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

[Keithlewis]

On Saturday June 4th, M-1 is back with the M-1 Ukraine European Battle, an international card featuring top M-1 Challenge contenders, Ukrainian prospects and battles for club bragging-rights. 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 (http://www.M-1Global.com) and M-1 Global facebook fan page starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST.

The card’s featured bouts include Yasubey Enomoto (6-3), one of the most technically sound fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA), taking on Rafal Moks (6-3) in a welterweight (170 Lbs) contention contest while former lightweight (155 Lbs) champion Artiom Damkovsky (8-5) faces the versatile fighting style of Yuri Ivlev (16-7). German welterweight prospect Christian Eckerlin (6-1) looks to shake off his first loss in a European Selection tournament quarter-final tilt with Alexander Agafonov (2-1) and Antun Racic (8-2) looks to mop the mat with Vugar Bahshiev (5-3) in order to climb a couple rungs of the lightweight contention ladder.

Top Ukrainian prospects and new comers also battle it out in an effort to impress the M-1 Executive brass in hopes of earning a contract with Europe’s leading MMA promotion and an opportunity to fight on the larger international M-1 Challenge stage.


Bouts include:

Lightweight Sergey Adamchuk (5-4) vs. Sergey Sinkevich (0-1)
Welterweight Vladimir Opanasenko (4-3) vs. Syanan Yusibov (0-0)
Welterweight Vasily Novikov (2-6) vs. Alexander Nimerenko (0-0)
Middleweight (185 Lbs) Alexander Dolotenko (4-1) vs. Philip Anasovich (0-0)



In the Club vs. Club match-ups, its SK "ARIS" taking on BK "Belarus".

Bouts include:

Lightweight Alexander Kozyr (3-2) vs. Semen Tyrlya (1-0)
Welterweight Vadim Khaitulov (3-3) vs. Viktor Talashov (0-2)
Middleweight Ruslan Khaskhanov (8-3) vs. Boris Miroschnicheko (3-1)
Light Heavyweight (205 Lbs) Saparbek Safarov (3-0) vs. Denis Ivanets (1-3)
Heavyweight (205+ Lbs) Igor Zadernovsky (1-0) vs.Yuri Snegovskoy (0-0)


* Additional bouts to be added



LIVE broadcast coverage of the M-1 Ukraine European Battle will be available to viewers worldwide on the official M-1 Global website (http://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 as part of the Battle on the Neva River 5 card; the event will hail seaside in St. Petersburg, Russia.

[Keithlewis]

Yasubey Enomoto Faces Rafal Moks at M-1 Ukraine European Battle: Winner Eyes Future Welterweight 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 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; his quest begins Saturday June 4th when he’ll face former middleweight title holder, Rafal Moks (6-3) as a special attraction bout at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle. 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. Born in Zürich, Switzerland to a Japanese-Peruvian father and Swiss mother, 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.

Today, Enomoto and his family run the Enomoto Dojo in Zürich where he continues to improve and evolve as a stand-out fighter. 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.

Enomoto made his debut as a professional fighter at the S-1: European Championship Fight Night kickboxing event in February 2006 winning via unanimous decision over Vlajko Perovic. He then returned to the ring as a mixed martial artist two years later with an armbar submission over Irish fighter Danny Doherty. Next came his opportunity to fight for the Cage Fighters Championships' Welterweight title in England against BJJ black belt, Henrique Santana, and won via unanimous decision. Three months later, he recorded the first loss of his career Tyler Stinson handed issued a violent TKO at Art of Fighting 3: Rumble at Robarts 3 in Florida, US.

