Archive for September, 2010

M-1 Challenge 2008, Rounds 1 - 4

DVD 1
Rounds 1 - 4
1st Edition
presented by M-1 Global
© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com

The M-1 Challenge series opens up a whole new world of MMA combat, and unlike the IFL, M-1 is a truly international competition with all team members representing their own countries.

Throughout the season there are plenty of techniques employed that have become MMA standard moves.  And there are a lot of left-field techniques and unconventional methods of applying them that will really open your eyes.

The M-1 Challenge has searched the globe and brought together some of the best mixed martial artists with one goal in mind – to determine which nation reigns supreme in the sport of fighting.

The bouts consist of two 5-minute rounds ensuring more dynamic and explosive fights.  There are no draws, and every fight counts in team tallies, so there is plenty of incentive for all fighters to give their best.

Teams from Holland, USA, Japan, France, Spain, Finland, South Korea, Germany and Russia are represented by 50 fighters in five weight divisions, with some Superfights thrown in for good measure.

The five DVDs in 2008’s M-1 Challenge each has a running time of approximately four hours and every disc is a gem for any MMA enthusiast or any fighter wishing to add some unique skills to his fight game.

Conclusion
M-1 Global’s 2008 Challenge is a thrilling competition, packed with plenty of KOs, perfectly executed sambo takedowns, and bone-wrenching submissions, as these incredible gladiators of MMA give their all and work their way into your heart throughout the season.

Read the rest of this entry »

 

M-1 Challenge Rounds 5 - 8

DVD 2

Rounds 5 – 8

presented by M-1 Global

© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com

Round 5
3rd Edition
May 31, 2008
Live from Gran Canaria in Canary Islands, Spain

Team Finland vs. Team USA
Niko Puhakka vs. David Martinez
Janne Tulirinta vs. Roy McDonald
Lucio Linhares vs. Moyses Gabin
Toni Valtonen vs. Rodney Wallace
Jarno Nurminen vs. Mike Ottman

Highlights: Team Finland displays a polished edge over their Team USA opponents until American wrestler, Rodney Wallace, shows the importance of superior positioning against the more experienced Toni Valtonen.  And Jarno Nurminen reveals why he is a heavyweight to watch out for.  The M-1 Challenge is really on the boil now.

Superfight
Jacek Buczko (Poland) vs. Amar Suloev (Red Devil)

Read the rest of this entry »

DVD 3

M-1 Challenge 2008, Rounds 9 - 12

Rounds 9 – 12

presented by M-1 Global
© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com

5th Edition
July 17, 2008
Live from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan

Round 9

Team France vs. Team USA
Samuel Judes vs. David Gardner
Farouk Lakebir vs. Jake Ellenberger
Karl Amaroussou vs. Mike Dolce
Christian M’Punbo vs. Barry Guerin
Malick N’Diaye vs. James Jack

Highlights: Team USA has sent for reinforcements after their loss to Finland in Round 5.  Here they open with Team Quest’s David Gardner.  Team Quest’s and former IFL representative, Mike Dolce, finds himself in a wild barroom brawl that’s great entertainment, and Karl Amoussou comes out like a French Wanderlei Silva.  The team result for this card comes down to the heavyweight division.

Round 10

Team Holland vs. Team Japan
Bogdan Christea vs. Daisuke Nakamura
Romano de los Reyes vs. Ken Hamamura
Jason Jones vs. Yuta Watanabe
Kamil Uygun vs. Yugi Sakuragi
Jessie Gibbs vs. Katsuhisa

Read the rest of this entry »

DVD 4

M-1 Global Challenge Rounds 13 - 16

Rounds 13 – 16
presented by M-1 Global
© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com

Round 13
7th Edition
September 27, 2008
Live from Harvey Hadden Sports Centre in Nottingham, England

Team USA vs. Team Red Devil
Beau King vs. Mikhail Malyutin
Brandon Magana vs. Erik Oganov
Bryan Harper vs. Dmitry Samoilov
John Cornett vs. Mikhail Zayats
James Jack vs. Kirill Sidelnikov

Highlights: Team Red Devil has consistent players throughout the M-1 Challenge who operate methodically and with great poise, whilst patiently setting up submissions and strikes.  This Russian team keeps gathering confidence and experience as its members perform collectively like a well-oiled machine.  By contrast, Team USA regularly chops and changes its members and has existing members changing weight divisions.

Round 14

Team Russia Legion vs. Team Spain
Musa Khamanaev vs. Wim Deputter
Sergey Verdesh vs. Jason Penet
Sergey Kornev vs. Rosen Dimitrov
Gadzimurad Omarov vs. Niels van Noord
Akhmed Sultanov vs. Sylvester Olesky

Highlights: unlike their fellow countrymen, the Russian Red Devils, Team Russia Legion makes some drastic changes to their lineup here.  This is a tightly contested card and the judges call for an extra round before they can reach a decision in the heavyweight division.  The hard-fought broadside between Akhmed Sultanov and Sylvester Olesky brings another exciting night to a close.

Read the rest of this entry »

DVD 5

M-1 Challenge 2008 Rounds 17 - 20

Rounds 17 – 20
presented by M-1 Global
© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com 

Round 17
9th Edition
November 21, 2008
Live from the Ice Palace in St Petersburg, Russia

Team South Korea vs. Team Red Devil
Nam Yui-Chul vs. Mikhail Malyutin
Do-Hyung Kim vs. Erik Oganov
Min-Seok Heo vs. Dmitry Samoilov
Seung-Bae Whi vs. Mikhail Zayats
Jong-Whang Kim vs. Kirill Sidelnikov

Highlights: Red Devil’s five-man team has remained intact throughout the M-1 Challenge.  Will all this action make them battle weary or will they continue successfully like a battle-tested army?  Forget nail biting – Seung-Bae Whi vs. Mikhail Zayats has you chewing up to your elbows!  In the heavyweight division, Kirill Sidelnikov illustrates how damaging a giant reputation can be.

Round 18

Team Holland vs. Team Russia Legion
Bogdan Christea vs. Musa Khamamaev
Romano de los Reyes vs. Magomed Shikshabekov
Jason Jones vs. Ansar Chalangov
Kamil Uygun vs. Besike Gerinava
Jessie Gibbs vs. Ahmed Sultanov

Read the rest of this entry »