M-1 Challenge
12-01-2009, 02:51
Finals of the M-1 Challenge 2008
Januari 11th 2009 HILVERSUM HOLLAND
“ I can hardly believe it myself. We did it in just two weeks! Imagine, this event was supposed to be on Boxing day in Seattle in the USA but due to bad weather over there we had to cancel it.”
M-1’s Global Apy Echteld is a happy man and he has every right to be so. What he, Vadim Finkelchtein, Joost Raymond and their crew established is incredible.
By now the whole MMA world knows about the Challenge, while less than 18 months ago they were still brainstorming. When they started there was no TV coverage at all and now the first editions of The Challenge already has been broadcasted by 140 Channels worldwide. “
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9809/0001iz6.jpg
He smiles as he continues: “ We could not have found a better venue to stage the finals. It’s in a TV studio in Hilversum, the hart of Dutch TV.
We sold no tickets because this show will just be attended by the happy few that received a special invitation. But for the first time ever the M-1 super fights were streamed for free on Sherdog.com. For the other fights the viewers in the US will have to wait to see them on HDnet on a later date.
I think that the finals will be very exciting and the outcome will be 3 -2, but it’s hard to tell in who’s favor.”
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/7564/00011ag4.jpg
In this final event M-1 and the IMA changed the time schedule for the fights.
Normally the fights were 2 x5 but for the finals the competitors had to shed some more sweat because they had to spent 3x5 minutes in the ring.
The ring was brand new and looked enormous. It was 8 by 8 meters ( 26 by 26 feet). Ino Alberga was chief of the officials and the referees and judges were: Marco Broersen and Marcel Homeijer from Holland for the M-1 fights and Daisuke Noguchi from Japan did the 5 final fights.
Judges were Mika Sinkkonen from Finland, Mikhail Smirnof from Russia and Rashid van Exel fom Holland. Time keeper was Francis Pimienta and the doctors were Johan Hilbrink and Soeresh Bhatoe. Sean Wheelock and Jimmy Smith were the commentators and Jerry Millen and Kevin Hewitt took care of the TV production.
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7049/0006qt6.jpg
Superfights
Radmir Gabdylin (83.1 kg) vs Hoon Kim (83.2 kg)
Gabdylin had a record of 2 wins -1 los Hoon Kim (16 – 4)
One of the two wins on Gabdylin’s record was against Korean……. So Hoon Kim was eager to avenge his fellow countryman. But he didn’t succed, because after 25 sec in the second round he had to tap out at a triangle choke.
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Toni Valtonen (92.7 kg) vs Chang Seob Lee (93.1 Kg)
Valtonen (16 – 8) Chang Seob Lee (5 – 3 - 1)
The chubby Korean showed remarkable fighting spirit and kicked like one would expect from a taekwondoka. High kicks and very strong punches. In the first round there was no groundwork at all, but in the second Valtonen ruled. He mounted Lee and started to G&P but could not finish the fight. In round three Valtonen lifted Lee and slammed him hard on his back. The Koreans head connected with force on the mat and due to that he had to give up.
Valtonen winner after 1.03 min in the third round after bodyslamm.
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Enoc Solves Torres (92.1 kg) vs Whi Seung Bae (92.6 kg)
Enoc (2 – 0) Whi Seung Bae (6 -2)
Despite the fact that Whi seung Bae had more fights on his record he was spending most of the time on his back defending himself in the first round. The second round was more even and in round three there was a slight advantage for Solves.
The judges were unanimous in their decision. Enoc Solves winner on points.
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Ricardo Wondel (106.2 kg) vs Sang Soo Lee (116.3 kg)
Wondel (0-1) Sang Soo Lee (16 – 4)
Wondel was dominating the fight and was on top and punching when suddenly he stopped and said that he couldn’t continue because his right thumb was broken.
So the fight ended after 2.41 seconds in the first round with Lee Sang Soo as the winner.
