An interview with Vadim Finkelstein Sergei Matvienko from Russian Mixfight M-1

An interview with Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein) and Sergei Matvienko, president and vice-president of Russian Mixfight M-1. Some interesting quotes

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Q2. What problems did you come across while organizing this event?
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): We had a bunch of problems as it was the first time we made an event of this caliber. Lack of time for instance. Also they gave us a smaller arena than we expected because there was not enough time to conduct a full-scale campaign advertising the upcoming event. So we decided to not take the risk. The arena could seat only 22’000 spectators but there were about 27’000 in attendance, the arena was pretty much overcrowded. It was simply impossible to dismantle the arena in one day.
Sergei Matvienko: For the next event we’ll get the building which would seat 40’000 people. We are confident there still will be lack of free seats. It was the case the last time as a lot of potential viewers couldn’t get a ticket.

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Q4. How did you manage to gather fighters from different promotions?
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): First of all we stated that we intend to collaborate with different promotions in the first place. We’ll keep cooperating with K-1 and other organizations willing to cooperate with us. Right now we do our best to arrange Fedor – Randy fight. Almost everyone wants that megafight – Randy, M-1 Global and every single MMA fan in the world.

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Q5. Can fans expect further collaboration with K-1, DEEP and ex-Pride staff?
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): Sure! We’ll gladly work with these promotions.


Q6. Was New Year’s Eve Yarennoka! the first M-1 Global’s event or an independent tournament supported by M-1 Global?
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): Yarennoka! was conceived to say good-bye to Pride. We made it together with the world’s best team. Pride can be dead but its idea still exists and it lives in M-1 Global.

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Q8. What’s next for M-1 Global?
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): We plan to keep MMA fans happy. There are 5-6 major events a year planned. We intend to hold ‘M-1 Challenge’ in four countries. You’ll get the details later on.

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Q11. Is it truth there is a possibility of rematch between Fedor and Choi?
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): If Choi agrees we won’t hinder the fight from happening in the future.


Q12. Who will be Fedor’s next opponent and when the fight will take place?
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): Now I can only confirm that Fedor’s next fight is scheduled to take place in the USA. More detailes in a couple of weeks.


Q13. What can you say about the possibility of the rematch against Semmi Schilt?
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): There are no opponents Fedor won’t like to fight. Schilt has already tried himself against Fedor back in 2002. He is a good kickboxer. I don’t think he’s greatly improved his MMA skills since then. But if there is a brisk demand for it – it can happen.


Q14. Was Yarennoka! one night stand or will this event be held on a regular basis?
Sergei Matvienko: This championship closed curtains of legendary events held inder the Pride banner. Now we’ll revive this tradition under the name of M-1 Global.
Vadim Finkelstein (Vadim Finkelchtein): We saw off Pride but MMA fans shouldn’t feel upset about it. M-1 Global will do its best to resurrect wonderful MMA-events and make fans happy.

Read full interview for more questions and answers.