PunchDrunkGamer.com - UFC, MMA, Kickboxing, Glory, Xbox One, Video Games, PS4, PC and Entertainment Forums

According to Jeff Monson's Twitter account anyways:

"Nov 12th vs Fedor in Russia M-1 confirmed"

"Thanks guys...press conference on 16th in Russia. Putin will be there. Gonna try and get pic with him in my 'Communist' t-shirt"


http://twitter.com/#!/jeffmonson

Moscow, Russia
Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011
Live on Pay Per View -- 7:30 AM/ET 4:30 AM/PT



Integrated Sports Media, the pound-for-pound king of sports distribution in North America, announced today that it will distribute the November 20th "M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson" Mixed Martial Arts Pay-Per-View event, live Olympic Arena in Moscow, Russia.

"Fedor vs. Monson," presented by M-1 Global, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 7:30 AM/ET - 4:30 AM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Check listings for same-day replays.


"We're excited to be bringing Fedor's comeback to North American MMA fans," Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. "Everybody wants to know what the great Fedor has left and Monson, who is an extremely dangerous veteran, figures to up to the challenge of fighting Emelianko in his backyard. If fans aren't able to watch live, we will be offering same day and night replays so nobody has to miss the action."

"Fedor has been very vocal about wanting to continue his fighting career," noted Evgeni Kogan, Director of Operations for M-1 Global, Europe's undisputed MMA leader in Europe. "Fedor vs. Monson is a classic that had been in crosshairs for years. All parties have come together to make this fight a reality."

Universally recognized superstar Fedor Emelianenko (31-4, 8 KOs, 16 Submissions), arguably the greatest heavyweight in MMA history, is returning home to Russia to fight there for the first time in four years. The Russian combat sports icon is coming off of three straight losses in the United States to Dan Henderson, Antonio Silva and Fabricio Werdum.

"I cannot wait to compete again," an eager Fedor remarked. "Monson is a great athlete who is skilled in many areas. He is a very worthy opponent."

Wrestling and Brazilian Jui Jitsu specialist Jeff "The Snowman" Monson (43-12, 2 KOs, 27 Submissions), fighting out of Miami, Florida, is a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist.

"Fedor is the best heavyweight of all-time," a respectful Monson commented. "It's an honor to be fighting him. A win would be the highlight of my career. My trainers at American Top Team are preparing me for all possibilities."

In the co-feature, M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Jose Figueroa (10-4, 4 KOs, 5 Submissions), also fighting out of Florida, defends against German challenger Daniel Weichel (27-7, 4 KOs, 16 Submissions).

Scheduled to fight on the PPV undercard is Russian welterweight Aleksander Yakoviev (12-3, 4 KOs, 7 Submissions) vs. undefeated Spanish prospect Juan Manuel "Juanma" Suarez (8-0, 1 KO, 3 Submissions), Austrian welterweight Mairbek "Beckan" Taisumov (15-3, 8 KOs, 6 Submissions) vs. Josh Thorpe (10-6, 3 KOs), from Alabama, and Russian middleweight Arthur Guseinov (9-2, 6 KOs, 2 Submissions) vs. French veteran Xavier "Professor X" Foupa-Pokam (21-16, 11 KOs, 7 Submissions).

Fedor Fighting On

Emelianenko vs. Monson PPV Sunday morning Live from Russia


The greatest heavyweight fighter in mixed-martial-arts history, Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko (31-4-0, 8 KOs, 16 Submissions), takes on wrestling and Brazilian jui jitsu specialist Jeff "The Snowman" Monson(43-12-0, 2 KOs, 27 Submissions) in this Sunday's (Nov. 20) "M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson" Mixed Martial Arts Pay-Per-View headline event, live from Olympic Arena in Moscow, Russia.

"Fedor vs. Monson," presented by M-1 Global, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 7:30 AM/ET - 4:30 AM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Check listings for same-day replays.

Fedor, who is fighting at home in Russia for the first time in four years, is coming off of three straight losses in the United States to Dan Henderson, Antonio Silva and Fabricio Werdum. He's fighting Monson because that's who he is, not for his already secure legacy in MMA history.

"I'm really happy to be fighting in Russia because most of my fights have been overseas," Fedor recently said from training camp in Holland. "The only time I've fought in Russia was four years ago in St. Petersburg. I feel good and I'm looking forward to this fight.

"This is my job. I always try to win each fight. I'm not fighting to prove anything to anyone. I fight; that's what I do. What happened - happened. I felt I could win each of those fights but something went wrong. Anything can happen and I prepare for each fight very seriously."

Monson, fighting out of Miami, Florida, is a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist. The battle-tested veteran is looking at this fight as an opportunity of a lifetime in terms of his MMA legacy.

"This fight (versus Monson) has been talked about since my PRIDE days," Fedor noted. "I am familiar with his career. I think Jeff is a very respected and tough opponent. I am looking forward to fighting him. Each fighter is different in his own way. I have had to fight various great guys. Jeff and I will offer an entertaining fight."