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M-1 Challenge Final
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VS
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Bogdan Cristea (69.8 kg) vs Mikhail Malyutin (69.5 kg)
Bogdan had a MMA Record: 5-3/M-1 Challenge Record: 2-1) and Mikhail Malutin (8-6/4-0)
This really was a fight between two guys that literally escaped death once.
Not long before the challenge started in 2008 Bogdan was in a serious car accident and nobody thought he would survive, but he defeated death and a big scar like a 25 inch caterpillar on his right arm will always make him remember this. Mikhail is still alive because a Russian Sambo association invited him last year but a day before the event they called and told him that they could not afford the plane ticket. The plane crashed and all the passengers were killed.
Within 40 seconds of the first round Bodan was bleeding from his mouth after a punch while he was trying to take the fight to the ground. There it was Malyutin who dominated and between the rounds the docter had to look at the almost closed left eye of Cristea. In the second round there was visible blood in the left ear of Cristea but just before the end he stunned Malyutin who was saved by the bell and again the doctor was consulted.
The third round was very exiting with the one moment Bogdan taking the upperhand and the other moment it was Malyutin. This round also ended with Bogdan punching down on Malyutin. The judges were divided. A split decision in favor of Malyutin.
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Romano de Los Reyes (70.6 kg) vs Erik Oganov (75.9 kg)
Erik Oganov (8-8/3-2) Romano de los Reyes (8-6/1-2)
Romano came in at barely 70 kg while the weightclass is -76kg.
He just shrugged his shoulders when we asked him how this happened. “ I don’t know. I feel good. Last time I was about 73 kg. Anyhow, I do not feel weak or sick and will give Oganov everything I have. Oganov, one of Red Devils most active competitors, on the other hand was slightly overweight at the weigh in and had to cut about a pound, but he was very confident about the result.
Despite a yellow card for a head butt round one was definitely in favor of Oganov. Round two and three it was also Oganov who had a slight advantage. The judges were unanimous.
Oganov winner on points.
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/2406/0601cj7.jpg
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Jason Jones (83.5 kg) vs Dmitri Samoylov (83.8 kg)
Jason Jones (7-5/1-2).
Although he lost a few times, former judo champion Jones is always good for a spectacular fight. For his last fight he had to cut almost six kilos in two days and due to that he was weakened and could not perform the way he wanted. He lost the fight but promised himself that he would not make the same mistake a second time. “ I won’t disappoint my fans and going to show that I’m the best and Samoylov is an obstacle to my way to the top.”
Samoylov was not impressed and just smiled when he heard what Jones had said. “ I wait for the fight and see if he can make his words come true”.
Most of round one Samoylov was in half guard punching down but Jones had a solid defense and survived without problems. Round two Samoylov received a yellow card for kicking Jason on the head in the groundfight and this pissed of Jones because from that moment on he was in charge of the fight. A unanimous decision of the judges in his advantage was the reward.
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David Haagsma (91.0 kg) vs Mikhail Zayats (90.9 kg)
Kamil Ogun (6-3/1-2) was supposed to fight Michael Zayats (7-1/3-0), but
at he weigh in the day before the event, he was a little feverish although he still felt okay. During the night it got worse and he failed to pass the medical check because the doctor did not think it responsible to allow him to fight.
David Haagsma 91 kg 4 wins 3 loses was the last minute replacement. Zayats had no problems with him. After 3,25 minutes in the first round Haagsma tapped at an armbar.
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Jessie Gibbs (123.8 kg) vs Aleksey Oliynik (101.7 kg)
Jessy Gibbs (6-1/3-0) Alexey Oleinik (9-4/1-0)
Jessie needs no further introduction. His only loss ever was against the famous Alexander Emilianenko. He looks like a big teddy bear but looks are deceiving. For a heavyweight he moves very light and not only is he probably the best grappler in the Challenge, he also has tremendous kicks. In the ring it looks like he doesn’t want to waste energy because all of his fights in the Challenge he won on submission or KO in the first round.
