M-1 Global debuts tonight on Showtime; execs hope for long-term deal
For now, Showtime is testing the waters with M-1 Global.
But the Russia-based fight promotion hopes that four events scheduled to air on the premium-cable channel will lead to a long-term relationship.
The experiment starts tonight with the broadcast of "M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa," which takes place at the Constant Center in Norfolk, Va., and airs at 11 p.m. ET/PT.
M-1 Global struck a broadcast deal with Showtime in January as part of a contract renegotiation with heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. Three more U.S.-based events are scheduled to air sometime in 2011.
Of course, the recent purchase of Strikeforce by the UFC raised questions about its effects on Showtime's relationship with the California-based promotion and M-1 Global.
While it's unknown how the buyout will affect both companies in the long term, M-1 Global officials said there is no immediate change on the horizon for their company.
"The speed at which the landscape of MMA can change certainly makes for interesting news, but the purchase of Strikeforce does not change our relationship with Showtime in any way," M-1 Global director of operations Evgeni Kogan told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "As for our relationship with Strikeforce, we've enjoyed working together with them in the past and look forward to continuing working together in the future."
Kogan said several M-1 Global events streamed live to fans, including an M-1 Selection event streamed live this past May on MMAjunkie.com, have already laid the groundwork for a successful broadcast on Showtime.
But tonight's show is undoubtedly an important night in the promotion's history.
"We hope that our relationship with Showtime continues long-term regardless of the Strikeforce purchase," Kogan said. "The U.S. is 'the' market to compete in for MMA, and (Showtime executive) Ken Hershman has been vocal about having Showtime televise quality cards showcasing top prospects and lesser-known international stars.
"The M-1 Challenge fits this mold perfectly, and we're excited to be associated with such an incredible partner."
"M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa" features several top European prospects and includes two title fights: lightweight champ Artiom Damkovsky (8-4) makes his first title defense against Jose Figueroa (9-4), and Tyson Jeffries (7-4) meets Magomed Sultanakhmedov (14-5) in a contest for the promotion's vacant middleweight title. Kogan said no major changes are planned for the broadcast format of the event.
Future events are expected to feature other stars in the upcoming promotion: Undefeated heavyweight champion Guram Gugenishvili (11-0), virtually undefeated welterweight champion Shamil Zavurov (14-1) and lightweight contender Daniel Weichel (26-7), who holds a victory over UFC standout Dennis Siver.
"Showcasing a wide array of talent is incredibly important," Kogan said. "M-1 has signed some of Europe's top fighters and will continue to scour the earth looking for more to add our growing roster."
Of course, the European scene has largely been off the radar of most American MMA fans. But that may change after this year.
"The main goal of this event is to showcase exciting, entertaining fights so we make a positive impact with fans and continue to build awareness and popularity inside the U.S and around the world," Kogan said.
The full lineup for "M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa" includes:
MAIN CARD:
•Champ Artiom Damkovsky vs. Jose Figueroa
•Tyson Jeffries vs. Magomed Sultanakhmedov
•Vinny Magalhaes vs. Jake Doerr
•Alexander Sarnavskiy vs. Beau Baker
PRELIMINARY CARD
•Mojo Horne vs. Jason Norwood
•Marcus Daniels vs. Bryan Lashomb
•Stacy Grant vs. Bethany Marshall
•Brian Nielson vs. Colton Smith
•Johnny Curtis vs. Bobby Gurley
•David Derby vs. George Sheppard
•Jason Hillicker vs. Jessie Riggleman
For now, Showtime is testing the waters with M-1 Global.
But the Russia-based fight promotion hopes that four events scheduled to air on the premium-cable channel will lead to a long-term relationship.
The experiment starts tonight with the broadcast of "M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa," which takes place at the Constant Center in Norfolk, Va., and airs at 11 p.m. ET/PT.
M-1 Global struck a broadcast deal with Showtime in January as part of a contract renegotiation with heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. Three more U.S.-based events are scheduled to air sometime in 2011.
Of course, the recent purchase of Strikeforce by the UFC raised questions about its effects on Showtime's relationship with the California-based promotion and M-1 Global.
While it's unknown how the buyout will affect both companies in the long term, M-1 Global officials said there is no immediate change on the horizon for their company.
"The speed at which the landscape of MMA can change certainly makes for interesting news, but the purchase of Strikeforce does not change our relationship with Showtime in any way," M-1 Global director of operations Evgeni Kogan told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "As for our relationship with Strikeforce, we've enjoyed working together with them in the past and look forward to continuing working together in the future."
Kogan said several M-1 Global events streamed live to fans, including an M-1 Selection event streamed live this past May on MMAjunkie.com, have already laid the groundwork for a successful broadcast on Showtime.
But tonight's show is undoubtedly an important night in the promotion's history.
"We hope that our relationship with Showtime continues long-term regardless of the Strikeforce purchase," Kogan said. "The U.S. is 'the' market to compete in for MMA, and (Showtime executive) Ken Hershman has been vocal about having Showtime televise quality cards showcasing top prospects and lesser-known international stars.
"The M-1 Challenge fits this mold perfectly, and we're excited to be associated with such an incredible partner."
"M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa" features several top European prospects and includes two title fights: lightweight champ Artiom Damkovsky (8-4) makes his first title defense against Jose Figueroa (9-4), and Tyson Jeffries (7-4) meets Magomed Sultanakhmedov (14-5) in a contest for the promotion's vacant middleweight title. Kogan said no major changes are planned for the broadcast format of the event.
Future events are expected to feature other stars in the upcoming promotion: Undefeated heavyweight champion Guram Gugenishvili (11-0), virtually undefeated welterweight champion Shamil Zavurov (14-1) and lightweight contender Daniel Weichel (26-7), who holds a victory over UFC standout Dennis Siver.
"Showcasing a wide array of talent is incredibly important," Kogan said. "M-1 has signed some of Europe's top fighters and will continue to scour the earth looking for more to add our growing roster."
Of course, the European scene has largely been off the radar of most American MMA fans. But that may change after this year.
"The main goal of this event is to showcase exciting, entertaining fights so we make a positive impact with fans and continue to build awareness and popularity inside the U.S and around the world," Kogan said.
The full lineup for "M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa" includes:
MAIN CARD:
•Champ Artiom Damkovsky vs. Jose Figueroa
•Tyson Jeffries vs. Magomed Sultanakhmedov
•Vinny Magalhaes vs. Jake Doerr
•Alexander Sarnavskiy vs. Beau Baker
PRELIMINARY CARD
•Mojo Horne vs. Jason Norwood
•Marcus Daniels vs. Bryan Lashomb
•Stacy Grant vs. Bethany Marshall
•Brian Nielson vs. Colton Smith
•Johnny Curtis vs. Bobby Gurley
•David Derby vs. George Sheppard
•Jason Hillicker vs. Jessie Riggleman
