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Admired Heavyweight Fighter Will Continue Fighting
M-1 Global President and co-founder Vadim Finkelstein confirmed ‘The Last Emperor’s’ decision and shared his immediate plans for Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion. “We consulted with Fedor and it was decided that he should not leave the sport in this way. His friends and past opponents support Fedor in continuing his career and he agreed,” said Finkelstein. “We want to organize a fight for Fedor in Russia and have already begun working in this direction. If everything goes as planned, we will produce a card in Moscow or St. Petersburg sometime in the fall with Fedor as the main event.” The opponent is yet to be determined. More plans are also in the mix according to Finkelstein, “In addition to the fight in Russia, we’re also working with our Japanese contacts to organize a New Year’s Eve event in Japan that Fedor would participate in as well.” When asked about 2012 Finkelstein spoke optimistically; “If all is successful, in 2012 we’ll be back in the U.S. All these ideas are being developed right now and we want to work exactly according to this plan.” For additional information, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page. With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. 2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are proving to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold.
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Project’s Inaugural Card Set for Saturday, August 6 as a Special Attraction At the International Festival of Bikers
New York, NY. (August 3, 2011) Uniting bikers from Russian regions and abroad, the International Festival of Ol’gino Bikersis the largest motorcycle event in Russia’s North-West region. With Europe’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion growing increasing popular with two-wheel transportation enthusiasts, M-1 Global launches its Russian MMA ‘proving ground’ scouting project ‘M-1 Fighter’ on Saturday, August 6 as one of the exhibit’s special attractions. The ‘M-1 Fighter’ project brings together young and promising athletes that have undergone a rigorous submission review and selection process and the bouts will be announced shortly. “M-1 organizes mixed martial arts tournaments around the world. Our most recognized projects include the international M-1 Challenge events and regional M-1 Selection tournaments. This year we’re launching a new project in Russia called ‘M-1 Fighter’ where we get an opportunity to scout many young athletes eager to break into this great sport,” says Alexander Shuldyakov,M-1 Global’s European matchmaker. “Consider it a ‘proving ground’. We’re very pleased that the first ‘M-1 Fighter’ event will take place as an attraction at the international festival of bikers.” Fans wishing to watch the actionlive, the M-1 Fighter Tournament will be streamed live at 6am ET on August 6th in association with Geniroom. You will need to register for a free account which will give you access to all the live action as it takes place.Click for more information. For additional information, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
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STRIKEFORCE® and M-1 GLOBAL PRESENT: FEDOR vs. HENDERSON OPEN WORKOUTS TODAY Wednesday, July 27 at 12:00 p.m. Central Chicago Marriott Northwest HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Come see main event headliners Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson, as well as the rest of the stars of STRIKEFORCE® and M-1 GLOBAL PRESENT: FEDOR vs. HENDERSON, display the incredible mixed martial arts skills that have made them champions inside the cage at the STRIKEFORCE® open workouts scheduled to take place today, Wednesday, July 27 at 12:00 p.m. CT inside the Prairie Stone IV room at the Chicago Marriott Northwest in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Media are invited to attend and are encouraged to take photos of the athletes as they make their final preparations for their bouts this Saturday. Participating fighters will also be available for questions following their workouts. WHO: STRIKEFORCE® and M-1 GLOBAL PRESENT: FEDOR vs. HENDERSON main card fighters
12:00 – 12:30 pm DAN HENDERSON & SCOTT SMITH 12:30 –1:00 pm MIESHA TATE & TYRON WOODLEY 1:00 – 1:30 pm MARLOES COENEN & TIM KENNEDY 1:30 – 2:00 pm ROBBIE LAWLER & PAUL DALEY 2:00 – 2:30 pm FEDOR EMELIANENKO & TAREC SAFFIEDINE
WHEN: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 - 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: Chicago Marriott Northwest Prairie Stone IV Room 4800 Hoffman Blvd. Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact Ryan Grab, STRIKEFORCE PR @ 706.540.3425 or rgrab@strikeforce.com
Tickets for STRIKEFORCE® and M-1 GLOBAL PRESENT: FEDOR vs. HENDERSON, which is presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, are on sale now and are priced at $352, $202, $102, $77, $52 and $37. Tickets will be available at the Sears Centre Arena box office, online at searscentre.com, or charge by phone at 1-888-732-7784. Ticket prices do not include service charges. For more information or the latest STRIKEFORCE news, visit www.strikeforce.com. All bouts live and subject to change. About STRIKEFORCE® - www.strikeforce.com Owned and operated by Forza, LLC, a subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC, which also owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand, STRIKEFORCE® is a world-class mixed martial arts promotion based in San Jose, Calif. that currently holds 16 live events annually across the United States. First established as a mixed martial arts entity in 2006, STRIKEFORCE now broadcasts its events live on Showtime® Networks, Inc. and has produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network. With a growing roster featuring the world’s elite competitors, STRIKEFORCE has cemented its place as a leader in providing quality mixed martial arts action. About Showtime Networks Inc. – www.sho.com Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. About M-1 Global - www.M-1Global.com Founded in 1998, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles and affiliates in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged over 70 events worldwide including the M-1 Selection and M-1 Challenge events and its co-produced Strikeforce events in the United States. Captivating the live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 events have boasted some of the sport’s top names including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Stefan Struve and rising stars Shamil Zavurov, Guram Gugenishvili, Alexander Sarnavskiy and Vinny Magalhaes. 2011 marks a breakthrough year with two Selections tournaments across Eastern & Western Europe, North America and Asia and a full calendar of Challenge events fuelled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is the number one heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko. With daily coverage on all MMA-related websites in the world, and articles in Time Magazine, LA Times and New York Times, Fedor and M-1 Global make a lifetime match serving as the catalyst to grow MMA in the 21st century. About Sears Centre Arena Sears Centre Arena is an 11,000-seat multi-purpose family entertainment, cultural, and sports arena located in Hoffman Estates’ Prairie Stone Business Park. The Sears Centre Arena, which opened in 2006, is designed to accommodate a variety of events including concerts, family shows and sporting events. For more information regarding the Sears Centre Arena and upcoming events, please visit the arena’s website at www.searscentre.com.
