L-R: Akhmed Kotiev, Ingushetia Minister of Sports; Vadim Finkelstein, CEO & Founder of M-1 Global; Stanislav Kononev, Book of Records representative
A record for highest attendance of any event held above sea level (1500+-meters) in Russian history was established this past June 7 as an astonishing 23,255 fans attended M-1 Challenge 49: Battle in the Mountains in Ingushetia.
Among the record-setting crowd were many well-known athletes, local politicians and other dignitaries. The Tourism Committee of Russia presented M-1 Global CEO and Founder, Vadim Finkelstein, a special certificate (see above picture) for this remarkable achievement.
"It is a very big deal for MMA development in Russia as well as around the world," Finkelstein said about setting an attendance record. "It shows that this sport is very popular among the fans because so many came to see the M-1 Challenge 49 fights. MMA is a great sport that deserves big attention like this. We are really thankful for everyone who supports us, especially those who come to M-1 Challenge 49. We hope this sport will continue increasing its popularity. We will do our best to promote MMA and show fans of this sport our organization's best fighters at their greatest level of competition."
The main event was a heavyweight duel between Russian strongman Shamil Abdurahimov (15-2-0) and American threat Kenny "Deuce" Garner (12-7-0), in which Abdurahimov won a hard fought decision in an exciting match.
Lightweight prospect Islam Makhachev (10-0-0) kept his undefeated record intact by punching fellow Russian Yuri "Cable Guy" Ivlev (20-9-0) in the opening round of the co-feature.
Coming off a failed M-1 Challenge title fight, Lee "American Bulldog" Morrison (13-5-0) lost again, this time by a first-round arm-bar submission to Azerbaijan featherweight Tural Ragimov (9-1-0).
In two other main card fights, Russian featherweight Magomed Idrisov (3-0-0) stopped Brazil's Yuri "Kong Killa" Maia (12-3) in the first round, while Bashir Gagiev (1-0-0) won his professional debut against fellow Russian, Sergei Andreev (4-3-0), via technical knockout by kicks at 2:36 of the first round.
Preliminary Card Results:
HEAVYWEIGHTS:
Murad Izmailov def. IOSIF MIKHNYUK - KO/TKO1 (1:44 - punches)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS:
Gregory "Blade" Babene def. Renat "The Genghis Khan" Lyatifov - SUB1 (3:06 - triangle choke)
WELTERWEIGHTS:
Ingiskhan Ozdoev def. Rustem Seydaliev - SUB1 (1:44)
LIGHTWEIGHTS:
Ali Bagov def. Ksamzat Dalgiev - SUB1 (0:52 - triangle choke)
Dzhambulat Kurbanov def. Dmitry Korobeynikov - SUB1 (1:21 - triangle choke)
Oleg Khachaturiv def. Ali Ganiev - SUB1 (1:47 - heel hook)
