PWInsiderXTRA - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

 
 

COOMPLETE PWINSIDERXTRA LIVE COVERAGE OF M-1 CHALLENGE 68: SHLEMENKO WINS THE GRAND PRIX, VOLKOV DEFENDS THE HEAVYWEIGHT BELT, PUGACHEV WINS THE AMATEUR TOURNAMENT & MORE

By David Tees on 6/16/2016 4:11 PM

Welcome to the PWInsiderXtra.com live coverage of M-1 Challenge 68, live from the Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Fight #1 – M-1 Challenge St. Petersburg Amateur Super Cup Finals: Maksim Pugachev (0-0-0) vs. Murodzhon Kodirov (0-0-0)

Referee: Vyacheslav Kiselev

Round One

The round begins with Pugachev attacking Kodirov with a high kick, the two fighters clinch up for a few moments and they exchange knee strikes. Kodirov starts attacking Pugachev with some leg kicks, Pugachev backs up Kodirov after landing a kick to the midsection. Pugachev scores a takedown on Kodirov and he gets side control, Kodirov sweeps Pugachev and he gets top control. Pugachev nearly catches Kodirov in an arm bar while on his back, Kodirov stands up and he allows Pugachev to stand up as well. Pugachev then cracks Kodirov with a spinning back kick to the midsection, Kodirov scores a takedown on Pugachev after blocking a kick. Kodirov quickly gets up and he allows his opponent to stand up as well, Pugachev scores a takedown on Kodirov and he gets the half guard. Pugachev transitions to side control on Kodirov as the round ends.

Round Two

The round begins with Pugachev attacking Kodirov with a bunch of rights, Pugachev scores a takedown on Kodirov and he immediately postures up. Pugachev attacks Kodirov with strikes before allowing him to stand up, Pugachev then cracks a spinning Kodirov with a spinning back fist. Kodirov drags Pugachev to the ground, Pugachev rolls for the knee bar and Kodirov scrambles to break free to get the fight standing again. Pugachev cracks Kodirov with an uppercut before scoring another takedown, Pugachev transitions to the full mount on Kodirov. Pugachev scrambles to get the north/south position on Kodirov, Pugachev attacks Kodirov with strikes as the round ends.

Fight Result: Maksim Pugachev def. Murodzhon Kodiriov by decision

Fight #2 - M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Division Fight: Daniil Arepyev (5-0-0) vs. Anton Vyazigin (5-1-0)

Referee: Marco Broerson

Round One

The round begins with Vyazigin attacking Arepyev with a punching combination, Arepyev grabs a hold of Vyazigin and he holds him against the ropes. Arepyev goes for the takedown and Vyazigin winds up in top position, Vyazigin starts attacking Arepyev with some ground and pound. Arepyev briefly gets back to his feet and Vyazigin drags him right back to the ground, Vyazigin gains side control as he catches Arepyev with more strikes. Vyazigin transitions to the full mount on Arepyev, Vyazigin starts attacking Arepyev with a plethora of ground and pound until the round ends.

Round Two

The round begins with Vyazigin scoring a takedown on Arepyev, Arepyev nearly catches Vyazigin in the guillotine choke. Arepyev tries attacking Vyazigin with some strikes while on his back, Vyazigin transitions to side control on Arepyev after escaping a triangle choke attempt. Arepyev quickly forces Vyazigin back into the half guard position, Vyazigin starts attacking Arepyev with some ground and pound. Vyazigin regains the side control position on Arepyev after escaping another triangle choke attempt, Vyazigin returns to the full mount as well as he lands more strikes. Vyazigin attacks Arepyev with a lot of ground and pound until the round ends.

