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Gallicchio Out, Lloveras in at M-1 Challenge XXII

The scheduled December 10th M-1 Challenge XXII Welterweight title contest took a dramatic turn this weekend as the Americas Selection tournament winner, Tom “Da Tank” Gallicchio, has been removed from the fight due to an infringement of contractual obligations, pending legal action. At 15-5, the New Jersey based fighter was scheduled to face the Eastern European Selection tournament winner Shamil Zavurov (17-1).

“The immediate goal for the winners of Selection is to fight for the M-1 Challenge title,” said M-1 Global’s Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan. “Tom Gallicchio has not fulfilled his contractual obligations, and we will deal with the matter to the full extent of our contractual rights. I would not expect to see Tom in the ring anytime soon, at least not until this issue is dealt with.”

Stepping in for Gallicchio will be M-1 Selection Western European winner Abner Lloveras (11-4-1) who enters this title matchup riding a red hot 6 fight winning streak.



Under Card Bouts:

Vinny Magalhaes (4-5) vs. Alihan Magomedov (12-1) Light Heavyweight

Luigi Fioravanti (18-8) vs. Shahrijar Abassov (23-1) Middleweight

Mikhail Zayats (12-5) vs. David ‘Square’ Tkeshelashvili Light Heavyweight

Daniel Vizcaya (3-1) vs. Victor Nemkov (9-3) Light Heavyweight

· Additional bouts to be announced



Championship Bouts

Welterweight Division:

Abner Lloveras, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champion (11-4-1) clashes with

Shamil Zavurov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (17-1)



Middleweight Division:

Magomed ‘The White Wolf’ Sultanakhmedov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (28-4) meets

Rafał ‘Kulturysta’ Moks, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champ (5-2)



Light Heavyweight Division:

Tomasz ‘Giraffe’ Narkun, M-1 Selection Western Europe champion (4-0) battles

Vyacheslav ‘Slava’ Vasilevsky, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe champion (9-1).


All the action goes down Friday December 10th from the Druzhba Arena in Moscow, Russia with fans worldwide tuning in LIVE online at the official M-1 website, http://www.M-1Global.com starting 11:30am EST / 8:30 PST.

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 includes a full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe. These are the mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly.

Go to http://www.M-1Global.com for additional information.

Abner Lloveras Brings the S“pain” to Shamil Zavurov


Spanish Catalan professional mixed martial artist, Abner Lloveras, calls Barcelona his home and has ventured around the world leaving a trail of devastated opponents in his wake. As a Shooto and M-1 Global veteran, Lloveras has garnered an 11-4-1 record and currently sits on an impressive six-fight win streak on route to earning the 2010 M-1 Selection Welterweight Western European championship.

Dedicated to evolving his game as he continues to climb into the echelon of elite welterweights, Abner recently received his BJJ Purple Belt under Team Haubert’s Rafael Haubert, adding more slick submission abilities to an already potent ground arsenal. With a steadfast stand-up defense and text-book clinch, Lloveras has proven to be an effective fighter from any position within the ring at any range.

To kick off his run through the Selections tournament, Lloveras used a well placed knee to knockout a very tough Sunnat Ilyasov in the second round of the fight moving him forward in the brackets. In the semi-finals, Lloveras showed a well rounded game and finished Miljan Jaksic at the 4:20 mark of the opening round of their fight by rear-naked choke; the Finals’ knock-out win over Berrie Bunthof secured his champion status and has earned him a title shot against Shamil Zavurov (17-1) at M-1 Challenge XXII in December.

Hoping that Christmas comes early, Lloveras has been anxiously waiting in the weeds for his opportunity to battle for the belt. Fighting in the most important bout of his career, Lloveras is ready to prove to fans around the world that his toughness is second to none and he is worthy of being the M-1 Challenge Welterweight Champ.

All the action goes down Friday December 10th from the Druzhba Arena in Moscow, Russia with fans worldwide tuning in LIVE online at the official M-1 website, http://www.M-1Global.com starting 11:30am EST / 8:30 PST.

Bennett vs. Volkov Added to M-1 Challenge XXII

Marking the first heavyweight tilt on the undercard of M-1 Challenge XXII, All-American wrestler, Pat Bennett, crosses the pond to face the staunch, Red Devil Sports Club stand-out, Alexander Volkov. All the action goes down Friday December 10th from the Druzhba Arena in Moscow, Russia with fans worldwide tuning in LIVE online at the official M-1 website, http://www.M-1Global.com starting 11:30am EST / 8:30 PST.

