411’s MMA Midweek Scouting Report

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M-1 Challenge 67: Battle in the Land of Ice and Fire

NOTE: Check out the FULL FIGHTS at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlD4KIpFff2vuss_D56fXZwspP8dmNvhT – the official M-1 Global Youtube channel!

M-1 Global travelled to the ‘Land of Ice and Fire’ for M-1 Challenge 67, an event headlined by a M-1 Global Lightweight title tilt between Ukrainian Alexander Butenko (41-11-2) and former title holder, Belarus’ Artiom Damkovsky (20-10). This would represent M-1 Global’s first card from Azerbaijan, and the reaction was vociferous from the crowd in the country’s capital Baku, delighted to have a taste of top class MMA.

Butenko set his stall out early, displaying his intentions via a takedown within the opening 30 seconds of the fight, and dominating virtually the entire first round with stifling top control. The second round saw Damkovsky showing more resistance, but Butenko would again achieve top control within half a round, and once again rode out the round. Round three, on the other hand, saw Damkovsky throwing a vicious front kick which narrowly missed, and an aggressive, sweeping leg kick that buckled the knee of Butenko momentarily. It was Butenko, however, who continued to press, smothering his opponent the moment he got his hands on him. It was a story that repeated itself through the championship rounds, handing Butenko the previously vacant M-1 Global Lightweight Championship via Unanimous Decision.

In the night’s co-main event, Slovakian M-1 Global Featherweight Champion Ivan Buchinger (31-4) further outlined his credentials as one of Europe’s top pound-for-pound fighters by handing Mikhail Korobkov (9-2-1) his second defeat in a week. Korobkov, who lost his perfect record the week previous at M-1 Challenge 66, fell victim to a first round North-South Choke at 4:41 of Round One in a non-title fight. Buchinger, who has won ten straight fights since a 2012 KO defeat to Conor McGregor, added Korobkov to a stellar list of victims that include the UFC’s Steven Ray and former M-1 Global Lightweight Champion Mansour Barnaoui.

While Korobkov displayed a slick outside leg trip that caught Buchinger out twice, Ivan displayed a superior all-round game as he smothered and out-grappled the young Russian, finishing despite Korobkov’s best efforts to avoid the tap.

21 year old Kazakh prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov (6-0) continued to impress at welterweight with a 76-second body shot KO of Brazilian veteran Marcelo Brito (13-8). Rakhmonov is now 4-0 in M-1 Global, and has proved a lethal finisher with 5 of his 6 wins coming inside the first round. The other victory, at a Battle of Nomads show, came in the second. 38 year old BJJ black belt Brito would provide a new kind of challenge to Rakhmonov, having never been finished in his 11-year MMA career. That statistic would last little over a minute before being put to bed by a liver punch at M-1 Challenge 67.

In other action, Azeri pair Zaur Gadzhibabayev (5-1) and Talekh Nadzhafadze (3-1) won their respective bouts in the heavyweight and middleweight divisions, Gadzhibabayev scoring a first round rear naked choke against Bulgarian Lazar Todev (2-4), and Nadzhafadze out-pointing Equitorial Guinea journeyman Felipe Nsue (6-10) by virtue of a Unanimous Decision.

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Cage Warriors 76

Abertillery, Wales’ own Jack Marshman (19-5) was able to overcome Manchester-based Iranian Ali Arish (21-5) at Cage Warriors 76, “The Hammer” forgoing his usual method of TKOing opponents (he has recorded 11 TKO’s) in favour of a first round guillotine choke at 3:45. Arish would refute the decision that he had tapped out, though replays effectively resolve referee Pete Lavery of any wrongdoing, and Marshman was able to celebrate a fifth successive win on the UK MMA scene. Arish now finds himself with three defeats in his last four outings.

