Who wins, Team America or Team Thailand? Predictions for M-One "Team Thailand vs. Team America"

With M-One "Team Thailand vs. Team America" right around the corner it is once again time for predictions. Team America certainly has their work cut out for them, but despite being seen as under dogs all of Team America fighters posses the tools to win. It will be an exciting night of fights and could potentially be a huge step forward for American Muay Thai depending on the results and performances of the American team.

Kevin Ross vs. Sakkedao Petchpayathai - WBC Muay Thai super lightweight world title
Ross goes from a fight with Saenchai to a fight with Sakkedao. While most people would like an easier fight their next time out that isn't the case with Ross, he continues to want to take on the best. Sakkedao has defeated Saenchai twice, but as Ross has stated, it doesn't matter because they are both different and the fact that they both have fought Saenchai is a mute point.

Sakkedao is technical, there is no flash to his game, he just goes into the ring and works his technique to win. Ross is always a game opponent because he doesn't back down and he presses forward all five rounds. Sakkedao will happily meet him in the middle and exchange with him, Ross has to avoid locking up with him in the clinch. If Sakkedao comes out slow trying to feel his opponent out in the early rounds, then Ross needs to capitalize on this by making an impression on the judges and taking the early rounds because once Sakkedao feels comfortable he will turn the pressure up. Ross doesn't have to worry much about a moving target as Sakkedao won't look to avoid contact with Ross and instead Ross has to make sure he ends up on the positive end of most of their exchanges by boxing and moving out of clinch range. He needs to become a moving target and rather than just bang with Sakkedao, he needs to make Sakkedao work to land his strikes. As game as Ross will be, it will be a hard fight for him to win. It doesn't mean he can't win, but you have to give Sakkedao the edge.

Result:
Sakkedao Petchpayathai by unanimous decision.

Joe Schilling vs. Kaoklai Kaennorsing - WBC Muay Thai light heavyweight world title
Joe Schilling finally gets to face a name and it just happens to be someone he has had the desire to fight for quite some time. Kaoklai has been on Schilling's radar since he was potentially offered a fight with him earlier this year. Despite being known as "The Giant Killer", it is hard to fathom a David vs. Goliath story occurring here. Based off of name only you would think Kaoklai is going to win, but Schilling is bigger and faster than Kaoklai.

For Schilling to win he has to come out in typical Joe Schilling fashion and that is with the intentions of finishing this fight. He has stated he will knockout Kaoklai and although he might hold a speed and size advantage that will be no easy feat. Kaoklai will have his moments in this fight, landing some good shots as he moves and counters Schilling's aggression, but he wont be able to avoid the onslaught from Schilling for five rounds. Once fatigue begins to kick in, Schilling will be able to capitalize and score with a variety of strikes in the clinch. Expect to see Schilling moving forward the entire time, while Kaoklai looks to figure out how to counter his aggression with little success. In the end Joe Schilling brings too much heat for Kaoklai.

Result:
Joe Schilling by (T)KO in the 4th round.

Romie Adanza vs. Langsuanlek Sasiprapa - MTAA flyweight world title
This fight could easily be the fight of the night, both Adanza and Langsuanlek will bring their A games and entertain the crowd. Adanza has some great boxing and can end an opponents night with the dynamite he packs in his punches. Langsuanlek will likely look to make this fight a clinch war.

Adanza needs to avoid fighting in the clinch with Langsuanlek or it could spell disaster. Against Thanit Whattanaya, Adanza was able to score a KO, but he didn't look to be on par with him in the clinch. Langsuanlek is strong in the clinch and will likely try and lock up Adanza and capitalize on this. Adanza needs to move in use hand and kick combinations and then immediately move back out to avoid the clinch. It is not to say Adanza can't risk getting in the clinch, but he doesn't want to spend more time in there than necessary. In the end Langusanlek's stamina and youth will end up being the difference maker as he is able to outwork Adanza for five rounds.

Result:
Langsuanlek by unanimous decision.

Rungravee Sasiprapa vs. Andres Martinez
The wrecking machine that is Rungravee Sasiprapa returns to the United States and this time Andres Martinez from Spain is in his cross hairs. Martinez is a good fighter, but he has never faced anyone like Rungravee. Expect Rungravee to come out looking to end this fight early and overwhelm Martinez. Even if Martinez tries to hang in the pocket with Rungravee it is difficult to imagine him lasting more than two rounds as Rungravee continues to press the action and land his powerful strikes.

Result:
Rungravee Sasiprapa by KO in the 2nd round.

Daniel Kim vs. Nate Chambers
Nate Chambers is making his professional Muay Thai debut and they didn't give him any easy fight. Daniel Kim is technical, has some size for his weight class and has knockout power. Chambers needs to make sure to keep his guard tight and not over commit to anything unless he is 100% sure it is connecting. Expect Kim to start off a bit slow, but as the fight goes on he will pick up the pace and eventually begin to outwork Chambers. By the time the third round rolls around Kim should begin to pull ahead, eventually scoring with a powerful strike and ending the fight.

Result:
Daniel Kim by (T)KO in the 4th round.