M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Roman Bogatov remains undefeated

ORENBURG, Russia: Undefeated M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Roman Bogatov successfully defended his crown for the second time, registering his ninth victory in nine professional mixed-martial-arts fights, last night in Orenburg, Russia, headlining
M-1 Challenge 104: Battle in the Heart of the Continent.

Bogatov, fighting at home in Orenburg, emerged victorious because his challenger, Frenchman Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout (19-10-2), was unable to continue fighting after three rounds due to a shoulder injury.

A grappling master who literally put to sleep three of his previous four opponents, Bogatov displayed his superior ground attack once again versus a game Lebout. Bogatov originally captured the coveted M-1 Challenge title last September at M-1 Challenge 97, when he won a five-round decision over Rubenilton Pereira, and then he used an arm triangle choke to submit another Brazilian challenger, Michel Silva, in his first title defense this past January.

Eight of (L) M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Roman Bogatov’s nine victories to date have been in grueling M-1 Global competition including this fight vs. Mickael Lebout

The judges worked overtime as the other four main card bouts ended in decisions.

Kyrgyzstan featherweight Busarmankul Abdibait Uulu (12-2-1) scored the most impressive win of his career, taking a split decision from veteran Ukrainian title challenger Andrey “Iron” Lezhnev (18-9) in the co-featured event. With the win Uulu positioned himself for a possible shot at the now vacant M-1 Challenge featherweight championship, after Nate “The Train” Landwehr relinquished his belt to sign a UFC contract. Uulu and French featherweight Anthony “La Masse” Dizy, who was victorious fighting on the undercard, called each other out after their fights.

Kazakhstan flyweight Arman Ashimov (11-3-1) ruined the M-1 Global debut of his Brazilian foe, Flavio “Mudruga” Da Silva Santos, (9-4) winning as split decision in very competitive match.

Georgian bantamweight Vazha Tsiptauri (9-1-1) and Ukrainian middleweight Boris “Bora” Polejay (19-6-1) both won unanimous decision against, respectively, Russian Selem Evloev (4-1) and Brazilian Jean “Panqueka” Petrick (10-4).

The undercard proved to be more decisive. In a rare M-1 Global women’s fight, Asiya Klyutova submitted Zarina Gumerova (1-2-1) in a confrontation between Russian bantamweights, while unbeaten Russian welterweight prospect Mikhail “Bulldozer” Doroshenko (4-0) choked out Bayram Mamedov (0-2), of Azerbaijan, in round two.

French featherweight Anthony “La Masse” Dizy (13-3) impressed again, using punches to knockout dangerous Russian Zalimbek Omarov (10-4-1). Russian bantamweight Bair Shtepin (8-3) won a unanimous decision over American “Gorgeous” George Garcia (9-4).

Complete results below:

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Bogatov (9-0, M-1: 8-0), Champion, Russia
(WTKO3 – 5:00//unable to continue due to injury)
Mickael Lebout (19-10-2, M-1: 3-2), France
(Bogatov retained M-1 Challenge lightweight title)

CO-FEATURE – FEATHERWEIGHTS
Busarmankul Abdibait Uulu, (12-2-1, M-1: 4-0-1), Kyrgyzstan
WDEC3
Andrey Lezhnev (18-9, M-1: 6-5), Ukraine

FLYWEIGHTS
Arman Ashimov (11-3-1, M-1: 5-1), Kazakhstan
WDEC3
Flavio Da Silva Santos (9-4, M-1: 0-1), Brazil

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Boris Polejay (19-6-1, M-1: 3-1-1), Ukraine
WDEC3
Jean Petrick (10-4, M-1: 2-1), Brazil

BANTAMWEIGHTS
Vazha Tsiptauri (9-1-1, M-1: 5-0-1), Georgia
WDEC3
Selem Evloev (4-2, M-1: 4-2), Russia

UNDERCARD

BANTAMWEIGHTS
Bair Shtepin (8-3, M-1: 4-3), Russia
WDEC3
George Garcia (9-4, M-1: 1-1), USA

FEATHERWEIGHTS
Anthony Dizy (13-3, M-1: 2-0), France
WKO3 (3:53/punches)
Zalimbek Omarov (10-4-1, M-1: 7-3-1), Russia

WELTERWEIGHTS
Mikhail Doroshenko (4-0, M-1: 1-0), Russia
WSUB2 (4:08)
Bayram Mamedov (1-2, M-1: 0-1), Russia

FEMALE STRAWWEIGHTS
Asiya Klyutova (2-1, M-1: 2-0), Russia
WSUB1 (1:50)
Zarina Gumerova (1-2-1, M-1: (0-1), Russia

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.