For those who overlook the M-1 Challenge, they are depriving themselves of being witness to some of the best young talent in all of mixed martial arts.
At the top of M-1′s lists of blue chips prospects is French phenom Karl Amoussou, nicknamed “Psycho” for his intense approach to competition his blitzkrieg style of fighting in the ring.
No longer a part of Team France in the M-1 Challenge, Amoussou was featured in a super fight furing Wednesday’s “Third Edition” at Differ Ariake in Tokyo, Japan.
Competing on the first fight of his new promotional contract with M-1 Global after going 3-1 in the M-1 Challenge last year, Amoussou notched his tenth career victory following an incredible flying jump right knee knockout against IFL veteran Kazuhiro Hamanaka just 23 seconds into their fight.
Amoussou, whose brother Bertrand once competed in PRIDE and now serves as coach of Team France, had predicted earlier in the week that he would knock out Hamanaka with a left knee. Immediately after the fight was called to a stop, an animated Amoussou rushed over to M-1 Challenge commentators Sean Wheelock and Jimmy Smith to apologize for not ending the fight with the proper knee.
Now 10-2-1, Amoussou is poised for bigger opportunities. It just so happens that Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio was sitting at ringside directly in front of Amoussou’s stunning victory. Could Amoussou appear on a future card of M-1′s most trusted partner? It is uncertain whether he will get the call, but one thing is for certain, Amoussou is certainly ready.
While Amoussou was victorious on Wednesday, his former French teammates were not as fortunate, losing a 3-2 decision to Team Spain.
Below are official results of Team France vs. Team Spain:
Superfight -
- Middleweight (84 kg/184.8 lbs.): Karl Amoussou (France) def. Kazuhiro Hamanaka (Japan) via KO (flying knee) at 0:23 of round 1.
Team France vs. Team Spain -
- Lightweight (70 kg/154 lbs.): Jose Luiz Zapater Aguirre (Spain) def. Makhtar Gueye (France) via DQ (illegal kick) at 1:21 of round 3.
- Welterweight (76 kg/167.2 lbs.): Abner Lloveras (Spain) def. Gael Grimaud (France) via three-round split decision.
- Middleweight (84 kg/184.8 lbs.): Christophe Dafreville (France) def. Rayco “Kakin” Romero Silva (Spain) via submission (Anaconda choke) at 2:48 of round 1.
- Light Heavyweight (93 kg/204.6 lbs.): Christian Mpumbu (France) def. Enoc Solbes (Spain) via submission (armbar) at 4:59 of round 1.
- Heavyweight (+93 kg/204.7-plus lbs.): Rogent Lloret (Spain) def. Soufian Elgarne (France) via submission (Anaconda choke) at 2:44 of round 1
Spain Defeats France via 3-2 score
