In 16 years the Russian mixed single combats took place a way from fights without rules before tournaments of world level.

M-1 (Basis date: November, 1997)

On November 1, 1997 the oldest Russian company led by Vadim Finkelstein held the first tournament in St. Petersburg. The basis it was made by tournaments four in heavy and semi-heavy scales which were won by the Dutch fighters Bob Shreyber and Gilbert Eyvel. Carrying out fights in a cage became feature of the first tournaments, and quite famous representatives of Holland and the fighters of the former Soviet Union taking the first steps in new sports became their participants. The first years the company carried out on two-three tournaments in St. Petersburg, and it was enough to provide only arising spectator interest.

In April, 2001 of M-1 for the first time  used become today already "pop" Russia against the World format. Our fighters won 10 of 16 duels of this meeting. Victories in the asset were written down by veterans of domestic MMA Amar Suloyev and Andrey Semyonov, notorious Vyacheslav Datsik and the participant of the main fight Stanislav Nushchik who was knocking out present a ring-anonsera of the company of Jan Friman. In the same M-1 format held some more tournaments and a number of the Grand Prix.

On April 14, 2007 the champion of PRIDE for the first time performed at joint tournament of the M-1 and Bodog company in heavy weight Fedor Emelyanenko. In the face of the president of the country of Vladimir Putin he in three minutes of fight with Matt Lindlend managed to receive a section, to carry out a counterthrow and to force the rival to be given the elbow lever. This event became the first tournament in Russia, caused enormous interest on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, and M-1 finally refused cage use in favor of ring more convenient for translations. Later in the company there will be also other PRIDE elements: representation of all fighters before tournament, bright exits, the high pitched female voice declaring fighters, yellow cards and alternative American the refereeing system

In the spring of 2008 of M-1 comes to really world level and will organize the first club World Cup in which ten teams from nine countries participated. Fedor Emelyanenko's club of Red Devil won against the national team of Holland a final duel where winners of two groups met, with the score 4-1. Champions as a part of a Russian team became Alexey Oleynik, Mikhail Zayats, Dmitry Samoilov, Eric Oganov and Mikhail Malyutin. Year later in even more large-scale tournament with participation already 16 teams the success of Petersburgers repeated the Rostov club "Legion".

In March, 2009 started the Russian club M-1 Selection championship which was shown on Boyets TV channel. This project in an initial format existed only one year, but gave an enormous impetus in development not only to beginning Russian fighters, but also the professional clubs which number grows every year, and level of their infrastructure steadily raises. In parallel from the Russian the Ukrainian and Belarusian club leagues of M-1 were created

In February, 2010 of M-1 starts a series of the Grand Prix of M-1 of Selections in five main weight categories. Tournaments eights reveal the strongest in the USA, to Western and Eastern Europe, and their winners play the first champion Selection M-1 belts. Butt matches showed excellent preparation of the Russian fighters. Also in 2010 of M-1 and the Fighter channel carry out the first Russian reality show M-1 Fighter for the purpose of identification of perspective fighters.

On November 20, 2011 Fedor Emelyanenko comes back to Russia and after three defeats in a row surely wins on Jeff Monson's points in the face of the overflowed tribunes "Olympic". Within the next seven months it knocks out Satosi Isy on New Year's tournament in Japan and to Pedra Rizza in the proshchalno a duel then will head the MMA Union of Russia. Creative searches of M-1 will lead to that the company will depart from the tournament concept in the parties of classical draw of belts and tournaments with rating fights.

On April 9, 2013 M-1 will organize the Grand Prix of heavyweights and presents a new form of a platform. Six-sided "рейдж" – a cage and ring hybrid. From above its basis is made by ropes, and from below a grid tense between kanvasy and highly lifted first ropes. On a plan of organizers "рейдж" kept a smotribelnost of a ring and I eliminated exit problems for ropes at fight in orchestra seats. The first pancake left a lump. Heavyweights Kenny Garner and Konstantin Gluhov tore ropes and destroyed a shaky design of a novelty.

In a current state of M-1 it is conventional is one of the strongest leagues in the world and probably the strongest in Europe. The trained Russian fighters and foreigners of high level take part in tournaments, and for the last year the company considerably strengthened a division of heavyweights, having signed such bright fighters, as Sergey Haritonov, Damian Grabovsky, Satosi Isy and others.

FIGHT NIGHTS (Basis date: June, 2010)

On June 5, 2010 passes the first show of the original promotion company FIGHT NIGHTS combining duels by rules MMA, K-1 and professional fighting sambo. The first tournament presented winner Gran-pri in Murad Machayev's easy weight, and the main star of the company kikcboxer Hasikov took Bath a convincing revenge from Portuguese Ricardo Fernandesh and won a title of the world champion in the WAKO-Pro version.

November 5, 2011. Unlike many short-lived companies FIGHT NIGHTS not only I didn't decay, but also with each tournament I raised the level, opening the world of single combats of new bright stars from Russia and bringing already become legendary athletes. Fifth "Battle of Moscow" brought together to Bath Hasikov with Mike Zambidis. Their duel interrupted in the first round when after blow a knee of the Russian the Greek was traumatized jaws. Two years later the revenge of two big champions is expected.

December 16, 2012. For the first time over the last ten years the duel in Russia is carried out by Andrey Orlovsky. The ex-champion of UFC in the main event "Battles of Moscow 9" wins a persistent victory on points over Mike Heysom. However as the true professional and extremist Andrey remains isn't satisfied with quality of the fight and apologizes before the audience.

June 20, 2013. For the third anniversary of the FIGHT NIGHTS company prepares at once some surprises. First, heads "A battle of Moscow 12" a final duel of the fascinating trilogy between Shamil Zavurov and Yasubey Enomoto which winner the Swiss fighter comes out. Secondly, tournament takes place for the first time in a cage which, according to organizers, is the best platform for MMA. At last, the mixed single combats gradually force out a kickboxing and sambo from FIGHT NIGHTS platforms.

MMA union of Russia (Basis date: September, 2012)

In 2013 the calendar of tournaments on the amateur mixed martial art considerably extended. Selection on the championship of Russia was made by results of the championships of federal districts, and the All-Russian competitions replenished with the Cup of Russia, superiority among juniors and a number of regional tournaments. At the international level Kiev accepted the European championship where the second numbers of Russian national team acted. As for champions of the country, on October 19-20 they will participate in the World Cup on which representatives of 40 countries were declared. Already I found a registration and the following national championship which will take place in Khanty-Mansiysk in the summer.

Accurately built structure of amateur tournaments will allow beginning masters of martial arts to adapt more smoothly for MMA, and also will give an impetus to development of the mixed single combats in regions. The fact of recognition of MMA a sport, federation accreditation in the sports and precondition ministry to standardization and regulation at the state level of the MMA-industry became a key event.

The other

For last 15 years many companies stopped the existence, having hardly arisen. It is enough to remember even in recent years some projects with the ambitious names Verdict FC, Lions Fights, Dictator FC, whose fuse at the best sufficed on two tournaments. Now the world of single combats with interest watches not less ambitious Legend project, however while early to say that they became the big player in the industry of single combats. The organization at present leaves more questions, than answers. If promotion continues to arrange fights with in advance known result as, for example, Emelyanenko's duel — Sapp, it is quite possible that shortly will be to rest in oblivion.

Alexander Kruglov

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