It was one of the most controversial endings to a fight in quite some time. In a fight outcome resembling a last-second game winning three point shot in basketball, Team USA East middleweight Herbert “Whisper” Goodman’s come from behind knockout attempt will be shown on U.S. television for the first time tonight at 8 p.m. ET on HDNet.
Goodman, a former NFL running back with the Green Bay Packers who recently tried out for the tenth installment of The Ultimate Fighter, squared off against former Bulgarian national wrestling icon Jordan Radev in Radev’s home country of Bulgaria as a part of best-of-five series between the Americans and the Bulgarians.
After being dominated for the vast majority of the match, Goodman sent Radev sprawling to the canvas with a right cross that appeared to have ended the fight. However, the final bell sounded before the referee had a chance rule the fight as having ended via knockout. The outcome of the bout was put in the hands of the judges and later M-1 Challenge regulatory officials. Did Radev get the win via decision? Or did Goodman get the KO? Of course, the only way to find out is by tuning in tonight.
In addition to the middleweight matchup between Goodman and Radev, tonight’s episode will also feature the “M-1 Challenge Presented by Affliction” debuts of lightweight Renato Migliaccio, welterweight Steve Carl, light heavyweight Charles Grigsby, and heavyweight Lloyd “Kadillac” Marshbanks.
Marshbanks, who was profiled in this week’s “Fight Path” series by Kyle Nagel on MMAjunkie.com, brings his High School All-American wrestling credentials to the M-1 Challenge when he faces Emil Samoilov. Considered by some as “the original Kimbo Slice,” viewers can get their first look at the underground sensation during tonight’s episode.
Migliaccio, a black belt under the late Ryan Gracie, will put his perfect 5-0 record on the line against fellow undefeated lightweight prospect Yanko Yanev (7-0).
At welterweight, Carl will also look to hand the first defeat to another undefeated Bulgarian prospect, Ivan Ivanov (5-0). Carl is perhaps one of the most inspirational fighters involved with this year’s M-1 Challenge. In addition to having served his country as a member of the United States Army, Carl has also continued his fight career despite doctors telling him two years ago that he would never compete again following a severe auto accident.
Meanwhile, Grigsby, a one-time veteran of the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion, will look to improve to 16-4 when he faces Bulgaria’s Atanas Dzhambazov. Watch as “The Reverend” looks to increase his win streak to three on the heels of his disappointing 2008 loss in the WEC to former NCAA All-American Mark Munoz.
For more information on the M-1 Challenge, please visit www.M-1Global.com and remember to watch the 2009 “M-1 Challenge Presented by Affliction” each and every Friday at 8 p.m. ET on HDNet.
