M-1 Challenge Returns to Kansas City on June 5th

The fifth M-1 Challenge event of 2009 will take place in Kansas City, KS, on June 5th, M-1 Global has announced, and will feature five bouts between Team USA East and Team Finland. Two bouts each between England vs. France, and Turkey vs. World Team will also be announced.

Already confirmed for the main portion of the card is a lightweight bout between the USA's Renato Migliaccio (5-0) and Finnish veteran Niko Puhakka (14-8). The 31-year-old Ryan Gracie black belt Migliaccio has fought only five times since 2003. Puhakka holds a 3-1 record within the M-1 Challenge, though his last bout was for Finland's Fight Festival and ended in a submission loss to the excellent Bendy Casimir.

Finland is the only team thus far to confirm their full roster:

LW: Niko Puhakka (14-8)
WW: Janne Tulirinta (10-3)
MW: Lucio Linhares (11-4)
LW: Marcus Vanttinen (9-1)
HW: Toni Valtonen (18-8)

Also rumored is a light heavyweight match between France's Christian M'Pumbu (12-2-1) and England's Tom Blackledge (8-6), both of whom picked up quick wins at M-1's third event in Tokyo last month.

The "World Team" will be coached by the M-1 Global-managed Gegard Mousasi, who today opened M-1's new training center in Amsterdam.

Here are the current standings for the 2009 M-1 Challenge:

M-1 Challenge Standings as of May 10, 2009:

GROUP A

Team / Overall Won-Loss / Head-to-Head Won-Loss

1. England: 1-0/4-1
2. Spain: 1-0/3-2
3. France: 0-1/2-3
4. Japan: 0-1/1-4

GROUP B

Team / Overall Won-Loss / Head-to-Head Won-Loss

1. USA West: 2-0/8-2
2. Team Brazil Naja: 1-1/7-3
3. South Korea: 1-1/3-7
4. Imperial of Russia: 0-2/2-8

GROUP C

Team / Overall Won-Loss / Head-to-Head Won-Loss

1. USA East: 1-0/5-0
2. Finland: 1-0/4-1
3. Bulgaria: 1-1/3-7
4. Benelux: 0-2/3-7

GROUP D

Team / Overall Won-Loss / Head-to-Head Won-Loss

1. Russia Legion: 2-0/8-2
2. Germany: 1-1/6-4
3. World Team: 0-1/1-4
4. Turkey: 0-1/0-5