Round Three

The round begins with Arepyev attacking Vyazigin with some punching combinations, Vyazigin goes for the takedown and both fighters go through the ropes and crash on the staging below. The referee resets the fighters and the same exact thing happens on the next takedown attempt, the referee resets the fighters and the action resumes with Arepyev rocking Vyazigin with punching combinations. Vyazigin grabs a hold of Arepyev and he holds him up against the ropes, the referee separates the fighters and Vyazigin attacks Arepyev with a punching combination. The fighters stand in the center of the ring and have a wild striking exchange, Vyazigin again holds Arepyev up against the ropes. The referee separates the fighters and Arepyev stuffs the takedown from Vyazigin, the referee again separates the fighters for inactivity and Arepyev nails Vyazigin with some rights. Arepyev scores a takedown and he catches Vyaziigin in the crucifix position, Arepyev attacks Vyazigin with a bunch of strikes. Arepyev goes for the kimura as the round ends.

Fight Result: Anton Vyazigin def. Daniil Arepyev by decision

Fight #3 – M-1 Challenge Welterweight Division Fight: Danila Prikaza (3-0-1) vs. Maksim Grabovich (3-1-0)

Referee: Viktor Korneev

Round One

The round begins with Prikaza attacking Grabovich with some high kicks, Prikaza also starts nailing Grabovich with some leg kicks. Grabovich accidentally kicks Prikaza low and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Prikaza hitting Grabovich with a right to the midsection. Grabovich responds by nailing Prikaza with a kick to the midsection, both fighters just start attacking each other with punching combinations. Prikaza backs up Grabovich after landing another kick to the midsection, Prikaza charges forward at Grabovich while throwing some wild punches. Grabovich scores a takedown on Prikaza and he gets the full guard, Grabovich starts attacking Prikaza with some ground and pound until the round ends.

Round Two

The round begins with Prikaza attacking Grabovich with some leg kicks, Grabovich attacks Prikaza with punching combinations. Grabovich starts clobbering Prikaza with single punch attacks, Prikaza starts coming forward on Grabovich while throwing punches. Grabovich scores a takedown on Prikaza and he gets the half guard, Prikaza eventually forces Grabovich into the full guard. Grabovich starts nailing Prikaza with some ground and pound, Prikaza uses a kimura sweep to get top position and back control on Grabovich. Grabovich scrambles to get the fight standing and he scores another takedown on Prikaza as the round ends.

Round Three

The round begins with Grabovich taking a few swings at Prikaza, Grabovich also starts attacking Prikaza with some leg kicks. Grabovich then lands a head kick of Prikaza that grazes the top of his head, Grabovich scores a takedown on Prikaza and he gets the full guard. Grabovich quickly starts attacking Prikaza with ground and pound, Grabovich transitions to the half guard on Prikaza. Grabovich transitions to side control on Prikaza after a scramble, Prikaza attempts a d’arce choke from his back and that attempt gets the fight standing. Grabovich escapes the choke and he scores another takedown on Prikaza, Grabovich goes back to attacking Prikaza with some ground and pound. Grabovich transitions to back control on Prikaza, Prikaza shakes Grabovich off of him to get the fight standing again. Grabovich holds Prikaza against the ropes as the round ends.

Fight Result: Maksin Grabovich def. Danila Prikaza by decision

Fight #4 – M-1 Challenge Featherweight Division Fight: Mikhail Kuznetsov (5-1-0) vs. Andrey Lezhnev (7-5-0)

Referee: Vyacheslav Kiselev

Round One

The round begins with Kuznetsov attacking Lezhnev with some leg kicks, Lezhnev responds by landing some leg kicks of his own. Kuznetsov then cracks Lezhnev with a right to the midsection, Lezhnev starts catching Kuznetsov with some jabs as well. Kuznetsov then cracks a kicking Lezhnev with a counter right, Lezhnev grabs a hold of Kuznetsov and he holds him against the ropes before scoring a takedown. Kuznetsov stands up with Lezhnev still on his back, Lezhnev locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.

Fight Result: Andrey Lezhnev def. Mikhail Kuznetsov by submission via rear naked choke (R1)

Fight #5 – M-1 Challenge Lightweight Division Fight: Alexey Makhno (12-4-0) vs. Felipe Rego (7-2-0)

Referee: Viktor Korneev

Round One

The round begins with Makhno attacking Rego with some ground and pound, Makhno keeps Rego at a distance by peppering him with jabs. Rego charges forward and levels Makhno with a series of punches, Makhno then cracks Rego with a kick to the midsection. Makhno scores a takedown on Rego and he gets the half guard, Makhno starts attacking Rego with some ground and pound.

