Rungravee Sasiprapa in America

Rungravee Sasiprapa makes his next US appearance this July 4th in Las Vegas under the Lion Fight Promotions banner to face California based Adrian Morilla.  

The Bangkok based fighter makes his 3rd appearance to American fans, having solidified a viewership off two previous appearances, both in 2011.  

In August 2011 Rungravee faced Japan's Kunitaka Fujiwara in a bout where Rungravee captivated the audience in the first round with kicks that banged loud across the arena, an elbow to the head that gave Fujiwara his first 8-count of the bout and a head kick that prompted the ref for a second 8-count.  Fujiwara would go on to sustain a beating in the second round, receiving another 8-count before being knocked down by a right hook that had the referee intervene and stop the fight.  By the sound of the crowd through the entire bout it was obvious that Rungravee had indelbily introduced himself to a part of the world new to him. 

Photo by Scott Hirano

In the wake of his exciting first appearance, Rungravee would be brought back to the states just two months later to face Spain's Andres Martinez.  His move-forward style remained as he absorbed the strikes of the Spaniard dismissively.  Attacks to his legs eventually wore down Martinez, leaving him in a struggle to balance himself upright, when finally knees from the unforgiving opponent finally had the ref step in for the TKO.

Photo by Scott Hirano

Rungravee has built an international reputation on aggressiveness, willing to absorb punishment in order to relentlessly move forward on opponents.  A style fit for the American audience, Rungravee guarantees violence and effort no matter what the outcome.

Photo by Scott Hirano

Lion Fight 16 fight card official

Lion Fight 16 will take place July 4th from The Pearl at The Palms Casino in Las Vegas. The Independence Day event will feature a Lion Fight Super Lightweight title fight between America's Kevin Ross and Australia's Michael Thompson, the co-main event will feature Tiffany Van Soest vs. Sindy Huyer. The remainder of the card will feature Thai stand out Rungravee Sasiprapa vs. Adrian Morilla as well as Katel Kubis vs. Michael Corley.

Ross recently defeated up and comer Chris Mauceri by third round (T)KO at Lion Fight 15 in Connecticut. Ross cut Mauceri early in the bout and eventually the cut forced the doctor stoppage. Thompson is one of Australia's best up and coming fighters and has a huge in under his belt over Pornsanae Sitmonchai.

Van Soest will look to win back to back fights when she takes on Italy's Sindy Huyer. It will be another solid test for Van Soest as she looks to climb back into title contention to regain the title she lost to Caley Reece earlier this year. Huyer has frequently trained in Thailand and will definitely benefit from a victory over a fighter like Van Soest.

Fight Card:
Kevin Ross vs. Michael Thompson
Tiffany Van Soest vs. Sindy Huyer
Rungravee Sasiprapa vs. Adrian Morilla
Katel Kubis vs. Michael Corley
Tyler Toner vs. Gaston Bolanos

Josh Shepard vs. Casey Partlett

WCK Muay Thai "Bad to the Bone" results

WCK Muay Thai “Bad to the Bone” took place this past weekend at the Pechanga Hotel and Casino in Temecula, CA. In the night’s main event Sergio Pique and Virgil Zwicker fought for five rounds with Pique earning a split decision victory. Zwicker seemed to be the stronger fighter earlier in the bout, but as he began to fade Pique began to pick up the action and was able to take the fight on two of the three judge’s score cards.

In the night’s co-main event Mike Lemaire took home a split decision over Andy Murad. Lemaire was coming off a “Road to Glory” tournament win and many thought he would simply walk through Murad, but that wasn’t the case. Murad kept the fight close by clinching and slowing down the pace of the fight and not letting Lemaire unload with his heavy strikes. In the end two of the judge’s saw the fight for Lemaire, giving him the win. Lemaire remains undefeated and pushes his pro record to 8-0.

Josh Aragon won scored a spectacular knockout in the fourth round of his fight with Karl Santiago. The Sityodtong Los Angeles product connected with a spinning elbow that sent Santiago crashing down to the canvas. It was an impressive knockout by Aragon who is now 2-0 since turning pro.

Jemyma Betrian needed only 30 second to dispatch of Baitong Sumalee. Betrian sent Sumalee to the canvas as soon as the fight started after connecting with a bunch. When Sumalee got back to her feet, Betrian pounced and unloaded on her ending the fight. It was a dominant and impressive performance by Betrian.

Afam Egbochuku scored a third round knockout over Miguel Cosio in a fight that was full of action. The pair actually scored a double knockdown in the second round, but in the end it was Egbochuku who earned the stoppage victory.

In the night's other pro bouts Joe Davidson defeated John Vargas unanimous decision, Adam Rothweiler defeated Adrian Morilla by unanimous decision, Marvin Madariaga scored a third round (T)KO over Greg Roberts, and Jacob Poss scored a flying knee knockout over Jason Rzepka.

