Zavurov Looks to Stop ‘Da Tank’ In His Tracks at M-1 Challenge XXIII

(PRESS RELEASE) -- M-1 Global’s welterweight division is proving to be an extremely deep pool of talented athletes to draw from with every fighter scrambling to earn an opportunity to make Zavurov’s reign short lived. With time ticking down to M-1 Challenge XXIII, Zavurov is set to defend his title for the first time against tough-as-iron, Tom ‘Da Tank’ Gallicchio in a clash fans have been drooling for since both men won their respective M-1 Selection tournament regions. The pair collide Saturday March 5th inside the Crocus City Arena in Moscow, Russia and viewers worldwide can catch the action LIVE on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST.

Hailing from Dagestan, Russia, Shamil Zavurov is one of Europe’s top welterweight prospects with an impressive 18-1 record and holds 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, Zavurov recently spoke out and praised Lloveras for stepping in as a late replacement in the championship contest and coming more prepared than he ever thought possible. “I knew that he was a striker with the majority of wins coming by early knockout. Naturally, I began to drag him to the ground to neutralize his strengths. But it turns out he specially prepared to fight me on the ground. Not only was he able to defend, Lloveras was constantly working for submissions – armbars, triangles...”

With the crafty Russian’s only defeat coming over a year ago when he lost a close split-decision to Rashid Magomedov, the gritty RussFighters team standout is up to the test that Gallicchio represents in his first outing as the promotion’s champion.

Zavurov 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.

When Zavurov faces the Americas Selections tournament winner, Tom ‘Da Tank’ Gallicchio, in the co-main event at M-1 Challenge XXIII on March 5th, he’ll be paired up against an equally unrelenting fighting style and toughness; smart money has this tilt delivering on ‘fight of the night’ expectations.

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