EMC books four-man welterweight grand prix for next month featuring former UFC, PFL veterans
The German-based promotion Elite MMA Championship (EMC) has booked its first card since February with an upcoming four-man welterweight grand prix including the return of former UFC fighter Ismail Naurdiev.
Promotion officials confirmed the news to MMA Fighting with EMC 5 booked for Sept. 5 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The four fighters involved in the welterweight grand prix will be Naurdiev, who will make his first appearance since leaving the UFC as well as Amiran Gogoladze, Pavel Kusch and Tymoteusz Lopaczyk.
Naurdiev made his octagon debut in 2019 with an upset win over Michel Prazeres while also earning a victory over Siyar Bahadurzada during his time with the promotion. Ultimately, Naurdiev went 2-2 with the UFC before exiting the organization.
Gogoladze is a 22-year-old veteran who previously put together a 4-0 resume in M-1. As for Kusch, he competed in PFL, M-1 and Cage Warriors with wins over UFC veterans John Phillips and Abubakr Nurmagomedov.
The draw for the four-man welterweight grand prix will be made during fight week with semifinals taking place at EMC 5 and then eventual champion being crowned at EMC 6.
The main event for the EMC 5 card will feature Olympic gold medalist and former DREAM and PFL fighter Satoshi Ishii facing off with former BAMMA champion Stuart Austin to determine the first EMC heavyweight champion.
The upcoming card will also include fights between Konrad Dyrschka vs. Walter Pugliesi and Erko Jan facing Damian Olszewski.
The EMC 5 card will be the first event for the promotion since the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year. A limited number of fans will be allowed in attendance.