Posts Tagged ‘mma’

UCMMA FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION CORY TAIT

UCMMA Featherweight Champion

© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com

Special thanks to Izzy Carnwath

Most MMA fans would shudder just at the mention of Cory Tait’s name after witnessing his diabolical KO of Dino Gambatesa via a loaded crescent kick at UCMMA 16 on October 23, 2010.  Ironically, that particular UCMMA card was dubbed Unbelievable and Cory saw to it that his section of the night lived up to the moniker.  His knockout of Gambatesa sits right up there with Gilbert Yvel’s KO of Gary Goodridge as two of the most devastating head-kick KOs in MMA.  To view Tait vs. Gambatesa click here.

And recently Cory drew more attention when he featured in filmmaker Demetrio Marquez’s outstanding documentary ‘3’ presented by MTV’s The Wrap.  Making up the MMA trinity of UK fighters alongside Cory Tait were Jimi Manuwa and Jack Marshman: three exceptional fighters to definitely watch out for, thus the title ‘3’.

For years Cory has been honing his skills at Gintas CSD under the tutorage of Gintas Bukauskus, and in 2009 Cory ‘Capcom’ Tait became the first athlete to earn an IDAN Blackbelt in CSD (Combat Self Defence).  Through his association with Bukauskus, Cory established a 4-1 MMA career and is the current UCMMA Featherweight Champion after defeating Nathan Beer at UCMMA 23: Go 4 It on September 17, 2011.

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JIMI MANUWA ON THE SET OF "3"

Manuwa vs. Rea

© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com
Special thanks to Izzy Carnwath

It’s Sunday evening in the US and Jimi ‘Poster Boy’ Manuwa (10-0) is in California, preparing for his first BAMMA (British Association of MMA) fight since signing a four-match contract with the company.

Jimi built a solid reputation in the MMA world after defeating Nick Chapman on October 22, 2010, and consequently defending his UCMMA (Ultimate Challenge MMA) light heavyweight belt for five consecutive times before switching to BAMMA.  Amazingly, eight of Manuwa’s victories were in the first round, with the remaining two victories being stopped in spectacular fashion by Jimi in the second round.

Recently, Manuwa joined the illustrious company of two other top-shelf UK fighters when he featured in filmmaker Demetrio Marquez’s ground-breaking documentary ‘3’ presented by MTV’s The Wrap.  Also in this elite gang of MMA prime movers are UCMMA Featherweight Champion, Cory Tait, and BAMMA British Middleweight Champion, Jack ‘Hammer’ Marshman.

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Yasubey Enomoto Ready for M-1 Challenge XXVII

LIVE ON SHOWTIME^®

Friday, October 14, 2011

From The Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona

CHICAGO (October 3, 2011) – M-1 GLOBAL announces the addition of Sengoku veteran Yasubey Enomoto (7-3) versus dangerous wrestler Josh Thorpe (10-4) for a Welterweight (170 Lbs.) bout at the mixed martial arts (MMA) event titled M-1 Challenge: Guram vs. Garner 2. The bouts from the new 5,500 seat Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona will air LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, October 14 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).

The October 14^th event is headlined with the five-round, heavyweight (265 Lbs.) championship bout between undefeated and reigning M-1 Global champion Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) and the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight winner Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (7-3).

In co-main event action, M-1 Global Light Heavyweight (205 Lbs.) Champion and ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion Vinny Magalhaes (8-5) will make his first title defense against versatile Russian fighter Mikhail Zayats (14-5).

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Paul Daley vs. Luigi Fioravanti

 RETURNING TO MONTREAL ON 21ST OCTOBER
 JUST 5 WEEKS AFTER BAMMA BOUT
 AIMS TO RE-WRITE PAST WRONGS

(22.09.11, London) Fresh off the back of his win against Radev at BAMMA, Paul Daley is now counting down the days to his upcoming bout against former UFC fighter, Luigi ‘The Italian Tank’ Fioravanti at Ringside 12 in Montreal on 21st October.

Just weeks ago Daley’s distance battle against Jordan Radev caused a sensation at BAMMA 7 as the stoic Bulgarian seemed to unbelievably absorb Daley’s incessant barrage of knees, elbows and powerful strikes; leading to comments that Radev must be made of concrete but a decision win to Daley.

With the BAMMA match confirmed at short notice, Daley now seems to be on an explosive roll; with Fioravanti providing yet more tough competition quick on Radev’s heels: The experienced American Top Team fighter comes to the headline Welterweight bout with 22 wins and 10 losses.

Daley said:
“I’m looking forward to returning to Canada and re-writing the wrongs I made last time. Luigi is a tough guy, but I’m so focused now and ready to perform. I will stop him. My goal now is to return to the UFC. I know I’m the best and I deserve to test myself against the rest who believe the same”

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 Sunday, November 20, 2011

Fedor vs. Monson

From The Olympic Arena in Moscow, Russia

NEW YORK (September 16, 2011) – Mixed martial arts (MMA) heavyweight legends Fedor ‘The Last Emperor’ Emelianenko (31-4, 1 NC) and Jeff ‘The Snowman’ Monson (42-12) will meet as the headline bout at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson. The event will take place Sunday November 20^th from the Olympic Arena in Moscow, Russia with details on broadcast availability announced soon. 

