Results and Recap: Friday Night Fights Muay Thai season opener

New York - - Friday Night Fights Muay Thai kicked of the 2012 American Muay Thai scene with their season opener. The Hall at St. Paul's was packed to the gills with fans ready to see the year's first Muay Thai action in New York. The event was headlined by a bout between Tampa's Alex Berrios and Hoboken's Travis Lerchen. In the opening frame Berrios established his presence early when he threw a body kick that was caught by Lerchen, but Berrios countered with a punch that would drop Lerchen. After Lerchen answered the referee's count, he tried to press Berrios, but was met with a powerful push kick that sent him down again. The referee began the count again as Lerchen rose to his feet, but the fight was waived off. Lerchen protested the stoppage, saying he was ready to go, but the referee said Lerchen was not responding when asked if he wanted to continue. Berrios was clearly not happy with the stoppage, but nonetheless it is a win for Berrios. Despite the controversial stoppage he was clearly controlling the fight.

In the night's co-main event Jake Mainini scored a vicious knockout of Mohammed Lemjerdine. Both fighters were fighting their second pro fight and wasted no time getting the action going. They met in the middle of the ring and exchanged strikes until Mainini landed a vicious over hand right that sent Lemjerdine down. He got back up, but it was clearly visible he was hurt. As soon as the action was restarted, Mainini pounced and connected with a variety of strikes before connecting with the final punch that sent Lemjerdine down for good. It was an exciting and impressive performance by Mainini.

Marcus Fisher and Strahinja Ivanovic both fought three hard rounds. Fisher was able to keep Ivanovic from gaining any rhythm as he continuously tied him up in the clinch and controlled the pace. It was clear that he was physically the stronger fighter and was able to use it to his advantage and take home the unanimous decision win.

In the night's first pro fight Troy Sheridan made a successful professional debut as he picked Anthony Ford apart with leg kicks. From the ring of the first bell, Sheridan went to work with his kicks knocking him down three times in the first round. As soon as the second round started, things continued just as in the first, as Sheridan once again would work his leg kicks on Ford. After a fourth and final knockdown due to leg kicks, the bout was called off as Sheridan scored a (T)KO victory in his pro debut.

Pro Results:
Alex Berrios def. Travis Lerchen via (T)KO in Rd. 1
Jake Mainini def. Mohammed Lemjerdine via KO in Rd. 1
Marcus Fisher def. Strahinja Ivanovic via Unanimous Decision
Tory Sheridan def. Anthony Ford via (T)KO (Leg Kicks) in Rd. 2

Amateur Results:
Angela Hill def. Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu via Unanimous Decision
Paul Zawistowski def. Alex Stine via Split Decision
Tyler Scott def. Jovan Davis via Unanimous Decision
Erick Castro def. Junaid Hamid via Unanimous Decision
Laurie Cahill def. Chantal Perry via Unanimous Decision
Elias Hernandez def. Gustavo Navarrete via Split Decision