M-1 Global, in conjunction with the Emerald Queen Casino and Brian Halquist Productions, held the opening event of the 2009 M-1 Challenge Season, presented by Affliction. Billed as the "World Cup of MMA", the M-1 Challenge has 16 national teams, split into 4 groups that will compete against each other in a round robin format at events to be held around the globe. Each team has five members, Lightweight through Heavyweight, that go head to head with member's of the opposing team's corresponding weight class. For this first show of the 2009 season, 6 of the 16 teams were present, with 30 athletes ready to fight for and represent their respective countries. From Group B, Team USA West were pitted against Team Brazil Naja, while the Imperial Team of Russia were facing Team South Korea. From Group C, Team Benelux (Holland, Luxembourg, and Belgium) were going up against Team Finland. This show was a quick sell-out and a rousing success as the crowd was definitely into it, getting a chance to witness world class International MMA action!

The event was streamed live around the world on the M-1 Global site, except for those in the USA. If you were unable to make the show, you'll  have to wait to check out the fights on HDNetFights in the near future (www.HDNetFights.com).

 Information on the 2009 M-1 Challenge Season, plus photos from this evening, 

and a whole lot more can be found at the M-1 Global website, www.m1mixfight.com

Team Finland defeats Team Benelux 4-1
Bout 1 - Lightweight (154 lbs / 70 kg)

Danny van Bergen (Benelux) defeats Juha-Pekka Vainikainen (Finland)

by Unanimous Decision after 2 rounds

Great Fight to start the night! Both fighters threw down throughout and got the crowd going. Bergen got the nod from the judges after 2 five minute rounds, but it could have just as easily been handed to Vainikianen.  Team Benelux up 1-0.

Bout 2 - Welterweight (167.2 lbs / 76 kg)

Janne Tulirinta (Finland) def Tommy Depret (Benelux) by D'arce Choke @ 2:30 Rd 1

Tulirinta secured a sweet standing D'arce choke that Depret tried to launch himself out of. No luck and the fight was over midway through the first round. Tied up 1-1.

Bout 3 - Middleweight (184.8 lbs / 84 kg)

Lucio Linhares (Finland) def Kamil Uygun (Benelux) by Armbar @ 1:22 Rd 1

 Linhares charged hard, got the takedown and Uygun's back, threw down some hard shots and then took the arm to finish by submission. Finland goes up 2-1.

Bout 4 - Light Heavyweight (204.6 lbs / 93 kg)

Marcus Vanttinen (Finland) defeats Jason Jones (Benelux)

by Unanimous Decision after 2 rounds

This was Vanttinen's fight throughout, landing a number of kicks in the first round and then in the second gaining full mount and dropping down numerous bombs. Referee Anthony Hamlett let the fight continue to the round's conclusion and Vanttinen took home a well-deserved decision, clinching victory for Team Finland.

Bout 5 - Heavyweight (204.7 lbs + / +93 kg)

Toni Valtonen (Finland) defeats Sander Duyvis (Benelux) by Knockout @ 0:18 Rd 1

Valtonen rushed in, wrapped his arms around Duyvis, picked him up, and slammed him to the canvas. Duyvis hit his head on the mat and was more or less knocked out as Valtonen gave him a couple of parting shots for good measure and the quick KO.

Team South Korea defeats The Imperial Team of Russia 3-2

Bout 1 - Lightweight (154 lbs / 70 kg)

Do Hyung Kim (South Korea) defeats Mikhail Malyutin (Imperial)

by Unanimous Decision after 2 rounds

Kim weathered Malyutin's 2 takedowns and worked well from the bottom. In the 2nd, Kim forced some ground and pound on Malyutin for the Decision win. 1-0 Korea.

Bout 2 - Welterweight (167.2 lbs / 76 kg)

Myung Ho Bae (South Korea) defeats Erik Oganov (Imperial)

by Rear Naked Choke @ 2:12 Rd 2

Bae looked very impressive in dominating the experienced M-1 and Bodog veteran fighter Oganov, utilizing his size advantage and showing excellent speed on both the feet and ground. Exciting bout finished by a Rear naked choke. 2-0 Korea. 

Bout 3 - Middleweight (184.8 lbs / 84 kg)

Dmitriy Samoylov (Imperial) defeats Hyungyu Lim (South Korea)

by Unanimous Decision after 2 rounds

This bout was another excellent one that saw both fighters trading blows via their hands and feet, getting the crowd into it. Samoylov got the nod from all 3 judges after 2 rounds, keeping the Imperial team in it. South Korea up 2-1. 

Bout 4 - Light Heavyweight (204.6 lbs / 93 kg)

Jae Young Kim (South Korea) defeats Mikhail Zayats (Imperial)

by Knockout @ 4:02 Rd 2

A true crowd pleaser, this one saw Zayats catching Kim in a number of submission attempts in the first that looked sure to finish the Korean. But somehow, someway Kim was able to slip out of all of them to get to the 2nd round and earning the love of the fans. Zayats was clearly spent in the 2nd while Kim had a bit more gas and landed a knock-out kick with just a minute left in the fight. This assured Team South Korea the victory 3-1 and avenged their 2008 loss to the Russians. An exhausted Zayats was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure but checked out OK.

