“Siberian Challenge” Gives A New Start

For MMA Growth In Siberia.

October 14, 2007

Bratsk, Siberia

- Special Thanks go out to Alexei Zhernakov (VP of RusFighters Professional Sports Club) for the following:

On Sunday October 14^th the first edition of Russia based MMA event “Siberian Challenge” took place in the

town of Bratsk, Eastern Siberia. The show was organized by professional sport club “RusFighters” (St.

Petersburg, Russia) along with its branch in Bratsk and city’s administration. Sport fans of Bratsk, home of

the world’s biggest aluminum works and hydroelectric power station, were able to see the world’s most

exciting sport at its best. In addition to great MMA action that took place in the ring, fans and media could

also get acquainted with legends of our sport, who made a long trip to get to the middle of Mother Russia –

Bob Schrijber and Irma Verhoeff; fighters from “Team Schrijber” Furdjel de Windt and Stefan Struve

faced their Russian foes that night.

Organizers called the event “The Sport Fight Show”, because not only MMA fighters squared it off in the

ring, but also the best kickboxers and professional boxers in the region.

The first MMA bout of the evening was between young yet experienced fighters: 20 years old Maxim

Motodoev  (Irkutsk, 5-2) and 21 years old Michail Tsarev (Novosibirsk, 13-1). Although in the first round

Motodoev was dominant, constantly pressing the action standing and showing good takedown defense,

when the fight finally hit the ground early in the second round,  Tsarev was able to unleash some solid

ground and pound, breaking his opponent’s nose. After doctor’s check, fight went on, but not for a long time

– Tsarev ended it by KO with high kick to the head.  

Next MMA fight was in LW division, and it was the first one out of three supposed international matches in

“Siberian Challenge”. Karen Grigoryan (26 years old, coming from St. Petersburg, Russia, 16-2-1) faced

one of the most experienced fighters in Europe, product of “Team Schrijber” Furdjel de Windt (28 years old,

Amsterdam, Holland, 23-8-1). It was for sure the highest level technical ground struggle – both grappling

aces exchanged multiple triangle chocke, armbar, footlock attempts mixed with ground and pound and

infrequent but furious standup attacks. Three 5-minute rounds went like one minute, and Karen Grigoryan

was declared a winner by split judges decision (2-1).

The next fight was supposed to be the second episode out of Russia vs. Netherlands trilogy, but

unfortunately Dutch opponent of Alexander Shlemenko (23 years old, coming from Omsk, Russia, 31-5)

couldn’t make it to Bratsk, and was replaced by young and hungry Zakir Lalashov (23 years old, coming

from Krasnoyarsk, Russia, 12-2). It was a fight that regular fans like the most – non stop standup action.

Zakir showed tons of heart and chin or iron, surviving Shlemenko’s vicious attacks (flying knees, knees from

the clinch, spinning back kicks and fists), and kept fighting back, until the fight went to the ground in the

second round, where Shlemenko didn’t have much trouble choking out his battered opponent with triangle

choke.

The last MMA bout of the evening was a battle of heavyweights, and even though their weight was close,

high difference made Denis Komkin (25 years old, coming from St. Petersburg, Russia, 12-5, 174 cm (5’10)

to stand on a chair during the weight ins in order to look in his opponent’s eyes instead of belly, which

remind the audience of famous Bob Schrijber vs. Semmy Schilt staredown. Stefan Struve (19 years old,

coming from Beverveik, Holland, 12-2-1, 210 cm (6’11)) really came to “Siberian Challenge” to win no matter

what. In the beginning of the bout Denis rushed towards Stefan, closed the distance and unleashed flurry of

punches, many of which came through and hurt Dutch fighter. After that Struve was taken to the ground,

where the Russian kept throwing bombs at him, followed by armlock attempt. However, Struve showed tons

of heard weathering the storm, then reversed his opponent, and made him tap out from rear naked choke.

“As the “Siberian Challenge” went well, we are going to put this event on regular basis, to show Siberian

MMA fans high level fights at least four times per year” – says Alexei Zhernakov, VP of “RusFighters” Sport

Club, one of the promoters of “Siberian Challenge”.
 

- From RusFighters Sport Club

(11/3/07)