M-1 Global Presents: M-1 Ukraine European Battle

[keithlewis]

Vugar Bahshiev Faces Antun Racic at M-1 Ukraine European Battle



Azerbaijan fighter Vugar Bahshiev (5-3) is set to fight Croatian submission specialist Antun ‘Killer’ Racic (8-2) in a special attraction lightweight bout at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle on Saturday June 4th. Fans can capture the action from inside the National Circus Arena in Kiev starting at 11am EST / 8am PST via LIVE streaming telecast on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) and M-1 Global facebook fan page.

Fighting out of the Action-force Fight Team, Bahshiev’s first foray with M-1 Global was short lived as back-to-back losses against Magomed Magomedov and Sergey Faustov were enough to warrant his release. Since then, the stout submission fighter elected to drop down to the 155-pound division where he mounted a tri of limb-locking wins. The high light reel submission victories subsequently earned him an invitation back with Europe’s leading MMA promotion in a reserve bout for the 2011 M-1 Selection European Tournament. Seizing his opportunity, Bahshiev marked another first round submission victory over British jiu-jitsu expert, Jack Magee, marking his current win streak at four; this gritty lightweight now waits anxiously to step into the brackets should one of the tournament’s participants be unable to continue.

A great grappler well versed in Combat Sambo, it’s no surprise that all but one of Bahshiev’s wins are by submission; his sole KO victory was over Primagomed Arslanov, Bahshiev’s second professional career fight.

Ready to capitalize on every opportunity M-1 gives him, Bahshiev will have his hands full with Antun Racic; both men are proven submission fighters and both are equally eager to deliver a victory and mount a run up the contention ladder. Considered the underdog in his next outing, Bahshiev will need to prove the doubters wrong and do what he does best – lock on his trademark heel-hook or joint-jacking armbar.

LIVE broadcast coverage of the M-1 Ukraine European Battle will be available to viewers worldwide 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.

The 2011 European M-1 Selection tournament second quarterfinal round will be held July 16th, 2011; entitled Battle on the Neva River 5, the event will hail seaside in St. Petersburg, Russia.

[keithlewis]

Rising Welterweight Stars Wage War at M-1 Ukraine European Battle: Winner of Enomoto vs. Moks Eyes Future Title Shot


Coming in as a late replacement to face M-1’s reigning Welterweight Champion Shamil Zavurov (20-1) at M-1 Challenge XXV, 27 year old Swiss mixed martial artist and Sengoku veteran Yasubey Enomoto (6-3) went the full 25 minutes in a tough unanimous decision loss. Although this technically sound prospect made an impact in his first outing with Europe’s leading MMA promotion sharing the cards Fight of the Night top honor, Enomoto is hungry to get back in the ring and chase down another shot at the champ.

Former M-1 middleweight champion, Rafal ‘Kulturysta’ Moks (6-3) made the tough decision to relinquish his title in order to compete in the 170-pound division and square off against opponents better suited to his compact frame; he won the belt in what was considered M-1’s most exciting upset of 2010, overcoming his underdog status in epic fashion with the card’s Submission of the Night, tendon-tearing heel-hook over Magomed Sultanakhmedov at the :19 mark of the opening round..

Both men are eager to get back in the hunt for a title shot and they go head-to-head in a special attraction bout at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle, Saturday June 4th. Fans can capture the action from inside the National Circus Arena in Kiev starting at 11am EST / 8am PST via LIVE streaming telecast on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) and M-1 Global facebook fan page

Enomoto is a fan favorite thanks to his electrifying striking and submission skills; his boxing and Muay Thai are second to none and his BJJ makes him a force on the canvas. Enomoto began training in martial arts at age 6, taking up Shotokan Karate and then Shaolin Kung Fu at 16. As a student, he took up Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he currently holds a purple belt. In 2006, he became the domestic amateur kickboxing champion and the IKBO Thaiboxing World Champion in 2008. His decorated grappling career includes the titles: 1X UGC grappling European Champion, 2X international German BJJ and grappling champion, and 2X Swiss BJJ and grappling champion. He holds a Muay Thai record of 7-2, a boxing record of 1-0, and a BJJ and grappling record of 90-8.

Possessing text book Muay Thai, his striking is sharp, fast and targets with laser-guided precision; the same can be said about his boxing skills. On the mat, his BJJ is slick and fluid, allowing him to transition from submission attempts with seamless accuracy. As a versatile hybridized mixed martial artist, Enomoto has few holes in his game; at this stage, his improvement is tied to his evolution and clocking experience against top-tier competition.