### CONTACT: STRIKEFORCE® Ryan Grab
SHOWTIME Sports® Chris DeBlasio Annie Van Tornhout Chris.DeBlasio@Showtime.net Annie.VanTornhout@Showtime.net
M-1 Global Eric Nicholl
Sears Centre Arena Erin Bilton
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STRIKEFORCE® WORLD GRAND PRIX: HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS HEADS TO U.S. BANK ARENA IN CINCINNATI ON SEPT. 10 WORLD GRAND PRIX SEMI-FINALS: JOSH BARNETT vs. SERGEI KHARITONOV ANTONIO ‘BIGFOOT’ SILVA vs. DANIEL CORMIER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT: RONALDO ‘JACARE’ SOUZA DEFENDS AGAINST LUKE ROCKHOLD
PLUS: ‘KING MO’ LAWAL vs. ROGER GRACIE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Live on SHOWTIME® at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on West Coast)
TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY, JULY 29 at 12 p.m. ET
SAN JOSE, Calif. – STRIKEFORCE® will make its second trip to the Buckeye State this year when it brings the STRIKEFORCE WORLD GRAND PRIX: HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT semi-finals to U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 10., live on SHOWTIME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The World Heavyweight Grand Prix finalists will be determined when former UFC® heavyweight champion “The Baby Faced Assassin” Josh Barnett takes on Russian sensation Sergei Kharitonov, and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva battles tournament alternate Daniel “DC” Cormier. The card will also feature STRIKEFORCE middleweight champ Ronald “Jacare” Souza defending his title against top contender Luke Rockhold, as well as a light heavyweight collision between Muhammad “King Mo” Lawal and Roger Gracie. A fifth yet-to-be announced fight will air on the SHOWTIME portion of the event. The main card action will air live on SHOWTIME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). “Cincinnati is an incredible sports town and we’re excited to bring the World Grand Prix: Heavyweight Tournament to the great fans here,” said STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker. “We’re going to see who advances to the tournament finals. Barnett vs. Kharitonov pits two incredible finishers against one another, and ‘Big Foot’ is looking to keep the momentum rolling after his big win over Fedor when he meets unbeaten Daniel Cormier. When you add in the middleweight title fight and the other great bouts, you can see that we’ve pulled out all the stops for our return to Ohio.” Tickets for STRIKEFORCE® WORLD GRAND PRIX: HEAVYWEIGHT SEMI-FINALS, which is presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, are priced at $200, $125, $75 and $35, and go on sale Friday, July 29 at 12 p.m. ET. Tickets will be available at the U.S. Bank Arena box office, online at www.usbankarena.com, or charge by phone at 513-421-4111. Tickets are also available online at www.TicketMaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets including select Kroger locations. Ticket prices do not include service charges. UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Thursday, July 28 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. ET via the website ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers, as well as STRIKEFORCE Insiders on Thursday, July 28 starting at 12 p.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through ufc.com. Having defeated seven straight opponents, including a slick submission win over Brett Rogers in the previous round of the Grand Prix, Josh Barnett (30-5) feels he is the only man that has what it takes to win this tournament. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, who holds career victories over legends Randy Couture, Dan Severn and Minotauro Nogueira, looks to advance and book a spot in the finals when he takes on Golden Glory product, Sergei Kharitonov (18-4). Born in Plesetsk, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia, Kharitonov still serves active duty for the Russian Airborne Troops while training full time. Though he most recently defeated Andrei Arlovski to earn this fight, he also holds notable wins over Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum. Brazilian-born heavyweight Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (16-2) is on a tear through the division thanks to recent wins over Fedor Emelianenko, Arlovski and Mike Kyle. Silva, who holds black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and karate, will need everything he’s got when he matches up with American Kickboxing Academy’s top heavyweight prospect, Daniel Cormier (8-0). The former Oklahoma State University wrestler, who was also a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic wrestling team, steps in as an alternate for the injured Alistair Overeem, and hopes to make the most of this massive opportunity. Team Black House fighter and current STRIKEFORCE middleweight champ Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (14-2, 1 NC) is currently riding a four-fight win streak that includes victories over Tim Kennedy and Robbie Lawler. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo black belt looks to successfully defend his belt for the second time when he takes on Santa Cruz’s Luke Rockhold (7-1). An American Kickboxing Academy standout and Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Rockhold seeks his seventh consecutive victory and the STRIKEFORCE 185-pound crown. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (7-1) is looking to make his way back up the light heavyweight ladder and reclaim his throne. The former champ had won seven straight before running into Rafael Cavalcante last August, but he’s now back hungrier than ever to return to the win column. Having wrestled at Oklahoma State University, Lawal will have to rely on his takedowns and heavy hands when he squares off against second-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Roger Gracie (4-0). A member of the famed Gracie family, Roger is undefeated and recently scored a victory over former UFC and PRIDE® star Kevin Randleman. For more information or the latest STRIKEFORCE news, visit www.strikeforce.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
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The Hangar At OC Fair & Event Center In Orange County, Calif. Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 8, 2011) – All but one bout in Friday night’s M-1 Challenge event from The Hangar at OC Fair & Event Center in Orange County, Calif. ends via knock-out. The five-fight telecast aired LIVE on SHOWTIME®. The main event featuring the rematch between the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight finalists Pat Bennett (4-2), of Marcellus, N.Y., and Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (6-3), of Port St. Lucie, Fla. ended in fireworks; Garner captured his second knock-out victory over Bennett, securing another shot against M-1’s current champion, undefeated Guram Gugenishvili, on a future card this year. KENNY GARNER:
“I fought the fight wanted but it was still a little sloppy. I could have done better.” “I was nervous for a second. When I slipped and Pat hit me in the head, I was like damn, this guy hits pretty hard. But I hit harder!” “This is what I do! BANG BANG! Shots to the body. Shots to the head. It’s what I do. That’s why M-1 keeps bringing me back!” “Pat made it out the first round with ‘Deuce’. He can put it on his resume.” “I’m coming for you Guram! I want my belt/ Let’s do it!”
ARTHUR GUSEINOV:
“I saw Jeffries dropping his hands and knew I could connect.” “I watched Jeffries’ fight against Sultanakhmedov and devised my game plan from their bout. I knew he had weaknesses I could exploit.” “At no point was I ever worried about being taken down. He’s nothing special. All I had to do was fight.” “I love fighting in America. I hope to come back and fight here again soon!” Evgeni Kogan -M-1 Global Director of Operations “All the fighters need credit for making tonight’s card special. We couldn’t be happier with the results on our second outing on SHOWTIME.” “M-1 is doing all it can to showcase some of Europe’s top talent to the North American fan base. We hope they were pleasantly surprised with what they saw from Guseinov, Taisumov and Weichel.” “We really want to increase our presence in the US. There’s no other market to seriously compete in.” “A big ‘thank you’ to our friends at SHOWTIME. They’re a fantastic network with excellent leadership and people.” For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page. Mauro Ranallo called the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast was produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins, Jr. For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports. About Showtime Networks Inc. Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. About M-1 Global: Founded in 1998, M-1 Global (www.M-1Global.com) has established itself in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles and affiliates in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged over 70 events worldwide including the M-1 Selection and M-1 Challenge events and its co-produced Strikeforce events in the United States. Captivating the live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 events boast some of the sport’s top names including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Stephan Struve and rising stars Shamil Zavurov, Guram Gugenishvili, Alexander Sarnavskiy and Vinny Magalhaes. 2011 marks a breakthrough year with two Selections tournaments across Eastern & Western Europe, North America and Asia and a full calendar of Challenge events fuelled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport.
