Pictures: Lion Fight 8

Scott Hirano was ringside at Lion Fight 8 to shoot all of the action of Lion Fight 8. The event was Lion Fights debut on national television as the event was broadcast live on AXS TV. It also featured the American debut of Muay Thai legend Yodsanklai Fairtex. You can check out a slide show of all of Scott's photos below.

Also make sure to go like Scott Hirano's official facebook page.

 Pro Fights

  

Amateur Fights

 

Lion Fight 8 Results and Recap: Yodsanklai Fairtex impressive in American debut

Lion Fight 8 was in full swing tonight at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The event was Lion Fight’s debut on AXS TV as well as the American debut of Muay Thai legend Yodsanklai Fairtex.

In the main event of the night Yodsanklai took on Gregory Choplin and although Choplin was able to hang tough to start the fight, Yodsanklai was able to break him down and score a knockout in the third round. Yodsanklai attacked with heavy kicks early to the head and body. In the second round it seemed Choplin was able to get into a grove moving well and landing solid kicks and punches of his own, but in the third round Yodsanklai took over. A right hook dropped Choplin and then after he recovered Yodsanklai pounced and put him down for good with a right to the head and a left to the body. Great way for Yodsanklai to follow up his KO of Kem Sitsongpeenong.

In the night’s co-main event Tiffany Van Soest and Alexis Rufus were in a tightly contested fight up until the fourth round. Rufus seemed to be getting the better of Van Soest in the clinch as she continuously worked knees and continued to push forward, but in a split second things were over. Van Soest rocked Rufus with a head kick and then dropped her with a right hand. Rufus was unable to beat the count and Van Soest walked away with an impressive knockout victory to remain undefeated.

Kevin Ross had a successful return after a year long layoff in which he went through surgery to repair his ACL. Ross was able to out point Chris Kwiatkowski for five rounds using solid boxing and leg kicks. Despite being out struck Kwiatkowski hung tough until the final bell. Good showing for Ross in his comeback fight.

Shane Campbell and Remy Bonnel fought for five hard rounds with Campbell walking away with a unanimous decision victory. Campbell pressed forward the entire fight using some solid boxing and leg kicks to take home the win. Campbell ended the fight with a nice spinning heel kick in what was a great performance by the man they call “Shaolin.”

Malaipet Sasiprapa defeated Vishnu Gulati in the second round with low kicks after it was clear that Gulati injured his shin after Malaipet checked one of his kicks. Malaipet immediately went on the attack and was able to force a referee stoppage after four knockdowns in the round.

In other action Vivian Leung out struck Kate McGray to take home a unanimous decision. Jason Andrada won his pro debut with an elbow knockout in the first round over Cody Moberly, and Josh Shepard won his pro debut by majority decision over Damien Earley.

Results:

Pro Fights
Yodsanklai Fairtex def. Gregory Choplin via KO at 2:40 of Rd. 3
Tiffany Van Soest def. Alexis Rufus via KO at 2:05 of Rd. 4
Kevin Ross def. Chris Kwiatkowski via Unanimous Decision
Shane Campbell def. Remy Bonnel via Unanimous Decision
Vivian Leung def. Kate McGray via Unanimous Decision
Malaipet Sasiprapa def. Vishnu Gulati via (T)KO (Leg Kicks) at 1:57 of Rd. 2
Jason Andrada def. Cody Moberly via KO (Elbow) at 2:59 of Rd. 1
Josh Shepard def. Damien Earley via Majority Decision

Amateur Fights
Nick Chasteen def. Jonathan Parsons via Unanimous Decision
Fanny Tommasino def. Jessica Rico via Unanimous Decision
Jason Caldwell def. Ron Cruz via Unanimous Decision
Chris Martin def. Tony Berceau via Unanimous Decision

Video: Tiffany VanSoest talks about win over Vivian Leung

Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" open workout set for February 18th in Las Vegas at Red Rock Harley Davidson

Lion Fight Promotions will be hosting an open workout promotional at the Red Rock Harley Davidson dealership in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 18th between 11am and 1pm. All of the local professional and amateur fighters that will be competing at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” on February 25th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas will be participating in the open work out. The local Las Vegas fighters include WBC International Champion Chaz Mulkey, Scotty Leffler, Vivian Leung and Anthony Castrejon. In addition “Battle in the Desert 5” headliner and interim WBC Muay Thai Light Heavyweight Champion Joe Schilling will also be in attendance.

