Zavurov vs Enomoto
Coming in as a late replacement to face M-1’s reigning Welterweight Champion Shamil Zavurov (20-1) at M-1 Challenge XXV, 27 year old Swiss mixed martial artist Yasubey Enomoto (6-3) went the full 25 minutes in a tough unanimous decision loss. Although this technically sound prospect made an impact in his first outing with Europe’s leading MMA promotion sharing the cards Fight of the Night top honor, Enomoto is hungry to get back in the ring and chase down another shot at the champ; his quest begins Saturday June 4th when he’ll face former middleweight title holder, Rafal Moks (6-3) as a special attraction bout at the M-1 Ukraine European Battle. Fans can capture the action from inside the National Circus Arena in Kiev starting at 11am EST / 8am PST via LIVE streaming telecast on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
Enomoto is a fan favorite thanks to his electrifying striking and submission skills; his boxing and Muay Thai are second to none and his BJJ makes him a force on the canvas. Born in Zürich, Switzerland to a Japanese-Peruvian father and Swiss mother, Enomoto began training in martial arts at age 6, taking up Shotokan Karate and then Shaolin Kung Fu at 16. As a student, he took up Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he currently holds a purple belt. In 2006, he became the domestic amateur kickboxing champion and the IKBO Thaiboxing World Champion in 2008. His decorated grappling career includes the titles: 1X UGC grappling European Champion, 2X international German BJJ and grappling champion, and 2X Swiss BJJ and grappling champion. He holds a Muay Thai record of 7-2, a boxing record of 1-0, and a BJJ and grappling record of 90-8.
Today, Enomoto and his family run the Enomoto Dojo in Zürich where he continues to improve and evolve as a stand-out fighter. Possessing text book Muay Thai, his striking is sharp, fast and targets with laser-guided precision; the same can be said about his boxing skills. On the mat, his BJJ is slick and fluid, allowing him to transition from submission attempts with seamless accuracy. As a versatile hybridized mixed martial artist, Enomoto has few holes in his game; at this stage, his improvement is tied to his evolution and clocking experience against top-tier competition.
Enomoto made his debut as a professional fighter at the S-1: European Championship Fight Night kickboxing event in February 2006 winning via unanimous decision over Vlajko Perovic. He then returned to the ring as a mixed martial artist two years later with an armbar submission over Irish fighter Danny Doherty. Next came his opportunity to fight for the Cage Fighters Championships’ Welterweight title in England against BJJ black belt, Henrique Santana, and won via unanimous decision. Three months later, he recorded the first loss of his career Tyler Stinson handed issued a violent TKO at Art of Fighting 3: Rumble at Robarts 3 in Florida, US.
With a respectable record of 3-1, Enomoto made his promotional debut with Sengoku in June 2010; leaving his first loss behind him, Enomoto earned a commanding first round TKO victory over veteran Sanae Kikuta, who holds notable wins against Elvis Sinosic, Egan Inoue, Masanori Suda, and Eugene Jackson. Enomoto’s follow up performance was the entrance into the 2010 Welterweight Grand Prix and won his opening round fight at Sengoku 14, defeating Kenta Takagi via bulldog choke submission early in round two. In the semi-finals, he was drawn against Taisuke Okuno; after three dominating rounds with Enomoto showcasing superior boxing skills, the judges gave him the unanimous nod and cementing his spot in the finals against Keita Nakamura. At Sengoku: Soul of Fight on December 30, 2010, Enomoto lost in the second round due to a rear naked choke submission, ending his run at the tournament as runner-up.
Although Moks is known for his submission game, Enomoto’s decorated BJJ credentials negate any advantage the Polish fighter brings to the mat, putting both men on an even playing field, and should the contest stay standing, Enomoto’s speed, height and reach advantage will make him the clear favourite. A legitimate top-contender, a win over Moks will position Enomoto for a re-match against Zavurov on a high profile M-1 Challenge card later this year
LIVE broadcast coverage of the M-1 Ukraine European Battle will be available to viewers worldwide on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) and M-1 Global facebook fan page starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST.
The 2011 European M-1 Selection tournament second quarterfinal round will be held July 16th, 2011; entitled Battle on the Neva River 5, the event will hail seaside in St. Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Global is now in full-swing preparation for its fourth mega-event of 2011 scheduled for Friday July 8th from inside the United States. M-1 Challenge XXVI is headlined with undefeated, #1 Ranked heavyweight prospect Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) putting his belt on the line for the second time against decorated American wrestler, Pat Bennett (4-2). In co-main event action, newly crowned Lightweight Champion, Jose Figueroa makes his first title defense against feared German submission specialist, Daniel Weichel (26-7).
‘Guram is Coming’ video teaser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3XJgJfI9L8&feature=youtu.be
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 held throughout Europe and North America in 2011.
For additional information, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