Oliynik replaced up and coming heavyweight prospect Kirill Sidelnikov, who has been tapped to fight Paul Buentello during Affliction and M-1's "Day of Reckoning" event on Jan. 24.
Gibbs was looking forward to making a name for himself against Sidelnikov, who is known around the world as "Baby Fedor." Disappointed that he won't be afforded that opportunity, Gibbs is planning to take out his frustrations on Oliynik.
"I was supposed to fight Kirill Sidelnikov but now I have a new unknown opponent," said Gibbs. "Whoever it is, it won't be a problem but I'd loved to fight Kirill because he is becoming a big name in the MMA circuit and I'm sure that I'm better."
But Gibbs should not under estimate Oliynik, because Alexey made a name for himself having fought in the U.S. last year during YAMMA's heavyweight tournament in Atlantic City. Facing UFC veteran Sherman Pendergarst during the tournament's first round, he submitted the Miletich Fighting Systems veteran with an Ezekiel choke.
Relaxed as ever Jessie entered the ring but he was in for a surprise, because for the first time ever in the Challenge, he had to fight more than one round. After two minutes in the first round Alexey was breathing heavily but so was Gibbs. In round two it was clear that Gibbs had a hard time. He was so tired that he could hardly hold his guard up and after 3.42 minutes in round two an exhausted Jessie had to tap at a front choke.
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/6953/0901lp8.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2056/0902cc0.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8485/0903dq0.jpg
This made the Red devil team winner and Champion of the M-1 Challenge finals 2008 with 4 – 1.
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8377/00012su5.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/6593/00014rl2.jpg
Januari 11th 2009 HILVERSUM HOLLAND
“ I can hardly believe it myself. We did it in just two weeks! Imagine, this event was supposed to be on Boxing day in Seattle in the USA but due to bad weather over there we had to cancel it.”
M-1’s Global Apy Echteld is a happy man and he has every right to be so. What he, Vadim Finkelchtein, Joost Raymond and their crew established is incredible.
By now the whole MMA world knows about the Challenge, while less than 18 months ago they were still brainstorming. When they started there was no TV coverage at all and now the first editions of The Challenge already has been broadcasted by 140 Channels worldwide. “
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9809/0001iz6.jpg
He smiles as he continues: “ We could not have found a better venue to stage the finals. It’s in a TV studio in Hilversum, the hart of Dutch TV.
We sold no tickets because this show will just be attended by the happy few that received a special invitation. But for the first time ever the M-1 super fights were streamed for free on Sherdog.com. For the other fights the viewers in the US will have to wait to see them on HDnet on a later date.
I think that the finals will be very exciting and the outcome will be 3 -2, but it’s hard to tell in who’s favor.”
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/7564/00011ag4.jpg
In this final event M-1 and the IMA changed the time schedule for the fights.
Normally the fights were 2 x5 but for the finals the competitors had to shed some more sweat because they had to spent 3x5 minutes in the ring.
The ring was brand new and looked enormous. It was 8 by 8 meters ( 26 by 26 feet). Ino Alberga was chief of the officials and the referees and judges were: Marco Broersen and Marcel Homeijer from Holland for the M-1 fights and Daisuke Noguchi from Japan did the 5 final fights.
Judges were Mika Sinkkonen from Finland, Mikhail Smirnof from Russia and Rashid van Exel fom Holland. Time keeper was Francis Pimienta and the doctors were Johan Hilbrink and Soeresh Bhatoe. Sean Wheelock and Jimmy Smith were the commentators and Jerry Millen and Kevin Hewitt took care of the TV production.
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7049/0006qt6.jpg
Superfights
Radmir Gabdylin (83.1 kg) vs Hoon Kim (83.2 kg)
Gabdylin had a record of 2 wins -1 los Hoon Kim (16 – 4)
One of the two wins on Gabdylin’s record was against Korean……. So Hoon Kim was eager to avenge his fellow countryman. But he didn’t succed, because after 25 sec in the second round he had to tap out at a triangle choke.