Standing opposite Enomoto on Saturday night will be Polish submission specialist and Berserkers team cornerstone, Rafal Moks. With proven cardio, a chin that can withstand power punches and a thick, compact, 5’8” frame which enables him to fight off his back with confidence, his record is decorated with five hi-light reel submission victories. He holds the all keys to build a run towards Zavurov’s welterweight title.

2010 was a great year for the Polish fighter, earning the 2010 M-1 Selections Western Europe championship title with impressive performances throughout the tournament; the talented submission fighter needed just 4:19 to secure a fight-ending rear-naked choke over Serghei Popa in the quarter-finals and 4:56 to dispose of Danijel Dzebic thanks to a suffocating guillotine choke in the semis; both fights showcasing Moks ever improving ground game. With the back-to-back wins, Moks secured himself a spot in the Finals against Ahmed Bayrak; a highly anticipated, back and forth middleweight clash that went three full frames, culminating with the judges awarding Moks the unanimous decision victory.

Although Moks is known for his submission game, Enomoto’s decorated BJJ credentials negate any advantage the Polish fighter brings to the mat, putting both men on an even playing field, and should the contest stay standing, Enomoto’s speed, height and reach advantage make him the clear favourite. An already legitimate top-contender, a win over Moks will position Enomoto for a re-match against Zavurov on a high profile M-1 Challenge card later this year. The flip side of the coin is equally appealing for Moks should he pull out another miracle underdog win, moving him closer to another outing underneath the championship spotlights.

LIVE broadcast coverage of the M-1 Ukraine European Battle will be available to viewers worldwide 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.

[keithlewis]

Breaking Down Damkovsky vs. Ivlev: Lightweight’s Look to Explode at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle


After losing his lightweight title to Jose Figueroa, Artiom Damkovsky (8-5) needs to shake off the most brutal loss of his career and the path to redemption begins with a faceoff against Russian submission-specialist-turned-striker, Yuri Ivlev (16-7); the pair of talented fighters meet as a special attraction bout at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle on Saturday June 4th. Fans can capture the action from inside the National Circus Arena in Kiev starting at 11am EST / 8am PST via LIVE streaming telecast on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) and M-1 Global facebook fan page

Damkovsky has proven to be an extremely resilient fighter who executes tactical game plans using an incredible combination of power, speed and skill to wear out his opponents. He’ll need to have all facets of his game firing in order to bring a competitive fight to Ivlev.

Ring positioning will need to be controlled, enabling Damkovsky to be the aggressor so he can maintain effective spacing where he can unleash the stinging leg kicks, spinning back-fists and jumping knees he’s known for. He needs to capitalize on and leverage his reach; use it to establish an offensive and counter with explosive, powerful combinations.

Even though the Belarusian officer has shown an innate ability to take his opponents down easily, going to the canvas with Ivlev may not be the best idea; Ivlev is durable enough to withstand Damkovsky’s G&P and has a definitive advantage in the submission game. Damkovsky’s chance for victory comes standing up.

Ivlev was seemingly unstoppable through 2009/10 as he racked up six consecutive victories, five by way of explosive knock out or punishing TKOs; he’s a crafty, heavy-handed striker with exceptional submission skills and is intent on shaking off a recent 2-fight skid with a commanding win over the former lightweight champion.

Possessing what many claim as Olympic-level judo and world-class sambo skills, Ivlev has to be considered the favourite heading into Saturday’s bout thanks to his versatility; he packs an arsenal of submissions which are far superior to Damkovsky’s and his striking is precise with knock-out power. The challenge with keeping this fight standing is the fact that Damkovsky possesses a durable chin, is capable of weathering heavy shots and then turning the tables to mount his own offensive.

With the reputation of being one of the most-feared submission technicians in the 155lb weight class, don’t be surprised if we see Ivlev look to go to the mat and bust out a joint-jacking submission. Either way, from the feet or from the canvass, Ivlev needs this win in order to have any shot at mounting a run at the lightweight title.

No matter where this fight goes, Damkovsky is in for a fight against an opponent with more experience fighting tougher competition. The former lightweight champ needs be wary of Ivlev’s striking and submission arsenals and mount strategic offensives off effective counter punching; ironically, Damkovsky needs to prepare a game plan for a long drawn out battle that will likely not go to the judges.

Ivlev is in full control of his fighting future on Saturday night; a win proves this talented, versatile fighter can bounce back from a pair of tough losses in the fashion that he is known for and that the all-around impressive mixed martial artist is truly deserving of a future title shot. A loss puts him in jeopardy of becoming a fallen star.