(PRESS RELEASE) -- Mix Fight M-1 today announced the complete card for the first ever M-1 Challenge. Team Red Devil Russia will face Team Holland for the gold in what is being called "the World Cup of MMA (mixed martial arts)." Broadcast to over 90 countries around the world, including HDNet in the United States, the M-1 Challenge pits teams of five fighters, fighting at weights of 155, 167, 184, under 205 and over 205 lbs., respectively, representing their home countries against each other for international bragging rights, and the title of M-1 Challenge Champion. For ticket information, contact the Emerald Queen Casino Box Office at (888) 831-7655.
Middleweight action will be highlighted when dynamic Holland striker Jason Jones (7-5 ? 1-2) battles Red Devil's Dmitri Samoylo. Red Devil's Erik Oganov (8-8 ? 3-2) will meet Romano de los Reyes (8-6 ? 1-2) of Team Holland in a welterweight war, and at lightweight (154 lbs.), Team Holland's Bogdan Christea (5-3 ? 2-1) will take on Mikhail Malutin (8-6 ? 4-0) of Team Russian Red Devil.
In M-1 Challenge superfight action, welterweight JT Taylor makes his return to MMA after a four year hiatus, taking on Tommy de Pret. Taylor has fought some of MMA's most well-known fighters, including "Mr. International" Shonie Carter, Ronald Jhun, Ryan Schultz, Dennis "Superman" Hallman, and UFC welterweight contender, Chris "Lights Out" Lytle. Kenny Ento has battled UFC veterans Lodune Sincaid, Nate Loughran, Justin Levens, and Jesse Taylor, with submission victories over both Levens and Taylor. He scraps with Whi Seung Bea in a light-heavyweight bout. StrikeForce vet Matt Kovacs takes on Toni Valtonen, and undefeated light-heavyweight prospect Mike Hayes will lock horns with Fysal Abubakar.
The M-1 Challenge presents up-and-coming fighters all over the world with a chance to test their skills, gain valuable experience at the international level, and become the future stars in the sport of MMA, one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Fighters who succeed on the M-1 Challenge's international breeding ground will earn the opportunity to participate in major MMA events presented by M-1 Global and their promotional partners, including Affliction Entertainment. Last week at a press conference in New York City, Affliction announced its partnership with Donald J. Trump. On Tuesday, Michael D. Cohen, Executive Vice President & Special Counsel to Donald Trump, was named Chief Operating Officer for Affliction Entertainment.
"This is an incredible show," said promoter Brian Halquist. "MMA fighters from all over the world are going to descend on Tacoma, Washington for what will be one the biggest, if not the biggest MMA show in Washington State history." Halquist said.
"Its an honor to be working with M-1 and Affliction. This show is spectacular in every aspect. MMA fans will be impressed. It's going to be a night of great MMA in Tacoma," Halquist said.
To purchase tickets go to any Ticketmaster location, by phone at (253) 627-8497 (Tacoma), (206) 628-0888 (Seattle), online at ticketmaster.com or at the Emerald Queen Casino Box Office (888-831-7655).
ABOUT THE COMPANIES:
M-1 Global (http://www.m1mixfight.com) has been one of the leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organizations in the world for over a decade. International MMA stars who have fought under the M-1 banner include the universally accepted number one fighter in the world, "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko, his brother and MMA star Aleksander Emelianenko, current Affliction superstar and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, UFC contender Keith Jardine, StrikeForce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, UFC middleweight Yushin Okami, UFC newcomer Denis Kang, Affliction newcomer Gilbert Yvel, Ben Rothwell, Mike Pyle, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, amongst others.
Brian Halquist Productions is the Northwest premiere fight promotion company, promoter of the famed "Battle at the Boat" boxing series now in its 12th year and nearly 100 fights at the Emerald Queen Casino. In the past year Brain Halquist Productions has promoted events for ESPN, Showtime, and HBO and was featured on Showtime's historic boxing event in St. Lucia. BHP fighters include David Torres, Cruiserweight Eric Fields and Native American Prospect Roger Cantrell. On July 28, 2007, Brian Halquist Productions promoted the Vernon Forrest vs. Carlos Baldomir World Title Fight that was broadcast around the world on HBO. On September 1, 2007, Brian Halquist Productions promoted the Victor Oganov vs. Fulgencio Zuniga fight that was broadcast on Showtime. On January 2007 BHP promoted The Contender Show's Walter Wright on ESPN2 as well as another show in October 2007 featured on Showtime. On August 2, 2008 BHP promoted the Dimitri Kirilov vs. Victor Darchinyan IBF World Title Fight broadcast on Showtime Championship Boxing. Finally on June 7, 2008, Brian Halquist Productions started CageSport, a Mixed Martial Arts Company. Brian Halquist Productions has been promoting fights and concerts for over 20 years in the Pacific Northwest.