In what would be considered the most exciting upset at M-1 Challenge XXII this past December, Rafal ‘Kulturysta’ Moks overcame his underdog status in epic fashion to capture the first-ever M-1 Challenge middleweight title. Fans who blinked missed the action as it took the talented Polish fighter and Berserkers team member a mere 19 seconds to dispose of karate and kick-boxing world champion and veteran M-1, Dream and K-1 Hero’s fighter, Magomed Sultanakhmedov with a tendon-tearing heel-hook which earned him Submission of the Night honors
There is a winner and a loser in every contest and Moks graciously took his shining moment with the M-1 Global executive brass who placed the belt around his waist and proudly sported his new fashion accessory inside the ring.
With Moks knowing he was the clear underdog headed in to the bout, the Berserkers team member spoke about the fight in a recent interview; “There was no way I could stand and trade with Sultanakhmedov. I needed to get this fight to the ground and get it over quickly if I stood any chance of winning.” With a clear game plan in effect, Moks executed perfectly and took the fight to the canvas sooner than expected; his record is decorated with five submission victories so finishing on the ground is second nature; “Leg locks and heel hooks have been highly effective for me and I was hoping that Sultanakhmedov would make a mistake. He did and it worked out very well for me!”
With the victory, Moks improved to 6-2 and became the first-ever M-1 Challenge middleweight champion and sits at the top of his division that has a deep and talented pool of fighters. Unafraid of the competition but knowing that his promising career is better suited in the lighter divisions, Moks has made the tough decision to relinquish his nine-pound championship belt in order to compete as a welterweight.
M-1 Challenge XXIII marks Rafal ‘Kulturysta’ Moks’ first outing in the 170-pound division since vacating the title and he’s set to face Gorec fight team stand-out, Rashid Magomedov. With his conditioning never in question, Moks has proven to critics that he has a chin that can withstand power punches and that his thick, compact, 5’8” frame is comfortable and confident fighting off his back; Moks holds the all keys to continue his Cinderella run with M-1 Global and chase down a shot at the welterweight title currently in the clutches of Shamil Zavurov. Starting on March 5th Moks will look to put together a string of victories to propel him up the contention ladder and into the championship spotlight once again.
