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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:

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

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:

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

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boxing, women's boxing

Streaking Russian Female Star Elena Savelyeva to Fight 10 Rounds in Fourth Pro Fight

February 7, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

In just her fourth professional fight, rising female flyweight prospect Elena Savelyeva will take the leap to 10-rounders.

Formerly one of the most decorated female amateur boxers in the world and a 2012 Olympian, Savelyeva (3-0, 3 KOs), of Pushkino, Russia, will face former world title challenger Nevenka Mikulic of Croatia on Saturday, February 10 at Qin Shi Huang Restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

“I feel great,” said Savelyeva, “Everything has gone completely according to plan. The fight itself will show what great shape I’m in. My training is always very intense, and I always have planned-out goals in mind.”

Co-promoted by Salita Promotions and Russian-based Alexander Nevskiy Promotion Group, Savelyeva went 134-15-1 as an amateur, winning the world, European (2X) and Russian (6X) championships She represented her homeland in the 2012 Summer Olympics and competed in the first-ever women’s Olympic boxing match in history.

She has been preparing for her first 10-round fight between gyms in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

“I haven’t experienced any difficulties at all so far,” said Savelyeva of the transition to the professional ranks. “My opponents allowed me to develop and progress properly. I have an extensive amateur background, fighting and beating the best in the world. I expect to do the same in the pros and win a professional world title, hopefully by the end of this year.”

“Elena is progressing quickly, as any fighter with her amateur experience would,” said co-promoter Dmitriy Salita. “After this fight, she will be looking for world-title fight, especially if its against her former amateur rival, (UK-based) Nicola Adams.”

###

About Salita Promotions

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe. For more information, visit salitapromotions.com.

boxing, women's boxing

Rising Star Elena Gradinar to Face Olivia Gerula for IBF Intercontinental Championship in Narva, Estonia, on March 24

January 29, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

Rising female star, Elena Gradinar of Saint Petersburg, Russia, will compete for the first championship belt of her professional career when she takes on former world champion Olivia “The Predator” Gerula for the IBF Intercontinental Featherweight Championship.

The 10-round Gradinar vs. Gerula battle will take place on Saturday, March 24, at the Energia Sport Hall in Narva, Estonia.

The undefeated 27-year-old Gradinar (8-0, 2 KOs) went 73-8 as an amateur, winning numerous national and international amateur tournaments. Gradinar has also attained the designation of Sport Master of Russia.

A well-respected and accomplished professional, Gerula, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the former WBC World Female Super Featherweight Champion and made two successful defenses. She has also held the well-respected WIBA World Championship.

“I am very glad to fight for IBF Intercontinental belt against former WBC World Champion Olivia Gerula,” said Gradinar. “We will bring for boxing fans a dramatic and exiting clash between us. I am very proud that I will represent my country Russia and I hope that IBF Intercontinental belt will find residence in the glorious Russian city of St. Petersburg!”

“I am very excited about what’s to come. I look forward to visiting Estonia and soaking up some of its culture while proudly representing Canada,” said Olivia Gerula. “I know Elena has an impressive amateur record and an undefeated professional record, but I don’t believe she has ever been in the ring with a fighter of my quality and experience, so I expect to shake things up.”

Gerula’s co-promoter Dmitriy Salita, along with Russian-based Alexander Nevskiy Promotion Group, says the Gerula fight will prove a lot about Gradinar’s transition to the professional ranks.

“This will be the toughest test of Elena’s young career,” said Salita. “Olivia Gerula has fought and beaten many top-level female fighters in the division. I am looking forward to a great fight and, with a victory, the continued development of our future world champion.”

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

M-1 Challenge 87: Mikael Silander-Arman Ashimov Interim M-1 Challenge Flyweight title fight headliner

January 26, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

Grand Opening of M-1 Arena, Feb. 9

Saint Petersburg, Russia

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (January 25, 2018) – The Interim M-1 Challenge flyweight title will be on the line February 9, when Mikael “Hulk” Silander and Arman Ashimov square off in the M-1 Challenge 87 main event, in the grand opening of M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Both events 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 atwww.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

One of Scandinavia’s all-time best MMA fighters, the 32-year-old Silander (17-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0) earned his title shot by winning a three-round majority decision over Vitaliy Branchuk (23-6-0), last August at M-1 Challenge 82 in his native Finland.