Andreas Stahl (10-2) bounced back from a pair of defeats that saw him cut from the UFC with a third round TKO of Lewis Long (12-4). Swedish exponent Stahl overcame his opponent in front of his compatriots in Wales, winning out on a multi-levelled affair after Long had successfully stifled Stahl’s ground game. Nonetheless, Stahl dominated on the feet and failed to seize an opportunity to finish in the second round before duly doing so in the third.

Featherweight Nad Narimani (9-2) scored points for the most creative finish of the night, applying a standing guillotine to Spaniard Daniel Requiejo (7-3) that forced a tap at 1:21 of Round Three. Requiejo had posted five straight wins on the Spanish national scene before Bristol-based Narimani proved too much of a step up in competition.

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Resurrection Fighting Alliance 38: Moises vs Emmers

https://youtube.com/watch?v=HNJl6Jh4Em4

Costa Mesa, California played host to RFA 38, headlined by an RFA Lightweight title fight between Thiago Moises (8-1) and challenger Jamall Emmers (9-3). Emmers took the bout on a weeks notice following the withdrawal of Ernest Chavez. Emmers showed great athleticism and power, but was eventually worn down by Moises, who extends his win streak to three. Moises continually landed heavy punches, before Emmers dropped to a knee against the cage and the TKO verdict was called by the official.

At bantamweight, Brazilian Vinicius Zani (9-4) scored an upset against Californian Joe Murphy (8-4), Murphy having now endured a three-fight skid. Zani took a Unanimous Decision, winning two-straight since a loss to UFC bantamweight Thomas Almeida.

At welterweight, Greek stand out Christos Giagos (12-5) needed just 1:42 to dispose of Karen Darabedyan (12-6), Giagos snapping a two-fight losing streak that carried on from a 1-2 stint in the UFC. Giagos delivered a left that dropped Darabedyan, before following up with a succession of piston-like right hands that sealed the victory for ‘The Spartan’. Darabedyan lost a three-fight win streak in the process.

Also at welterweight, Nick Barnes (11-1) out-pointed Jose Diaz (6-2) as ‘The Phoenix’ continues to amass the wins. Diaz, who has fought multiple times in Brazil’s Jungle Fight promotion, was unable to replicate the feat of Jesse ‘JT Money’ Taylor, who remains the only fighter to defeat the durable Barnes.

Albert Morales (6-0) remained perfect with a 20-second TKO of former Jungle Fight Bantamweight Champion Mario Israel (10-2), countering a leg kick with a straight right-left combination that dropped the Brazilian, leaving him prone to a swarm of shots that saw Herb Dean literally diving at Morales in order to stop the fight. Morales, who fights out of Carson, California, made his debut in January of last year and has quickly established himself as one of the top bantamweight prospects on the Eastern coast.

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Absolute Championship Berkut 40: Battleground

The aforementioned sole conqueror of Nick Barnes, Jesse Taylor (29-14) suffered a first round submission defeat at the hands of Polish standout Aslambek Saidov (19-4) by way of a guillotine choke in the main event of ACB 40. Taylor, a UFC, Strikeforce and WSOF veteran, found himself the recipient of a second-successive first round submission at the hands of a Polish opponent, having dropped a fight to Borys Mankowski under the KSW banner late last year in similar fashion. Saidov will be delighted to have emulated Mankowski’s achievement, registering a second win under the ACB banner in Krasnodar, Russia. Saidov has won 4 straight since losing to Mankowski in 2014.

Russian middleweight Muslim Khizriev (8-1) scored a second round rear naked choke submission over Bulgarian veteran Nikola Dipchikov (14-4) with 2:40 gone in that particular stanza, Khizriev now riding a 5-fight win streak since losing to ONE Championship contender Igor Svirid. The RNC brought to a close a 13-fight win streak for Dipchikov, who bested UFC veteran Danny Mitchell by decision in 2015.

Again at middleweight, Shamil Abdulkhalikov (12-3) proved too much for the previously unbeaten Abdul-Rakhman Dzhanaev (5-1), recording a ninth-straight win. Abdulkhalikov scored the Unanimous Decision that puts him a step closer to a title shot against ACB Middleweight Champion Anatoly Tokov.

At featherweight, Yusup Raisov (9-0) further underlined his credentials as a top Russian prospect with a career-best win over Brazilian Carlos Alexandre (12-2). Alexandre, who has fought outside Brazil just once in a winning effort in Costa Rica, was unsuccessful in Krasnodar, succumbing to a guillotine choke at 3:49 of Round Three. Raisov has finished 6 of his 9 pro MMA fights to date, and continues to amass wins over credible opposition.

Adam Bataev (6-0) scored a highly impressive win over experienced Peruvian David Cubas (17-5-2) also at featherweight, Cubas finding the transition to Russia difficult having suffered consecutive defeats. Bataev previously saw off UFC and 33-fight veteran Marcos Vinicius, and this unanimous decision should put him on the radar of the world’s top promotions.

At bantamweight, Magomed Ginazov (10-2) out-pointed Brazilian Bruno Dias (19-9).

Ring of Combat 55
Lightweight Title Fight: Gregor Gillespie (7-0) df. Sidney Outlaw (5-2) via Split Decision
Middleweight Title Fight: Eric Roncoroni (5-2) df. Michael Elshamy (3-3) via KO (Knee) @ 1:15 of Round Two
Featherweight Fight: Frank Buenafuente (6-2) df. Jose Mariscal (3-2) via Unanimous Decision
Lightweight Fight: Jimmy Spicuzzi (7-3) df. Max Bohanan (6-2) via Split Decision

Final Fight Championship 24: Daytona Beach
Middleweight Fight: Danillo Villefort (15-5) df. Thiago Rela (9-5) via TKO (Strikes) @ 1:04 of Round Three
Catchweight Fight (180 lbs): Roberto Neves (8-3) df. Valdir Araujo (16-7) via KO (Head Kick) @ 1:24 of Round One
Light Heavyweight Fight: Jeremy Kimball (13-5) df. Matt van Buren (7-5) via KO (Punch) @ 0:14 of Round One
Catchweight Fight (165 lbs): Desmond Green (17-5) df. Dez Hill (7-3) via Unanimous Decision
Catchweight Fight (190 lbs): Chris Curtis (14-5) df. Leo Bercier (15-10) via Unanimous Decision
Welterweight Fight: Arda Adas (7-2) df. Jorge Bezerra (20-13) via TKO (Stoppage) @ 1:33 of Round Two

PREVIEWS:

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Titan FC 39: Cavalcante vs Healy

The showpiece of Titan FC’s 39th offering is a battle between two of MMA’s most battled-tested veteran lightweights in the form of Gesias ‘JZ’ Cavalcante (19-8-1) and Pat ‘Bam Bam’ Healy (30-21) with the vacant Titan FC Lightweight title on the line. Once considered one of the world’s most fearsome combatants, K-1, DREAM, Strikeforce and WSOF veteran Cavalcante will look to prove that at just 32 years of age, he is not a spent force in MMA despite a somewhat intermittent schedule in recent years. Cavalcante, who was originally scheduled to debut in Titan FC back in 2014 against Mike Ricci, has had a long wait before finally making his promotional debut. His opponent, Strikeforce and UFC veteran Pat Healy, can never be underestimated despite a disastrous UFC run that saw his sole victory, a huge upset win over Jim Miller, reversed due to a drug test failure for marijuana metabolites and four-straight losses to a string of veteran opponents. Since being cut from the UFC, Healy bested Ricardo Tirloni before capturing Titan FC gold against Kurt Holobaugh, only to drop the title to Rick Hawn. Now, having bested Muhsin Corbbrey, Healy wants gold again.

‘JZ’ will have to be at his enigmatic best to avoid the stifling offence of Healy, who will in turn be keen to avoid the enviable finishing power of the Brazilian. This is an intriguing fight, and one well worth catching.

