M-1 Challenge 2009 Presented by Affliction touched down earlier today in Bourgas, Bulgaria. A total of 30 fighters representing six teams went to war at this weekend’s global event.
And with 13 of the 15 bouts ending via some type of stoppage, fans certainly got their money's worth.
On Saturday, March 28, Turkey, The World Team, Germany, Team Russian Legion, Team North America, and the host Bulgarian team all made their 2009 M-1 Challenge season debuts at the Mladost Sports Hall, located just minutes from the sunny beach resorts of Bourgas.
Former Bulgarian Olympic wrestler Jordan Radev was in action. The 32-year old Plovdiv native had gone 7-0 since leaving the UFC and despite an MMA record of 18-3, was stopped by former NFL running back Herbert Goodman via KO in the first round.
Goodman, an elite athlete who played two seasons for the Green Bay Packers as a backup to former Pro Bowl running back Ahman Green, has made tremendous progress as a fighter despite his late entry into the sport.
An interesting subplot was the debut of a revamped German roster. Last year’s German team was eliminated from the 2008 M-1 Challenge early due to overwhelming defeats. However, a new roster of German fighters led by a new coaching staff tried to redeem their nation when it faced Turkey.
And they were successful, sweeping the Germans 5-0. Like Turkey, Team USA East dominated with its rout of Team Bulgaria.
Here are the M-1 Challenge 2009 complete results via M-1global.com.
Turkey vs. Germany
Lightweight: Franco de Leonardis def. Akin Duran via triangle choke submission at 2:29 of round 1.
Welterweight: Daniel Weichel def. Faith Dogan with a Darce choke submission at 2:29 of round 1.
Middleweight: Gregor Herb def. Ahmed Bayrak via rear naked choke at 2:00 of round 2.
Light Heavyweight: Martin Zawada def. Samy Turky via TKO at 2:38 of round 1.
Heavyweight: David Baziak def. Turgul Okay via TKO at 0:52 of round 2.
Team Germany defeats Team Turkey 5-0
Russia Legion vs. World Team
Lightweight: Yury Ivlev def. Romano de Los Reyes via three-round unanimous decision.
Welterweight: Magomed Shihsbabekov def. Jason Ponet via triangle choke at 1:34 of round 1.
Middleweight: Sergey Kornev def. Nathan Schouten via KO at 0:12 of round 1.
Light Heavyweight: Gadjimurad Omarov def. Nills Van Noor via rear naked submission at 2:24 of round 1.
Heavyweight: Michael Kitta def. Akhmed Sultanov via KO at 2:30 of round 1.
Team Russia Legion wins 4-1
Bulgaria vs. USA East
Lightweight: Renato Migliaccio def. Yanko Yanev via armbar submission at 4:45 of round 1.
Welterweight: Steve Carl def. Ivan Ivanov via rear naked choke at 3:31 of round 1.
Middleweight: Herbert Goodman def Jordan Radev via KO at 4:59 of round 2.***
Light Heavyweight: Charles Grigsby def. Atanas Dzhambazov via three-round unanimous decision.
Heavyweight: Lloyd Marshbanks def. Emil Somoilov via heel hook submission at 3:27 of round 1.
*** Fight was originally ruled a split decision victory in Radev's favor. M-1 Challenge regulatory officials later ruled that Goodman had knocked out Radev at 4:59 of round 1 and overturned the decision in Goodman's favor following an official appeal.
Team USA East defeats Bulgaria 5-0.
Billed as the "World Cup of Mixed Martial Arts," the M-1 Challenge is a full season of MMA events sponsored by partner Affliction that showcases some of the best up and coming MMA fighters in the world. Broadcast to over 80 countries around the world, including HDNet in the United States, the M-1 Challenge pits teams of five fighters representing their respective countries against each other for international bragging rights and the title of M-1 Challenge Champions.
The "M-1 Challenge Presented by Affliction" affords MMA prospects all over the world an opportunity to test their skills, gain valuable experience at the international level, and become future stars in the sport of MMA. Fighters who succeed on the M-1 Challenge’s international breeding ground will earn the opportunity to participate in major MMA events presented by M-1 Global and their promotional partners such as Affliction Entertainment.
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