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/8435/0101rg3.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/2016/0102uv0.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5403/0103wo7.jpg
Toni Valtonen (92.7 kg) vs Chang Seob Lee (93.1 Kg)
Valtonen (16 – 8) Chang Seob Lee (5 – 3 - 1)
The chubby Korean showed remarkable fighting spirit and kicked like one would expect from a taekwondoka. High kicks and very strong punches. In the first round there was no groundwork at all, but in the second Valtonen ruled. He mounted Lee and started to G&P but could not finish the fight. In round three Valtonen lifted Lee and slammed him hard on his back. The Koreans head connected with force on the mat and due to that he had to give up.
Valtonen winner after 1.03 min in the third round after bodyslamm.
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8755/0201rq1.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7383/0202gl2.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/3159/0203yl8.jpg
Enoc Solves Torres (92.1 kg) vs Whi Seung Bae (92.6 kg)
Enoc (2 – 0) Whi Seung Bae (6 -2)
Despite the fact that Whi seung Bae had more fights on his record he was spending most of the time on his back defending himself in the first round. The second round was more even and in round three there was a slight advantage for Solves.
The judges were unanimous in their decision. Enoc Solves winner on points.
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5101/0301az8.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8016/0302ew6.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/3254/0303xa2.jpg
Ricardo Wondel (106.2 kg) vs Sang Soo Lee (116.3 kg)
Wondel (0-1) Sang Soo Lee (16 – 4)
Wondel was dominating the fight and was on top and punching when suddenly he stopped and said that he couldn’t continue because his right thumb was broken.
So the fight ended after 2.41 seconds in the first round with Lee Sang Soo as the winner.
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5341/0401tb5.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6119/0402fk0.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/161/0403kh6.jpg
M-1 Challenge Final
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5092/0008go7.jpg
VS
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Bogdan Cristea (69.8 kg) vs Mikhail Malyutin (69.5 kg)
Bogdan had a MMA Record: 5-3/M-1 Challenge Record: 2-1) and Mikhail Malutin (8-6/4-0)
This really was a fight between two guys that literally escaped death once.
Not long before the challenge started in 2008 Bogdan was in a serious car accident and nobody thought he would survive, but he defeated death and a big scar like a 25 inch caterpillar on his right arm will always make him remember this. Mikhail is still alive because a Russian Sambo association invited him last year but a day before the event they called and told him that they could not afford the plane ticket. The plane crashed and all the passengers were killed.
Within 40 seconds of the first round Bodan was bleeding from his mouth after a punch while he was trying to take the fight to the ground. There it was Malyutin who dominated and between the rounds the docter had to look at the almost closed left eye of Cristea. In the second round there was visible blood in the left ear of Cristea but just before the end he stunned Malyutin who was saved by the bell and again the doctor was consulted.
The third round was very exiting with the one moment Bogdan taking the upperhand and the other moment it was Malyutin. This round also ended with Bogdan punching down on Malyutin. The judges were divided. A split decision in favor of Malyutin.
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/103/0501mc6.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3910/0502zo7.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/2599/0503ky4.jpg
Romano de Los Reyes (70.6 kg) vs Erik Oganov (75.9 kg)
Erik Oganov (8-8/3-2) Romano de los Reyes (8-6/1-2)
Romano came in at barely 70 kg while the weightclass is -76kg.
He just shrugged his shoulders when we asked him how this happened. “ I don’t know. I feel good. Last time I was about 73 kg. Anyhow, I do not feel weak or sick and will give Oganov everything I have. Oganov, one of Red Devils most active competitors, on the other hand was slightly overweight at the weigh in and had to cut about a pound, but he was very confident about the result.
Despite a yellow card for a head butt round one was definitely in favor of Oganov. Round two and three it was also Oganov who had a slight advantage. The judges were unanimous.
