Dec 9, 2011 – When Shamil Zavurov and Yasubey Enomoto met in April at M-1 Challenge 25, the result was a furious back and forth battle that Zavurov won by unanimous decision. Enomoto, a last minute replacement, showed crisper striking and dangerous submissions off his back, but Zavurov refused to be denied. He took Enomoto down time and time again, winning the fight with an accumulation of small blows over 25 minutes.

Zavurov (18-1) is on a 13-fight win streak and making the third defense of the championship he won a year ago. Enomoto (8-3) has won two in a row since the loss to Zavurov, reestablishing his reputation as an international level fighter.

Zavurov, a Dagestani Muslim from the war torn Caucus mountains, learned a lot from that first contest. Especially, he says, about heart and desire – both his own and Enomoto’s. The M-1 Global Welterweight champion believes conditioning is the key to victory. In the first bout, Enomoto just seemed to get stronger the longer the fight went. This time he’ll be ready for a fighter who won’t quit.

“This time I think it will be actually easier for me,” Zavurov said. “I didn’t know him before, I didn’t have enough time to prepare. Now it is very much different. I know what to expect, I’ve prepared for him, I know I have to preserve my energy during the fight.”

To read the rest of  Jonathan Snowden’s interview with tonight’s main event fighters CLICK HERE.