“Fedor has been very vocal about wanting to continue his fighting career,” said Evgeni Kogan, Director of Operations for Europe’s leading MMA promotion M-1 GLOBAL. “Fedor vs. Monson is a classic fight that had been in crosshairs for year. All parties have come together to make this fight a reality.”

Regarded as one of MMA’s greatest heavyweight fighters of all time, Emelianenko has been challenged as late, losing his last three bouts after going undefeated for nearly a decade. The losses came at the hands of Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson. Hungry to compete, ‘The Last Emperor’ still has the drive to battle top competitors. “I cannot wait to compete again. Monson is a great athlete who is skilled in many areas. He is a very worthy opponent,” said Fedor.

Coming of a loss to Daniel Cormier, the 40-year-old Monson is a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist and considered extremely dangerous on the ground with more than half of his 42 career wins coming by way of submission.

Even though Emelianenko is coming off three straight losses, Monson holds Fedor in high regard; “Fedor is the best heavyweight of all time… It’s an honor to be fighting him.” Asked about what a win would mean, Monson didn’t mince words; “A win would be a highlight to my career. My trainers at American Top Team will prepare me for all possibilities. I’ll be prepared.”

As the hype builds towards the legendary matchup between Fedor and Monson, M-1 Global is already well underway preparations for its October 14^th event in Phoenix, Arizona, M-1 Challenge: Guram vs. Garner 2.

The event from the new 5,500 seat Grand Canyon University Arena marks the promotion’s third outing on premium US network SHOWTIME and is headlined with two title fights; Reigning Heavyweight (265 Lbs.) Champion Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) will face relentless power-puncher Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (7-3) while BBJ Ace Vinny Magalhaes (8-5) makes his inaugural light heavyweight (205 Lbs.) defense against Mikhail Zayats (14-5).

For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.

© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com
Special thanks to Eric Nicholl

Visitors to M-1 Global’s official site at www.m-1global.com would be well aware of the beautiful ladies gracing the M-1 GIRLS section.

On August 19, 2010, Nika delighted fans watching the M-1Selection: Battle on Neva River IV when she made her debut and strutted her stuff before the enthusiastic crowd of MMA fans at the Mytninskaya embankment alongside sailing vessel The Flying Dutchman.

Headlining the M-1Selection: Battle on Neva River IV card was the showdown between Magomedrasul Hasbulaev and Kirill Krikunov for M-1 Selection 2010 Eastern Europe Light Heavyweight Championship.  But sharing the MMA ring with such dangerous characters doesn’t faze Nika, who told M-1the secret is to “just avoid the flying fists.”

Today Knucklepit was pleased to catch up with Nika to discover more about her background with M-1Global.

Nika, where were your born?

I was born in St. Petersburg, Russia.

What city or town do you live in now?

St. Petersburg.

What did you do before becoming an M-1 Girl?

I was and still am a go-go dancer.

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© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com
Special thanks to Eric Nicholl

Press Conference - Shuldyakov far right

On August 6, 2011, M-1 Global launched its M-1 Fighter event at Russia’s International Festival of Ol’gino Bikers.  This was the coming together of Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion with the largest motorcycle meet in Russia’s North-West region, and it’s no surprise that MMA is becoming increasingly popular with bikies worldwide, so M-1 Fighter received a very warm reception from the enthusiastic crowd.

M-1 Fighter was created out of a necessity for up-and-coming fighters to prove themselves and qualify for the bigger M-1 shows.  As M-1Global European matchmaker Alexander Shuldyakov says, “These bouts really showed the level of unfound talent currently available in the Eastern European clubs.  Now that the fights are over, I can review the matches and determine who is ready to compete at a higher level.”

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The Stepping Stone Ready to Become a Stumbling Block
© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com
Special thanks to Eric Nicholl

M-1 Global's Beau Baker at M-1 Challenge XXVI weigh-ins

On July 8, M-1 Challenge XXVI: Bennett vs. Garner will be coming LIVE on Showtime from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California.  Germany’s lightweight sensation, Daniel Weichel, was originally slotted to face M-1 Lightweight Champion, Jose Figueroa, but an injury during training forced the champ out of the title match.

Stepping up to the plate to lock horns with Daniel Weichel (26-7) is former NCAA Division 1 collegiate wrestler, Beau Baker (8-4), who possesses a huge heart and a titanium jaw.  Beau commenced wrestling at age 10, and was a two-time State High School Champion in the Volunteer State of Tennessee.  Baker was keen to volunteer for this war with Weichel.

Possessing exceptional positioning and scrambling skills, Beau has been focusing on his BJJ abilities and intends upsetting the applecart on July 8.  He gained a wealth of experience from his recent bout with Alexander Sarnavskiy, dusted himself off, and says he’s on the boil for a showdown with Daniel Weichel.

Knucklepit caught up with Beau a week prior to this highly anticipated battle.

Daniel, how did you earn the nickname ‘Blackjack’?

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