With a respectable record of 3-1, Enomoto made his promotional debut with Sengoku in June 2010; leaving his first loss behind him, Enomoto earned a commanding first round TKO victory over veteran Sanae Kikuta, who holds notable wins against Elvis Sinosic, Egan Inoue, Masanori Suda, and Eugene Jackson. Enomoto’s follow up performance was the entrance into the 2010 Welterweight Grand Prix and won his opening round fight at Sengoku 14, defeating Kenta Takagi via bulldog choke submission early in round two. In the semi-finals, he was drawn against Taisuke Okuno; after three dominating rounds with Enomoto showcasing superior boxing skills, the judges gave him the unanimous nod and cementing his spot in the finals against Keita Nakamura. At Sengoku: Soul of Fight on December 30, 2010, Enomoto lost in the second round due to a rear naked choke submission, ending his run at the tournament as runner-up.

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 will make him the clear favourite. A 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

[Keithlewis]

Rafal Moks Issued Tough Test at M-1 Ukraine European Battle: Faces Yasubey Enomoto in Welterweight Contention Bout


Former M-1 middleweight champion, Rafal ‘Kulturysta’ Moks (6-3) is going through final training preparations for his bout against Swiss prospect Yasubey Enomoto (6-3) at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle, Saturday June 4th. Looking to get back on track and mount a run towards a future shot at current Welterweight Champion, Shamil Zavurov, Moks faces one of the biggest tests of his career against an opponent with overwhelming credentials. 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

In what would be considered M-1’s most exciting upset of 2010, Moks overcame his underdog status in epic fashion to capture the middleweight title with a tendon-tearing heel-hook submission victory over Magomed Sultanakhmedov, a win that also earned the card’s Submission of the Night honour. Knowing few were giving him any shot at winning, the Berserkers team member executed a clear game plan, taking the fight to the canvas sooner than expected and shocking the crowd.

With the victory, Moks became the first-ever M-1 Challenge middleweight champion, sitting at the top of a division that is deep with talented fighters. Unafraid of the competition but knowing that his promising career is better suited in the lighter divisions, Moks made the tough decision to relinquish his title in order to compete as a welterweight. M-1 Challenge XXIII marked Moks’ first outing in the 170-pound division since vacating the title and he got a rude introduction from Gorec Fight Team stand-out, Rashid Magomedov, who battered Moks inside the opening frame; although working through a series of seemingly inescapable submission attempts, the Polish fighter took a dastardly TKO loss at the 2:05 mark of Round 1.

Moks has 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 so finishing on the ground is second nature. He holds the all keys to build a run towards a shot at the Zavurov’s welterweight title. Looking to shake off his recent loss, Moks is once again considered the underdog and will have his hands full with Enomoto, a tough competitor possessing a decorated BJJ and grappling record which dwarfs Moks’ submission experience.

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.

If he can pull out another miracle underdog win over Enomoto, Moks will be closer to earning a shot at Zavurov’s welterweight strap.

[Keithlewis]

Artiom Damkovsky Returns to Action at M-1 Ukraine European Battle: Former Lightweight Champion Eager For Redmeption


After losing his lightweight title to Jose Figueroa in a one-sided beating, Artiom Damkovsky (8-5) returns on a quest to clamor back into title contention; the Belorussian officer’s first roadblock to his ultimate goal is the versatile submission specialist, 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.

The 25 year old Belarusian captured the inaugural M-1 Lightweight Championship bout with a victory over Mairbek Taisumov at M-1 Challenge XXI, one of the card’s most exciting battles and later named as M-1’s Most Exciting Fight of 2010; Damkovsky weathered a first-round storm to comeback and punish Taisumov in the third with jumping knees and outside leg-kicks. While trying to fend off the relentless attack, Taisumov took an unintentional finger to the eye which the ringside physician deemed enough to warrant a stoppage and declaring Damkovsky the victor. Unable to defend his title against Figueroa, the loss marked his defeat in six outings.

