Pros give their thoughts on Schilling vs. Marcus controversy

Due to the extensive controversy over the Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus fight this past weekend at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5", we decided to take our questions to the pros. We asked them if they thought the throw by Simon Marcus was legal and if they feel the outcome should remain as is and not be changed. Pro fighters from around the world were able to view the fight and in addition to getting responses from North American fighters we also have responses from several international fighters, such as Yodsanklai Fairtex, John Wayne Parr and Artem Levin. In total we asked 50 pro fighters, 31 of which responded. Regardless of the fighters' opinions, at this point the final decision on whether or not to overturn the ruling is in the hands of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The one thing that is very clear is that most would like to see a re-match.

Video: Shane Oblonsky talks win over Jose Palacios at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

VIdeo: Scotty Leffler talks win over Sheldon Gaines at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Video: Tiffany VanSoest talks about win over Vivian Leung

Pictures: Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" Amateur Fights

Video: Anthony Castrejon talks win over Francisco Barragan at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Simon Marcus responds to criticism concerning his victory over Joe Schilling

Simon Marcus was declared the winner Saturday night against Joe Schilling at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5", but since then the internet has heated up with fiery debates between Simon Marcus and Joe Schilling fans. Accusations of Marcus using an illegal sweep on Schilling which ended with Schilling being dazed by the fall and upon restart of the fight knocked down with a left hook are running rampant. When approached by Muay Thai Authority concerning all of the debate around the victory and the accusations against him, Simon Marcus provided Muay Thai Authority with the following statement and the picture sequence that follows. It seems everyone has already made their decision and the best thing that can come is a re-match between these two world class athletes.

Video: Matt Embree talks win over Coke Chunhawat at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Pictures: Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Once again Scott Hirano was on hand to capture some amazing pictures of Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5". The crowd was roaring for the main event between Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus. Enjoy the pictures.

Video: Simon Marcus talks win over Joe Schilling

Results & Recap: Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Las Vegas, NV -- Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” took place at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The night’s main event had the crowd roaring as Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus competed in a winner take all fight. Marcus came out to a chorus of boos from the pro Schilling crowd which erupted in cheers when Schilling made his entrance. Marcus was unfazed by the negative fan reaction and urged the crowd to deliver more boos.

Schilling did not start the fight aggressively as fans are accustomed, instead he seemed to measure Marcus up. They clinched a few times and Schilling was able to push the head of Marcus back, but did not capitalize with any strikes. In the clinch Marcus tripped Schilling and they hit the canvas, Schilling’s head slamming into the canvas. Schilling got up, but was clearly on wobbly legs. Like a shark smelling blood, Marcus went in for the kill. A left hook from Marcus sent Schilling to the canvas, but Schilling was able to answer the referee’s count. An anxious Marcus went directly at Schilling and connected with a right elbow that sent Schilling down again. Schilling was able to get back to his feet again, but the referee stopped the fight as it was clear Schilling was still on wobbly legs, giving Marcus the (T)KO victory in the first round. The win is huge for Marcus, not only for the monetary reason, but also because he defeated one of North America’s top fighters.

Video: Weigh-ins for Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

It was an exciting weigh-in for Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5". Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus kept talking to one another. It is expected to be an exciting fight tonight, the winner will take home the entire fight purse while the loser will go home with $1 dollar. Make sure you watch it by ordering the on-line PPV stream at by clicking here. In the meanwhile check out this video from yesterday's weigh-ins.

Pictures: Weigh-ins for Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

The weigh-ins for Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" took place a Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Friday. The venue was buzzing with the winner take all main event for "Battle in the Desert 5" between Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus. All fighters were able to make weight and the event will go on as planned. Enjoy the pictures by Scott Hirano.

Pros Pick: Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus

With all the buzz around the Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus fight that will be taking place this weekend at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” in Las Vegas, we decided to ask the pros what they think. We asked 24 North American fighters/trainers to give us their thoughts on the upcoming fight and give us their prediction. Schilling is the favorite amongst the pros, an not many are picking this fight to go the distance. 