Ashimov (7-2-1, M-1: 2-0-0), fighting out of Almaty, Kazakhstan, is unbeaten in M-1 Global fights having knocked out Rodrigo Melonio this past November at M-1 Challenge 85, and Gadzhimurad Aliev last July at M-1 Challenge 81.

A loaded main card also features undefeated Kazakh welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov (7-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0) versus his Russian opponent, Levan Solodovnik (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0) Juho Valamma (15-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Brazilian light heavyweight Kleiber Raimundo “Orgugho” Silva (14-7-0, M-1: 1-0-0) vs. Dmitry Mikutsa (7-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), of Ukraine, Russian featherweight Timur Nagibin (13-3-0, M-1: 5-2-0) vs. Jadison Dimitry “Tita” Silva (23-8-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Brazil, and Pavel Gordeev (9-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), of Russia, TBA.

The preliminary card has undefeated Swiss welterweight prospect Pablo Ortmann (7-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) vs. Ingiskhan Ozdoev (5-3-0, M-1: 4-3-0), of Russia, unbeaten Russian heavyweight Adam Bogatyrev (5-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0) vs. Jose “Agus” Augustine Jimenez (5-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), French welterweight Charles-Henri Tchoungui (9-7-1, M-1: 0-1-0), vs. Artem Nenakov (6-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Russia, and Georgian welterweight Amiran Gogoladze (4-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0) vs. Stanislav “Stas” Podolsky (5-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0).

All fighters and fights are subject to change.

INFORMATION:www.M1Global.tv

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Feb. 9 – M-1 Challenge 87: Silander vs. Ashimov, M-1 Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Feb. 22 – M-1 Challenge 88: Ismagulov vs. Tutarauli, Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia

M-1, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

2017 M-1 Global Prospect of the Year Rising flyweight star Arman Ashimov

January 20, 2018 FNU47 Leave a comment

Arman Ashimov is shown above putting Rodrigo Melonio to sleep

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (January 18, 2018) – Rising flyweight Arman Ashimov has been named the 2017 M-1 Global Prospect of the Year.

Ashimov (7-2-1, M-1: 2-0-0), 26, made his M-1 Global debut last July in M-1 Challenge 81, in which he stopped previously undefeated Gadzhimurad Aliev (6-0-0), of Russia, with one punch in round two.

Last November, Ashimov positioned himself for a title shot with an impressive opening-round knockout via punches of Brazilian veteran Rodrigo Melonio (16-3-0) at M-1 Challenge 85.

Five of Ashimov’s seven victories to date have ended by knockout, the other two by decision.

The gifted Kazakh fighter headlines his first M-1 Global event on February 9 against Finnish invader Mikael “Hulk” Silander (17-5-0, M-1: 1-0-0) for the Interim M-1 Global flyweight title, celebrating the opening of the beautiful, state-of-the-art M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

INFORMATION:

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@Vadim_finkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Feb. 9 – M-1 Challenge 87: Silander vs. Ashimov, M-1 Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Feb. 22 – M-1 Challenge 88: Ismagulov vs. Tutarauli, Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia

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

M-1 CHALLENGE 84 HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO

November 9, 2017 FNU47 Leave a comment

INFORMATION:

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:

M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia

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

M-1 CHALLENGE 84 RESULTS & PICTURES

November 2, 2017 FNU47 Leave a comment

Alexey Kunchenko stops Sergey Romanov in

1^st round to retain title and remain undefeated

Artiom Frolov defeats Caio Magalhaes

Captures vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title

(L-R) — M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein &

M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (October 27, 2017) – M-1 Challenge welterweight championAlexey Kunchenko retained his title, improving hid professional mixed-martial-arts record to 19-0-0, in last night’s M-1 Challenge 84 main event in St. Petersburg Russia.

Undefeated Artiom Frolov (10-0-0), of Russia, captured the vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title, taking a five-round decision from Caui “Hellboy” Malgahaes (10-34-0).

