M-1 Announces Fighter of the Year Awards
M-1 Global’s M-1 Challenge is a mixed martial arts competition conducted in a team format. M-1 handed out awards in recognition of individual performances during its inaugural season.
Most Outstanding Fighter – Nominees were:
- Jessie Gibbs of Team Holland,
- Jarno Nurminen of Team Finland,
- Daisuke Nakamura of Team Japan.
Winner: Jessie Gibbs of Team Holland. Gibbs went 3-0 in M-1 action in 2008. Unfortunately, he did lose in the final, which was held in 2009. Check out Jessie Gibbs M-1 Challenge 9 fight here.
Most Exciting Fighter – Nominees were:
- Bogdan Christea of Team Holland,
- Mikail Malyutin of Team Russian Legion,
- Maktar Gueye of Team France.
Winner: Bogdan Christea of Team Holland. Christea went 1-1 in 2008 in two exciting matches. Like Gibbs, Christea lost his Final’s match to his Red Devil opponent.
Most Promising Fighter – Nominees were:
- Jake Ellenberger of Team USA
- Kirill Sidelnikov of Russia Red Devils
- Juan Manuel Suarez of Team Spain
Winner: Kirill Sidelnikov of Russia Red Devils. Sidelnikov went 4-1 in M-1 competition in 2008 (2-1 in M-1 Challenge Competition). Sidelnikov took a step up at Affliction Day of Reckoning where he was defeated by Paul Buentello.