(Note: The feed from Russia provided by M-1 Challenge went black for a few minutes, the feed returned live as the fighters were halfway through round two, which is where our coverage will resume.)

Round Two

The action resumes with Makhno in the full guard of Rego and he is landing some strikes, Rego does his best to attack Makhno with strikes while on his back. Makhno catches Rego with some more ground and pound as the round ends.

Round Three

The round begins with Makhno quickly attacking Rego with a two punch combination, Rego starts popping Makhno with a bunch of lefts. Makhno starts hunting for the takedown as Rego nails him with a knee strike, Makhno scores a takedown on Rego and he gets side control. Makhno starts attacking Rego with some ground and pound, Makhno also attacks Makhno with some knee strikes while on the ground. Makhno transitions to the half guard position on Rego, Rego eventually forces Makhno into his full guard. Makhno continues attacking Rego with as many strikes as he can while they are on the ground until the round ends.

Fight Result: Alexey Makhno def. Felipe Rego by decision

Fight #6 – M-1 Challenge Middleweight Division Fight: Valery Myasnikov (10-1-1) vs. Enoc Solves Torres (17-9-0)

Referee: Vyacheslav Kiselev

Round One

The round begins with Torres instantly cracks Myasnikov with an overhand right, Myasnikov scores a takedown on Torres and he gets the open guard. Torres scrambles to his feet before scoring a takedown on Myasnikov, Torres quickly transitions to back control on Myasnikov. Torres then advances to a backside crucifix position on Myasnikov, Torres rolls for the arm bar and Myasnikov scrambles to escape and get the fight standing again. Torres then cracks Myasnikov with a straight right, the two fighters have an amazing striking exchange while they are near the ropes. Torres backs up Myasnikov after cracking him with a left hook, Torres scores a takedown on Myasnikov and he gets the open guard. Torres attacks Myasnikov with some ground and pound as the round ends.

Round Two

The round begins with Torres taking some wild swings at Myasnikov, Myasnikov then attacks Torres with a high kick for good measure. Torres then cracks an incoming Myasnikov with a counter right, Torres follows that up by nailing Myasnikov with a push kick. Myasnikov recovers and hits a swinging Torres with a counter right, Torres recovers and rocks Myasnikov with an overhand right. Torres starts hunting for some takedowns on Myasnikov, Myasnikov mixes in some leg kicks in his attack on Torres. Torres clinches with Myasnikov before catching him with a knee strike, Myasnikov tosses Torres to the ground before allowing him to stand up. Myasnikov attacks Torres with more leg kicks as the round ends.

Round Three

The round begins with Torres instantly hunting for takedowns on Myasnikov, Myasnikov starts popping Torres with some leg kicks. Myasnikov then cracks Torres with a front kick to the face, Torres comes forward and he catches Myasnikov with a punching combination. Torres charges forward and lands a left hook on Myasnikov, Myasnikov dances around Torres while peppering him with jabs. Myasnikov rocks Torres momentarily after landing another front kick to the face, Torres responds by nailing Myasnikov with an overhand right. Myasnikov looks for the takedown and Torres rolls for the arm bar as the round ends.

Fight Result: Enoc Solves Torres fights Valery Myasnikov to a draw

Fight #7 – M-1 Challenge Catchweight Division Fight: Abukar Yandiev (7-1-0) vs. Anthony Christodoulou (12-6-0)

Referee: Viktor Korneev

Round One

The round begins with Yandiev attacking Christodoulou with leg kicks, Christodoulou attempts a jump guillotine and Yandiev slams him to the ground to escape. Christodoulou pulls guard on Yandiev to keep the fight on the ground, Yandiev traps Christodoulou in the crucifix position. Yandiev starts attacking Christodoulou with a bunch of strikes, Yandiev locks Christodoulou in a key lock and a tap out follows.

