In addition to being a 16-team International competition, the M-1 Challenge is also being used as a proving ground to help develop some of MMA’s top prospects.

As the M-1 Challenge grows, so does the number of future stars currently competing under the M-1 banner on a monthly basis.

One of the top future stars currently involved with the M-1 Challenge is undefeated Brazilian lightweight Renato Migliaccio, who trains and teaches BJJ in Connecticut and currently represents Reed Wallace’s Team USA East.

A black belt under the late Ryan Gracie, Migliaccio made his M-1 Challenge debut this past March in Bulgaria, where he handed Bulgarian lightweight Yanko Yanev his first career loss following a armbar submission at 4:45 of round 1.

The win improved Migliaccio’s record to 5-0 and on June 5 in Kansas City, he will look to improve to 6-0 when he faces Finland’s Niko Puhaka (14-8).

Despite the fact that his fight is less than two weeks away, Migliaccio was still gracious enough to grant www.M-1Global.com an exclusive interview.

M-1Global.com: You made a strong debut in the M-1 Challenge in Bulgaria, defeating the undefeated Yanev via submission in the first round. Based on Bulgaria’s wrestling tradition and his perfect record, were you surprised how easily you were able to beat him?

Renato Migliaccio: Well, I was prepared (and) I workd hard for that. I saw some of his fights but they were kind of old so I really did not know if he improved or not. But I was ready to fight (on) my feet the whole fight or from my back or from the top like I did mostly at that fight.

M-1Global.com: You’ve got the ground game covered and are well known on the competitive grappling scene, but what have you done to improve your standup? Renato Migliaccio: I (have been) boxing since 2003 but in 2008 I met this guy (laughs). I love him, he is a old timer from Grassman Gym in New York City. He brought me the understanding (and I have) improved a lot but I still want to improve more. His name is George Lawler. I call him uncle George — he is 56-years old and still spars me. (George is my) best sparring partner.

M-1Global.com: Why did you leave Brazil to come to the U.S.?

Renato Migliaccio: I came to train and to improve my boxing and compete. Later the owner of the training center that i train asked me if I wanted to come and compete for them. So I have competed in grappling, BJJ, Judo, Greco-Roman wrestling and MMA for them.

M-1Global.com: Are there more opportunities in America for MMA than in Brazil, and if so, why?

Renato Migliaccio: Here there are definetely more opportunities for everyone — the land of the (American) dream (laughs). The MMA here is more regulated. We have the athletic comissions (and) you get your payments right. There are a lot of small shows (in Brazil) that offer you $150 and that is it. Well, there is no money in Brazil, or the money is in hands of just a few people, which seems not really being into it.

M-1Global.com: M-1 recently did a show in Brazil in Sau Paulo. How come more non-Brazilian fight promotions haven’t tried to run big shows in Brazil, such as the UFC?

Renato Migliaccio: They have money behind it so they can make it happen and in Brazil, everyone knows that there is a huge market.

M-1Global.com: You’re 5-0 and a tremendous prospect. What are your long-term goals?

Renato Migliaccio: I want to be in the top of this category. I want to fight in the best organization but I have to climb and win one fight at a time.

M-1Global.com: You are the lone returnee from the first event in Bulgaria. How do you feel about having four new teammates vs. Finland?

Renato Migliaccio: Yes, I heard and I heard good things about them. I hope (they) all are prepared for this and we can pass Finland and get into the next round.

M-1Global.com: How do you feel about your opponent Niko Puhaka? He’s a strong submission guy. Might we see you try and keep the fight standing?

Renato Migliaccio: I don’t know. As I said before, I am ready to fight from anywhere, bottom, top or (on the) feet. The fight itself will tell me where to be. I hope we (can) make a great show to the crowd and nobody gets hurt badly.

M-1Global.com: How do you feel you compare to other lightweights in the M-1 Challenge?

Renato Migliaccio: I have been trying to get the tapes of their fights on YouTube but it seems pretty hard. I saw a couple of good guys (and a) couple of decent guys. But nobody has looked bad. (However), the (fighters for) countries can change any time so it is hard to (scout). I think they are all like me — trying to get their spot in the sun.

M-1Global.com: When did you first start training in combat sports and what was the first martial arts discipline you trained in and what age.

Renato Migliaccio: I started in Judo when I was eight-years old and up until 22 I kept competing hard in judo because I had that Olympic dream in me. But I decided move on because by 17 I fell in love with BJJ and from there I kept doing both up until the point I had to choose between the two.

M-1Global.com: You received your black belt from the late Ryan Gracie. Can you talk about what your experience was like training under him?

Renato Migliaccio: Ryan was a intense guy. Everyone knows (he had a) hard personality but with me he was like a big brother. He always tried to make sure he could look after me and the other guys that he really really liked.

His camp in Sao Paulo, Brazil was amazing and had a lot of great fighters. He was teaching there with is cousins Carlos Russo and Daniel Gracie. Me and other guys were his first generaton of black belts and I remember when we all were purple belts we won all the weight categories in a state championship. Also, we always had visitors such as Ralph Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Gordo, Nino, and Soca teaching there.