‘Da Tank’ Takes Aim at M-1 Challenge Gold at XXII
Nov 8, 2010
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Prepare for a war; Tom “Da Tank” Gallicchio and
Shamil Zavurov are heading on a collision course at M-1 Challenge
XXII in Moscow, Russia on December 10th as the pair headline M-1
Global’s close-out event of 2010.
“Every once and a while perfect match ups present themselves at the right time and this is one of them,” says M-1 Global’s Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan. “Both guys are aggressive on their feet and on the ground and having the championship belt on the line is certainly adding fuel to this highly anticipated fight.”
When asked about his career in mixed martial arts, Gallicchio
adamantly states that he is still young and is always training to
become a more versatile fighter. “I’ve been dedicated to my
training as I always prefer to fight top-tier competition. I
believe this makes me a better athlete and has a lot to say about
my character. The majority of my victories are by submission and I
know I need to elevate my game in order to evolve... I’m extremely
excited to headline M-1 Challenge XXII and fight for the
championship.”
The New Jersey native and Team Bombsquad fighter called Atlantic City his second home in 2010 as he made three consecutive trips to the city’s boardwalk on route to capturing the M-1 Selection Americas tournament championship; the conquest included knocking off tough opponents in incredible fashion which earned a ‘fight of the night’ award and a ‘submission of the night’ honourable mention.
In his opening bout, Gallicchio clashed with Reggie Pena. With stellar displays of striking reminiscent of a surgeon’s precision, both fighters exchanged shots and found opportunities to go to the canvass where submissions were attempted and countered like a chess match. At several points during the bout, both fighters were caught and nearly submitted in an array of holds ranging from knee-bars, heel-hooks, triangle chokes and guillotines. This was a match that delivered on its pre-event hype in all areas of stand-up striking, grappling and jiujitsu. Going the distance, the judges gave the bout to Gallicchio via split-decision
During his semi finals matchup, “Da Tank” and Aaron Meisner closed out the night in epic fashion. Needing to take a short delay after being hit with an unintentional kick to the groin, Gallicchio engaged Meisner in a striker’s battle and transitioned to submission attempts seamlessly. Meisner responded by securing a textbook Thai clinch and cracked Gallicchio with arena-echoing knees to the head and rib-snapping body kicks that dropped him to the canvass; this all happening in the opening round.
Barley able to answer the bell for the third, Gallicchio came out with fire in his eyes, stalked Meisner to the center of the M-1 ring and unleashed hell on earth. In the middle of furious, heavy exchanges, the pair took to the canvass where Gallicchio stole Meisner’s back and locked in a suffocating, world-class, rear naked choked forcing the submission near the midway point of the frame.
During his Video Diary rant leading into the Finals, Gallicchio made no fuss in his pre-event predictions about winning the tournament which stirred a back-and-forth viral campaign between him and fellow finalist Len Bentley. But after all the trash talk conspired, Gallicchio came out the victor. In his tournament finals bout, Gallicchio seemed more motivated to destroy Bentley and the pair came out at the bell explosively. After ending up in Bentley’s guard, Gallicchio fended off triangle attempts and overwhelmed his opponent with a barrage of punches which eventually led to Bentley giving up his back. Smelling blood, ‘Da Tank’ locked in his signature RNC to capture the first-round submission victory and the tournament’s welterweight championship.
Having won six of his last seven and riding a current three-fight streak, Gallicchio is known for producing highly explosive and entertaining fights making him a fan-favourite on any card he fights on; with his persistent work ethic and relentless drive inside the ring, there is no questioning where he garnered his nickname ‘Da Tank’. Come December 10th in Moscow, Russia, fans expect nothing less from Gallicchio as he closes in on the M-1 Challenge championship belt.
“Every once and a while perfect match ups present themselves at the right time and this is one of them,” says M-1 Global’s Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan. “Both guys are aggressive on their feet and on the ground and having the championship belt on the line is certainly adding fuel to this highly anticipated fight.”
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The New Jersey native and Team Bombsquad fighter called Atlantic City his second home in 2010 as he made three consecutive trips to the city’s boardwalk on route to capturing the M-1 Selection Americas tournament championship; the conquest included knocking off tough opponents in incredible fashion which earned a ‘fight of the night’ award and a ‘submission of the night’ honourable mention.
In his opening bout, Gallicchio clashed with Reggie Pena. With stellar displays of striking reminiscent of a surgeon’s precision, both fighters exchanged shots and found opportunities to go to the canvass where submissions were attempted and countered like a chess match. At several points during the bout, both fighters were caught and nearly submitted in an array of holds ranging from knee-bars, heel-hooks, triangle chokes and guillotines. This was a match that delivered on its pre-event hype in all areas of stand-up striking, grappling and jiujitsu. Going the distance, the judges gave the bout to Gallicchio via split-decision
During his semi finals matchup, “Da Tank” and Aaron Meisner closed out the night in epic fashion. Needing to take a short delay after being hit with an unintentional kick to the groin, Gallicchio engaged Meisner in a striker’s battle and transitioned to submission attempts seamlessly. Meisner responded by securing a textbook Thai clinch and cracked Gallicchio with arena-echoing knees to the head and rib-snapping body kicks that dropped him to the canvass; this all happening in the opening round.
Barley able to answer the bell for the third, Gallicchio came out with fire in his eyes, stalked Meisner to the center of the M-1 ring and unleashed hell on earth. In the middle of furious, heavy exchanges, the pair took to the canvass where Gallicchio stole Meisner’s back and locked in a suffocating, world-class, rear naked choked forcing the submission near the midway point of the frame.
During his Video Diary rant leading into the Finals, Gallicchio made no fuss in his pre-event predictions about winning the tournament which stirred a back-and-forth viral campaign between him and fellow finalist Len Bentley. But after all the trash talk conspired, Gallicchio came out the victor. In his tournament finals bout, Gallicchio seemed more motivated to destroy Bentley and the pair came out at the bell explosively. After ending up in Bentley’s guard, Gallicchio fended off triangle attempts and overwhelmed his opponent with a barrage of punches which eventually led to Bentley giving up his back. Smelling blood, ‘Da Tank’ locked in his signature RNC to capture the first-round submission victory and the tournament’s welterweight championship.
Having won six of his last seven and riding a current three-fight streak, Gallicchio is known for producing highly explosive and entertaining fights making him a fan-favourite on any card he fights on; with his persistent work ethic and relentless drive inside the ring, there is no questioning where he garnered his nickname ‘Da Tank’. Come December 10th in Moscow, Russia, fans expect nothing less from Gallicchio as he closes in on the M-1 Challenge championship belt.