Oganov winner on points.
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/2406/0601cj7.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/203/0602ew9.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/1726/0603mq2.jpg
Jason Jones (83.5 kg) vs Dmitri Samoylov (83.8 kg)
Jason Jones (7-5/1-2).
Although he lost a few times, former judo champion Jones is always good for a spectacular fight. For his last fight he had to cut almost six kilos in two days and due to that he was weakened and could not perform the way he wanted. He lost the fight but promised himself that he would not make the same mistake a second time. “ I won’t disappoint my fans and going to show that I’m the best and Samoylov is an obstacle to my way to the top.”
Samoylov was not impressed and just smiled when he heard what Jones had said. “ I wait for the fight and see if he can make his words come true”.
Most of round one Samoylov was in half guard punching down but Jones had a solid defense and survived without problems. Round two Samoylov received a yellow card for kicking Jason on the head in the groundfight and this pissed of Jones because from that moment on he was in charge of the fight. A unanimous decision of the judges in his advantage was the reward.
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8022/0701xu4.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8760/0702ui0.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5861/0703rp2.jpg
David Haagsma (91.0 kg) vs Mikhail Zayats (90.9 kg)
Kamil Ogun (6-3/1-2) was supposed to fight Michael Zayats (7-1/3-0), but
at he weigh in the day before the event, he was a little feverish although he still felt okay. During the night it got worse and he failed to pass the medical check because the doctor did not think it responsible to allow him to fight.
David Haagsma 91 kg 4 wins 3 loses was the last minute replacement. Zayats had no problems with him. After 3,25 minutes in the first round Haagsma tapped at an armbar.
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8818/0801sm6.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/7774/0802py1.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3672/0803qd8.jpg
Jessie Gibbs (123.8 kg) vs Aleksey Oliynik (101.7 kg)
Jessy Gibbs (6-1/3-0) Alexey Oleinik (9-4/1-0)
Jessie needs no further introduction. His only loss ever was against the famous Alexander Emilianenko. He looks like a big teddy bear but looks are deceiving. For a heavyweight he moves very light and not only is he probably the best grappler in the Challenge, he also has tremendous kicks. In the ring it looks like he doesn’t want to waste energy because all of his fights in the Challenge he won on submission or KO in the first round.
Oliynik replaced up and coming heavyweight prospect Kirill Sidelnikov, who has been tapped to fight Paul Buentello during Affliction and M-1's "Day of Reckoning" event on Jan. 24.
Gibbs was looking forward to making a name for himself against Sidelnikov, who is known around the world as "Baby Fedor." Disappointed that he won't be afforded that opportunity, Gibbs is planning to take out his frustrations on Oliynik.
"I was supposed to fight Kirill Sidelnikov but now I have a new unknown opponent," said Gibbs. "Whoever it is, it won't be a problem but I'd loved to fight Kirill because he is becoming a big name in the MMA circuit and I'm sure that I'm better."
But Gibbs should not under estimate Oliynik, because Alexey made a name for himself having fought in the U.S. last year during YAMMA's heavyweight tournament in Atlantic City. Facing UFC veteran Sherman Pendergarst during the tournament's first round, he submitted the Miletich Fighting Systems veteran with an Ezekiel choke.
Relaxed as ever Jessie entered the ring but he was in for a surprise, because for the first time ever in the Challenge, he had to fight more than one round. After two minutes in the first round Alexey was breathing heavily but so was Gibbs. In round two it was clear that Gibbs had a hard time. He was so tired that he could hardly hold his guard up and after 3.42 minutes in round two an exhausted Jessie had to tap at a front choke.
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/6953/0901lp8.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2056/0902cc0.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8485/0903dq0.jpg
This made the Red devil team winner and Champion of the M-1 Challenge finals 2008 with 4 – 1.
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8377/00012su5.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/6593/00014rl2.jpg