“Both fighters are contenders in the heavyweight title picture,” says Evgeni Kogan, Director of Operations for M-1 Global. “They were 2010 Selections tournament finalists and possess the drive, hunger and skill sets necessary to become future champions. This is a great addition to M-1 Challenge XXII.”

Pat Bennett Is Ready for Redemption at M-1 Challenge XXII


New Jersey native and Team Bombsquad fighter, Pat Bennett, brings an established 6-2 combined amateur and professional mixed martial arts record heavily weighted with five first-round TKO’s. Although known for his proud wrestling pedigree, Bennett has thus proven he is a multidimensional mixed martial artist able to transition his skills to whatever is set in front of him. He’ll need his full arsenal come December 10th when he faces Alexander Volkov at M-1 Challenge XXII.

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 a prospect in the heavyweight division and the M-1 Selection Americas tournament has been a phenomenal opportunity.”

Bennett has recently set his wrestling on the back burner in favour of striking throughout the 2010 Selections tournament but the heavyweight contention bout with Alexander Volkov is sending him back to his fundamental and highly decorated base. “I’m a dominant wrestler and seemed to have gotten away from what I do best,” says Bennett. “I’ve watched Volkov’s videos. I know a lot about him and his striking abilities. Stylistically this is a great match-up and I know what I have to do to be successful.” At 6’ 3”, 240 pounds, Bennett will be able him to defend takedowns at will and push the pace as he sees fit while being cautiously aware of Volkov’s lengthy reach.

Bennett’s path through the 2010 Selections tournament allowed him to display a wide array of talents. Opening up the brackets against Nick Smiley, the mild-mannered monster needed a total of 37 seconds to destroy Smiley by TKO and leave him in the ring busted and bloodied. His semi-final bout was a marathon war with American Top Team prospect Mehdi Hassan where he earned a unanimous decision victory. The run was halted in the finals however as Bennett fell victim to Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner’s lead left hook; unable to answer Garner’s striking, Bennett notched the second loss of his career via TKO at the midway point of the opening frame.

Bennett’s venture to Moscow’s cold and snowy tundra is a self-proclaimed mission for redemption from his final’s performance. If Bennett delivers on his promise to execute his game plan on December 10th, this bout has the potential to create explosive collisions in the ring and catapult Bennett up the heavyweight contention ladder, bringing him closer to a future title shot. “I haven’t thought past Volkov. I’m focussed on him and this fight only. M-1 is doing things right and I’d love the opportunity at a title fight but right now I’m looking to win the fight in Moscow – then let’s look towards 2011.”

Bennett is clearly in full control of his own destiny.

The ‘Battlecat’ Prepares to Pounce: Cindy Dandois vs. Yana Kunitskaya added to M-1 Challenge XXII


M-1 Global brings women’s MMA to M-1 Challenge XXII as the undefeated Cindy Dandois squares off against Yana Kunitskaya. Fans can catch the 145lb tilt LIVE online at the official M-1 website, http://www.M-1Global.com, starting 11:30am EST / 8:30 PST as the action goes down Friday December 10th from the Druzhba Arena in Moscow.

“The popularity of woman’s mixed martial arts has been on a meteoric rise,” says Director of Operations for M-1 Global, Evgeni Kogan. “The women have proven to bring a unique and exciting element to cards around the world. Dandois versus Kunitskaya is a welcome addition to the M-1 Challenge XXII undercard.”



Under Card Bouts:

Cindy ‘Battlecat’ Dandois (4-0) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (2-1) Woman’s 145lb

Pat Bennett (3-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (9-2) Heavyweight

Vinny Magalhaes (4-5) vs. Alihan Magomedov (12-1) Light Heavyweight

Luigi Fioravanti (18-8) vs. Arthur Guseinov (15-1) Middleweight

Mikhail Zayats (12-5) vs. David ‘Square’ Tkeshelashvili Light Heavyweight

Daniel Vizcaya (3-1) vs. Victor Nemkov (9-3) Light Heavyweight

Vusal Bayramov (5-1) vs. Mikhail Drinovski (2-1) Lightweight

· Additional bouts to be announced



Championship Bouts

Welterweight Division:

Abner Lloveras, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champion (11-4-1) clashes with

Shamil Zavurov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (17-1)



Middleweight Division:

Magomed ‘The White Wolf’ Sultanakhmedov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (28-4) meets

Rafał ‘Kulturysta’ Moks, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champ (5-2)



Light Heavyweight Division:

Tomasz ‘Giraffe’ Narkun, M-1 Selection Western Europe champion (4-0) battles

Vyacheslav ‘Slava’ Vasilevsky, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe champion (9-1).

