Daniel Weichel vs. Yuri Ivlev: epic lightweight battle on M-1 Challenge 32

The first officially announced fight on M-1 Challenge 32, that will take place on May 17 in Moscow, is the rematch between two of the most experienced and entertaining fighters in M-1, organization’s champion Daniel Weichel (28-7) and Russian veteran and member of M-1 Challenge 2009 champion team Legion Yuri Ivlev (18-7).

German lightweight from Team MMA Spirit (Frankfurt) is one of the most well-rounded lightweight fighters in Europe. He is ranked at the top of European lightweight rankings on www.groundandpound.de, and you can easily understand why, if you will take a look at his record and his achievements for the last three years.

Daniel won 10 of his 11 last fights, only two of them went to judge decisions. He is always been well-know as the great submission specialist, but he proved in his last fights that his punches and kicks are fast and heavy enough to put any opponent to sleep. That’s exactly what he did in his last fight against M-1 champion Jose Figueroa in the fight that lasted only 1:50.

The first title defense for Daniel will be against the man who is very well-known to German fighter, considering the fact that they fought in 2010.

Talented Russian lightweight Yuri Ivlev simply doesn’t know how to back down in any fight with any opponent. Doesn’t matter if he wins or loses, he always moves forward and always try to finish the fight in a spectacular fashion.

Yuri was a true star of Legion team in 2009, when he won all four of his fights on M-1 Challenge tournaments (three by KOs) and helped his team to become M-1 Challenge team champion. When M-1 announced the new individual champion titles in five weight classes, it seemed like Ivlev is just a few steps away from title fight. Too bad for him, one of these steps was the fight against Daniel Weichel who came back to M-1, this time to fight in lightweight division.

Weichel’s high-level stand-up skills came by surprise both for Russian fans and for Ivlev himself. Yuri was ready to fight until the end of the fight, but in the middle of the third round doctor decided that the cut that opened on Ivlev’s face after one of German’s attacks is too deep and too dangerous to continue the fight.
After this fight Ivlev lost to Mairbek Taisumov who is currently representing the same team as Weichel, MMA Spirit. This setback was quite big upset for Russian and his fans, but he didn’t give up and came back with two entertaining victories against Artiom Damkovsky and Jerome Bouisson and deserved the revenge with current champion.

Both fighters are equally dangerous on the ground and in stand-up fight, so it’s not easy to predict the outcome of this lightweight battle, but there is something that you can say for sure: this fight is going to be the candidate not only for “fight of the night”, but even for “fight of the year 2012″ honors. Don’t miss!
M-1 Challenge 32

Date: May 17, 2012

Location: Moscow, Russia

Venue: Crocus City Arena

Fightcard

Alexander Emelianenko vs. TBA

Daniel Weichel vs. Yuri Ivlev (for lightweight title)

http://www.m-1global.com/2012/03/26/daniel-weichel-vs-yuri-ivlev-epic-lightweight-battle-on-m-1-challenge-32/

Looks like Sarnavskiy is officially gone.

moronoRepublic wrote:Looks like Sarnavskiy is officially gone.

He´ll be back (if he´s gone) They will all be back in the worlds premier organization sooner or later.

Weichel TKOed Ivlev the last time they fought but I think Ivlev will put up a tougher fight this time. I thought Damkovsky would get the titleshot after his impressive wins lately but he did lose a decision to Ivlev so this makes sense.

He's been deserving this title shot for far too long.

You won't see Sarnavskiy back, which is a shame.

moronoRepublic wrote:Looks like Sarnavskiy is officially gone.

I hope Bellator goes bancrupt

Hollywood Dang wrote:

moronoRepublic wrote:Looks like Sarnavskiy is officially gone.

I hope Bellator goes bancrupt

possible, in actuality bellator would be next to be gobbled up by the zuffa parasite.