European Plans for M-1 Global
M-1 Global is trying to live up to its name.
After working with former PRIDE staff members on New Year's Eve in Japan and scheduling a U.S. debut for February 2008, the promotion plans to hold multiple shows in Europe.
The German Web site groundandpound.de reported that M-1 Global has scheduled its first German event for April 2008. M-1 Global Vice President Apy Echteld has signed a contract with local promoter "human4guard," which is run by former WKO European Muay Thai champion Human Nikmaslak.
The first event will be a trial run at the 2,000-seat Wandsbeker Sporthalle or the 7,000-seat Sporthalle Hamburg, where Wladimir Klitschko made his first tentative steps in boxing. The second show is likely to take place either at the Kölnarena in Cologne, which holds 20,000 spectators, or the Arena in Oberhausen, which holds 13,000.
Additionally, Nikmaslak revealed that the promotion has plans for six shows in Russia, six shows in Japan and another four events in the Netherlands in the upcoming year.
In order to acquire new talent, which is Echteld's main task within M-1, he is going to employ for the show in Hamburg the same format he used for his 2 Hot 2 Handle "Road to Japan" event last year. There will be five teams -- England, France, Germany, Russia and the Netherlands -- fighting in 165-pound, 187-pound, 209-pound and 209-plus divisions.
Fighters who impress during these "tryout" shows are promoted to bigger events in Holland and Russia. Truly outstanding unsigned talent will be invited to the state-of-the-art Red Devil training center in St. Petersburg to train with the Emelianenko brothers and fighters Roman Zentsov (Pictures) and Amar Suloev (Pictures). They will eventually be offered a long-term contract with the promotion. Think "Ultimate Fighter" without the television show.
Even though it is still a mystery what M-1 Global's first show stateside will look like, it is now certain that the promotion is on a quest to beat the UFC to the punch in Europe.
After working with former PRIDE staff members on New Year's Eve in Japan and scheduling a U.S. debut for February 2008, the promotion plans to hold multiple shows in Europe.
The German Web site groundandpound.de reported that M-1 Global has scheduled its first German event for April 2008. M-1 Global Vice President Apy Echteld has signed a contract with local promoter "human4guard," which is run by former WKO European Muay Thai champion Human Nikmaslak.
The first event will be a trial run at the 2,000-seat Wandsbeker Sporthalle or the 7,000-seat Sporthalle Hamburg, where Wladimir Klitschko made his first tentative steps in boxing. The second show is likely to take place either at the Kölnarena in Cologne, which holds 20,000 spectators, or the Arena in Oberhausen, which holds 13,000.
Additionally, Nikmaslak revealed that the promotion has plans for six shows in Russia, six shows in Japan and another four events in the Netherlands in the upcoming year.
In order to acquire new talent, which is Echteld's main task within M-1, he is going to employ for the show in Hamburg the same format he used for his 2 Hot 2 Handle "Road to Japan" event last year. There will be five teams -- England, France, Germany, Russia and the Netherlands -- fighting in 165-pound, 187-pound, 209-pound and 209-plus divisions.
Fighters who impress during these "tryout" shows are promoted to bigger events in Holland and Russia. Truly outstanding unsigned talent will be invited to the state-of-the-art Red Devil training center in St. Petersburg to train with the Emelianenko brothers and fighters Roman Zentsov (Pictures) and Amar Suloev (Pictures). They will eventually be offered a long-term contract with the promotion. Think "Ultimate Fighter" without the television show.
Even though it is still a mystery what M-1 Global's first show stateside will look like, it is now certain that the promotion is on a quest to beat the UFC to the punch in Europe.
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