Since making his professional debut against Vladimir Ermolaev at Shooto Belarus – Bushido in July 2006, Damkovsky struggled through adversity early in his career as he continued to develop his talents; his turn around came with a victory against Hiroyuki Abe and he hadn’t looked back since, creating a run that capped off 2010 with incredible performances through the 2010 Eastern Europe M-1 Selection tournament. His ‘Cinderella story’ torrent through the brackets included back-to-back-to-back decisions, marking Damkovsky’s battles as the toughest passes to championship status across the tournament brackets in any region.

Inside the gruelling tournament structure, Damkovsky showcased an incredible combination of power, speed and skill that he uses effectively to wear out his opponents. He possesses a keen awareness for ring positioning which enables him to unleash stinging leg kicks and spinning back-fists and to engage in taunting cat-and-mouse counters; with an innate ability to take down his opponents with ease, it’s not uncommon for Damkovsky to put his opponents on the ground just to stand back up to his feet as if to say ‘I can take you down any time. Now get up and let’s go.’

Although only 5’8”, Damkovsky possesses a substantial reach and its clear this talented prospect understands how to effectively use this advantage. Being able to sit back and counter with explosive, powerful striking comparable to a welterweight, the Belarusian has shown to be extremely tactical in his game plan and apt in his defence; he’s also proven to critics that he has a durable chin capable of taking the heaviest of shots and then continue on relentlessly.

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 will need be wary of Ivlev’s striking and submission arsenals while mounting his 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.

[Keithlewis]

Yuri Ivlev Faces Former M-1 Lightweight Champ Artiom Damkovsky at M-1 Ukraine European Battle: Heavy Handed Submission Technician In Need of a Win



Yuri Ivlev (16-7) was seemingly unstoppable through 2009/10 as he racked up six consecutive victories, five by way of explosive knock out or punishing TKOs but it was Daniel Weichel and Mairbek Taisumov who derailed his train in incredibly exciting, back to back fights. Intent on shaking off the pair of losses, Ivlev faces former lightweight champion, Artiom Damkovsky (8-5) 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. The crafty, heavy-handed striker with exceptional submission skills will be aiming to secure his position as a top-contender in the 155Lb division and move closer to a shot at the title.

A product of the Legion Fight Team and training with notables Ansar Chalangov and Magomed ‘The Eagle’ Shikshabekov, it’s little wonder why the Russian fighter has made more than ripples on route to an impressive 16-7 record. Possessing what many claim as Olympic-level judo and world-class sambo skills, Ivlev has been outclassing opponents time and time again with abilities seeming to improve exponentially with every round clocked. He’s exciting, versatile, packs an arsenal of submissions and his striking is crisp and precise.

Making his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2003 versus Magomed Magomedov, Ivlev started off with a respectable 6-2 record with all victories coming by way of early submissions, earning him the reputation of being one of the most-feared submission technicians in the 155lb weight class; his spectacular hip toss, transition to armbar submission victory over Carlos Valeri at M-1 Challenge IV Battle on the Neva River had HDNet calling it one of the top submissions of 2008. This nightmarish warrior is a phenomenal grappler who poses serious problems for lightweights around the world and has rightfully earned a place on the North American radar.

Ivlev’s striking became evident after his loss to Karen Grigoryan at the M-1 MFC - Northwest Championships in 2007; he evolved his game and successfully closed out seven of his last ten victories with heavy-handed one-punch knockouts or devastating ground and pound; victims of his punishment include Mario Stapel, Daniel Thomas and Ivan Jorge.

With his flashy techniques, awesome suplexes, fluid spinning high kicks and will-breaking ground and pound, Yuri Ivlev is a truly marketable Russian that the U.S. fan-base is becoming more familiar with. Considered the favourite heading into the bout against Damkovsky, Ivlev is in full control of his fighting future; 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. Keep a watchful eye out for his ‘Eddie Alvarez-esque’ celebratory back-flips from the top ropes as he aims to create havoc for Damkovsky and jaw-dropping memories for the fans.