M-1 Global’s greatest asset is the number one heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko. With daily coverage on all MMA-related websites in the world, and articles in Time Magazine, LA times and New York times, Fedor and M-1 Global make a lifetime match serving as the catalyst to grow MMA in the 21st century.
MEDIA CONTACT
M-1 GLOBAL Eric Nicholl (778) 968-0440, EricNicholl.M1@gmail.com
SHOWTIME Chris DeBlasio (212) 708-1633, Chris.DeBlasio@showtime.net
Fight Club OC Roy Englebrecht (949) 760-3131, Boxing77@aol.com
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Heavyweight Duel Ends in Second Round Knockout
Last Friday night’s M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner event from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, Calif. Not only captured the attention of the crowd and those tuning in to the live telecast on SHOWTIME but also the approval from fight fans around the world. With fighters hitting the canvass from every angle, the card’s Fight of the Night top honour was awarded to the headline bout’s participants: Pat Bennett and Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner. Garner got the best of Bennett in a tremendous back and forth war that ended via KO at 1:15 of the second round. Unlike their first meeting back in September of last year at the M-1 Selection Americas tournament, Bennett wasted no time bringing the action to Garner as he connected with a Superman punch that sets off a wild exchange of heavy blows before the men tied up on the ropes. As the big men come apart, it was Bennett who once again landed the better power punches but Garner snuck in a return blast which landed on his opponent’s chin as payback for the early barrage. As the onslaught continued, Garner regained confidence and momentum, landing a nasty, looping right that opened a gash on the left side of Bennett’s head. Refusing to back down, Bennett tied up Garner in the corner to work the foot stomps as a precursor to securing the bout’s first successful takedown in the last seconds of round one. The second frame started off with the same intense action and it was Garner who once again struck first blood, this time connecting with another razor shot that split Bennett’s face on the left side. With Bennett rocked and wobbly, ‘Deuce’ wasted no time going in for the kill, dropping Bennett with a crisp, clipping shot to the chin. With Bennett floored on the canvas, Garner fired off one more right for good measure before referee ‘Big John’ McCarthy dove between them. The win improves Garner to 7-3 Love to hate him or hate to love him, the Port St. Lucie, Florida and American Top Team fighter, Kenny Garner is making a name for himself; he’s outspoken, versatile, packs lethal one-punch power and a potent submission game. With an affliction for the camera and ‘in your face’ personality, Garner is surprising fans, media and executives at every turn, proving to critics that he’s the ‘real deal’ in M-1’s heavyweight division – Deuce is proving to be a force to reckon with. Garner has shown time and time again he’s a capable fighter with a deadly arsenal of skills. Eager for a second shot at Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion’s Heavyweight Champion Guram Gugenishvili, the remainder of 2011 is shaping up to be a great year for ‘Deuce’. Garner won the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Heavyweight tournament with wins over Matt Hopkins, Andre Kapilou and Pat Bennett. With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. 2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly. For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports. Link to Bennett vs. Garner 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X6VjiSEAMo
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M-1 CHALLENGE: BENNETT VS GARNER FULL CARD AIRS LIVE ON SHOWTIME® Friday, July 8, 2011 From The Hangar At the O.C. Fair and Events Center, Costa Mesa, California
Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 5, 2011)–M-1 GLOBAL’s sophomore U.S. outing packs depth. The mixed martial arts (MMA) event titled M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner takes place from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California and airs LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast). The July 8th event is headlined with the rematch between the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight finalists Pat Bennett (4-2) and Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (6-3). “We’re excited for this card! M-1’s second televised event on SHOWTIME has more depth and the fighters travelling from Europe have a point to prove,” said M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan. “Expect action from the first bell.” Garner last faced Bennett in the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas tournament finals, winning via convincing first-round TKO. He’s best known for his relentless self-marketing which he backs up with one-punch power. Garner’s made it clear: “I’m not losing to Pat Bennett; he’s not making it out of the first round.” Bennett is a decorated collegiate wrestler and multidimensional fighter with deadly striking who’s primed for redemption. The Co-main event pits 2010 M-1 Selection Americas middleweight tournament winner Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries (7-5) versus feared Russian striker Arthur Guseinov (7-2). As a marquee middleweight (185 Lbs.) bout, the clash sets the stage for Jeffries to battle back into title contention. Jeffries is coming prepared: “I’ve spent time training in Las Vegas and in the U.K. and I’m ready to redeem myself with a much improved performance. Thank you to M-1 for the opportunity. It’s an honor to be on their second SHOWTIME card.” Jeffries, a versatile fighter within Team Quest’s talented roster, won the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas tournament last September with a spectacular highlight reel, triangle-armbar over Mike Geurin. Arthur Guseinov is known for his deadly spinning back-kicks and head-hunting high kicks. Expect to watch a high-powered offensive drive directly into Jeffries’ path. The card also features fierce lightweight (155 Lbs.) battles between feared German submission specialist Daniel Weichel (26-7) and former NCAA Division I collegiate wrestler Beau ‘Blackjack’ Baker (8-4) while unstoppable European lightweight Mairbek ‘Beckan’ Taisumov (14-3) faces scrappy Josh ‘Iron Heart’ Bacallao (6-3). The U.S. Army’s Captain ‘G.I.’ Jason Norwood (11-2) hooks up with the rage of Eddie ‘Crazy Face’ Arizmendi (14-4) in their middleweight tilt to kick off the telecast. Filling in the undercard, California’s own warriors wage war: Richard Schiller (5-2-1) goes against Aaron Miller (9-7) in their 150 Lbs. catch-weight affair, Diman Morris (2-1) meets Brandon Michaels (1-3) in a light heavyweight (205 Lbs.) bout and lightweights Mike Derobers (1-0) and Max Martyniouk (0-1) go toe-to-toe. Tickets are priced at $75 for the front row and all other seats at $50 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com, or by calling Roy Englebrecht Promotions at (949) 760-3131. For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page. Mauro Ranallo will call the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports® is David Dinkins, Jr.
