Friday, July 8, 2011 from The Hangar at the O.C. Fair and Events Center, Costa Mesa, California
NEW YORK (June 21, 2011) – M-1 GLOBAL announces the addition of 2010 M-1 Selection Americas middleweight tournament winner Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries (7-5) versus feared Russian striker Arthur Guseinov (7-2) at the mixed martial arts (MMA) event titled M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner. The bouts from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California will air LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).
The July 8th event is headlined with the rematch between the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight finalists Pat Bennett (4-2) and Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (6-3).
“Tyson Jeffries is a fighter with incredible heart and a determination to consistently improve his game; he adds depth and excitement to every card and he’s a welcome addition on M-1’s second televised event on SHOWTIME,” said M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan. “The European fighters who participated in the March card set an extremely high bar this time out. Guseinov has been very vocal about making this an entertaining battle.”
Tickets are priced at $75 for the front row and all other seats at $50 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com, or by calling Roy Englebrecht Promotions at (949) 760-3131.
As a marquee middleweight (185 Lbs.) bout, the clash sets the stage for Jeffries to battle back into title contention after suffering a crushing defeat against the division’s newly crowned champion Magomed Sultanakhmedov.
“That was the toughest fight of my career and a humbling experience,” says Jeffries. “I’ve since spent time training in Las Vegas and in the U.K. and I’m ready to redeem myself with a much improved performance. Thank you to M-1 for the opportunity. It’s an honor to be on their second SHOWTIME card.”
Jeffries, a versatile fighter within Team Quest’s talented roster, won the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas tournament last September with a spectacular highlight reel, triangle-armbar victory over Mike Geurin.
Arthur Guseinov, the Action-Force Fight Team member, is coming off back-to-back losses against Russian submission specialist Beslan Esaev and staunch American scrapper Luigi Fioravanti.
Known for his tight clinch work, deadly spinning back-kicks and head-hunting high kicks, Guseinov’s lightning-quick striking arsenal is responsible for the majority of his KO / TKO victories. Expect his exciting fighting style to be well received by the North American audience as he brings a high powered offensive directly into Jeffries’ path.
For information on M-1 Global, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page.
Mauro Ranallo will call the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins, Jr.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.