Fight Result: Abukar Yandiev def. Anthony Christodoulou by submission via key lock (1:23, R1)

Fight #8 - M-1 Challenge Welterweight Division Fight: Sergey Romanov (8-1-0) vs. Andreas Birgels (12-9-0)

Referee: Vyacheslav Kiselev

Round One

The round begins with Birgels quickly attacking Romanov with leg kicks, Romanov responds by kicking Birgel in the midsection. Birgels charges at Romanov while throwing strikes, Romanov scores a takedown and both fighters stand up after a scramble. Romanov scores another takedown on Birgels and he gets the top position, Romanov starts attacking Birgels with some ground and pound. Romanov transitions to the half guard on Birgels while landing more strikes, Romanov then gains the full mount and he lands a ton of strikes on Birgels that forces the referee to jump in.

Fight Result: Sergey Romanov def. Andreas Birgels by TKO via strikes (2:55, R1)

Fight #9 - M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Title Fight: Alexander Volkov (24-6-0) (Champion) vs. Attila Vegh (29-6-2)

Referee: Marco Broerson

Round One

The round begins with Volkov attacking Vegh with a few front kicks, Vegh responds by attacking Volkov with some punching combination. Volkov then drops Vegh with a punching combination, Vegh recovers and he levels Volkov with a left hook. Vegh grabs a hold of Volkov and he holds him up against the rope for a few moments, Vegh then pops Volkov with a right. Volkov then nails an incoming Vegh with a knee strike to the midsection, Volkov eats a bunch of strikes coming forward. Volkov drops Vegh with a punching combination and he pounces on him with more strikes until the referee jumps in.

Fight Result: Alexander Volkov def. Attila Vegh by TKO via strikes (2:38, R1) to retain the M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Title

Main Event - M-1 Challenge 2016 Middleweight Grand Prix Finals: Alexander Shlemenko (52-9-1) vs. Slava Vasilevsky (27-4-0)

Referee: Marco Broersen

Round One

The round begins with Shlemenko attacking Vasilevsky with leg kicks, Vasilevsky charges at Shlemenko and he eats a knee strike for his efforts. Shlemenko then backs up Vasilevsky after landing a straight right, Vasilevsky grabs a hold of Shlemenko and he eats a knee strike again. Vasilevsky uses his dirty boxing against Shlemenko as he holds him on the ropes, Shlemenko breaks free and he attacks Vasilevsky with combinations. Shlemenko rocks Vasilevsky with a right hook and he charges at him while throwing more strikes, Shlemenko chases Vasilevsky around the ring while throwing strikes. Shlemenko then pops Vasilevsky with a looping left, Shlemenko continues attacking Vasilevsky with as many punching combinations as he can. Vasilevsky grabs a hold of Shlemenko and he holds him against the ropes, Vasilevsky goes back to using his dirty boxing against Shlemenko until the round ends.

Round Two

The round begins with Shlemenko attacking Vasilevsky with punching combination, Shlemenko then kicks Vasilevsky right in the midsection. Vasilevsky then holds Shlemenko against the ropes while using his dirty boxing, Shlemenko does his best to attack Vasilevsky while his back is against the ropes. Shlemenko is also landing the occasional knee strike on Vasilevsky, Vasilevsky scores a takedown on Shlemenko and he gets the half guard. The referee stands up the fighters for inactivity and Shlemenko swings away at Vasilevsky, Shlemenko pops Vasilevsky with a left hook before he is again forced onto the ring ropes. William Morris Endeavor Agency and The Dalian Wanda Group cracks Shlemenko with a straight right as the round ends.

Round Three

The round begins with Vasilevsky attacking Shlemenko with punching combinations, Vasilevsky scores a takedown on Shlemenko and he gets the open guard. Vasilevsky transitions to the half guard on Shlemenko, Vasilevsky then gets back control and Shlemenko quickly shakes him off to get the fight standing. Shlemenko catches Vasilevsky in a guillotine choke from out of nowhere to force a tap out.

Fight Result: Alexander Shlemenko def. Slava Vasilevsky by submission via guillotine choke (2:09, R3)