Lion Fight 24 Fight Card

Lion Fight 24 takes place this Friday at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT. The event will featured two Lion Fight Championships on the line as well as the return of Ky Hollenbeck to the promotion.

The main event will feature Ky Hollenbeck in his first appearance under the Lion Fight banner since August of 2011. Fighting Hollenbeck will be Richard Abraham, a regular on Lion Fight's east coast events.

Hollenbeck has not competed since June of 2014 when he lost to top ranked Andy Ristie by KO. Hollenbeck was undefeated when he last competed for Lion Fight, since leaving the promotion he has fought for the now defunct MPL, Legends Muay Thai Championship, and Glory. He went 5-3 after he left the promotion, although all three of his defeats were to some of the worlds top ranked fighters in Ristie, Giorgio Petrosyan, and Nieky Holzken.

The co-main event will feature lightweight title bout between Ognjen Topic and Ireland's Stephen Meleady. Both Topic and Meleady have cut their teeth fighting in Thailand and building solid reputations over there as some of the best foreigners competing. This should be a great bout between two skillful fighters that truly embody the Thai style.

The second title on the line will be Jo Nattawut's super welterweight title. Looking to take the title away from Nattawut will be the UK's Charlie Peters. Nattawut has gone 4-0 since he started competing in Lion Fight. Peters is an exciting fighter and it should be interesting to see how his style matches up with Nattawut's technical style.

Rising stars Gaston Bolanos and Chris Mauceri will also be in action at the event. Bolanos will face veteran Ben Yelle, while Mauceri will fight Nicolas Parlanti.

Lion Fight 24 takes place September 25, 2015 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT and will air live on AXS TV.

Fight Card:

Ky Hollenbeck vs. Richard Abraham

Ognjen Topic vs. Stephen Meleady

Jo Nattawut vs. Charlie Peters

Gaston Bolanos vs. Ben Yelle

Chris Mauceri vs. Nicolas Parlanti

Julio Pena vs. Yeison Berdugo

Danny Millet vs. PJ Sweda

Chris Mauceri vs. Nicolas Parlanti and Julio Pena vs. Yeison Berdugo added to Lion Fight 24

Lion Fight 24 takes place on September 25 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT. Two more fights have been confirmed for the event, Chris Mauceri vs. Nicolas Parlanti and Julio Pena vs. Yeison Berdugo.

Mauceri has been a Lion Fight regular, especially in the promotions trips to the east coast. Mauceri had one of the stiffest tests in his young career his last outing at Lion Fight 20. He dropped a unanimous decision to Thai Jo Sittisak, but showed the grit that has made a lot of people in the Muay Thai world pay attention to the New York product. He has only lost twice in his career, with his other loss coming to Kevin Ross.

Pena is another regular of Lion Fight when they visit the east coast. In his last outing for the promotion at Lion Fight 20 Pena scored a nasty first round knockout of Tom Evans. 

Fight Card:

Ky Hollenbeck vs. Richard Abraham

Ognjen Topic vs. Stephen Meleady for Lion Fight Lightweight World Title

Jo Nattawut vs. Charlie Peters for Lion Fight Super Welterweight Title

Gaston Bolanos vs. Ben Yelle

Chris Mauceri vs. Nicolas Parlanti

Julio Pena vs. Yeison Berdugo

Jo Nattawut set to defend title against Charlie Peters at Lion Fight 24

Jo Nattawut vs. Charlie Peters has been tapped to take place at Lion Fight 24 on September 25 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT. Nattawut will attempt to make the first title defense of his Lion Fight Super Welterweight Title.

Nattawut won the Lion Fight Super Welterweight Title at Lion Fight 22 with a unanimous decision victory over Salah Khalifa. Nattawut is 4-0 under the Lion Fight banner and has defeated Cosmo Alexandre, Sean Kearney, Richard Abraham, and Khalifa in his promotional run.

Peters is the second ranked welterweight in the UK. Peters is known for his knockout power and will be making his second appearance on U.S. soil. He fought for M-One Muay Thai in 2013 where he lost to Thanongdet Petchpayathai. Peters trains out of Double K Gym with Kieran Keddle.

Lion Fight 24 will also feature a lightweight title fight between Ognjen Topic and Stephen Meleady, and a main event bout between Ky Hollenbeck and Richard Abraham.

Fight Card:

Ky Hollenbeck vs. Richard Abraham

Ognjen Topic vs. Stephen Meleady for Lion Fight Lightweight World Title

Jo Nattawut vs. Charlie Peters for Lion Fight Super Welterweight Title

Gaston Bolanos vs. Ben Yelle

Jo Nattawut, Gaston Bolanos, and Chris Mauceri all set to fight at Lion Fight 24

Lion Fight 24 will take place September 25th at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard Connecticut. The event which will feature a main event bout between Ky Hollenbeck (@KyHollenbeck) and Richard Abraham confirmed the appearance of three other Lion Fight regulars.

Jo Nattawut will defend his Lion Fight Super Welterweight Title against an opponent that is yet to be determine. Chris Mauceri will also be in action on the night, but like Nattawut his opponent is yet to be determined. 

Unlike Nattawut and Mauceri, Gaston Bolanos (@BolanosGaston) knows who he will be fighting at Lion Fight 24. The dynamic fighter will face veteran Ben Yelle. Bolanos as wowed the Muay Thai world with his exciting fight style and ability to finish fights.

