Janne Tulrinta
M-1Global.com contributing writer Fabrice Deters created a points system earlier this season to help create standing to track the top individual fighters in the M-1 Challenge.
The system is basic in that it awards two points per victory plus and additional bonus point if a fight is ended by (T)KO or submission. In the event of a tie in points, the lowest total match time is used to break the tie.
Below is the updated top ten as of Monday, June 15.
1. Janne Tulirinta (Finland): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of just 2:41. With a career record of 11-3, Tulirinta is finally starting to gain some worldwide recognition. Already featuring a strong submission game, Tulirinta managed to TKO professional Muay Thai fighter Anthony Ford in just 11 seconds during the M-1 Challenge event on June 5. The talented welterweight will look to move to 3-0 when he returns to action on July 4 vs. Ivan Ivanov of Bulgaria.
2. Lucio Linhares (Finland): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 2:46. In this statistical system, Linhares is the number two fighter in the M-1 Challenge. However, if you speak with insiders close to the competition, they will tell you Linhares is the best pound-for-pound fighter in this year’s competition. A jiu-jitsu black belt, Linhares has made drastic strides with his striking and has won two of his last four fights via first round (T)KO. In addition to his June 5 win over Team Nogueira prospect Valdir Araujo, Linhares also recorded a first round TKO over current M-1 Challenge superfighter Karl Amoussou. Riding high on a four fight win streak, there are those who believe Linahres is better than many middleweights currently competing in the UFC.
3. Gadjimurad Omarov (Russia Legion): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 3:33. Russia Legion has been perhaps been the toughest team in the M-1 Challenge to date, thanks in large part to Omarov. A true product of M-1 with all four of his professional bouts having taken place in either the M-1 Challenge or M-1 Selection, Omarov is starting to emerge as one of the best light heavyweight prospects in the world. In addition to his two M-1 Challenge wins, Omarov also has one win in this year’s M-1 Selection after having TKO’d Dmitry Pashinin in 43 seconds this past April. A well-rounded fighter, Omarov’s rapid maturation could help lead Legion to its first-ever M-1 Challenge Championship.
4. Michael Kitta (World Team): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 5:57. Not much was expected of Kitta as he came to the M-1 Challenge late last year with a 3-2 record. Even less was expected coming into the current season after he lost his M-1 Challenge debut in just 2:09 after submitting to an armbar against Rogent Lloret. However, Kitta has emerged as one of the best heavyweights currently under M-1 contract and had TKO’d both Liron Wilson and Akhmed Sultanov in round 1 this year.
5. Magomed Shihshabekov (Russia Legion): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 6:01. Legion is doing its best to become the top fight gym in Russia and if they keep unearthing prospects such as Omarov and Shihshabekov, it might not be long until they earn such a reputation. Shihshabekov is an undefeated (3-0) welterweight prospect who has performed exclusively in the M-1 Challenge during his career. After submitting his first two opponents, Shihshabekov earned his second win of the current season after knocking out Sven Heising at the M-1 Challenge event held in Sau Paulo, Brazil in May.
6. Christophe Dafreville (France): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 7:20. After losing to Team Imperial’s Mikahil Zayats via decision during a combined M-1/Slamm show last year, Dafreville’s was picked by M-1 matchmakers to represent his native France as a middleweight in this year’s M-1 Challenge. Thus far, Dafreville has been a relevation and has emerged as one of the best submission specialists in the M-1 Challenge with both his wins this year coming via first round submission. Dafreville’s arm triangle victory over fellow submission expert Matt Thorpe on June 5 clearly separated him from the pack.
7. Renato Migliaccio (USA East): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 9:03. Already renowned both on the competitive grappling and Judo circuits, Migliaccio had been slow to launch his MMA career due to a lack of opportunities. However, Team USA East manager Reed Wallace gave him his biggest opportunity of his career after naming him to represent Team USA East as its lightweight representative. Migliaccio has rewarded Wallace by going out and recording first round submission wins over previously-unbeaten Yanko Yanev and Finland’s Nikia Puhakka, considered one of the best ground fighters in this year’s M-1 Challenge. Unfortunately, shoulder surgery will hinder Migliaccio’s quest to finish the season as the top-rated lightweight in the M-1 Challenge.
8. Lloyd Marshbanks (USA East): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 9:22. A former All-American wrestler in High School with an unofficial record of 51-8, the highly-popular Marshbanks has become one of the M-1 Challenge’s biggest breakout stars. Marshbanks especially turned heads when he recorded a second round submission victory over Toni Valtonen during the Kansas City event, courtesy of a neck crank. Valtonen is regarded as one of the best fighters in the M-1 Challenge and Marshbanks’ victory allowed Team USA East to rally for a 3-2 victory that could prove to be the key in the team advancing to the M-1 Challenge semifinals.
9. Gregor Herb (Germany): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 11:32. A teacher by day, Herb has been teaching opponents in this year’s M-1 Challenge many lessons. Bad puns aside, Herb has been the key to Team Germany’s resurgence this year following a 2008 campaign in which the team’s previous roster was dismissed early due to a poor performance. If Herb continues to win in impressive fashion, it might not be long before he’s faced with a decision to walk away from teaching in order to become a full-time fighter.
10. Raphael Davis (USA West): 2-0 with six total points and total match time of 12:50. One of the world’s premier submission wrestlers, Davis has come a long way since his days in the IFL. Considered yet another fighter to emerge as a breakout star courtest of this year’s M-1 Challenge, Davis has seen his profile increase greatly with impressive wins over Jair Goncalves and standout South Korean light heavyweight Jae Young Kim. Currently 6-1, Davis is also known for recording a verbal submission last year against TUF 8 light heavyweight finalist and jiu-jitsu world champion Vinny Magalhaes.