Results:
Sergio Pique def. Virgil Zwicker via Split Decision
Mike Lemaire def. Andy Murad via Split Decision
Josh Aragon def. Karl Santiago via KO (Spinning Elbow) in Rd. 4
Jemyma Betrian def. Baitong Sumalee via KO in Rd. 1
Adam Rothweiler def. Adrian Morilla via Unanimous Decision
Afam Egbochuku def. Miguel Cosio via KO in Rd. 3
Joe Davidson def. John Vargas via Unanimous Decision
Marvin Madariaga def. Greg Roberts via (T)KO in Rd. 3
Jacob Poss def. Jason Rzepka via KO in Rd. 1

Fight card for Saturday's WCK Muay Thai "Bad to the Bone" event

WCK Muay Thai returns to Temecula, CA this Saturday with “Bad to the Bone” at Pechanga Resort and Casino. The event will feature some of America’s rising talent such as Mike Lemaire, Afam Egbochuku, and Josh Aragon. Also fighting on the card will be some international talent as Sergio Pique, Baitong Sumalee and Jemyma Betrian will be fighting for WCK and WBC Muay Thai titles. 

Below is the full fight card for Saturday. You can see the entire fight card for Saturday's event at Pechanga Resort and Casino below.

Fight Card:
Sergio Pique vs. Virgil Zwicker
Josh Aragon vs. Karl Santiago
Jemyma Betrian vs. Baitong Sumalee
Adam Rothweiler vs. Adrian Morilla
Miguel Cosio vs. Afam Egbochuku
Joe Davidson vs. John Vargas
Greg Roberts vs. Marvin Madariaga
Jacob Poss vs. Jason Rzepka
Brian Burns vs. James Steelsmith
George Garcia vs. Jose Rodriguez

Pictures: Lion Fight Muay Thai 7

Scott Hirano (@ScottHirano) was ringside at Lion Fight Muay Thai 7 (@LFPLasVegas) to capture pictures of all the night's action. Lion Fight Muay Thai 7 featured the main event bout between Eddie Walker (@EddieShowtime) and Joe Schilling (@Cant_Stop_Crazy). In an impressive come from behind victory, Eddie Walker survived two knock downs to battle back and win by knockout in the second round. Enjoy.

Make sure to go like the official Scott Hirano Fight Photography facebook page.

Results and Recap of Lion Fight Muay Thai 7: Walker KO's Schilling

by Faye Lucas

Lion Fight Muay Thai 7 (@LFPLasVegas) took place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. It was a night of action packed fights and none more impressive than Eddie Walker’s (@EddieShowtime) main event win over Joe Schilling (@Cant_Stop_Crazy).

Walker was considered an under dog by many as he came into the fight with Schilling and early on in the fight it seemed that Joe Schilling’s prediction that Walker would not make it out of the first round would come true. Schilling went to work on Walker's lead leg early with kicks and was able to knock Walker down in the first round after connecting with an elbow. A calm and collected Walker got back to his feet and informed the referee he could continue. In the second round it seemed like Schilling was looking to finish what he started in the first round as he went to work on Walker's leg and again scored a knock down with an elbow from the clinch. Walker got up a bit slower than the first time and was bleeding from a cut that opened up, but he was once again able to answer the referee’s count. Schilling got more aggressive as he looked to finish the fight, but Walker began to let his hands go more and in a close exchange a short right hand from Walker connected on the jaw of Schilling and sent him crashing to the canvas. It was a vicious knock out by Walker that left the mainly pro Schilling crowd stunned. Easily the biggest win of Walker’s career.

Pictures: Lion Fight Muay Thai 7 Weigh-Ins

Scott Hirano (@ScottHirano) was on hand at the Lion Fight Muay Thai 7 (@LFPLasVegas) weigh-ins to capture pics. The night's main event for October 13th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will feature Joe Schilling (@Cant_Stop_Crazy) against Eddie Walker (@EddieShowtime). In the co-main event Joseph Valtellini (@BazookaJoeV) will be taking on Gregory Choplin.

Video: Lion Fight Muay Thai 7 weigh-ins

Jeri Sitzes vs. Tiffany Van Soest and Coke Chunhawat vs. Adrian Morilla expected for Lion Fight Muay Thai VII

In addition to Eddie Walker vs. Joe Schilling and Joseph Valtellini vs. Gregory Choplin, two more bouts are expected for Lion Fight Muay Thai VII. Jeri Sitzes vs. Tiffany Van Soest and Coke Chunhawat vs. Adrian Morilla will also take place at the October 13th event at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, CA.

Sitzes will be defending her WBC International Super Bantamweight Title against Van Soest who in less than a year has started to make her mark on the female Muay Thai scene. Both ladies are undefeated and the bout should prove to be an exciting one for the fans.

Coke Chunhawat will be returning to action to take on Black House fighter Adrian Morilla. Chunhawat will definitely be the more experienced fighter of the two, so it will be interesting to see if Morilla can offer the veteran a challenge in the ring.