Fioravanti Storms Moscow and M-1 Challenge XXII‏

The ‘Italian Tank’ Storms Moscow

Fighting out of Orlando, Florida and the famed American Top Team, 29-year-old Luigi Fioravanti is looking to build upon his recent TKO victory over Woody Weatherby at the M-1 Selection American Finals this past September. As part of the undercard, Fioravanti silenced critics as the ‘Italian Tank’ left Weatherby without an answer to his overpowering striking, forcing the referee to intervene just past the midway point of the first round and notching his professional record up to 18-8.

Fioravanti is more than just a mixed martial artist, he served his country with pride and honor. Joining the Marines directly after high school, Fioravanti was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and began training in various martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing while stationed in California and Iraq.

After spending five months in Iraq, Fioravanti continued training and began his professional career in early 2004 with his successful debut against future TUF 9 competitor, Kiel Reid, via first-round submission at Obaktagon Challenge 1. Not looking to slow down after his first fight, Fioravanti put his foot on the throttle and quickly racked up an impressive string of victories and has fought such notables as Chris Leben, Jon Fitch, Luke Cummo, and Dave Menne and Diego Sanchez.

As December 10th closes in, Fioravanti’s training is in full-swing in preparation to cross the pond and face the 15-1 Arthur Guseinov as part of M-1 Challenge XXII. “Guseinov looks like a tough well-rounded fighter with good striking but I have the advantage going in,” says Fioravanti during our phone call. “I’ve fought all over the world and am excited to get to Moscow. It’s going to be cold and I’m prepared to hand him the beating of a lifetime. Thanks goes out to MMA Overload, ATT and USA Mejiro Gym as well as M-1 for giving me this opportunity.”

With confidence on the rise, Fioravanti is looking to build off his victory against Weatherby and string together wins by handing Guseinov only the second loss in his career.

The ‘Battlecat’ Is Poised for Victory at M-1 Challenge XXII


At 26 years old, Belgian fighter, Cindy Dandois, is not only a grappling phenom, she’s also a respected school teacher but don’t let her education and ability to mold the minds of today’s youths detract you from her athletic accomplishments. As a top-level judoka and two-time national champion, Dandois has proved her talents in both the women's and men's divisions.

Making her professional debut in January 2009, the blonde bombshell made immediate waves in the ranks of women’s MMA; entering the bout against a 16-2 Marloes Coenen at Beast of the East, Dandois was considered the contest’s heavy underdog with fans expecting Coenen to walk over her. Things didn’t go as planned for the current Strikeforce 135lb champion as Coenen was unable to oust Dandois’ strength and athleticism. In an extremely hard-fought battle, Dandois took the match to its full 15 minutes and won the judges unanimous decision, leaving Coenen to ponder what happened and marking the ‘Battlecat’ as a force to be reckoned with; not bad considering her venture into mixed martial arts was brought about a desire to shed a few extra pounds after becoming a mother.

Kicking off a professional mixed martial arts career with an epic win over a hailed opponent has left Dandois with some extremely lofty goals. Now holding a perfect 4-0 record with the addition of victories over Maria Hougaard Nelson, Daria Ibragimova and Sheila Gaff, Dandois has expressed a desire to seek out fights against the toughest names in the women’s division, including Cristiane ‘Cybog’ Santos, the current Strikeforce woman’s 145lb champion.

Dandois is patiently waiting for her opportunity to make the jump into the US market and with the relationship between M-1 Global and Strikeforce, the reality of seeing Dandois on a co-produced card in the future is a real possibility. In the meantime, the ‘Battlecat’ is preening herself for the clash against Action-Force Fight Team’s, Yana Kunitskaya who recently improved to 3-1 with a TKO victory over Kamila Balanda.

With the pressure mounting on Dandois to deliver at M-1 Challenge XXII, fans can take in the women’s 145lb bout and all the action from the Druzhba Arena in Moscow, Russia LIVE and for free on Friday December 10th. Tune in to the official M-1 website, http://www.M-1Global.com starting 12:00pm EST / 9:00am PST.