdullaev (6-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Azerbaijan, in the second round with an arm triangle choke. French featherweight Damien Peltier (9-8-1, M-1: 1-0-0) had an impressive M-1 Global debut, locking in a triangle choke on Maksim Kuldashev (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0) for a second-round triumph.

Ten different countries were represented by fighters in this International event: Russia, USA, Ukraine, Brazil, Turkey, France, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Complete results & picture gallery below:

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT — M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Alexey Kunchenko (18-0-0, M-1: 10-0-0), Champion, Russia

WTKO3 (Punches – 4:04)

Alexander Butenko (45-13-3, M-1: 11-3-1), Challenger, Russia

(Kunchenko retains M-1 Challenge welterweight title)

CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Joe Riggs (47-17-1, 1 NV, M-1: 2-0-1), USA

Boris Polejay (18-6-1, M-1: 2-1-1), Ukraine

FLYWEIGHTS

Rafael Dias (15-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Brazil

SUB2 (Arm Triangle Choke – 4:39)

Vadim Malygin (12-4-1, M-1: 2-3-1), Russia

CATCHWEIGHT

Magomedkamil Malikov (5-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia

WTKO2 (Punches – 0:30)

Sado Ucar (5-5-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Turkey

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Oleg Olenichev (109-5-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia

WDEC3

Salmar Nunes (35-13-1, 1 NC, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil

PRELIMINARY CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Bakary El Anwar (6-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0), France

WSUB1 (0:27)

Alexander Popov (2-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia

Dmitry Tebekin (9-3-0, M-1: 3-1-0)

DEC3

Abylkasym Yakubov (4-5-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Kyrgyzstan

CATCHWEIGHT

Nureles Aidarov (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Kyrgyzstan

WKO1 (Knee kick – 0:12)

Oleg Lichkovakha (3-3-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-2-0, 1 NC)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Vladimir Trusov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0)), Russia

Wseb1 (Anaconda Choke – 2:48)

Vyacheslav Babkin (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

WELTERWEIGHTS

Movsar Bokov (4-1-0, M-1:3-1-0), Russia

WSUB2 (Ankle Lock – 1:35)

Levan Solodovnik (5-3-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Georgia

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Kurban Taygibov (7-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0)

WDEC3

Lom-Ali Nalgiev (14-7-0, M-1: 5-2-0), Russia

Roman Bogatov (5-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia

WSUB2 (Arm Triangle Choke – 1:21)

Tahir Abdullaev (6-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Azerbaijan

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Damien Peltier (9-8-1, M-1: 1-0-0), France

WSEB2 (Triangle Choke – 4:55)

Maksim Kuldashev (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Uzbekistan

Kunchenko (L) attacked Butenko

Polejay (L) & Riggs battled to a draw

Dias (R) got a kick out of Malygin

Olenichev (L) edged Nunes

Aidarov (R) showed concern for his fallen opponent Lichkovakha

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

Apr. 21 – M-1 Challenge 91: Dalgiev-Landwehr, M-1 Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia

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

M-1 CHALLENGE 90 OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES

March 29, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (March 29, 2018) — The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow’s M-1 Challenge 90 card to be held at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Below find the official fighters’ weight and pictures.

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT — M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- 5 X 5

(R) Alexey Kunchenko (17-0-0, M-1: 9-0-0), Champion, Russia -169.32 lbs. (76.8 kg)

(L) Alexander Butenko (45-12-3, M-1: 11-2-1), Challenger, Russia -169.75 lbs. (77 kg)

CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

(L) Joe Riggs (47-17-0, 1 NV, M-1: 2-0-0), USA – 183.86 lbs. (83.4 kg.)

(R) Boris Polejay (18-6-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Ukraine – 184.75 lbs. (83.8 kg.)

FLYWEIGHTS — 3 X 5

(L) Rafael Dias (14-5-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil – 133.6 lbs. (60.6 kg.) – yellow card

(R) Vadim Malygin (12-3-1, M-1: 2-2-1), Russia – 124.78 lbs. (56.6 kg.)