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Arthur Guseinov: Russian Striker Makes Stateside Debut Known for his tight clinch work, deadly spinning back-kicks and head-hunting high kicks, Action-Force Fight Team’s feared Russian striker, Arthur Guseinov is ready to make his North American debut and go head-to-head against the 2010 M-1 Selection middleweight tournament winner, Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries at M-1 llenge: Bennett vs. Garner. Fans can capture the action from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast). Guseinov’s lightning-quick striking arsenal is responsible for the majority of his KO / TKO victories, anchoring his hard-earned 7-2 professional record (dig a little deeper into his background and one will find a long list of amateur wins adding to a combined record of 14-2). Although coming off back-to-back losses against Russian submission specialist, Beslan Esaev and staunch American scrapper, Luigi Fioravanti, expect his exciting fighting style to be well received by the North American audience as he brings a high powered offensive directly into Jeffries’ path. Guseinov returned to the ring of Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion in 2010 after being summoned to step in on short notice to face Fioravanti after Shahrijar Abassov was forced to withdraw after suffering a late training injury. Even with injuries a part of the daily grind in the sport, being called upon as a replacement fighter in the time of need is what differentiates one’s fighting spirit; the talented striker with a formidable karate background gave his all in a dramatic back and forth affair that captured the cards Fight of the Night top-honour, losing via RNC submission in the overtime round. Since making his professional debut in October 2005, the crafty technician has ended all his bouts in the first round except for one; the lone decision victory came against newly crowned Middleweight Champion, Magomed "The White Wolf" Sultanakhmedov in the opening round of the 2009 M-1 Selection European tournament. Considered a small 185’er by North American standards, Guseinov will have to rely on his striking arsenal and open the bout with a blitzkrieg attack to overwhelm Jeffries; the punishment needs to come fast and unrelenting as The Anti-Hero has proven to possess an iron chin and an unbreakable will. Holding a coveted win over Sultanakhmedov, the ‘what-if’ implications of a Guseinov win can be hashed out from every angle but ultimately Guseinov is only concerned with standing victorious on July 8th; but in this case, it’s easy to predict the matchmaker’s plan of sliding Guseinov into a future title bout. |
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Eddie ‘Crazy Face’ Arizmendi Makes M-1 Debut Throughout Arizona, fans have been raving about Eddie ‘Crazy Face’ Arizmendi (14-4), watching him grow and mature as a fighter in the local ranks. Now signed to Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, M-1 Global, the Apex Gym warrior makes his debut at M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, Friday, July 8, LIVE on SHOWTIME starting at 11 p.m. ET (delayed on the West Coast). When the bell rings to start the action Arizmendi will stand opposite Captain ‘G.I’ Jason Norwood (11-2) and aims to break the US Army’s unshakeable will. The 25 year old Native American of Mexican heritage is Tucson’s middleweight gem; standing a solid 6’ 3”, Arizmendi was a previously top-ranked high school football quarterback and the talented warrior still hits up the field during his training ‘downtime’. But it was a trip to a local fight card with his father that inspired him to dedicate his life completely to mixed martial arts and he hasn’t looked back since. Training out of Apex Gym with trainer Joey Rivera and under the management and guidance of Sky Andren of Fight Legion Inc., Arizmendi is the former RITC champion and rides a momentous eight-fight streak into Costa ‘Mesa, California; for the first time in his so-far illustrious career as the ‘big fish in the little pond’, ’Crazy Face’ takes his amped-up fighting style head-on into the next level of competition. Transitioning from the regional to National / International calibre of opposition should come easy for the talented warrior; his game is decorated with a versatile submission arsenal and he packs potent striking backed up with knock-out power. What stands out specifically about his style is the evident controlled anger and rage that is interwoven through all his elements. His versatility is simply impressive and it seems he’s never at a loss when it comes to transitioning from boxing to wrestling to BJJ. Standing up, he throws combinations with laser-guided precision; wrestling, he can scoop a single or double leg effortlessly and rain heavy G&P bombs; submissions; slick and fluid. Above all else, Arizmendi is a finisher; of his 14 wins, he’s seen the judges’ scorecards only twice – that’s a finishing average of nearly 86%, a stat intoxicating to the M-1 executive brass and a perfect fit with M-1’s reputation for producing action-packed events. As the night’s telecast kick-off bout, Arizmendi’s Arizona fan-base will be tuning in intently to watch their hometown boy make the jump to the big league against Norwood, a twisted testament to the saying: ‘hate to see you leave but love to watch you go.’ |
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Bacallao Intent to Wreck ‘Beckan’ at M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner Josh ‘Iron Heart’ Bacallao has been given the opportunity to elevate his young career to the next level with his first trip to M-1 Global’s grandest stage. At M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner, Bacallao will face the amped-up fighting style of fierce European striker Mairbek ‘Beckan’ Taisumov. The action goes down from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast). A native of Lakeland, Florida, Josh Bacallao is ok with being considered the quiet and often over-looked opponent. Sporting a tight 6-2 record decorated with submission, TKO and decision victories, his strategy of canning the trash talk and simply putting up technically sound performances certainly speaks volumes for this young fighter when he prefers to keep to his silent side. At 23 years of age, manger Ross Kellin of Champions MMA sings praise about Bacallao’s tenacity in the gym and his dedication to evolving his skills. “Josh puts everything on the table when it comes to the sport and becoming a holistic, well-rounded athlete. His core foundation comes from his high school wrestling background; his stand up is great; he has good jiu-jitsu. Josh is an exciting and humble fighter.” Inside the ring Bacallao’s proven to be a strong, explosive fighter with dangerous hands, which is why he’s been invited back to fight with Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, M-1 Global, after a difficult run through the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas tournament; a controversial fight with Josh Key ended in a no-contest, which advanced him in to the semi-finals where he next lost a tough spilt-decision to George Sheppard. Speaking with Bacallao, a confident voice boomed through the phone; “My opportunity with M-1 is all I’m focussed on right now. I’m doing everything I can within my power to ensure I deliver a flawless performance – the outcome will take care of itself.” Having maintained consistent activity throughout his career, Bacallao made four trips to the canvas through 2010 and a pair of outings in each of the previous two years but his outing on July 8th marks nearly a year-long hiatus, adding a little more pressure to an already challenging situation; Bacallao best shake off any ring-rust quickly if he wants to make his true impression felt and silence critics who have already counted him out. |
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Taisumov vs. Bacallao: Potential Fight of the Night at M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner There’s a lot to say about experience in mixed martial arts; even more can be said when you combine experience with precise, tactical striking and a versatile ground game. When Mairbek ‘Beckan’ Taisumov and Josh ‘Iron Heart’ Bacallao hook ‘em up at M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner on Friday, July 8th, all hell could bust loose in the ring. But before the action goes down from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast), M-1 breaks down the battle. Thanks to his aggressive fighting style, Mairbek ‘Beckan’ Taisumov is seemingly incapable of producing anything other than action-packed fights; without a doubt he’s one of the most entertaining fighters Europe has to offer and one of the many reasons why M-1’s 155-pound division is deep with talent. Scrappy Florida native Josh “Iron Heart” Bacallao is often over-looked but his record is equally as decorated with submission, TKO and decision victories; his strategy is simple: put up technically sound performances and fight with heart. At 23 years of age, Taisumov is highly talented. He improves with every outing and his hand speed, precision and versatility is more than impressive. A promising young striker, he’s racked up an impressive 14-3 record thanks to his highly aggressive offensive positioning, tactical stand-up and relentless ground and pound. Also 23 years old, Bacallao’s 6-2 record is built upon tenacious, dedicated training. His core fundamental skills stem