For those that are unaware, the bout has officially been made a winner take all. Some trash talk on-line led to both fighters putting up their purses. The winner taking home a nice check with the loser going home with only one dollar. Enjoy the pros picks.

Simon Marcus: The Fighting Prophet

by Flip English

With the population in the billions how does a man stand out? What must he do to make his name be remembered? Though there are many paths to celebrity not all of them are clean. Some are dark and dirty, demeaning and obscene, and those who choose to walk them lose respect and esteem. Despite all that, these devious directions were still taken by some to enter the pages of history. Notorious names like the infamous Hitler took such routes to reach it. But of course, his was a path true righteous men would not likely pick. Of the countless passages to prominence there are better ways to fame. Ways that don’t guilt the heart and where the clouds of regret don’t form. At seventeen and at a crossroad in his life, Simon Marcus contemplated his future from the cramped discomfort of a jail. He pondered for alternatives to steer him from the road of wrong, for a better way of life that did not risk his freedom, nothing like the one that had led to incarceration. What came to his rescue was Muay Thai, and since stepping forth in its direction he found his saving road, a path more righteous in reaching his dream, of being remembered, of becoming a legend. This is his story.

Pictures: Matt Embree training for his upcoming fight with Coke Chunhawat at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Scott Lalonde was recently at Siam No. 1 to capture some photographs of Matt Embree training for his upcoming fight with Coke Chunhawat. Embree and Coke have fought twice before with each fighter winning a razor thin split decision over the other. The rubber match will settle the score and it is expected to be a tightly contested fight. All of the action will go down February 25th at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" in Las Vegas. Enjoy!

Pictures: Simon Marcus training for fight with Joe Schilling at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Simon Marcus will be looking to keep his undefeated record in tact as he takes on interim WBC Muay Thai World Champion Joe Schilling at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5". All of the action will go down at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on February 25th in Las Vegas. Scott Lalonde was recently at Siam No.1 in Toronto, Canada to capture some pictures of Simon Marcus training for his fight with Joe Schilling. Enjoy!

 

Video: Joe Schilling talks upcoming fight with Simon Marcus at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Joe Schilling will be fighting Canada's Simon Marcus at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5". The fight has been taken to a whole new level as it has officially been signed as a winner take all. The winner will be taking home the entire fight purse, while the loser will take home one dollar. Muay Thai Authority recently caught up with Joe Schilling to talk about the upcoming fight with Simon Marcus. Enjoy.

Matt Embree talks about his upcoming rubber match with Coke Chunhawat at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Matt Embree and Coke Chunhawat will be fighting each other in a rubber match on February 25th at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5”. Coke won their first meeting in Southern California by split decision and Embree took home the second fight in Canada by split decision as well. 

Both are highly skilled fighters and the third bout is expected to be just as close as the first two. This time the stakes are raised as a WBC Muay Thai International Title will be on the line. Embree took some time from his busy training schedule to answer a few questions for Muay Thai Authority about the upcoming bout with Coke.

NSAC approves winner take all scenario for Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

You here fighters talking all the time, most of the time it’s just hot air. Let it be known that Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus are not those type of fighters. The phrase “put your money where you mouth is” is expected to be in full effect at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” when Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus step into the ring. What first started as on-line jawing between the two has now turned their fight into a winner take all. All thought it has not been officially announced, Muay Thai Authority has been informed by very reliable sources that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has approved the winner take all scenario and that both fighters have agreed as well. This will be the first time that any fight promotion will feature a winner take all fight.

The talks started when in an interview with TotalMuayThai.com Simon Marcus stated “Schilling say your prayer's because on Feb/25/12 you will be exposed. And if you were a real champ you would put your belt on the line.” The battle then hit facebook when Simon Marcus responded to a Joe Schilling interview by saying “Since Joe is sooo confident, Let him know I'm down to put my whole purse up on this one.... Winner takes all...!!! Put your money$$ were your big Dead mouth is!” In true Joe Schilling fashion he