CATCHWEIGHT – 3 X 5

(L) Sado Ucar (5-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Turkey – 160.72 lbs. (72.9 kg.)

(R) Magomedkamil Malikov (4-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia – 161.71 lbs. (73.35 kg.)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

(L) Salmar Nunes (35-12-1, 1 NC, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil – 182.32 lbs. (82.7 kg.)

(R) Oleg Olenichev (9-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia – 184.53 lbs. (83.7 kg.)

PRELIMINARY CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

El Anwar Bakary (5-5-0, M-1: 0-0-0), France – 201.28 lbs. (91.3 kg.)

Alexander Popov (2-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia – 203.26 lbs. (92.2 kg.)

Abylkasym Yakubov (4-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Kyrgyzstan – 203.71 lbs. (92.4 kg.)

Dmitry Tebekin (8-3-0, M-1: 2-1-0) – 205.03 lbs. (93 kg.)

CATCHWEIGHT – 3 X 5

Nureles Aidarov (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Kyrgyzstan – 130.07 lbs. (59 kg.)

Oleg Lichkovakha (3-2-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-1-0, 1 NC) – 129.63 lbs. (58.8 kg.)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

Vyacheslav Babkin (pro debut), Russia – 184.75 lbs. (83.8 kg.)

Vladimir Trusov (pro debut), Russia – 184.30 lbs. (83.6 kg.)

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

Movsar Bokov (3-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia – 169.76 lbs. (77 kg.)

Levan Solodovnik (5-2-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Georgia – 169.53 lbs. (76.9 kg.)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

Lom-Ali Nalgiev (14-6-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Russia – 164.68 lbs. (74.7 kg.)

Kurban Taygibov (6-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia – 160.93 lbs. (73 kg.)

Tahir Abdullaev (6-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Azerbaijan – 154.32 lbs. (70.3 kg.)

Roman Bogatov (4-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia – 154.98 lbs. (72.9 kg.)

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

Damien Peltier (8-8-1, M-1: 0-0-0), France – 144.84 lbs. (65.7 kg.)

Maksim Kuldashev (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Uzbekistan – 144.84 lbs. (65.7 kg.)

(all fights & fighters subject to change)

WHERE: M-1 Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (10.30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT in USA). Also available on FITE.TV (preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

INFORMATION:

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

M-1 LIVE: Kunchenko vs. Butenko + UFC star Joe Riggs in co-main event: Watch Here

March 29, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

M-1 steps its game up yet again with its 90th edition. Live from their arena in St. Petersburg we will watch a night of MMA stars go against each other.

The special guest will be Joe Riggs – a UFC and Bellator star who will face off against Boris Polezhay in the co-main event.

The main event will be a match between undefeated Aleksey Kunchenko who is on a 17 win streak against Alexander Butenko.

Full line up and more info in the link below.

M-1 Challenge 90

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

American Nate “The Train” Landwehr keeps rollin’ Takes on M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Khamzat Dalgiev at M-1 Challenge 91

March 20, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

April 21, in Saint Petersburg at M-1 Arena

Nate “The Train” Landwehr is a showman

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (March 19, 2018) – American mixed-martial-arts star Nate “The Train” Landwehr will compete for his first M-1 Global title, when he takes on red-hot M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Khamzat Dalgiev, in the M-1 Challenge 91 main event at the new M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 91 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 90 is available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card).

The 29-year-old Landwehr (10-2-0, M-1: 2-0-0), who fights out of Clarksville, Tennessee, made his M-1 Global debut last September at M-1 Challenge 83, when he stopped Mikhail Korobkov on punches in the second round. Landwehr’s last fight was this past November at M-1 Challenge 85, at which he won a split decision over Viktor Kolesnik.

Since his first fight in Russia, Landwehr has developed into one of M-1 Global’s most popular fighters, largely due to his fan-friendly fighting style, as well as his showmanship. He made his own promo video, talks trash at press conferences, and broke out into an “ass whooping” song after his fight.

“The Train” never takes a step backwards, trading punches with his opponent from the opening bell, which often results in spectacular fights for MMA fans.