from his high school wrestling career, his stand up is solid and he has good jiu-jitsu. Although still early in his career, Bacallao’s proven to be a strong, explosive fighter with dangerous hands. His skills and heart are what have earned him the trip to M-1 Global’s sophomore card on SHOWTIME and he has a tough fight ahead of him. A win would completely elevate his status in the lightweight division. Taisumov won the 2010 M-1 Selection Western Europe lightweight tournament while putting on a striking and submission clinic, winning back-to-back-to-back first round finishes and quickly become a recognized name throughout the European MMA circuit. Bacallao’s run through the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas tournament was nowhere near as glamorous in comparison; a controversial fight with Josh Key ended in a no-contest, advancing him to the semi-finals where he lost a tough spilt-decision to George Sheppard. Based on what both fighters have shown in their respective outings, Taisumov throws faster combinations but his power is somewhat suspect after being unable to pound out Artiom Damkovsky during their lightweight title fight last October; his saving grace is his lethal, one-punch KO power which he unleashed in his recent bout against Yuri Ivlev. The advantage in striking goes to Taisumov. As a physically bigger lightweight, Bacallao has an opportunity to counter Taisumov’s combinations and deliver heavier punishment to his body; if he can wear down Taisumov to the point where he’s more focussed on protecting his ribs and dropping his hands, Bacallao has the power to deliver a knockout blow. The challenge with this plan is that he needs to be weary of Taisumov’s power early on so as to not get knocked out himself. From the canvas both men are equally versatile with strong wrestling and takedown skills; Taisumov has the edge from top position but Bacallao is more than capable of fighting off his back while looking for a submission thanks to his jiu-jitsu. It’s a coin flip if this fight goes to the mat. The X-factor in their bout will be activity. Taisumov has remained extremely active, fighting six times through 2010 and five times through 2009. Bacallao was comparably active last year but his outing on July 8th marks nearly a year-long hiatus so if he sports any ring-rust, he’s got to shake it off quickly. Taisumov should have to make little adjustment to his style when he enters the ring to face Bacallao; he’s more aggressive, faster and equally as versatile but he has to be aware of Bacallao’s power. If Taisumov delivers an A-game performance, it’s likely he’ll walk away with the win and climb closer to a shot at the belt. But don’t count out Bacallao; he’s got a ‘never-quit’ attitude and is a grinder. As both men aim to impose their will upon the other, Taisumov and Bacallao could deliver the card’s Fight of the Night. |
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Daniel Weichel: “Step by step; it doesn’t matter who I have to go through to win M-1’s lightweight belt.” Capitalizing on his opportunities inside M-1 Global’s five-rope ring, Daniel Weichel’s commitment and dedication to MMA has paid off big time. With a late replacement win over Yuri Ivlev at Challenge XXI, one of the night’s most exciting fights, the talented lightweight from Michelstadt, Hesse, Germany was awarded with a 6-fight exclusive contract. His first bout of the new agreement came against Magomed Khasbulaev and the slick submission specialist locked down a textbook triangle submission victory; these back to back victories have propelled him into title contention. At M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner, Weichel will face NCAA Division I collegiate wrestler Beau ‘Blackjack’ Baker in what he hopes is another step closer to his coveted title shot. The action goes down from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast). In a recent interview, Weichel spoke about the upcoming bout in earnest; “I don´t want to look too far ahead as I have my mind set on July 8th- but of course I would love to get the chance to fight for the title later this year; this is my ultimate goal. I want M-1 Global’s Lightweight belt and it doesn’t matter who I have to go through to get it.” At 26 years old, Weichel has been fighting professionally since 2002, racked up an impressive 26-7 record and has won eight of his last nine tilts. North Americans fans are quick to recognize him thanks to bouts versus Thiago Tavares, Dan Hardy and Paul Daley. With experience that has been hard-fought and earned through international passage with organizations including Shooto, King of the Cage, Cage Warriors and the UFC, one of his most notable victories comes against Dennis Siver. Weichel’s made it clear he prefers to avoid the judges’ scorecards in favour of finishing fights in exciting fashion; he possesses exceptional athleticism and capable of scooping the single or double leg takedown effortlessly as a precursor to a submission. Should Weichel end up in full mount or side control, expect to see contusion-creating knees to the body and a devastating ground-and-pound that will fire holes through even the most steadfast defence. If the fight stays up, he’ll tag you from every angle and can issue skull-cracking knees at will. Simply put: Weichel adds some serious depth to M-1 Global’s lightweight division and is a considerable threat to anyone, including the monstrous 6’3” Lightweight Champion, Jose Figueroa.
As a true lightweight by North American standards, Weichel fluctuated between weight classes early on which put him in unfavourable positions fighting significantly larger opponents. Since being dedicated to the 155lb class, В последнее время он осел в легком весе, и уже успел добиться некоторых успехов: в его активе значатся шесть побед в последних семи матчах, причем в числе побежденных есть и финалист в легком весе Weichel has achieved considerable success having won eight of his last nice matches, which include a rear-naked-choke submission victory over M-1 Selection Tournament lightweight finalist, Victor Kuku.
Taking the fight against Yuri Ivlev on short notice seems to have been a blessing in disguise for Weichel who stepped into the spotlight of an already showcased bout and made it an even larger focal point. The victory made an impression with the M-1 Global brass. “Weichel’s domination of Ivlev was talked about for weeks after the event,” said M-1 Global’s Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan. “Daniel is the type of fighter we want secured within our organization – fighters with heart, talent and relentless desire to give it their all; he possesses all the traits of a future champion.” Weichel’s clash with Ivlev was deserving of co-main event status as he electrified the crowd with his arsenal of skills. With a packed house anticipating a display of supreme submission attempts, Weichel altered the game plan and elected to keep it on the feet and out-struck Ivlev in an epic stand up battle.
Riding a current three fight streak, Weichel rolls into the Unites States as the commanding favourite against Baker. With his vast vault of experience, speedy striking and stealth submissions, he’s presented with a perfect opportunity to solidify a return trip to the United States later this year and make the current Light Weight Champion, Jose ‘The People’s Champ’ Figueroa’s first defense a miserable and horrific experience.
But there is no such thing as a guaranteed victory; Weichel needs to first dispose of Baker.
Tickets are priced at $75 for the front row and all other seats at $50 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com, or by calling Roy Englebrecht Promotions at (949) 760-3131. Mauro Ranallo will call the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins, Jr. With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. 2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly. For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page. For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.
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Throwdown Showdown on the Horizon Breaking Down the Guseinov vs. Jeffries SHOWTIME® Battle If styles make fights then mark down the middleweight battle between fierce Russian striker Arthur Guseinov and 2010 M-1Selections Americas tournament winner Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries as one you don’t want to miss on M-1 Global’s sophomore outing on SHOWTIME®; capture the full M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner card from The Hangar LIVE Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast). Jeffries’s last outing was one he would like to soon forget, enduring a round-and-a-half of pure punishment from newly crowned Middleweight Champion Magomed ‘The White Wolf’ Sultanakhmedov as his title dreams quickly turned into a nightmare. The Oregon native and Team Quest fighter has done all he can to prepare himself this time out, calling in some favours to train with Rampage in Las Vegas and at the Wolfslair MMA Academy in England; under the tutelage of some of the sport’s greats, Jeffries is be ready to draw first blood on his opponent. Standing in the opposing corner come fight night and eager to make his North American debut is Action-Force Fight Team’s feared Russian striker Arthur Guseinov, who’s known for his tight clinch work, deadly spinning back-kicks and head-hunting high kicks. Making a worldwide trek, Guseinov will be ready to go head-to-head with Jeffries.
