Zavurov Intent on Turning Magomedov’s Dream Shot into a Nightmare

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The same night Shamil Zavurov successfully defended his welterweight strap in his inaugural outing as Champion, M-1 Global’s 170-pound top dog was invited back into the ring to accept a challenge from the very person who notched the sole defeat on his professional mixed martial arts record. Without hesitation – even with a gleam in his eyes – Zavurov accepted Rashid Magomedov’s request to throw down with a smirk; fans can capture the European warrior in his second title defense LIVE on Thursday, April 28 at 11am EST / 8am PST on the official M-1 Global website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.

Shamil Zavurov improved to 19-1 after completely dominating American scrapper, Tom Gallicchio in a performance that earned him the evening’s Knock Out of the Night award and confirmed why the Dagestan native is considered one of Europe’s top welterweight fighters.

With Gallicchio barley surviving the first round and expelling nearly every ounce of energy he had, the RussFighters team standout smelt blood as Gallicchio showed serious signs of fatigue as they touched gloves to start the second. Setting up a devastating, fatal right-hand that rocked Gallicchio to the canvas dazed and nearly out, Zavurov mounted a punishing, unstoppable ground-and-pound assault that forced the referee to intervene just past the one minute mark, cementing Zavurov’s position as the gate-keeper in the division’s extremely deep talent pool.

Zavurov captured the inaugural M-1 Challenge welterweight championship belt after disposing of Spanish Catalan, Abner Lloveras in what many viewed as a seemingly one-sided fight – something that the champ is known for doing in the majority of his outings.

Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion’s inaugural and reigning welterweight champ has won almost every competition available to him in sound, devastating fashion; a 3-time world champion in Combat Sambo, 2-time champion of the CIS in hand-to-hand combat, winner of international tournaments in wrestling and Wushu Sanda and champion of Dagestan in Wushu Sanda, Zavurov has accumulated more than 50 victories in combat Sambo and 50 victories as an amateur / semi-professional MMA fighter. Flying under the radar of North American fans until recently, Zavurov has amassed a vault of experience.

The crafty Russian’s only defeat come over a year ago via razor-thin split-decision to Rashid Magomedov at the 2009 M-1 Challenge; come April 28th, when the pair meet in the headline bout at M-1 Challenge XXV, Zavurov will aim to leverage his vast vault of experience and make his second outing as champion a successful quest that avenges his sole loss.

Free LIVE broadcast coverage of M-1 Challenge XXV: Zavurov vs. Magomedov 2 from St. Petersburg, Russia will be available to viewers worldwide on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) and select affiliate partner sites starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST on Thursday April 28th.

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.

2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly.

For additional information, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.