Landwehr (above) is an all-around fighter who can ground or pound

Dalgiev (10-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0), of Russia, has won 10 fights in a row since he lost his pro debut in 2014. Last November at M-1 Challenge 86, Dalgiev turned in a shocking performance, knocking out longtime M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger in the opening round with a thunderous punch that made him an instant star.

Able to defeat his opponent in a variety of ways, Dalgiev has won five fights by submission with three knockouts, including five opening-round stoppages. If rising to the occasion is his forte, Dalgiev should be sky high to fight Landwehr in one of the most anticipated M-1 Global showdowns in years.

Dalgiev (above) put Buchinger to sleep in the first round to capture the coveted M-1 Challenge featherweight title (below)

All fighters and fights are subject to change. Additional main and full preliminary card bouts will soon be announced.

INFORMATION:

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Upcoming Events:

March 30 – M-1 Challenge 90 in St. Petersburg, Russia

April 21 – M-1 Challenge 91 in St. Petersburg, Russia

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

Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko to defend title belt against former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander Butenko

March 15, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

Joe Riggs vs. Boris Polezhay in co-feature

M-1 Challenge 90, Mar. 30, in Saint Petersburg at M-1 Arena

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (March 14, 2018) – Undefeated M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko (17-0-0) will put his perfect MMA professional record and title belt on the line March 30, against former M-1 Challenge lightweight titlist Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko, in the M-1 Challenge 90 main event at the new M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 90 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 90 is available on www.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

The 33-year-old Kunchenko captured his M-1 Challenge welterweight title nearly two years ago, at M-1 Challenge 65, when he knocked out Murad Abdulaev in the fourth round. Kunchenko has made three successful title defenses. He won two decisions in a rematch with Abdulaev and against Maksim Grabovich, and he stopped Sergey Romonav in the opening round.

The Russian-born Kunchenko is a legitimate knockout artist, stopping 12 of his 17 pro victims, and he is 9-0 in in M-1 Global competition.

Kunchenko (R) is a lethal striker with 12 KOs in 17 pro fights

Butenko (45-12-3, M-1: 11-2-1) is an experienced fighter, who is attempting to become a two-division M-1 Challenge champion. The battle-tested Ukrainian won his M-1 Challenge lightweight crown at M-1 Challenge 67, back in June of 2016, when he won a five-round decision over Artem Damkovsky for the vacant title.

In his first title defense, Butenko was knocked out by Abukar Yandiev in the opening round, February 18, 2017 at M-1 Challenge 74. He has won his last two fight, at M-1 Challenge 82 & 86, respectively, against Keith Johnson (DEC3) and Eler Narmurzan(TSUB1).

Butenko (R) also has power

American middleweight and former UFC fighter,Joe “Diesel” Riggs (47-17-0, 1 NC, M-1: 2-0-0), fighting out of Phoenix, AZ, takes on Boris Polezhay (18-6-0, M-1: 2-1-0), of Ukraine, in the co-featured event.

Riggs is riding a six-fight win streak, including a pair of victories in M-1 Challenge events, in which he knocked out Oleg Olenichev and Dmitry Samoilov. Polezhay has won 13 of his last 14 fights.

Also fighting in the main card is Brazilian flyweight Rafael Dias (14-5-0, M-1¨0-1-0), who faces Vadim Malygin, of Russia. Dias has lost only two of his last 10 fights, both of those in bantamweight matches. Malygin lost his only M-1 Challenge title fight last September, when Aleksander Doskalchuk submitted him in the second.

All fighters and fights are subject to change. Additional main and full preliminary card bouts will soon be announced.

INFORMATION:

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@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

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

M-1 CHALLENGE 88 RESULTS & PICTURES

February 24, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

Damir Ismagulov & Movsar Evloev retain M-1 Challenge titles

Damir Ismagulov celebrates his successful title defense against Raul Tutarauli

MOSCOW (February 23, 2018) – M-1 Challenge champions Damir Ismagulovand Movsar Evloev both successfully defended their titles last night at M-1 Challenge 88 at Olympic Stadium on Moscow.