Guseinov’s 14-2 combined amateur and professional record is littered with KO / TKO victories thanks to a lightning-quick striking arsenal but the crafty Russian is coming to California riding a two-fight skid after losses to submission specialist Beslan Esaev and American scrapper Luigi Fioravanti. But don’t expect this to affect his aggressive, explosive fighting style; Jeffries should anticipate facing a high powered offensive right from the sound of the first bell. In contrast to Guseinov, Jeffries holds a 7-5 record and most of his battles have been epic marathons; he’s no stranger to being the main character in Fight of the Night award-winning wars. Jeffries is a fighter with a relentless, never-say-die fighting style who simply doesn’t quit; he would rather have his arm broken than to ever admit an opponent has broken his will. It’s unlikely to see Guseinov lock on a submission but the Matt Lindland protégé needs to stay true to his steadfast defense to ensure he keeps his head on his shoulders – literally. 010 was an exceptional year for Jeffries, winning the M-1 Selections Americas tournament middleweight brackets with a solid combination of submission skills and striking abilities as he dismantled Mike Johnson, Plinio Cruz and Mike Geurin; it was in his Finals bout where he truly matured as a fighter. The middleweight finals battle with Team Bombsquad’s Mike Geurin took the card’s Fight of the Night honour, Submission of the Night award, is regarded as the highlight bout of the tournament and was also cemented as M-1 Global’s #3 fight of 2010. Since making his professional debut in October 2005, all of Guseinov’s victories have ended in the first round except for one; the lone decision victory came against Magomed Sultanakhmedov in the opening round of the 2009 M-1 Selection European tournament. Holding this coveted win, the ‘what-if’ implications of a Guseinov victory on July 8th can be hashed out but it’s easy to predict the matchmaker’s plan of sliding Guseinov into a future title bout. Guseinov returned to the ring of Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion in 2010 after being summoned to step in on short notice to face Fioravanti; the talented striker with a formidable karate background gave his all in a dramatic back and forth affair that captured the cards Fight of the Night top-honour, losing via RNC submission in the overtime round. Considered a small 185’er by North American standards, Guseinov will have to rely on his striking arsenal and open the bout with a blitzkrieg attack to overwhelm Jeffries; the punishment needs to come fast and unrelenting as ‘The Anti-Hero’ has proven to possess an iron chin and an unbreakable will. Jeffries’ keys to victory are to rely on his veteran’s patience and effectively counter off of Guseinov’s combinations and look to unleash his takedown threat; if he can get the fight to the ground, he can leverage his size advantage and wear Guseinov out and lock in one of his repertoire’s submissions. This is a big fight for both fighters. For Guseinov, a win sets the story for a future title fight against Sultanakhmedov while a loss would mark his third straight defeat. For Jeffries, a wins shakes off his last loss and starts him on the path for another future title shot; a loss marks him as a +500 journeyman fighter to be used as a stepping stone for other rising prospects. Whoever wins, it’s going to be one entertaining fight! M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner airs LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast). Tickets are priced at $75 for the front row and all other seats at $50 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com, or by calling Roy Englebrecht Promotions at (949) 760-3131. The Hangar is a brand new 1,500 state of the art arena and has already seen three Fight Club OC sell-outs in February, April, and June. Mauro Ranallo will call the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins, Jr. With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. 2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly. For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports. Link to Jeffries vs. Geurin: http://www.m-1global.com/2010/12/28/the-best-of-2010-3-tyson-jeffries-vs-mike-geurin/ |
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Tyson Jeffries: Eager for SHOWTIME’s Familiar Spotlights After enduring a round-and-a-half of pure punishment from newly crowned Middleweight Champion Magomed Sultanakhmedov, Oregon native and Team Quest fighter Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries has done all he can to prepare himself this time out. When the bell rings to start the action from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, Jeffries will look to draw first blood against feared Russian striker Arthur Guseinov. Fans can capture the M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner card LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast). Coming from a team known for producing impeccable fighters with sound wrestling foundations, Coach Matt Lindland has placed high expectations on his protégé to execute hard-fought, exciting tilts. As a Sport Fight veteran, Jeffries has built a 7-5 record and possesses the qualities and skills necessary to be a successful professional fighter; being exposed to the Team Quest mentality is certainly aiding his development, “I train with the some of the best fighters in the world ... I owe lots of appreciation to my coaches and friends,” says Jeffries. Known for his relentless, never-say-die fighting style, Jeffries is a fighter that simply doesn’t quit; he would rather have his arm broken than to ever admit an opponent has broken his will. Although putting forth a valiant effort against Sultanakhmedov, the sturdy American scrapper is covering all bases to ensure he stands with his arm raised on July 8th, calling in some favours to train with Rampage in Las Vegas and at the Wolfslair MMA Academy in England. 2010 was an exceptional year for Jeffries, winning the M-1 Selections Americas tournament middleweight brackets with a solid combination of submission skills and striking abilities. Facing Mike Johnson in his opening round bout, Jeffries systematically dismantled Johnson’s striking with a steadfast defence and effective counter-punching. Facing the wild striking of Plinio Cruz in his semi-finals bout, Jeffries maintained an impenetrable defence as he stalked and cut off Cruz’s position inside the ring. Although standing within Cruz’s striking range on occasion which allowed Cruz to score much needed points, Jeffries was able to withstand the barrages and go on to win a razor-thin split decision and berth in the Finals. Watching Jeffries from the beginning of the tournament, it is easy to conclude that his Finals bout was where he matured as a fighter. The middleweight finals battle with Team Bombsquad’s Mike Geurin took the night’s ‘fight of the night’ honours, is regarded as the highlight bout of the tournament and is also cemented as M-1 Global’s #3 fight of 2010. When Jeffries’ miraculous triangle is tied into the equation, it’s no wonder why this fight also captured the night’s ‘submission of the night’ award as well. Jeffries vs. Geurin exemplified the exciting MMA action that the M-1 Selection tournament was designed to produce. Jeffries is a patient fighter capable of sitting back and effectively countering while always maintaining an offensive ring position to compliment his takedown threat; he also exhibits a veteran’s composure when timing his opponent’s offensives allowing him to set up his magnificent overhand right. Adding to his versatility, Jeffries is comfortable fighting off his back and has a repertoire of submissions as evident by the elbow-snapping armbar which he transitioned into the bout-ending triangle, a truly miraculous, 11th hour, highlight reel finish. In the fight game, you’re only as good as your last trip to the mat and Jeffries needs a win to rebound off the one-sided beating issued by Sultanakhmedov, marking this fight as a turning point for Jeffries’ career; kicking off a string of wins will reposition him in the queue for another future title shot while a loss marks him as a +500 journeyman fighter to be used as a stepping stone for other rising prospects. M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner airs LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).
