On the heels of its first-ever live televised event in the United States, M-1 has awarded four participants from this past Friday’s “HDNET FIGHTS PRESENTS M-1 BREAKTHROUGH” event with “Fight Night” award designations.
The unofficial awards do not come with compensatory implications and are awarded by www.M-1Global.com.
Receiving “Breakthrough’s” much coveted “Fight of the Night” award was the televised opener at “Breakthrough” between lightweights Daisuke Nakamura and Ferrid Kheder.
Nakamura is a veteran of both the M-1 Challenge and DREAM and won a unanimous at “Breakthrough” over Kheder to improve his overall record to 20-10.
The Nakamura vs. Kheder match featured two flying armbar attempts by Nakamura as well as an impressive Judo throw by Kheder, who represented Tunisa in the 2000 Olympics as a Judoka.
While many in attendance at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City were unfamiliar with the two talented fighters, both fighters received a strong ovation upon the completion of their matchup.
Earning “Submission of the Night” honors was Lucio Linhares, who improved to 13-4 following his rear naked choke submission against rival Mikhail Zayats.
Linhares was looking to avenge a controversial June of 2008 decision loss to Zayats at “Breakthrough” and did just that after flooring Zayats with a flurry of punches. After sending Zayats to the canvas, Linhares followed in pursuit with additional punches before eventually sinking in the choke.
Receiving honorable mention for “Submission of the Night” honors was Karl Amoussou, who improved to 11-2-1 after submitting John Doyle with a rear naked choke of his own at just 3:15 of round 1.
The move proved to be a quick reversal of fortune for Amoussou, who began the fight on his back after Doyle caught a kick and took him down. However, Amoussou remained composed and swept Doyle and ended up in mount position. He then began to pound on his opposition until Doyle gave up his back to protect himself.
With just one TKO on the main televised card, “King” Mo Lawal was the obvious choice as “Breakthrough’s” “Knockout of the Night” winner. Lawal was able to TKO former NCAA Champion Mark Kerr just 25 seconds into round 1 of their main event matchup that closed out the show.
