Press Release – CHICAGO (October 4, 2011) – M-1 GLOBAL announces the full card for the mixed martial arts (MMA) event titled M-1 Challenge XXVII: Guram vs. Garner 2. The bouts from the new 5,500 seat Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona will air LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, October 14 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).
The October 14th event is headlined with the five-round, heavyweight (265 Lbs.) championship bout between undefeated and reigning M-1 Global champion Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) and the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight winner Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (7-3).
In co-main event action, M-1 Global Light Heavyweight (205 Lbs.) Champion and ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion Vinny Magalhaes (8-5) will make his first title defense against versatile Russian fighter Mikhail Zayats (14-5).
“I believe this is one of the most exciting cards we have put on. M-1’s third televised event on SHOWTIME has more depth and the fighters travelling from Europe have a point to prove,” said M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan. “Expect action from the first bell.”
The card also features versatile and feared Russian striker Arthur Guseinov (7-2) versus Eddie ‘Crazy Face’ Arizmendi (15-4) in a middleweight (185 Lbs.) collision
Arthur Guseinov’s last outing was a brief venture inside the ring at the M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner this past July; the high-powered striker knocked out Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries with a spectacular spinning back-fist that was seen throughout North America thanks to making ESPN’s Plays of the Week.
Eddie Arizmendi also fought on that same card; the middleweight sensation overpowered the US Army’s ‘G.I.’ Jason Norwood through nearly two rounds of fighting, landing a devastating right-hand to secure a knockout victory late in the second frame.
Relentless striker Tom Gallicchio (16-6) will take on submission protégé Daniel ‘Blackout’ Madrid (6-2) in welterweight (170 Lbs.) contest. Gallicchio’s run through the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament was one of the toughest passes faced by any of the competitors; he culminated his quest with a high-light reel, rear-naked-choke (RNC) submission victory over Len Bentley. Coming off a follow-up RNC victory over Christopher Curtis, Gallicchio is poised to make another run at the reigning division’s Champion Shamil Zavurov.
Phoenix, Arizona native Daniel Madrid makes his debut with Europe’s leading MMA promotion as the hometown favourite on a stacked televised card on premium cable network SHOWTIME. A versatile submission fighter with a near perfect finishing percentage, Madrid has run the gauntlet of local Arizona talent fighting as an amateur and is ready to compete against a higher level of competition.
Sengoku veteran Yasubey Enomoto (7-3) is going up against dangerous wrestler Josh Thorpe (10-4) in their welterweight bout.
Enomoto is coming off a majority decision win over Rafal Moks at the M-1 Global Ukraine European Battle in June; prior to that he stepped in as a last minute replacement for an injured Rashid Magomedov to compete against M-1 Welterweight champion Shamil Zavurov. Taking the fight on eight days notice, Enomoto lost via unanimous decision in a full five round battle. “I’m going after that title one way or another and next in my path is Thorpe,” said Enomoto. “Zavurov has my belt. I asked him to give it to me once and he didn’t let me take it. Looks like I’ll have to work a bit harder to get to it. Winning over Josh Thorpe is a step closer. I watched two of his fights and he looks like a pretty solid stand up guy with good takedowns. This will be a good fight and I look forward to it.”
Mobile, Alabama native Josh Thorpe lands himself in front of the largest live audience of his career. “This is a big opportunity for me,” said Thorpe. “Enomoto is a skilled fighter but I think he’s in for a surprise when we meet on October 14th. I’m training hard for this and I’m not about to let this opportunity slip away.”
The under-card features a lightweight (155 Lbs.) bout between David Morgan and Silvester Villereal while Mike Chavez and Joe Martinez kick off the night in their welterweight meeting.
Tickets are priced at $35, $40, $50, $75 and $150 and can be purchased at www.GCUArena.com, charge by phone at 602-639-8999 or visit the GCU Arena Box Office located at 3300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85017
For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
Mauro Ranallo will call the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins, Jr.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, photos and much more, please visit http://sports.sho.com