Ismagulov (15-2-0), fighting out of Russia, retained his M-1 Challenge lightweight title, taking a hard-fought five-round unanimous decision over his Georgian challenger, Raul Tutarauli (18-4-0) in the main event.

In the co-featured event, Evloev (9-0-0) kept his perfect pro record intact by way of a third-round submission of Sergey Morozov (10-4-0), of Kazakhstan, locking in a rear naked choke.

Natives of 10 different countries fought in this true international MMA event.

Former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-4-0) was upset by late replacement and M-1 Global pro-debuting Khadis Ibragimov (3-0-0), of Russia, who employed a bulldog choke to knock off his heavily favored opponent in the third round in a fight contested at a catchweight.

Russian bantamweight Bair Shtepin (6-2-0) stopped Brazilian veteran Heliton Dos Santos Davella (15-7-1) midway through the first round, while middleweight Valery “The Russian Hammer” Mysnikov (12-1-2) registered a ground-and-pound, opening round technical knockout.

On the preliminary card, Kyrgyzstan featherweight Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu(10-2-1) took a three-round unanimous decision from former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (13-5-0), Alexander Osterov (4-0-0) decisioned Sergey Klyuev (5-1-0) in a bantamweight battle of previously undefeated Russian prospects, and Brazilian lightweight Rebenilton “Rubinho” Pereira (19-5-0) had his hand raised in victory after three rounds versus Rinat “Riko” Sayakbaev (7-2-0), of Kyrgyzstan.

Undefeated Bulgarian Petur Petrov (4-0-0) used his knees and punches to score a first-round stoppage of Ukrainian Vadim Shabadash (6-3-0), Russian middleweight Ruslan Shamilov forced Frenchman Reda “Boom Boom” Oudgou (2-3-0) into submission (rear naked choke) in the second round, Talekh “The Azerbaijan Terminator” Nadzhafadze (7-2-1) won a three-round unanimous decision over Vitaliy Slipenko (9-2-0), of Russia, and Russian heavyweight Maksim Yakobyuk (3-0-0) used a ground-and-pound attack to defeat Frank “Tatoo” Kortz (4-5-0), of Germany..

Complete results and pictures below:

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Damir Ismagulov (15-2-0, M-1: 9-1-0), Russia

WDEC5

Raul Tutarauli (18-4-0-1, M-1: 6-2-0), Georgia

(Ismagulov retained M-1 Challenge lightweight title)

CO-FEATURE – M-1 CHALLENGE BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Movsar Evloev (9-0-0, M-1: 9-0-0), Russia

WSUB3 (rear naked choke – 3:41)

Sergey Morozov (10-4-0, M-1: 5-3-0), Kazakhstan

(Evloev retained M-1 Challenge bantamweight title)

CATCHWEIGHT

Khadis Ibragimov (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia

WSUB3 (bulldog choke – 2:12)

Stephan Puetz (15-4-0, M-1: 6-2-0), Germany

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Valery Myasnikov (11-1-2, M-1: 2-1-1), Russia

WTKO1 (ground & pound – 4:41)

Joseph Henle (10-3-1, M-1: 0-1-0), USA

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Bair Shtepin (6-2-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Russia

WTKO1 (punches – 2:16)

Heliton Dos Santos Davella (15-7-1, M-1: 0-2-1), Brazil

PRELIMINARY CARD

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Maksim Yakobyuk (3-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0)

WTKO2 (ground & pound – 4:05)

Frank Kortz (4-5-0, M-1: 0-2-0), Germany

CATCHWEIGHT

Vadim Shabadash (7-2-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Ukraine

WTKO1 (kneed & punches – 0:46)

Petur Petrov (3-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Bulgaria

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Ruslan Shamilov (4-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia

WSUB2 (rear naked choke – 3:12)

Reda Oudgou (2-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), France

Talekh Nadzhafadze (7-2-1, M-1: 3-1-1), Azerbaijan

WDEC3

Vitaliy Slipenko (9-2-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Russia

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Rebenilton Pereira (19-5-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Brazil

WDEC3

Rinat Sayakbaev (7-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Kyrgyzstan

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (10-2-1, M-1: 2-0-1), Kyrgyzstan