Tickets are priced at $75 for the front row and all other seats at $50 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com <http://www.fightcluboc.com/> , or by calling Roy Englebrecht Promotions at (949) 760-3131. The Hangar is a brand new 1,500 state of the art arena and has already seen three Fight Club OC sell-outs in February, April, and June.
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Pat Bennett: “I’m still training as if this were a five round fight!” With unfortunate circumstances come new opportunity; decorated American wrestler Pat Bennett is intent on making the most of his rematch against 2010 M-1 Selection Americas heavyweight tournament winner, Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner, a bout where Bennett can avenge the most horrific loss of his career. As the headliner at M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner, the action goes down from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast). Bennett was originally slated to face the reigning M-1 Heavyweight Champion, Guram Gugenishvili, but the undefeated Georgian powerhouse suffered a training injury that will keep him sidelined until the fall. As Garner stepped into to fill the void, Bennett expressed his excitement for the new opponent; “Sure this isn’t for the title but I’m looking at the bright side - I get to get one of my losses back. I’ve wanted to fight Kenny ever since he beat me in the tournament finals. I really didn't get a chance to impose my will on him in that fight and he took advantage of that opportunity, but I can GUARANTEE that the same result will not happen again this time out.” Fighting out of Marcellus, NY, this Team Bombsquad fighter needs to deliver a career performance to keep his championship dream alive; he already knows firsthand that Garner will capitalize on any mistakes and send him back to the end of the queue of a long list of heavyweight contenders should he come out flat. Bennett sports an established 7-2 combined amateur and professional mixed martial arts record heavily weighted in the ‘win’ column with five first-round TKO’s. Although known for his proud wrestling pedigree, Bennett has proven to be a multidimensional fighter able to transition his skills to whatever is set in front of him. As
a key member of the Team Bombsquad contingent, Bennett’s manager, Ryan
Ciotoli, has nothing but praise for the heavyweight’s performances to
date. “Pat’s a three time All-American wrestler, so he possesses a great
base and he’s an electrifying striker; hence the reason for his five first
round wins. I definitely consider Bennett to be the top contender in the
heavyweight division.” Bennett’s first trip to M-1’s larger, international stage was in December at M-1 Challenge XXII where he faced Alexander Volkov; the staunch American went back to his decorated base with a game plan to exploit the stylistic mismatch; defend the striking, set-up takedowns and demolish Volkov on the ground. Bennett did exactly this for four full rounds with precision execution. Although the initial decision was shrouded in controversy, an independent panel of judges rightfully scored the bout in Bennett’s favour. At 6’ 3”, 240 pounds, Bennett has heavy hands that deliver unforgiving power; if he connects with his overhand right, there is a real possibility to see Garner fall this time out. But Bennett will have to successfully defend takedown attempts and push the pace as he sees fit while being cautiously aware of Garner’s heavy striking arsenal and submission game. With neither fighter having the home-town crowd advantage on July 8th, Bennett controls his own destiny in the biggest fight of his career, intent to avenge his most horrific loss and head towards a well-earned title shot later this year. “First and foremost it is always a pleasure to fight under the M-1 banner and I can’t wait for this fight. This opportunity means the world to me and my family on so many levels and I take my career very seriously.”
Tickets are priced at $75 for the front row and all other seats at $50 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com, or by calling Roy Englebrecht Promotions at (949) 760-3131. Mauro Ranallo will call the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins, Jr. With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. 2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly. For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page. For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.
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Injury Halts Guram's US Debut Heavyweight Champion Suffers Training Injury: Garner to step in against Pat Bennett
New York, NY (June 9, 2011) – After suffering a training injury to his left arm and wrist, #1 heavyweight prospect and reigning M-1 Global champion, Guram Gugenishvili has been forced to withdraw from his title defense at M-1 Challenge XXVI Friday July 8th; Gugenishvili is expected to defend his title and make his Stateside debut later this year. Stepping into the bout with Pat Bennett (4-2) is Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (6-3), a rematch from last year’s M-1 Selection Americas tournament finals.
“As unfortunate as late training injuries are, they’re part of the sport. No one is more disappointed about the change in circumstances than Guram himself; as the Champion and a patriot to his country, he had been doing everything possible to prepare for a successful title defense. He was absolutely gutted when breaking the news to us,” said M-1 Global Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan. “We hope Guram makes a swift recovery so he can return to action as soon as possible.”
Stepping in to fill the space is Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner, the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas tournament heavyweight winner who out-struck Bennett in the finals on route to securing a shot at Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion’s inaugural championship belt. Facing Guram this past October, Garner was choked unconscious early in the second round after winning an extremely close opening frame.
Garner is best known for his relentless self-marketing which he backs up with one-punch power as evidenced by his four KO/TKO wins; hidden behind the heavy leather is also a potent submission arsenal and solid wrestling base which makes this rematch tilt a potentially explosive outing for both men. “I’ll fight anyone, anytime for M-1 Global,” said Garner during a phone interview. “I’ve got to do better than what I’ve done before and this is my opportunity to chase down my belt! I’ve been training ever since my loss to Guram and I’m not losing to Pat Bennett; he’s not making it out of the first round.”
