They don't get together often, but when they do, WKG & M-1 Global create some strong MMA cards.
The latest co-promoted event from from the two organizations has surfaced on Chinese social media, featuring ten pro MMA fights to go down in Turpan, Xinjiang, China on May 11th. In the main event, China's Ahejiang Ailinuer (12-3) fights Azerbaijan's Zhasurbek Sobirov (7-1) at featherweight. Ailinuer was the number one-ranked fighter in this year's UFC Academy at the Performance Institute in Shanghai. After four days of physical tests, Ahejiang earned a perfect score from the PI staff and a full year scholarship to train at the facility.
Standing in his way is Sobirov, who has competed exclusively in Russia, where he also trains. He most recently took out Mahmoud Abdel Razak with a first-round body punch at MMA Global Series in March.
Also on the card is fellow UFC Academy fighter Regezhen (6-0), who fights Muhammadrasul Khasanov (1-0) of Tajikistan. Regezhen, who originates from the famed Chengdu team Enbo Fight, went 4-0 in 2023.
Another fighter of note on the card is Korean middleweight Lee Yi Sak (5-0), who fights Aerdake Apaer (1-2) of China. Lee has passed every test presented to him in his professional MMA career, whether it be at Japan's Gladiator FC or China's WLF MMA. At one point, Lee was in talks to join this year's season of The Ultimate Fighter in Las Vegas.
The card opens strong with the inclusion of Mongolian flyweight Namsari Batbayar (6-1), who recently had a strong performance at WLF MMA 71. His first-round submission win over Zou Jinbo propelled the Mongolian team to win the night 5-3 against WLF's Chinese team. The team victory was first time the Chinese team had lost when hosting international teams of fighters for single-night, country vs. country events.
The full card for WKG & M-1 Global is below, and is likely to stream on Chinese social media on May 11th.
WKG & M-1 Global full card:
Featherweight- Ahejiang Ailinuer (12-3, China) vs. Zhasurbek Sobirov (7-1, Armenia)
Heavyweight- Lee Seung Jun (6-6, South Korea) vs. Dilovar Ashurov (2-1, Tajikistan)
Featherweight- Regezhen (6-0, China) vs. Muhammadrasul Khasanov (1-0, Tajikistan)
Lightweight- Qalandar Tabarov (3-0, Tajikistan) vs. Gantumur Erkhemtur (Mongolia, 2-0)
Bantamweight- Huyixibai Chuhayifu (23-11-1, China) vs. Matheus Correia (8-0, Brazil)
Prelims
Light heavyweight- Yodgor Karimov (2-0, Uzbekistan) vs. Evy Johannes Akoundou (1-4, France)
Middleweight- Lee Yi Sak (5-0, South Korea) vs. Aerdake Apaer (1-2, China)
Strawweight- Li Yixuan (5-0, China) vs. Makhliyo Khabibullaeva (2-1, Uzbekistan)
Featherweight- Seong Hyeon Seok (South Korea) vs. Kalinu Kadelibieke (China)
Flyweight- Namsrai Batbayar (6-1, Mongolia) vs. Sarvarbek Kenzhaev (0-1, Russia)