Emelianenko has fought and defeated a virtual Who's Who of MMA heavyweights during his 11 ½ year pro career: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (twice), Mirko Filipovic, Heath Herring, Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman (twice), Renato Sobral, Matt Lindland, Andrei Arlovski, Hong Man Chio, Brett Rogers and Tim Sylvia.

"I'm very happy with the way training camp went, Fedor conclude. "I trained with my brother, Alexander, most of the time.

"I want to thank all of my fans. I know there are a lot in America. I truly appreciate fans that have supported me in America and I'm glad they will have a chance to watch this fight live. I truly appreciate their support."

In the co-feature, M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Jose Figueroa (10-4, 4 KOs, 5 Submissions), also fighting out of Florida, defends against German challenger Daniel Weichel (27-7, 4 KOs, 16 Submissions).

Scheduled to fight on the PPV undercard is Russian welterweight Aleksander Yakovlev (12-3, 4 KOs, 7 Submissions) vs. undefeated Spanish prospect Juan Manuel "Juanma" Suarez (8-0, 1 KO, 3 Submissions), Austrian welterweight Mairbek "Beckan" Taisumov (15-3, 8 KOs, 6 Submissions) vs. Josh Thorpe (10-6, 3 KOs), from Alabama, and Russian middleweight Arthur Guseinov (9-2, 6 KOs, 2 Submissions) vs. French veteran Xavier "Professor X" Foupa-Pokam (21-16, 11 KOs, 7 Submissions). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Third time the charm for Jeff Monson?

PPV showdown vs. Fedor Sunday morning Live from Russia


As Jeff "The Snowman" Monson (43-12-0, 2 KOs, 27 Submissions) makes final preparations for Sunday mornings Pay-Per-View showdown in Moscow against Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko (31-4-0, 8 KOs, 16 Submissions), mixed-martial-arts fans around the world are probably wondering why the tattoo covered-Monson has pursued this particular match for more than five years.

Well, for starters, Monson definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer; he's far from a typical MMA fighter. Jeff is an avowed anarchist who is a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies). He also earned a Master's Degree in psychology.

A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Monson was a Division I wrestler at Oregon State University, where he was a Pac-10 champion, as well as at the University of Illinois. He later competed on the Senior level in USA wrestling. Now fighting out of Miami, Florida, Jeff is a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist.

Sunday he takes on Emelianenko, who has lost three straight fights, in Fedor's backyard at Olympic Arena in Moscow, Russia. "Fedor is the best heavyweight of all-time," Monson said. "It's an honor for me to fight him. A win would be the highlight of my career. My trainers at American Top Team have prepared me for all possibilities."

"Battle of the Legends," presented by M-1 Global, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 7:30 AM/ET - 4:30 AM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Check listings for same-day replays.

Recognized as one of the world's all-time greatest submission grapplers, Monson's also a multiple winner at major events like NAGA, Grapplers Quest and FILA World Championships.

Jeff got his nickname, "Snowman," from Brazilian fighters after his 1999 performance at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championship. He entered the tournament as a relative unknown, however, after defeating four Brazilians in a row to win his weight class, they said he was like a snowball - white, compact and he got bigger and stronger as the tournament progressed.

He left the mental health profession in 1998 to devote himself to his pro MMA career, and in 2006, Monson unsuccessfully challenged Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight crown, dropping a five-round decision. Jeff then asked to be released from his UFC contract to fight Fedor, then the reigning PRIDE heavyweight king, at Bodog Fight in March, 2007. Negotiations fell through and the showdown never materialized. On July, 2009 at Affliction III: Trilogy, Josh Barnett fell-out as Fedor's opponent and Monson was rumored to be Barnett's late replacement, but the entire card was canceled.

"This fight (versus Monson) has been talked about since my PRIDE days," Fedor noted. "I am familiar with his career. I think Jeff is a very respected and tough opponent. I am looking forward to fighting him. Each fighter is different in his own way. Jeff and I will offer an entertaining fight."

Monson, of course, is hoping that his" third time" against Fedor will be the charm.

In Sunday morning's co-feature, M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Jose Figueroa (10-4, 4 KOs, 5 Submissions), also fighting out of Florida, defends against German challenger Daniel Weichel (27-7, 4 KOs, 16 Submissions).

Scheduled to fight on the PPV undercard is Russian welterweight Aleksander Yakovlev (12-3, 4 KOs, 7 Submissions) vs. undefeated Spanish prospect Juan Manuel "Juanma" Suarez (8-0, 1 KO, 3 Submissions), Austrian welterweight Mairbek "Beckan" Taisumov (15-3, 8 KOs, 6 Submissions) vs. Josh Thorpe (10-6, 3 KOs), from Alabama, and Russian middleweight Arthur Guseinov (9-2, 6 KOs, 2 Submissions) vs. French veteran Xavier "Professor X" Foupa-Pokam (21-16, 11 KOs, 7 Submissions). All fights and fighters are subject to change.