Bout 5 - Heavyweight (204.7 lbs + / +93 kg)

Alexey Oleinik (Imperial) defeats Sang Soo Lee (South Korea)

by Front Choke @ 4:27 Rd 2

Oleinik gets a moral victory for the Russians by submitting Sang Soo Lee near the end of the 2nd round. South Korea wins 3-2 and will next face Team USA West.

Team USA West defeats Team Brazil Naja 3-2
Bout 1 - Lightweight (154 lbs / 70 kg)

Dave Jansen (USA West) defeats Flavio Alvaro (Brazil)

by Unanimous Decision after 2 rounds

Jansen's coach, Robert Follis of Team Quest, predicted this would be a good ol' scrap with the experienced Alvaro and that's exactly what it was. Jansen, a late replacement for UFC-bound Brian Stann, had a terrific performance, keeping the Brazilian guessing with his unpredictable plan of attack. Jansen nearly ended it a couple of times with a D'arce choke but Alvaro on his part was able to get out. Jansen recieved a scalp cut early on that saw Dutch Referee Marco Broersen stop the fight twice to have the doctor check it. The Oregonian came out of the stoppage both times seemingly pushing a little harder and he eventually took home the well-deserved victory to put the US team up 1-0.

[Ed Note: NWFS spoke with Dave at the end of the night. See at bottom of this page] 

Bout 2 - Welterweight (167.2 lbs / 76 kg)

Eduardo Pamplona (Brazil) defeats Dylan Clay (USA West)

by TKO (Ref Stoppage - Strikes) @ 2:48 Rd 3

This bout had both fighters displaying tremendous heart and skill, with back and forth action mostly on the feet. After 2 exciting 5 minute rounds, the judges had it a Draw so the pair went to a deciding 3rd round where Pamplona was able to reverse on the ground and finish Clay off with strikes. This made the score 1-1.

Bout 3 - Middleweight (184.8 lbs / 84 kg)

Reggie Orr (USA West) defeats Juliano Belgine (Brazil) by Split Decision

Orr eeked out a narrow victory that put up the Americans 2-1.

Bout 4 - Light Heavyweight (204.6 lbs / 93 kg)

Raphael Davis (USA West) defeats Jair Goncalves Jr. (Brazil)

by TKO (Ref Stoppage - Strikes) @ 4:05 Rd 1

This was the do-or-die match for the Brazilians and Goncalves Jr came out and latched on a standing guillotine on Davis. Davis was eventually able to get it to the ground where he bulled himself into a dominant position and let go his heavy hands. Dutch referee Marco Broerson was right there and quickly stopped it, much to the dismay of Goncalves and his coach. Team USA West clinches victory. 

Bout 5 - Heavyweight (204.7 lbs + / +93 kg)

Jose Edson Franca (Brazil) defeats Carl Seumanutafa (USA West) by Split Decision

Somewhat anti-climatic end to the night. Fight started at 10 minutes before midnight, and the bout itself was more of a technical affair as Franca used his strength to get Seumanutafa to the ground and keep him tied up and get the Split Decision.

SEXY RING GIRLS!

The Ring Announcer for the evening was UFC veteran and Cage Rage Champion,

Ian "The Machine" Freeman, who made the trip over the pond from England.

Matt "The Wizard" Hume and Ian Freeman

Dave Jansen Post-fight Interview

NWFS: How'd you feel about your performance?
Dave Jansen: ...I thought I did pretty well. I caught him with a couple of liver kicks that did some damage. I could see him grimace and that's always a good sign. He got out of my D'arce Choke that I never really had secured. You know, he's crafty and not allowing me to get that locked in all the way, and I had to kind of abandon as I was going to choke my own arms off if I kept with it. 

NWFS: Were you worried about the cut at all?
DJ: No. It didn't impair my vision and was hoping that they would realize that it was not going to impair my fighting ability. In fact, I get cut, it happens. It usually spurns me on to fight a little harder. I'll admit it, I got some thin skin. And maybe high cheek bones or whatever it is. [Laughs]... But I don't know what I can do about that. 

NWFS: You got this fight on real short notice. Was it a surprise when you got the call?
DJ: It was. Yes. [laughs]... Matt Lindland texted me something like "I'm working on something for you next Saturday" and that was the Friday, eight days (before).. and when he told me it was M-1 I just about blew my top.. I was so grateful. There was no way I was going to say no to this. It's a huge opportunity and I've been waiting for this kind of test.

Dave Jansen fights out of the legendary Team Quest in Portland, Oregon under the tutelage of Matt Lindland and Robert Follis. He went undefeated as an amateur and is currently 8-0 as a pro. Jansen will be fighting against Korea's Do Hyung Kim on April 25th in Tokyo, Japan in the next leg of the M-1 Challenge as Team USA West takes on Team South Korea. Visit Dave online at myspace.com/davegravedanger

Fight action returns to the Emerald Queen Casino on Saturday, April 11th with the

71st edition of the long running Battle At The Boat professional Boxing series.

Visit www.emeraldqueen.com for ticket information and more.