This event is open to the public and is a great way to interact with some of the fighters. The Red Rock Harley Davidson dealership is located at 2260 S. Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146.

Pictures: Tiffany Van Soest training for fight with Vivian Leung at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Tiffany Van Soest will be looking to win her second pro fight and push her record to 2-0 when she takes on Vivian Leung at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5". All the action will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on February 25th. Scott Hirano was on hand to take pictures of Tiffany as she prepares for her upcoming fight against Vivian with her coach Kru Alex Palma. Enjoy.

Coke, Embree, Leffler, Palacios and more expected to be in action at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5"

Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” will take place on February 25th at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Muay Thai Authority has been informed by sources close to the situation about a slew of expected bouts for the Lion Fight Promotions fifth event.

Coke Chunhawat and Matt Embree are expected to meet in a rubber match in what is expected to be a WBC Muay Thai title fight. Coke and Embree have split a pair of bouts already with each fighter taking home a razor thin split decision victory. The first meeting occurred in September of 2010 under the Stand Up Promotions banner when Coke edged Embree out. The second bout took place in June of 2011 under the Journey Fight Series banner when Embree evened the score by taking home a close split decision over Coke. The third bout is expected to closely contested, much like the first two fights.

Results and Recap: Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 4"

by Faye Lucas

Las Vegas -- Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 4”, took place at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and it was an action packed night. Despite a bout between Eduardo Maiorino and Terroll Dees being scratched from the fight card the day of the event, the remaining six professional bouts were all high quality fights.

The night’s main event featured a WBC Muay Thai international middleweight title fight between Chaz Mulkey and Simon Chu. Both fighters came out aggressive and looking to establish the temp of the fight, in the second round Mulkey started to take control as he pressed forward forcing Chu to fight moving backwards. Chu was able to land some good strikes as Mulkey pressed the action, but Mulkey was able to continuously land solid kicks and connect with punches, in the clinch he was able to keep Chu from landing elbows. Chu did cut Mulkey on the top of his head later in the fight, but it didn’t really affect Mulkey. The fight went the distance and all three judges awarded the bout to Mulkey, the unanimous decision win marks the first title defense of his WBC Muay Thai international title. With the win Mulkey caps off a great year in which he has gone 5-0.

Cassie Trost replaces Heidi Otterbein at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 4"

Heidi Otterbein was slated to face Vivian Leung at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 4" on November 19th in Las Vegas, but after being denied licensing by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Cassie Trost has stepped in to replace her against Leung. "Battle in the Desert 4" will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, the new home of Lion Fight Promotions.

Trost fights out of Los Angeles, CA and will be making her pro Muay Thai debut. Trost has a few amateur Muay Thai bouts to her name as well as two pro MMA bouts. Leung is a tough fighter from Canada and it should make for an exciting fight between these two ladies. The fight is one of two pro female Muay Thai bouts on the card.

Two female bouts rumored for Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 4", Maxwell vs. Richardson and Leung vs. Otterbein

Two female bouts are rumored to be taking place at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 4" on November 19th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Muay Thai Authority has been informed by sources close to the situation that the female bouts expected to take place the event are Elaina Maxwell vs. Roxy Richardson and Vivian Leung vs. Heidi Otterbein. There has been no official announcement by Lion Fight Promotions and the bouts join the earlier reported rumor by Muay Thai Authority regarding Coke Chunahawt vs. Rami Ibrahim taking place at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 4".