M-1 Challenge 55 kicks-off new season Feb. 21 in Georgia Event dedicated to memory of Guram Gugenishvili

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Jan. 5, 2015) -- M-1 Global has announced its 2015 M-1 Challenge schedule of events, kicking-off February 21 with M-1 Challenge 55, dedicated to the memory of M-1 Challenge's first heavyweight champion, Guram Gugenishvili, at Tbilisi, Georgia. M-1 Global will promote a total of 12 M-1 Challenge events in 2015, including seven in Russia as well as single events in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China and Czech Republic. Gugenishvili (12-2-0, 1 KO/TKO, 10 SUB) died this past November in a car accident.   The 6' 5", 249-pound Gugenishvili was from Tbilisi, Georgia, which was chosen as the site of M-1 Challenge 55 as a tribute to him. The M-1 Challenge 55 card will soon be announced.   Below find a 2015 M-1 Challenge promotional link about its 2015 season plus a Gugenishvili photo gallery:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqUEUe3cJiQ&feature=youtu.be   Guram Gugenishvili (L) vs. Kenny Garner Guram Gugenishvili  Guram Gugenishvili (R) is crowned by M-1 Global promoter  Vadim Finkelchtein as the first M-1 Challenge heavyweight cvhampion  All M-1 Challenge events will be streamed live in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets. Fight Network will air M-1 Global live events on Cablevision's Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, as well as on Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Information     www.M-1Global.com     www.mixfight.ru     www.WMMAA.org   www.M1Global.TV Instagram: @M1Global @VadimFinkelchteinM1 @M1GlobalNews Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244  ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world's next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and matchups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport's top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global's Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global's greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko. ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV:  Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you byM-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

GYM signs Canadian Olympian Custio Clayton To make pro debut Dec. 19 in Quebec City

MONTREAL (Nov. 28, 2014) -- The best amateur boxer in Canada for more than five years, Custio Clayton, has signed a long-term agreement with Groupe Yvon MichelInc. (GYM). The leader of the Canadian National Team in recent years, Clayton captured   six national titles. He represented Canada at many international tournaments including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and 2014 in Glasgow, 2013 World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan and 2011 in Baku, Azerbaijan, highlighted by his participation in the 2012 Olympics in London. Clayton is best remembered for becoming first Canadian boxer to win two Olympic matches since silver-medalist David Defiagbon at 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Afterdisposing of Oscar Molina, of Mexico, and Cameron Hammond, of Australia, Clayton lost a 14-14 tiebreaker to the eventual silver medalist, Welsh Fred Evans, depriving Clayton of an Olympic medal by the tiniest margin. In 2013, the AIBA ranked him the No. 6 welterweight (152 lbs., 69 kg.). Bernard Barré, head of recruitment at GYM, has only the highest praise for Clayton."Since the inception of our organization, he said, "we made a point to sign the greatest Canadian boxers. Clayton is part of this group that, before him, includes Adonis Stevenson, Jean Pascal and Andrew Kooner.  Custio Clayton developed into the star of the Canadian National Team during his amateur career at a small gym with limited Nova Scotia resources. In this context his amateur trainer, Gary Johnson, did miraculous works. We are convinced that, in his new framework, Clayton will develop his full potential and achieve great success."    Clayton, 27, is delighted to join GYM: "Signing with GYM, led by Yvon Michel, is what I've always wanted," Clayton commented. "I am very proud he has given me this opportunity. I had six concrete offers, including two from the US, but I am convincedthat my chances of success are best with GYM, one of the best and proven organizations in the world." Team Clayton also includes his manager, Douggy Berneche, and Canadian National Team coach Daniel Trépanier. They will provide Clayton with all of the required specialists for his professional career. He recently moved to Montreal and his family will join him there in early 2015. His first professional fight will take place December 19 at the Quebec City Coliseum.His opponent will be announced shortly. He will fight as super welterweight (154 lbs.) division. "Custio is already a very mature boxer who will quickly go through the steps and end up in the world elite of his division before long," Berneche added. "Making his prodebut on a program headlined by world champion Adonis "Superman" Stevenson defending his crown, also featuring future superstar Artur Beterbiev and Andre Dirrell on the same card being televised by the prestigious boxing network, Showtime, will be inspiring for Custio to start his pro career in style." The next GYM event will take place Dec. 19 at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City. Tickets are on sale at Pepsi Coliseum box office in Quebec (418-691-7211) or by calling1 (800) 900-7469, GYM at (514) 383-0666 and Champion Boxing Club (514)376-0980, and online at www.billetech.com, Ticket prices range from $25 to $ 250 onthe floor.

Amateur star Emmanuel 'Manny' Rodriguez in action this Saturday

Former Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games gold medalist, and Azerbaijan's 2010 World Youth Championships silver medalist, Emmanuel 'Manny' Rodriguez ( 5-0, 4 KO's ) from Puerto Rico is set to return Saturday, August 24 at the Pedro Julio Nolasco Coliseum in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

His opponent will be the undefeated Dominican, Edward Vargas ( 2-0, 1 KO's, 1 no contest ) in a 6 round scheduled bout at 115 pounds.

"I'm very happy with this fight because I going to my opponent's backyard to prove my quality and keep learning on every fight" 20-year-old, Rodriguez said,"I want to thank 'Orlandito' del Valle, Jose 'Chiquiro' Martinez, ammong others for helping me in sparring, and the fans can expect the best of me on Saturday".

Rodriguez trains in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico under the tutelage of Félix Pagan Pintor, and former two division world champion, Iván Calderón.

"They have helped me a lot, everyday is a completely new experience for me, and that keeps me motivated, thanks to them, and my manager Juan Orengo, I'm on track", added Rodriguez.

Other amateur boxing achievements by Emmanuel 'Manny' Rodriguez:

GOLD - Juan Evangelista Venegas Olympic Cup, 2009
GOLD - International Tournament Jose "Cheo" Aponte, Caguas, 2009
GOLD - Juan Evangelista Venegas Olympic Cup, 2010
GOLD - Angel 'Cholo' Espada Cup, Salinas, 2011
2011 Puerto Rico National Champion

Download link for Rodriguez training video

https://www.hightail.com/download/bWJxYnUrUzdYSHhqQTlVag