Scott Kent, the main man behind Lion Fight was kind enough to answer some questions for Muay Thai Authority recently regarding the top Muay Thai promotion in the United States. Scott answered everything from what match ups interest him in the future to what some of the challenges a promoter faces.
Kent also speaks of the expansion and growth fans can expect from Lion Fight in 2015. It really seems the promotion is set to take some big steps including expanding their event locations.
MTA: There have been some big things for Lion Fight in the past few months. When you initially started Lion Fight did you anticipate to do so well this fast?
Scott: We have gone into uncharted territory with Muay Thai in America but even from very beginning Christine and I thought this was a great opportunity for us to step in and take our amazing sport to the next level. Getting on national TV and getting more people to see it was key.
Kent also speaks of the expansion and growth fans can expect from Lion Fight in 2015. It really seems the promotion is set to take some big steps including expanding their event locations.
MTA: There have been some big things for Lion Fight in the past few months. When you initially started Lion Fight did you anticipate to do so well this fast?
Scott: We have gone into uncharted territory with Muay Thai in America but even from very beginning Christine and I thought this was a great opportunity for us to step in and take our amazing sport to the next level. Getting on national TV and getting more people to see it was key.
MTA: You recently started having events in Connecticut at Foxwoods Casino. Why there over any other place on the east coast?
Scott: Business is about building relationships and I have a history with the CEO of Foxwoods Felix Rappaport. I've known him for over 20 years and he had seen Lion Fight in Vegas so we knew we had a solid partner that would commit to the growth of Lion Fight on the east coast. Foxwoods is amazing!
MTA: How has the reception for Lion Fight been on the east coast?
Scott: The response has been overwhelming. We sold out our first show and everyone knew who Lion Fight was because of the TV exposure and the reputation of the cards Christine has put together.
MTA: What is your favorite part about being a promoter?
Scott: Being a part of something that is alive and being a part of something that is bigger than me or Lion Fight or any one fighter. The Lion Fight team is passionate about what we are doing and taking pride in giving the sport the recognition it deserves. Seeing a kid wear a Lion Fight shirt always brings a smile and reaffirms what we are doing.
MTA: What is your least favorite part about being a promoter?
Scott: There are so many moving parts that sometimes it’s very frustrating to pull it all together and make the show look seamless. Without Christine we couldn't do this. Like any start up business raising capital and getting sponsors to buy in to what you are doing is challenge as well.
MTA: Out of all the match ups that Lion Fight has had, which has to be your favorite up to this point?
Scott: I get asked this all of the time and I don't have one fight. Kevin and Tiffany are always exciting, Yod is a legend. Some of the up and coming fighters are really making a name for themselves with their fights and we have signed them exclusively to Lion Fight.
MTA: If you could make any fight in the future which two fighters would be part of that and why?
Scott: I want to see Kevin fight Saenchai, Yamato and I think he wins those fights. We know they would be highlight reel fights. Any fight with Yodsanklai will be a classic. Truly one of those fighters that people will be talking about for years. There are so many great match ups and we have many weight divisions that we don't have a champion yet.
MTA: What are the plans for Lion Fight in the future?
Scott: We are looking at some new jurisdictions to expand the Lion Fight brand and continue to grow our fan base. We feel it’s very important to maintain a conservative financial plan and focus on growing our fighters and their fan bases rather than coming in and spending millions of dollars on a sport that doesn't have the infrastructure yet to sustain it.
MTA: You have clearly increased the amount of events you are doing each year, how many can we expect next year from Lion Fight?
Scott: For 2015 we are looking at 10 fights and some new venues beyond Vegas and Connecticut...... stay tuned.
MTA: You have Lion Fight 18 coming up, how excited are you for Lion Fight's 18th event with two world title fights on the line?
Scott: It looks like the Baars fight isn't going to happen now but we have stacked the card and Yod and Khalifa are the story.
MTA: After Lion Fight 18, when can we expect to see Lion Fight 19?
Scott: We will have 2 World Title fights on November 21 at Foxwoods and another stacked card. In addition to the title fights there may even be a Rungravee sighting...
Scott: Business is about building relationships and I have a history with the CEO of Foxwoods Felix Rappaport. I've known him for over 20 years and he had seen Lion Fight in Vegas so we knew we had a solid partner that would commit to the growth of Lion Fight on the east coast. Foxwoods is amazing!
MTA: How has the reception for Lion Fight been on the east coast?
Scott: The response has been overwhelming. We sold out our first show and everyone knew who Lion Fight was because of the TV exposure and the reputation of the cards Christine has put together.
MTA: What is your favorite part about being a promoter?
Scott: Being a part of something that is alive and being a part of something that is bigger than me or Lion Fight or any one fighter. The Lion Fight team is passionate about what we are doing and taking pride in giving the sport the recognition it deserves. Seeing a kid wear a Lion Fight shirt always brings a smile and reaffirms what we are doing.
MTA: What is your least favorite part about being a promoter?
Scott: There are so many moving parts that sometimes it’s very frustrating to pull it all together and make the show look seamless. Without Christine we couldn't do this. Like any start up business raising capital and getting sponsors to buy in to what you are doing is challenge as well.
MTA: Out of all the match ups that Lion Fight has had, which has to be your favorite up to this point?
Scott: I get asked this all of the time and I don't have one fight. Kevin and Tiffany are always exciting, Yod is a legend. Some of the up and coming fighters are really making a name for themselves with their fights and we have signed them exclusively to Lion Fight.
MTA: If you could make any fight in the future which two fighters would be part of that and why?
Scott: I want to see Kevin fight Saenchai, Yamato and I think he wins those fights. We know they would be highlight reel fights. Any fight with Yodsanklai will be a classic. Truly one of those fighters that people will be talking about for years. There are so many great match ups and we have many weight divisions that we don't have a champion yet.
MTA: What are the plans for Lion Fight in the future?
Scott: We are looking at some new jurisdictions to expand the Lion Fight brand and continue to grow our fan base. We feel it’s very important to maintain a conservative financial plan and focus on growing our fighters and their fan bases rather than coming in and spending millions of dollars on a sport that doesn't have the infrastructure yet to sustain it.
MTA: You have clearly increased the amount of events you are doing each year, how many can we expect next year from Lion Fight?
Scott: For 2015 we are looking at 10 fights and some new venues beyond Vegas and Connecticut...... stay tuned.
MTA: You have Lion Fight 18 coming up, how excited are you for Lion Fight's 18th event with two world title fights on the line?
Scott: It looks like the Baars fight isn't going to happen now but we have stacked the card and Yod and Khalifa are the story.
MTA: After Lion Fight 18, when can we expect to see Lion Fight 19?
Scott: We will have 2 World Title fights on November 21 at Foxwoods and another stacked card. In addition to the title fights there may even be a Rungravee sighting...
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