Kunchenko pounds Romanov

Kunchenko, fighting out of Russia, stopped his challenger and fellow countryman,Sergey Romanov (11-2-0), via punches in the opening round, highlighting the 20^thanniversary of promotional company M-1 Global. Kunchenko and Romanov both started the action unbeaten in M-1 Global competition, Kunchenko at 8-0-0, 5-0-0 for Romanov.

Frolov lands “money punch” on Malgahaes

Frolov won a tough five-round decision from Brazilian veteran Malgahaes in the co-featured event.

American middleweight Joe “Diesel” Riggs registered his 46^th career MMA victory, punching out Oleg Olenichev (9-5-0) in the third round, while Spanish middleweightEnoc Solves Torres (21-10-1) made quick work of Andrey Seledtzov (7-5-0), using an armbar for a win by way of first-round submission.

Russian bantamweight Bair Shtepin (5-2-0) upset employed a triangle choke to forces his Finnish opponent, Janne “Jamba” Elonen-Kulmala (15-6-1) by way of a third-round submission, and Russian lightweight prospect Roman Bogatov (3-0-0) won a three-round decision over German invader Sascha Sharma (13-4-0)..

Fighting on the preliminary card, Russian heavyweight Philip “F-11” De Freis (13-6-0, M-1: 1-0-0) won a majority decision over fellow countryman Anton Vyzigin (7-2-0), while Russian featherweight Zalimbek Omarov (9-2-1) won a unanimous decision against Sascha Sharma (13-4-0), of Germany. Ilya Bochkov (2-1-0) stopped Arkady Lisin (5-2-0) and Dmitry Tebekin (7-3-0) won a unanimous decision over Vasily Volodko (2-1-0) in a pair of fights between Russian light heavyweights,

In three welterweight matches featuring six Russian fighters, Maksim Grabovich (6-3-0) used a rear naked choke to defeat Temirlan Sharipov (3-1-0) in the third round, and Danila Prikaza (8-2-1) took a decision from Akhmadkhan Ozdoev (4-1-1).

Complete results and more pictures below:

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Alexey Kunchenko (17-0-0, M-1: 9-0-0), Champion, Russia

WKO/TKO1 (Punches – 2:44)

Sergey Romanov (11-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Challenger, Russia

(Kunchenko M-1 Challenge welterweight title)

CO-FEATURE – VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Artem Frolov (10-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), Russia

WDEC5

Caio Magalhaes (10-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Brazil

(Frolov won vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title)

Joe Riggs (46-17-0, M-1: 2-0-0), USA

WKO/TKO (punches – 3:22)

Oleg Olenichev (9-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia

Enoc Solves Torres (21-10-1, M-1: 6-7-1), Spain

WSUB1 (Armbar – 0:44)

Andrey Seledtsov (7-5-0, M-1: 0-4-0), Russia

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Roman Bogatov (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

Jani Salmi (9-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Finland

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Bair Shtepin (5-2-0, M-1: 2-2-0), Russia

WSUB3 (Triangle Choke – 4:44)

Janne Elonen-Kulmala (15-5-1, M-1: 1-0-1), Finland

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Arkadiy Lisin (5-0-0, M-1:0-0-0), Russia

Ilya Bochkov (3-1-0, M-1:1-1-0), Russia

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Philip DeFreis (13-6-0, M-1: 1-0-0), England

WDEC3

Anton Vyazigin (7-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Dmitry Tebekin (7-3-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia

WDEC3

Vasily Volodko (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

Ilya Bochkov (4-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia

WKO/TKO2 (Punches – 4:24)

Arkady Lisin (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0)

WELTERWEIGHTS

Maksim Grabovich (6-3-0, M-1: 5-3-0), Russia

WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke (1:47)

Temirlan Sharipov (3-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia

Danila Prikaza (8-2-1, M-1: 5-2-0), Russia

WDEC3

Akhmadkhan Ozdoev (4-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Zalimbek Omarov (9-2-1, M-1: 6-1-1), Russia

WDEC3

Sascha Sharma (13-4-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Germany

(L-R) — Kunchenko was too much for Romanov to handle

Frolov drops Magalhaes on his head

INFORMATION:

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook: