M-1 Challenge Hits Korea This Friday

 

 

 

The next leg of the M-1 Challenge series touches down in Korea on August 29^th and sees 2 sets of M-1 Challenge bouts.  As in Pool A, the hosts Team Korea take on Team USA.  Whilst in Pool B, Team Japan take on the new look Team World (who have replaced Team Germany in the M-1 Challenge series) 

 

 

This event will also see three “Superfights” featuring more M-1 contracted talent. (See below)

 

 

 

 

"Superfight" Bouts

 

 

The main event of the night is a "Superfight" which sees the return of former Pride FC veteran Roman Zentsov in Heavyweight action against the Korean Lee Sang Soo. This bout is a rematch of their 2007 M-1 bout, which Zentsov won by decision.  Zentsovwill be looking to finnish this re-match inside the distance which will move him up the international ladder.

 

Whilst other bouts see the unbeaten Radmir Gabdulin take on the unheralded 8 bout veteran Min Suk Heo, and the experienced European Lightweight Furdjel de Windt rounds things off against the virtually unknown Korean Park Won Sik.

 

 

 

 M-1 Challenge bouts

 

Team Korea vs. Team USA – Sees a very contrasting five bout series, with a relatively inexperienced Korean team looking to rebound after losing to Team Finland earlier this year. Whilst Team USA have a number of BodogFIGHT and IFL veterans on their team and look fairly tough to beat on paper.

 

Fans may recognise the likes of David Gardner, Jake Ellenberger and Jeremiah Constandt for their previous TV performances on other events. However watch out for both Bryan Harper and Brandon Magana who both hold unbeaten MMA records.

 

The USA go into this show on the back of a narrow 3-2 loss to Team France and although they are the away team on this occasion their experience should see them overwhelm the host nation en-route to a comfortable win.

 

Team Japan vs. Team World – Sees several very interesting match-ups as both sides contain some hidden talents which will look to catch the eye of fans worldwide. Team World features three rising young talents in the form of the 18-2 Wim Deputter (who recently signed for M-1) the French Cage Force veteran Norman Paraisy (4-0-0-1nc) and the Cage Gladiators World Heavyweight Champion Stefan Struve. Whilst at Middleweight they have the two time UFC veteran Jordan Radev, who is keen to re-build his impressive record on the M-1 circuit.

 

 

However Team Japan do have a number of fighters to watch out such as the DEEP stand-out Hidehiko Hasegawa, the criminally underrated Daisuke Nakamura and the tough Middleweight Yuya Shirai. Although they may not be able to call on some of Japan's more establish talent, this is not a Team to be dismissed and will give this talented World team a run for its money.

 

 

However Team World have the fighters to win the series 3-2 in what should be a very intriguing round of match-ups, which should condemn Team Japan to their second straight loss in the M-1 Challenge series.

 

 

The line-up for this event is as follows

 

 

Team Korea vs. Team USA

-70 kg
Jong Man Kim vs. David Gardner

-76 kg
Doowon Seo vs. Jake Ellenberger

-84 kg
Hyungyu Lim vs. Brandon Magana

-93 kg
Mujin Na vs. Bryan Harper

+93kg
Jihoon Kim vs. Jeremiah Constandt

 

 

Team Japan vs. Team World

-70 kg
Daisuke Nakamura vs. Wim DePutter

-76kg
Hidehiko Hasegawa vs. Norman Paraisy

-84kg
Yuya Shirai vs. Jordan Radev

-93kg
Tastuya Mizuno vs. Bruno Carvalho

+93kg
Yuji Sakuragi vs. Stefan Struve

Superfights

 

Park Won Sik vs. Furdjel de Windt

Heo Min Seok vs. Radmir Gabdulin

Lee Sang Soo vs. Roman Zentsov