The Titan FC Featherweight title will also be on the line, with Andre Harrison (12-0) looking to defend the gold against dangerous Brazilian Deivison ‘Dragon’ Ribeiro (26-9, 1 NC). Harrison, who has picked up 6-straight decision wins, may be an infrequent finisher, but with wins over the likes of Steven Siler, Des Green, and Kurt Holobaugh, there’s no question the Kansas native is one of the finest featherweights outside the UFC. Ribeiro, meanwhile, endured a difficult transition to the United States, having bounced back from successive defeats to chalk up four straight wins. Ribeiro knocked out UFC veteran Waylon Lowe last time out, and will look to replicate that feat against Harrison.

The third title fight on the show will feature a pair of UFC veterans in Dhiego Lima (11-4) and David Michaud (9-2). Lima and Michaud will contest the vacant Titan FC Welterweight title, with Lima looking to build on a victory over previously-unbeaten Brazilian Antonio Trocoli in his Titan FC debut. Michaud, who beat Chris Hugh under the RFA banner last time out, shares a loss to Chinese combatant Jingliang Li as well as a single UFC decision win. This is, without question, a tough fight to determine on paper.

At lightweight, Kurt Holobaugh (14-4) will look to get back to winning ways and stay relevant as he faces off against Brazilian Luciano dos Santos (10-7). Holobaugh has losses on his record to both Healy and Harrison, but can put down a marker here as he bids to climb the rankings once more.

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Final Fight Championship 25: Staring vs Stosic

An intriguing card from Springfield, Massachusetts will showcase some of the best talent from both Eastern Europe and the United States as Croatian-based Final Fight Championship comes to the US. The main event, a FFC Heavyweight title tilt, will feature Dutch veteran Dion Staring (34-12) against Serbian upstart Darko Stosic (7-1). Staring, who holds wins over the likes of Ricco Rodriguez, Ante Delijah, Hans Stringer, Damian Grabowski and many, many more, is a hit-and-miss heavyweight who has been stopped in all but two of his twelve career defeats. That’s a statistic Stosic will look to make the most of as he prepares for his first US fight. Stosic, with 5 finishes to his credit, is a relatively small heavyweight having moved up a weight class following a defeat at 205 lbs to Jiri Prochazka. Without a genuinely creditable win to his name yet, Stosic will likely play the role of underdog in a clash that presents him a major opportunity.

The resulting champion may well be set to face off against the winner of the night’s other heavyweight fight, a bout between 6’5 Tyler ‘The Beast’ East (14-5) and Arizona heavyweight Dale Sopi (6-1). Sopi, who recently lost for the first time to veteran Chase Gormley under the RFA banner, will look to record his biggest win since crushing the undersized Edwin Dewees in 2014. East, meanwhile, is a man with a long and troubled past, but who has excelled in the cage up until losing two of his last three fights by TKO to Sergei Kharitonov and Brandon Griffin.

Featherweight gold will also be on the line as Hungarian Adam Borics (9-0) and Bosnian Ahmed Vila (3-0) both make their US debuts. Borics is the more seasoned fighter, his biggest win coming against Croatian Marko Burusic, and since then he’s finished three of his last four opponents inside the two rounds.

At middleweight, David Mitchell (19-6) will provide a stiff test for Brazilian Judo and BJJ ace Leonardo Leite (7-0). Leite, a two-division MMA champion in Legacy FC, is a very highly decorated martial artist with numerous national and international accolades to his name, and has split the manner of his victories over decision, TKO’s and submissions. His opponent, 5-fight UFC veteran Mitchell is currently on a two-fight skid, but is nonetheless a durable and credible opponent for the 38-year old Leite.

At lightweight, Anthony Njokuani (17-11) looks to snap a four-fight losing streak against Brazilian Leonardo Mafra (11-3). At one time one of WEC’s most promising fighters, mauy thai practitioner Njokuani fought 8 times in the UFC before his release. He is now 0-2 outside the company, with losses to Dave Burrow and Josh Quayhagen. Mafra, meanwhile, will fight for the first time since a 1-2 stint in the UFC, with losses to Steven Ray and Rick Story.