Bruno Silva and Alexander Shlemenko (right) (photo via M-1 Global)

By Press Release

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (May 31, 2018) – The official weight in was held today for tomorrow’s M-1 Challenge 93 at Chelyabinsk, Russia.

American fighter Joe “Diesel” Riggs experienced a long, costly trip from the U.S. to Chelyabinsk to challenge undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artiom Frolov in the co-featured event.

“On my way to Russia,” Riggs explained his journey, “we took an Uber to get to the airport. We had an accident. I wanted to take another Uber, but the cops would not let me leave, because they wanted to send me to the hospital to get checked. One of my cornermen had to go to the hospital because he was seated in the part of the car that has been damaged.

“I called the guys in M-1 Global and told them I was not going to make the flight to California. They were freaking out and said there is no way I could miss the flight and come the next day because it would mess everything up. I bought tickets for another flight to California, which would give me around 40 minutes to get in on time for the connection flight to Moscow. I had a choice of either taking my bags and staying overnight in California or leaving my bags and flying right away to Russia. I chose the second option, left my bags, and made it to Moscow. Now, I kind of regret that decision because it cost me around $20,000, which I will lose in sponsorship, but it’s all good, everything happens for a reason.

“Winning the belt would be a great end for my career. M-1 Global is a fantastic organization! This will be my fourth world title and it really means a lot for me. The guy I’m fighting, Artem Frolov, is not well-known, but he will probably be one of the best fighters I’ve ever fought! Anytime you fight for the title, you feel pressure. I was supposed to be the UFC champion when I was 22, but I would not show up for certain fights. I would not fight up to my potential and now I want to enter The Rage, show my best, and get that belt.”

MAIN EVENT – MIDDELWEIGHTS — 3 X 5
(R) Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko
(56-10-1, M-1: 6-0-0), Russia 184.4 lbs. (83.65 kg)
vs.
(L) Bruno Silva (17-6-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil 186.07 lbs. (84.4 kg)

CO-FEATURE – M-1 CHALLENGE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
(R) Artiom Frolov (10-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), Champion, Russia 185.18 lbs. (84 kg)
vs.
(L) Joe “Diesel” Riggs (47-17-1, M-1: 2-0-1), Challenger, USA 185.18 lbs. (84 kg)

FLYWEIGHTS — 3 X 5
(L) Chris “The Greek Assassin” Kelades (12-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Canada 124.56 lbs. (56.5 kg)
vs.
(R) Alexander Pletenko (13-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0-), Ukraine 125 lbs. (56.7 kg)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
(L) Rogerio Karranca (13-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil 154.32 lbs. (70 kg)
vs.
(R) Alexey “Ataman” Makhno (17-6-0, M-1: 4-3-0), Russia lbs. 161.82 lbs. (73.4 kg)
(yellow card) –

(L) Mikael “Hulk” Silander (17-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Finland 124.78 lbs. (56.6 kg)
vs.
(R) Nureles Aidarov (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Kyrgyzstan 124.56 lbs. (56.5 kg)

PRELIMINARY CARD

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Charles-Henri Lucien (0-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), France228.62 lbs. (103.7 kg)
vs.
Yuriy Fedorov (pro debut), Russia 260.15 lbs. (118 kg)

Nikolay Rachek (7-5-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 249.12 lbs. (113 kg)
vs.
Nikolay Savilov (11-3-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia 231.82 lbs. (105.15 kg)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Nikita Novikov (5-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 184.42 lbs. (83.65 kg)
vs.
Vladimir Migovich (0-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 182.87 lbs. (82.95 kg)

Mark Hulme (5-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), South Africa 183.76 lbs. (83.35 kg)
vs.
Vadim Shabadash (7-2-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia 184.64 lbs. (83.75 kg)

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Magomed Magomedov (8-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 154.98 lbs. (70.3 kg)
vs.
Nikita Podkovalnikov (1-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 154.54 lbs. (70.1 kg)

BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Sergey Klyuev (5-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia 135.14 lbs. (61.3 kg)
vs.
Ilya Karetnikov (4-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia 128.97 lbs. (58.5 kg)

FLYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Egor Filidov (Pro Debut), Russia 122.8 lbs. (55.7 kg)
vs.
Pierre Ludet (3-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), France, 125 lbs. (56.7 kg)

(all fights & fighters subject to change)

WHEN: Friday, June 1, 2018

WHERE: Chelyabinsk, Russia

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (9.00 a.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. PT in USA). Also available on FITE.TV (preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)