WDEC3

Maxim Divnich (13-5-0, M-1: 7-5-0), Russia

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Alexander Osterov (4-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

Sergey Klyuev (5-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia

Damir Ismagulov (R) strikes Raul Tutarauli

Movsar Evloev finished off Sergey Morozov

Bair Shtepin (R) was too much for Helton Dos Santos Davella

Valery Myasnikov blasted out Joseph Henle

INFORMATION:

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

March 10 – M-1 Challenge 89 in Saint Petersburg, Russia

March 30 – M-1 Challenge 90 in Saint Petersburg, Russia

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

Stars coming out for M-1 Challenge 88

February 1, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

Two M-1 Challenge title fights

Damir Ismagulov vs. Raul Tutarauli

Movsar Evloev vs. Sergey Morozov

Feb. 22 in Moscow

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (January 31, 2018) – A pair of M-1 Challenge title fights, along with the return of a former champion, are shock-and-awe fights on M-1 Challenge 88, February 22 at Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 88 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 lightweight champion Damir Ismaguluv (14-2-0, M-1: 8-1-0), the Kazakhstan native fighting out of Russia, defends his title against Georgian challenger Raul Tutarauli (18-3-0, M-1: 6-1-0) in the main event.

The 26-year-old Ismagulov is riding a nine-fight win streak, dating back more than 2 ½ years, including a third-round knockout of Tutarauli on May 27, 2016 in the M-1 Challenge 66 Fight of the Night. Ismagulov also won the M-1 Challenge 72 Fight of the Year, by way of a third-round unanimous decision on November 18, 2016.

Tutarauli, 25, has reeled off eight victories in a row since he lost to Ismagulov, including decisions wins last year over Artur Lemos at M-1 Challenge 77 and Vladimir Kanunnikov at M-1 Challenge 83.

In the co-main event, undefeated M-1 Challenge bantamweight title holder Movsar Evloev (8-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0) puts his perfect professional MMA record on the line against his Kazakh challenger, Sergey Morozov (10-3-0, M-1: 5-2-0).

Evloev has been unbeatable since his M-1 Global and professional debut on November 25, 2014, when the gifted Russian choked Jianwei Ha into a second-round submission at M-1 Challenge 53. At M-1 Challenge 76, Evloev captured the Interim M-1 Challenge bantamweight title, knocking out Alexey Nevzorov with a powerful kick last April, followed by an impressive five-round decision over veteran Pavel Vitruk this past July at M-1 Challenge 81 to capture the outright title.

Morozov earned his first title shot with back-to-back victories in 2017 against veteran Brazilian fighters, taking a three-round decision from Fabricio Sarraff at M-1 Challenge 76, and a second-round knockout by punches of Luan Fernandez at M-1 Challenge 83.

Also fighting on the main card is former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-3-0, M-1: 6-2-0), of Germany, vs. Russian foe Khadis Ibragimov (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazilian bantamweight Helton dos Santos Davella(15-5-1, M-1: 0-1-1) vs. Bair Shtepin (5-2-0, M-1: 2-2-0), of Russia, and American middleweight Joseph “Leonidas” Henle (10-3-1, M-1: 0-1-0) vs. Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasnikov (11-1-2, M-1: 2-1-2).

The preliminary card is loaded, as well, with unbeaten prospects Alexander Osetrov(3-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0) and Sergey Klyuev (5-0-0) in a battle of Russian bantamweights, former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (13-4-0, M-1: 7-4-0), of Russia by way of Ukraine, vs. Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (9-2-1, M-1: 1-0-1) , of Kyrgyzstan, German heavyweight Frank Tattoo” Kortz (4-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0) vs. unbeaten Russian Maxim Yakobyuk (7-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Talekh “The Azerbaijan Terminator” Nadzhafadze (6-2-1, M-1: 2-1-1) vs. Russian middleweight Vitaliy Slipenko (9-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), and Brazilian lightweight Rubenilton “Rubinho” Pereira (18-5-0, M-1: 2-2-0) vs. Erlan Ulukbekov (7-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Kyrgyzstan.

All fighters and fights are subject to change.

INFORMATION

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