Dec 4, 2009 - CLEAN SWEEP BY RUSSIA LEGION TO CAPTURE THE 2009 M-1 CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP CUP

Saint Petersburg, Russia --  A field of sixteen teams began the season in the 2009 "M-1 CHALLENGE " (www.M-1Global.com) earlier this year. With two teams remaining it was time to crown a champion, on December 3, 2009 at the Ice Palace, Team Russia Legion defeated Team USA East in dominating fashion to capture the 2009 M-1 Challenge Championship Cup.

Both teams entered the finals on the heels of impressive semi-final performances, but it was  Russia Legion, who managed to score a perfect evening in their team match up defeating USA East  5-0.

Yuri Ivlev set the tone for the evening getting off to a very quick start against Ivan Jorge.  Ivlev showed impressive striking as he battered a very game Jorge for the majority of round 1. Ivan Jorge mounted an impressive comeback for the first half of round 2 trapping Ivlev in a body triangle in an attempt to secure a rear naked choke and the victory.  But it was Ivlev who would show incredible submission defense and eventually mounted his escape. Ivlev proceeded to punish his opponent until the stoppage at 4:11 of round number 2.

The second fight between Legion and USA East ended even more impressively as Magomed Shikshabekov -- voted the eighth best European MMA prospect by Sherdog.com -- submitted brazillian jiu jitsu black belt Gerson  Dos Santos with a triangle choke.  The win moves, Shikshabekov's professional record to 11-0 and placed Russia Legion in the driver’s seat.

Up 2-0, Legion clinched the championship whenveteran Ansar Chalangov out grappled brazilan jiu jitsu black belt Danilo  Pereira  recording a stunning submission via heel hook at  4:17 of the opening frame.

As light heavyweights Chuck Grigsby  and Besiki Gerenava battled for 15 minutes, it appeared as if the American’s would secure their first victory of the night. But the judges score cards would tell a different story as Gerenava would be awarded a split decision victory. The win set the stage for a perfect night for the Legion fighters.

The final challenge match of the evening proved to be a one sided beat down as Legion heavyweight Gadsimurad Omarov  dominated the popular Lloyd “Kadillac” Marshbanks of Team USA East. What can only be described 14:07 of offense for Omarov came to merciful conclusion as Marshbank’s corner threw in the towel ending the bout at 4:07 of the third round completing the sweep for team Russia Legion. 

Official results are available below:

USA EAST VS. RUSSIA LEGION -

1. Yuri Ivlev (Russia Legion/10-3) defIvan Jorge (USA East/10-1) via TKO 4:11 of Round 2

2.Magomed Shikshabekov (Russia Legion/11-0) def. Dos Santos (USA East/19-4) via submission (triangle)  2:06 of Round 1.

3. Ansar Chalangov (Russia Legion/14-4) def. Danilo  Pereira (USA East/) via submission ( heel hook) 4:17 Round 1.

4. Besiki Gerenava (10-1-1) def. Chuck Grigsby (USA East/19-6) via split decision

5. Gadsimurad Omarov (Russia Leagion) def. Lloyd "Kadillac" Marshbanks (USA East/52-11) via corner stoppage 4:07 of Round 3. Russia Legion def. USA East 5-0

About M-1 GLOBAL (www.m-1global.com) has been one of the leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organizations in the world for over a decade. Home to the undisputed heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi, and Sherdog.com's number one European MMA prospect Karl Amoussou, M-1 has a stable featuring some of the world's greatest fighters. M-1 produces fight series such as the M-1 Challenge, the World Cup of Mixed Martial Arts, the M-1 Selection, and its brand new premium fight series "M-1 Breakthrough."