Goliath vs. Goliath in M-1 Challenge XXIII’s Heavyweight Title Showdown
Jan 10, 2011
(PRESS RELEASE) -- The main event title fight at M-1 Challenge
XXIII on March 5th from the Crocus City Arena in Moscow, Russia
marks the first defense for Georgian powerhouse, Guram
Gugenishvili, in a bout that critics have him pegged as the heavy
favourite. But if you dig deeper in to the record of opponent Maxim
Grishin, Eastern Europe’s 2010 M-1 Selection tournament winner,
this contest is likely closer than originally thought. Sure Guram
is undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record but Grishin has fought
stiff competition through his entire young career and all his
losses come at the hands of .500+ fighters. This fight has
potential to be a proverbial barn-burner with the champ looking for
a decapitation while the challenger is looking to knock the champ’s
head clean off.
Fighting out of Makariv, Kiev Oblast in the Ukraine and training with Makfight, Gugenishvili has quietly amassed his undefeated record on route to capturing the M-1 Selection 2010 Eastern European title and M-1 Challenge heavyweight crown. What’s most notable about this prospect is his agility and methodically calm movement within the ring as the seemingly emotionless giant stalks and locks in submissions. In the headline bout at M-1 Challenge XXI, American Top Team heavyweight, Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner was Gugenishvili’s latest victim after being choked unconscious with a standing guillotine that earned Submission of the Night honours
No one to date has been able to expose holes in his abilities.
Nearly all his victories have ended early in the first round and
six of these come by way of suffocating, anaconda-like rear naked
chokes. With game plans based on sound submission principles
proving to be effective, Guram will likely look to close the
distance quickly and capitalize on every opportunity to take
Grishin to the canvas for an early tap or stoppage.
Red Devil Sport’s Club fighter Maxim Grishin however has spent time around top calibre athletes such as the great Fedor Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Amar Suloev and Arman Gambaryan which has certainly rubbed off on the heavyweight prospect. His hard-fought and well-earned 7-4 record as a professional mixed martial artist includes tough losses against Shane del Rosario and Dawid Baziak so the mystique that Guram’s record brings isn’t anything that will shake Grishin’s mental toughness.
But being the toughest bout in his career, Grishin understands the position he is up against and knows the road to gold goes through Guram. Speaking recently, Grishin was open about his thoughts on the champ, “He’s a well-rounded fighter, that’s why I have to be prepared for anything. I’m training for a war in the ring but hopefully I can finish it fast.”
Tipping the scales near the 225 pound mark, Grishin would be considered a small heavyweight fighter in comparison to his counterpart as its anticipated that Guram will hold a 25 pound weight advantage. But Grishin is as strong and powerful as any heavyweight today and his striking capabilities are as fast as a lightweight with the precision of a surgeon; when you combine this striking style with his natural power, there’s no wonder why five of his seven victories come by way of TKO.
Simply put Grishin will need to maintain distance and avoid giving up his back should an eventual Guram takedown attempt be successful. His keys to delivering a stunning upset lay in his ability to maintain movement within the ring to avoid getting cornered and ensuring he delivers the quick offensive striking combinations he’s been successful with in order to keep Guram at bay.
The pair were originally set to meet at M-1 Challenge XXI this past October however a training injury forced Grishin to withdraw. Now healed up and ready for action, Grishin, the definitive underdog, is on a mission to dethrone Guram before his reign even begins.
Fans can catch the action from the Crocus City arena in Moscow, Russia on Saturday, March 5th by tuning in to the official live stream on M-1 Global website, www.M-1Global.com at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST.
Fighting out of Makariv, Kiev Oblast in the Ukraine and training with Makfight, Gugenishvili has quietly amassed his undefeated record on route to capturing the M-1 Selection 2010 Eastern European title and M-1 Challenge heavyweight crown. What’s most notable about this prospect is his agility and methodically calm movement within the ring as the seemingly emotionless giant stalks and locks in submissions. In the headline bout at M-1 Challenge XXI, American Top Team heavyweight, Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner was Gugenishvili’s latest victim after being choked unconscious with a standing guillotine that earned Submission of the Night honours
Advertisement
Red Devil Sport’s Club fighter Maxim Grishin however has spent time around top calibre athletes such as the great Fedor Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Amar Suloev and Arman Gambaryan which has certainly rubbed off on the heavyweight prospect. His hard-fought and well-earned 7-4 record as a professional mixed martial artist includes tough losses against Shane del Rosario and Dawid Baziak so the mystique that Guram’s record brings isn’t anything that will shake Grishin’s mental toughness.
But being the toughest bout in his career, Grishin understands the position he is up against and knows the road to gold goes through Guram. Speaking recently, Grishin was open about his thoughts on the champ, “He’s a well-rounded fighter, that’s why I have to be prepared for anything. I’m training for a war in the ring but hopefully I can finish it fast.”
Tipping the scales near the 225 pound mark, Grishin would be considered a small heavyweight fighter in comparison to his counterpart as its anticipated that Guram will hold a 25 pound weight advantage. But Grishin is as strong and powerful as any heavyweight today and his striking capabilities are as fast as a lightweight with the precision of a surgeon; when you combine this striking style with his natural power, there’s no wonder why five of his seven victories come by way of TKO.
Simply put Grishin will need to maintain distance and avoid giving up his back should an eventual Guram takedown attempt be successful. His keys to delivering a stunning upset lay in his ability to maintain movement within the ring to avoid getting cornered and ensuring he delivers the quick offensive striking combinations he’s been successful with in order to keep Guram at bay.
The pair were originally set to meet at M-1 Challenge XXI this past October however a training injury forced Grishin to withdraw. Now healed up and ready for action, Grishin, the definitive underdog, is on a mission to dethrone Guram before his reign even begins.
Fans can catch the action from the Crocus City arena in Moscow, Russia on Saturday, March 5th by tuning in to the official live stream on M-1 Global website, www.M-1Global.com at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST.