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

Alexander Agafonov Embarks on Overcoming Underdog Status At M-1 Ukraine European Battle: Faces Tough German Prospect - Christian Eckerlin


Ukrainian National Hand-to-Hand Combat Champion and Pankration World Champion, Alexander Agafonov (2-1) has shown incredible potential in his young mixed martial arts career and has been awarded a shot at competing in the 2010 M-1 Selection European Tournament. As a special tournament quarter-final bout at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle on Saturday June 4th, Agafonov will put his skills to the test against rising German prospect, Christian Eckerlin (6-1). 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.

As one of the participants in M-1 Fighter, Russia’s first foray into mixed martial arts reality-TV, Agafonov may not have won his weight category but he caught the eyes of producers and the M-1 brass with his skills, determination and willingness to learn.

In his professional debut against Moses Shahinyan, Agafonov battled his way to a unanimous decision victory. Nearly one year later, he followed up with an impressive armbar submission win over Yuri Shertyuk, showing that his training time is producing much desired results. Looking to take a step up in competition, the aspiring Ukrainian took on undefeated Habib Nurmagomedov and was unable to answer the bell for the third frame and took the first loss of his career.

Ready to continue making his mark in the welterweight division and live up to his high expectations, Agafonov enters the ring against another tough competitor in a fight no one is giving him a chance at winning. If he’s able to overcome his underdog status and knock off Eckerlin, he may just be able to mount a run at the tournament finals championship.

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.

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).

[Keithlewis]

Antun Racic Faces Vugar Bahshiev at M-1 Ukraine European Battle: Judo Blackbelt Protege Eyes Future Welterweight Title Shot


Talented 20-year-old Croatian fighter, Antun ‘Killer’ Racic (8-2) is riding high after winning the recent Noc Gladijtora 4-man tournament; as the clear favorite in the same-night battles, Racic walked away as champion with a pair of first-round, arm-triangle chokes over Bojan Bilic and Ivan Curak. Ready to prove he belongs on the larger M-1 Challenge stage, Racic looks to mop the mat with Vugar Bahshiev (5-3) in a special attraction bout at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle on Saturday June 4th and climb his way into lightweight title contention. 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.

Racic began training Judo at five years old and got his black belt when he was 15. Acquiring a strong fundamental base through his dedication and training with the Gladiator Fight Team, he became the FILA World Junior Grappling Champion in 2010.

The ‘Killer’ shows a strong defensive stance, protecting his head and body from taking unnecessary shots, and his offensive striking is evolving with each round clocked; exceptional head movement helps to set up precise, relentless combinations and he’s effective at avoiding the counter offensives thrown back at him.

From the ground, Racic shows an innate ability to tie up his opponents hands as a lead-in to launching heavy, stunning head shots; with his foes expecting more punishment, Racic quickly transitions to an arsenal of submission attempts to close out the fight by either stepping seamlessly into full mount to setup an arm bar or seizing his opponent’s back and neck to lock in an inescapable RNC. This ‘Killer’ is quickly racking up a long list of slick submission victories, with seven of his eight coming inside the first round. The only notable area Racic needs to improve in order to elevate his game is his takedown defense, however he has proven to be able escape any potentially dangerous stemming from the single or double leg to date.

Training and evolution can only do so much for this aspiring fighter and the one issue which may prevent him from becoming a threat in his division is his size; standing only 5’5”, Racic may have trouble with some of the larger 155’ers in M-1 Global’s roster, including current champion Jose Figueroa who stands nearly a foot taller.

Regardless, Racic has caught the eye of the M-1 Global executives with his exciting fighting style and joint-jacking submissions and was awarded with a spot in the 2011 M-1 Selection European Tournament; the quarterfinal showdown didn’t go in Racic’s favor, taking a tough loss against Alexey Nevzorov in the first round.

Ready to make the most of his second opportunity with Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion and show that he does deserve to be fighting the best European fighters, Racic needs to make quick work of Vugar Bahshiev on June 4th.