‘The Italian Tank’ is Rolling With Three-in-a-row
Dec 20, 2010
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Notching his third straight win after bringing
the fight to Arthur Guseinov at M-1 Challenge XXII, Luigi ‘The
Italian Tank’ Fioravanti is feeling pretty festive this holiday
season. “These last fights have been steadily building confidence
and I want to keep this rolling,” said the Orlando, Florida native
and famed American Top Team fighter who’s fought a lengthy list of
notables.
With some good ‘ol fashioned dirty boxing and grueling ground and pound, Fioravanti was able to sink in a suffocating rear-naked-choke submission on Guseinov at the :35 second mark of the bout’s overtime round. With the judges declaring the bout a controversial draw after the scheduled 15 minutes, the former US Marine refused to let anyone other than himself decide the final outcome. “I felt good in the fight but really struggled to get situated with the time difference in Moscow. Obviously I would have liked to have finished the fight earlier but I’m still feeling great about the submission win.” The performance was a testament to Fioravanti’s conditioning and heart and is well deserving of the shared M-1 Challenge XXI Fight of the Night honor.
As the clear-cut antagonist in Guseinov’s native country, the scene
resembled a throwback to Rocky IV with the crowd laying into the
American fighter from the get go. But as Guseinov continued to
execute questionable antics, such as delivering a definitive
illegal kick to the head of his downed opponent and deliberately
delaying answering the bell between rounds, the once hostile crowd
was quickly in favor of Fioravanti’s unbreakable will. “It was an
amazing feeling to hear the crowd start cheering for me. Having his
home-town crowd take my side was a perfect answer to such a poor
display of sportsmanship.” Adding to the appalling behavior,
Guseinov enticed Fioravanti to touch gloves; as Fioravanti went to
respond, he ended up eating a cheap-shot spinning back-kick to the
midsection which immediately set the crowd singing a chorus of
boo’s.
Now riding a three fight win streak, Fioravanti will look to make his return back to confines of the M-1 Global ring in 2011. “M-1 Global has treated me extremely well. The executives are amazingly cool and down to earth and really go out of their way to help their fighters. I can’t wait to get back in the ring for them. Not only is it an incredible experience fighting but the opportunity to see new places around the world is a great perk. ”
After spending five months in Iraq, Fioravanti continued training and began his professional career in early 2004 with his successful debut against future TUF 9 competitor, Kiel Reid, via first-round submission at Obaktagon Challenge 1. Not looking to slow down after his first fight, Fioravanti put his foot on the throttle and quickly racked up an impressive string of victories and has fought such notables as Chris Leben, Jon Fitch, Luke Cummo, Dave Menne and Diego Sanchez. Seems ‘The Italian Tank’ is steadfast in his tracks once again.
2011 includes a full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe. These are the mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly.
With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets.
Go to www.M-1Global.com for additional information.
About M-1 Global:
Founded in 1998, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles and affiliates in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand stages its M-1 Selection and M-1 Challenge events worldwide and its co-produced Strikeforce events in the United States; captivating the live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups. 2011 marks a breakthrough year for this MMA powerhouse. With two Selections tournaments across Eastern & Western Europe and North America and a full calendar of Challenge events, M-1 Global’s World Champions will rank amongst the greatest in the sport and the contention system will fuel spectacular cards around the world.
M-1 Global’s greatest asset is the number one heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko. With daily coverage on all MMA-related websites in the world, and articles in Time Magazine, LA times and New York times, Fedor and M-1 Global make a lifetime match serving as the catalyst to grow MMA in the 21st century.
With some good ‘ol fashioned dirty boxing and grueling ground and pound, Fioravanti was able to sink in a suffocating rear-naked-choke submission on Guseinov at the :35 second mark of the bout’s overtime round. With the judges declaring the bout a controversial draw after the scheduled 15 minutes, the former US Marine refused to let anyone other than himself decide the final outcome. “I felt good in the fight but really struggled to get situated with the time difference in Moscow. Obviously I would have liked to have finished the fight earlier but I’m still feeling great about the submission win.” The performance was a testament to Fioravanti’s conditioning and heart and is well deserving of the shared M-1 Challenge XXI Fight of the Night honor.
Advertisement
Now riding a three fight win streak, Fioravanti will look to make his return back to confines of the M-1 Global ring in 2011. “M-1 Global has treated me extremely well. The executives are amazingly cool and down to earth and really go out of their way to help their fighters. I can’t wait to get back in the ring for them. Not only is it an incredible experience fighting but the opportunity to see new places around the world is a great perk. ”
Like many of today’s talented fighters, Fioravanti is more than
just a mixed martial artist, he served his country with pride and
honor. Joining the Marines directly after high school, Fioravanti
was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and began training in
various martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing
while stationed in California and Iraq.
After spending five months in Iraq, Fioravanti continued training and began his professional career in early 2004 with his successful debut against future TUF 9 competitor, Kiel Reid, via first-round submission at Obaktagon Challenge 1. Not looking to slow down after his first fight, Fioravanti put his foot on the throttle and quickly racked up an impressive string of victories and has fought such notables as Chris Leben, Jon Fitch, Luke Cummo, Dave Menne and Diego Sanchez. Seems ‘The Italian Tank’ is steadfast in his tracks once again.
2011 includes a full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe. These are the mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly.
With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets.
Go to www.M-1Global.com for additional information.
About M-1 Global:
Founded in 1998, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles and affiliates in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand stages its M-1 Selection and M-1 Challenge events worldwide and its co-produced Strikeforce events in the United States; captivating the live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups. 2011 marks a breakthrough year for this MMA powerhouse. With two Selections tournaments across Eastern & Western Europe and North America and a full calendar of Challenge events, M-1 Global’s World Champions will rank amongst the greatest in the sport and the contention system will fuel spectacular cards around the world.
M-1 Global’s greatest asset is the number one heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko. With daily coverage on all MMA-related websites in the world, and articles in Time Magazine, LA times and New York times, Fedor and M-1 Global make a lifetime match serving as the catalyst to grow MMA in the 21st century.