M-1

Weekend Preview: Wang Headlines Art of War, ADCC ‘09 in Barcelona & More

Tonight’s Strikeforce Challengers event on Showtime isn’t the only notable event taking place this weekend. China-based Art of War will hold its latest offering on Saturday at the Cotai Arena in Macao with “Ultimate Fighter 5” cast member Andy Wang headlining the event against Tsuboi Atsuhiro.

Other featured bouts include one of the newest member of Greg Jackson’s camp, Rolles Gracie, challenging K-1 kickboxer Peter Graham and Sengoku veteran Michael Costa facing highly-touted welterweight prospect Simeon Thoresen.

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Quick Hits: Jones Signs New UFC Deal, Mayorga to MMA & More

— Light heavyweight prospect Jon Jones has reportedly inked a new four-fight deal with the UFC. Jones has won all nine of his professional fights to date, including three inside the Octagon. “Bones” was last seen in action at UFC 100, where he submitted fellow wrestler Jake O’Brien with a guillotine choke in the second round. [MMA Madness]

— Former boxing welterweight champion Ricardo Mayorga will apparently be entering the world of mixed martial arts. Shine Fighters promoter and “TUF” alumnus Dorian Price announced Mayorga’s participation at a future event against an opponent yet-to-be-determined. Mayorga has racked up a record of 28-7-1 in the ring with notable wins over Fernando Vargas and Vernon Forrest. [MMA Junkie]

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M-1Global.com to Stream M-1 Selection Bouts Free of Charge on Saturday Afternoon

The sixth installment of M-1 Global’s “Selection” show will be streamed live and free of charge on M-1Global.com starting at 12 PM ET this afternoon. A total of 15 bouts are scheduled to take place.

M-1’s Selection events sport a year long competition featuring the top fight gyms in Russia vying for the right to represent its home country in the 2010 M-1 Challenge. Two of the more notable fighters to be featured during today’s stream are Radmir Gabdullin and Kirill Sidelnikov of Red Devil Sport Club.

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Video: Behind the Scenes of King Mo’s Destruction of Mark Kerr

In the latest standout video from AllElbows.com, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at rising heavyweight prospect Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal’s recent win over UFC and PRIDE veteran Mark Kerr at M-1’s “Breakthrough” event on August 28.

Lawal, Kerr on Weight for M-1 Breakthrough

The official weigh-in results for tonight’s M-1 Breakthrough event, the historic Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Missouri, are below. All fighters made weight with the exception of Ferrid Kheder, who came in four pounds over the lightweight limit and will be docked 10% of his purse.

In addition, heavyweight Rogent Lloret will be permitted to weigh-in later today due to visa issues and a women’s bout between Andria Caplan and Mollie Ahlers-Estes will now be fought at a catch-weight of 155 lbs and has subsequently been switched from a professional fight to an amateur bout.

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M-1 Global Announces Complete Fight Card for “Breakthrough” on Aug 28

M-1 Global has released the finalized card for its “Breakthrough” event, which will be held at the historic Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas on Friday, August 28. The six-fight main card will be televised live on HDNet in the United States and through Internet PPV internationally.

Standout wrestler and fast-rising heavyweight prospect Muhammed “King” Mo Lawal will headline the show against former UFC and PRIDE standout Mark Kerr. A special sparring exhibition between longtime heavyweight king Fedor Emelianenko and training partner Gegard Mousasi will also take place.

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Frye Out; Lawal to Face Kerr at M-1 Global: Breakthrough

M-1 Global has officially announced that their August 28th show titled “Breakthrough” has been moved the Los Angeles Convention Center to the historic Memorial Hall in Kansas City. The show will feature a main event of Mo Lawal vs. Mark Kerr along with an exhibition match featuring Fedor Emelianenko and Gegard Mousasi.

The show was originally set to feature a main event of Don Frye vs. Mo Lawal but unfortunately Frye has pulled out and will be replaced by Kerr. “Don Frye had a signed contract with M-1 and part of that signed commitment allowed us to change the venue if needed,” said M-1 COO Raimond. “From our perspective, Don should still be in this fight. However, for reasons that we aren’t exactly sure of, he has backed out. Don still has not provided us with a clear reason as to why he is refusing to fight.

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Fedor Signs; To Appear on Events Co-Promoted by Strikeforce and M-1 Global

After a week of speculation, Fedor Emelianenko has put the rumors to rest as the former PRIDE heavyweight champion signed a multi-fight agreement that will see him headline events co-promoted by Strikeforce and M-1 Global.

Emelianenko’s debut under the Strikeforce M-1 banner is expected to come this Fall on Showtime.

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Blame the Past for Fedor, UFC Drama

It was supposed to be different this time around.

With the collapse of Affliction complete and the list of suitable non-UFC opponents dwindling, the top heavyweight in the world, Fedor Emelianenko, seemed likely to finally sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However despite early reports suggesting that a deal was imminent, we stand here with the two sides as distant as ever, and it comes as no surprise.

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Are Fedor and the UFC Close to a Deal?

Differing reports issued today are insinuating that longtime heavyweight king Fedor Emelianenko may or may not be close to a deal that would finally land him inside the confines of the UFC.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday afternoon that Emelianenko’s management team and the UFC were finalizing a contract that would reportedly be announced as early as this coming Friday. However, Sports Illustrated‘s Josh Gross is now quoting M-1 Global’s Apy Echteld as dismissing Pugmire’s story as “inaccurate”.

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