Scott Kent talks 2014 Lion Fight success and plans for 2015

We had the change to talk to Lion Fight promoter Scott Kent about 2014 and what the promotion has coming up in 2015. Lion Fight continued its strong growth in the United States, and has bigger plans for 2015. They have started to focus on developing America's young talents and as always continue to bring some of the world's best striker into the Lion Fight ring. You can read the interview with Scott Kent below.

MTA: Another year is in the books for Lion Fight. How would you sum up 2014 for the promotion?

Scott Kent: 2014 has been another great year for Lion Fight. AXS TV has given us tremendous national exposure and as a result our shows at Foxwoods have been a huge success and Muay Thai is definitely exploding across the U.S. This is also the first year the UFC has asked another professional promotion to be a part of the International Fight Week and Lion Fight was thrilled with the opportunity on the biggest stage in combat sport to showcase Lion Fight Muay Thai.

MTA: When Lion Fight started there was a decent amount of promotions promoting Muay Thai in the United States. Since then many have disappeared. What is it that you have done different that has kept you going strong?

Scott Kent: We've seen many promotions come and go since we started 4 years ago. I'm sure there are different reasons for each promotion but this is a very tough business and one of the keys to our success is having consistent shows and building a brand. That takes operating capital and reasonable expectations from a business standpoint. We've been fortunate to have that support and commitment and like any business you have show growth and a vision beyond 1 or 2 fights.

MTA: 2015 is coming and you already announced the year will start off with Lion Fight 20 on the east coast. Why start the year off on the east coast?

Scott Kent: We have to work around available dates for the venues and AXS TV, our television partner. The response on the East Coast to Lion Fight has been amazing and we felt this is how we will start the year with Jorina Baars, the new "Baddest Woman on the Planet" defending her title after beating Chris Cyborg in an epic fight in Las Vegas. Foxwoods is the biggest casino in North America and has been a tremendous partner on the East Coast and we will continue to showcase the best Muay Thai fighters in the world and grow our brand and fan base.

MTA: Jorina Baars will be defending her Lion Fight title, is she someone that Lion Fight fans will be seeing more of come 2015?

Scott Kent: We have signed a multi fight deal with Jorina Baars and she will be fighting exclusively for Lion Fight. You rarely fight a Muay Thai fighter with as many fights as she has and still have an undefeated record. She literally can't get fights overseas and she is an amazing talent and we are thrilled to have her fight for us. No one outside of a very small group of Muay Thai fans gave her much of a chance against Chris Cyborg but she really showed her Muay Thai technique and that she wasn't going to be intimidated. That is another rematch that is on our radar at some point.

MTA: You also have Chris Mauceri in action, definitely a young up and coming prospect. He is taking on Thai veteran Sittisak, what are your thoughts on that match up; Sittisak definitely has a lot more experience?

Scott Kent: Chris Mauceri wants to fight the best fighters out there. He reminds me of a young Kevin Ross in that respect. He just beat Coke Chunhawat who has vastly more experience and was a former Thai champion on Lion Fight 19. Sittisak fought Kevin Ross on Lion Fight 1 and beat Kevin in a very close fight in which Kevin sustained significant cuts but kept bringing the fight and solidified his reputation as the blood and guts warrior of Muay Thai. Chris Mauceri and Sittisak is another example from our matchmaker, Christine Toldedo that we don't mismatch fighters to build their records. Christine puts the best fights together for the fighters and the fans and thats another reason Lion Fight Muay Thai has grown so fast.

MTA: Is there any one in particular you would like to bring to the Lion Fight ring in 2015?

Scott Kent: There are many fighters we are looking at for 2015. We have always tried to bring in the best fighters in the world and Christine is having discussions with many fighters as we fill up our cards for 2015. You can always expect us to bring in a few surprises from Thailand and I'm sure we will be bring in many more exciting fighters from around the globe to the Lion Fight ring. We are also very excited about all of the great Muay Thai fighters that we are developing in the United States and of course Lion Fight World Champion Kevin Ross.

MTA: Lion Fight is also making their move into California in 2015, how excited are you for that? California use to be a hot bed for Muay Thai but in recent years it has had a lack of quality events.

Scott Kent: I've always followed the Muay Thai scene in California and wanted to make sure the timing was right and we had the right partner before we brought Lion Fight there. We will be working with Pechanga and are so excited about bringing the Lion Fight brand to the biggest and best casino in California. Pechanga is a beautiful property and their location is perfect for our California fans. Strategically it gives us the best locations on both coasts and with our home in the Fight Capital of the World in Las Vegas we feel Lion Fight and Muay Thai have a very bright future.