Known for his wrestling skills, Bennett has proven to be a multidimensional mixed martial artist able to transition into a touted striker at will; doubters are quickly silenced by his combined amateur and professional record which is heavily weighted in the ‘win’ column with five first-round TKO’s. Capable of managing larger opponents thanks to his versatile background and heavy-handed striking, this New Jersey native is primed to secure redemption against Garner. An optimistic Bennett spoke with energy; “Obviously Guram’s injury is disappointing but I have to look at the bright side; I get to avenge my loss to Kenny and it’s a fight I’ve wanted badly. Now that I’m fighting Garner, he’s the only one on my mind! My camp and I will deal with rescheduling the title fight with Guram later; on July 8th, I’ve got a point to prove.” With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. 2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments held throughout Europe and North America in 2011. For additional information, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
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Enomoto,
Ivlev and Club Aris Emerge Victorious New York, NY (June 6, 2011) Saturday June 4th 2011 M-1 Ukraine European Battle took place from the National Circus Arena in Kiev, Ukraine. Top M-1 Challenge contenders and prospects competed with the intent to impress the attending M-1 Executives in hopes of earning a contract with Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion (MMA). In the night’s main event, Yasubey Enomoto was able to show stellar defense and ample offense from his back in defeating former M-1 Challenge Middleweight Champion, Rafal Moks. Over the course of three rounds, Moks was able to seemingly take the Sengoku veteran down at will, but it was on the canvas where Enomoto was able to employ his rubber-guard and control the action. Enomoto was able to mount offense from his back while stopping Moks easily. For his effort, Enomoto was awarded the majority decision win from the judges. M-1 veteran Yuri Ivlev looked strong, earning a unanimous decision victory over former M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion, Artiom Damkovsky. Ivlev was able to control position with key takedowns and solid offense throughout the contest and also appeared much stronger than his opponent. The former champion Damkovsky looked good in spots and was able to land some kicks that slowed Ivlev but it wasn’t enough to earn the victory. With the win Ivlev snaps the first two fight skid of his career and puts himself squarely back into the pool of potential title contenders at 155. Also, on the nights card was a highly anticipated match up in M-1 Ukraine’s International Club Grand Prix as Club Aris battled Club Belarus BK. At the end of the 5 matches it was the host club Aris who reigned supreme with a 4:1 victory over their rivals. Full Results: Farkhad Fatalla def. Ilya Tiunov Submission (Guillotine Choke) Rd1,1:48 Alexander Kozyr def. Semen Tyrlya Submission (Armbar) Rd1, 1:57 Vadim Khaitulov def. Viktor Talashov TKO (Punch) Rd1, 1:42 Andrei Dryapko def. Ruslan Khaskhanov TKO (Shoulder Injury) Rd1, 1:57 Saparbek Safarov def. Igor Litoshik TKO (Punches) Rd1, 3:00 Igor Zadernovsky def. Stepan Kostyuchenko Submission (Armbar) Rd1, 2:01 Sergey Adamchuk def. Sergey Sinkevich KO (Punch) Rd2, 2:47 Vladimir Opanasenko def. Syanan Yusibov Submission (Armbar) Rd1, 0:41 Vasily Novikov def. Alexander Nimerenko Submission (Armbar) Rd2, 3:10 Alexander Dolotenko def. Filip Anasovich Submission (Armbar) Rd1, 1:15 Antun Racic def. Vugar Bahshiev Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) Rd3, 3:54 Husein Haliev def Alexander Agafonov Decision (Unanimous) Rd3, 5:00 Yuri Ivlev def. Artiom Damkovsky Decision (Unanimous) Rd3, 5:00 Yasubey Enomoto def. Rafal Moks Decision (Majority) Rd3, 5:00
The 2011 European M-1 Selection tournament second quarterfinal round will be held July 16th, 2011 as part of the Battle on the Neva River 5 card; the event will hail seaside in St. Petersburg, Russia. M-1 Global is now in full-swing preparation for its fourth mega-event of 2011 scheduled for Friday July 8th from inside the United States. M-1 Challenge XXVI is headlined with undefeated, #1 Ranked heavyweight prospect Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) putting his belt on the line for the second time against decorated American wrestler, Pat Bennett (4-2). In co-main event action, newly crowned Lightweight Champion, Jose Figueroa (10-4) makes his first title defense against feared German submission specialist, Daniel Weichel (26-7). ‘Guram is Coming’ video teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3XJgJfI9L8&feature=youtu.be With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. 2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments held throughout Europe and North America in 2011. For additional information, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
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All Bouts Official at M-1 Ukraine European Battle Aspiring Prospects Wage War on Saturday, June 4th New York, NY (June 3, 2011) With the scale packed away and all bouts confirmed for Saturday June 4th’s M-1 Ukraine European Battle, top M-1 Challenge contenders and prospects are ready to tear apart the canvas in hopes to clamor up the contention ladder or impress the attending M-1 Executives in hopes of earning a contract with Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion (MMA). Fans worldwide can watch the action from the National Circus Arena in Kiev, Ukraine via LIVE streaming telecast on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) and M-1 Global facebook fan page starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST. PLEASE CHECK WORLD CLOCK FOR TIMES IN YOUR AREA: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ “This event is another great example of how M-1 is driving the evolution and growth of MMA in Europe,” said M-1 Global’s Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan. “Saturday’s fights will showcase some of the Ukraine’s top talent as well as special attraction bouts featuring M-1 title contenders, such as Yasubey Enomoto. The fans tuning in to the live stream will certainly be impressed.” M-1 Global Special Attraction Bouts: Welterweight Yasubey Enomoto (169 ½ Lbs) vs. Rafal Moks (170 Lbs) Lightweight Yuri Ivlev (153 Lbs) vs. Artiom Damkovsky (152 ¾ Lbs) Welterweight Alexander Agafonov (169 3/4) vs. Husein Haliev (167 ¼ Lbs) Lightweight Antun Racic (155 Lbs) vs. Vugar Bahshiev (155 Lbs) M-1 Ukraine Bouts: Lightweight Ilya Tiunov (153 ¼ Lbs) vs. Farkhad Fatallah (152 ½ Lbs)
Lightweight Sergey Adamchuk (154 ¼ Lbs) vs.
Sergey Sinkevich (147 ½ Lbs)
Club ‘SK ARIS’ vs. Club ‘BK Belarus’
Bouts: The 2011 European M-1 Selection tournament second quarterfinal round will be held July 16th, 2011 as part of the Battle on the Neva River 5 card; the event will hail seaside in St. Petersburg, Russia. M-1 Global is now in full-swing preparation for its fourth mega-event of 2011 scheduled for Friday July 8th from inside the United States. M-1 Challenge XXVI is headlined with undefeated, #1 Ranked heavyweight prospect Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) putting his belt on the line for the second time against decorated American wrestler, Pat Bennett (4-2). In co-main event action, newly crowned Lightweight Champion, Jose Figueroa (10-4) makes his first title defense against feared German submission specialist, Daniel Weichel (26-7). ‘Guram is Coming’ video teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3XJgJfI9L8&feature=youtu.be With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. 2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments held throughout Europe and North America in 2011. For additional information, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
About M-1 Global: Founded in 1998, M-1 Global (www.M-1Global.com) has established itself in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles and affiliates in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged over 70 events worldwide including the M-1 Selection and M-1 Challenge events and its co-produced Strikeforce events in the United States. Captivating the live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 events boast some of the sport’s top names including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Stephan Struve and rising stars Shamil Zavurov, Guram Gugenishvili, Alexander Sarnavskiy and Vinny Magalhaes. 2011 marks a breakthrough year with two Selections tournaments across Eastern & Western Europe, North America and Asia and a full calendar of Challenge events fuelled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport.
M-1 Global’s greatest asset is the number one heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko. With daily coverage on all MMA-related websites in the world, and articles in Time Magazine, LA times and New York times, Fedor and M-1 Global make a lifetime match serving as the catalyst to grow MMA in the 21st century.
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New
York, NY. (August 8, 2011) Still possessing a champion’s heart and desire
to compete, Fedor Emelianenko (31-4, 1 NC) has elected not to retire; his
next opponent and date are to be determined with the bout likely slated to
take place in Russia.
