Friday, October 14, 2011 From The Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona
NEW YORK (September 27, 2011) – M-1 GLOBAL announces the addition of relentless striker Tom Gallicchio (16-6) versus submission protégé Daniel ‘Blackout’ Madrid (6-2) at the mixed martial arts (MMA) event titled M-1 Challenge: Guram vs. Garner 2. The bouts from the new 5,500 seat Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona will air LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, October 14 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).
The October 14th event is headlined with the five-round, heavyweight (265 Lbs.) championship bout between undefeated and reigning M-1 Global champion Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) and the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight winner Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (7-3).
In co-main event action, M-1 Global Light Heavyweight (205 Lbs.) Champion and ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion Vinny Magalhaes (8-5) will make his first title defense against versatile Russian fighter Mikhail Zayats (14-5).
“This is a phenomenal stylistic matchup between two extremely talented fighters,” said Evgeni Kogan, M-1 Global’s Director of operations. “Gallicchio’s fights have marked some of the most exciting battles we’ve seen; he always comes prepared and is clearly determined to earn a shot at the title. Madrid has been on our radar for some time and this is his breakout opportunity; as part of the televised card on our third SHOWTIME event, he has a tough test at hand.”
Gallicchio’s run through the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament was one of the toughest passes faced by any of the competitors; he culminated his quest with a high-light reel, rear-naked-choke (RNC) submission victory over Len Bentley. Coming off a follow up RNC victory over Christopher Curtis, Gallicchio is poised to make a run at reigning Welterweight (170 Lbs.) Champion Shamil Zavurov.
Phoenix, Arizona native Daniel Madrid makes his debut with Europe’s leading MMA promotion as the hometown favorite on a stacked televised card on premium cable network SHOWTIME. A versatile submission fighter with a near perfect finishing percentage, Madrid has run the gauntlet of local Arizona talent fighting as an amateur and is ready to compete against a higher level of competition.
Tickets are priced at $35, $40, $50, $75 and $150and can be purchased at www.GCUArena.com, charge by phone at 602-639-8999 or visit the GCU Arena Box Office located at 3300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85017
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, photos and much more, please visit http://sports.sho.com