Keep checking back here at Muay Thai Authority for more news regarding Lion Fight 24.

Fight Card:

Jo Nattawut vs. TBD for Lion Fight Super Welterweight World Title

Gaston Bolanos vs. Ben Yelle

Chris Mauceri vs. TBD

Road to Glory Lightweight Tournament Results: Michael Mananquil last man standing

The Road to Glory lightweight tournament took place last night in Milwaukee, WI and when it was over Michael Mananquil was the last man standing. Mananquil's night started off with a split decision win over Jameel Massouh, which he then followed up with a head kick knockout of Muhsin Corbbrey. In the tournament final Mananquil squared off against Troy Sheridan, who had defeated each Cyrus Washington and Jose Palacios by unanimous decision to punch his ticket to the tournament final. 

In the tournament final Mananquil and Sherdian were involved in an action packed fight that was close from start to finish. Both fighters left it all in the ring in hopes of earning an Glory contract and the $20,000 grand prize. When it was over the judges awarded the bout to Mananquil, with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28. 

With the win Mananquil now joins Dustin Jacoby, Mike Lemaire, and Francois Ambang as the Road to Glory USA tournament winners.

Results:

Lightweight Tournament Reserve Bout

Jon Henderson def. Gustavo Rodriguez via KO at 2:20 of Rd. 2

Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinals

Michael Mananquil def. Jameel Massouh via Split Decision

Muhsin Corbbrey def. Dustin Johnson via Unanimous Decision

Jose Palacios def. Ben Yelle via Unanimous Decision

Troy Sheridan def. Cyrus Washington via Unanimous Decision

Lightweight Tournament Semifinals

Michael Mananquil def. Muhsin Corbbrey via KO (Head Kick) at 0:46 of Rd. 3

Troy Sheridan def. Jose Palacios via Unanimous Decision

Lightweight Tournament Final

Michael Mananquil def. Troy Sheridan via Unanimous Decision

Match ups for Road to Glory lightweight tournament tomorrow in Milwaukee

The Road to Glory lightweight tournament is scheduled for tomorrow, May 11th in Milwaukee, WI. The event will be part of NAFC “Knockout Kings”. The eight fighter competing in the tournament for the $20,000 grand prize and a Glory contract are Cyrus Washington, Troy Sheridan, Michael Mananquil, Muhsin Corbbrey, Dustin Johnson, Jose Palacios, Ben Yelle, and Jameel Massouh. 

The weigh-ins took place today and the match ups for the opening round will be Michael Mananquil vs. Jameel Massouh, Muhsin Corbbrey vs. Dustin Johnson, Jose Palacios vs. Ben Yelle, and Troy Sheridan vs. Cyrus Washington. A reserve bout featuring Gustavo Rodriguez and Jon Henderson will also take place.

Previous Road to Glory tournament winners include Dustin Jacoby, Mike Lemaire, and Francois Ambang.  

Fight Card:

Michael Mananquil vs. Jameel Massouh 

Muhsin Corbbrey vs. Dustin Johnson 

Jose Palacios vs. Ben Yelle

Troy Sheridan vs. Cyrus Washington

Reserve Fight

Gustavo Rodriguez and Jon Henderson 

 

  

Fighters for Road to Glory Lightweight Tournament on May 11th in Milwaukee

The Road to Glory lightweight tournament is scheduled for May 11th in Milwaukee, WI as part of NAFC “Knockout Kings”. Muay Thai Authority has confirmed with sources close to Glory that the eight fighters competing in the tournament will be Cyrus Washington, Troy Sheridan, Michael Mananquil, Muhsin Corbbrey, Dustin Johnson, Jose Palacios, Ben Yelle, and Jameel Massouh.

Of the fighters involved in the tournament Washington, Mananquil, Palacios, and Sheridan are some of the more recognizable names in the North American striking scene today. Corbbrey and Massouh have been active in the MMA scene the past few years, with Corbbrey having fought the likes of Nick Diaz and Anthony Njokuani.

The winner of the one night tournament will take home $20,000 and a Glory contract. Previous tournament Road to Glory winners include Dustin Jacoby, Mike Lemaire, and Francois Ambang.

Fighters for Road to Glory Lightweight Tournament:
Cyrus Washington

Troy Sheridan
Michael Mananquil
Muhsin Corbbrey
Dustin Johnson
Jose Palacios
Ben Yelle
Jameel Massouh

Ben Yelle replaces Matee Jedeepitak against Matt Embree this weekend at Push Kick Promotions "World Stand Off"

An injury has forced Matee Jedeepitak to withdraw from his bout against Matt Embree at this weekend's Push Kick Promotions "World Stand Off" event. Stepping in to replace Matee is Ben Yelle. The original bout between Embree and Matee was set to take place at 140lbs, but the bout between Embree and Yelle will be at 147lbs. 

Yelle last competed at K-1 Los Angeles in September of 2012, he was defeated by Joey Pagliuso. Embree last competed at Journey Fight Series in early November 2012 where he defeated Nate Smandych. Embree traditionally has fought at 140lbs or below so it will be interesting to see if fighting at 147lbs proves to be an advantage for Yelle.

This weekend's Push Kick Promotions event takes place on March 2nd at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, CA.

*Ben Yelle photo by Marty Rockatansky

Results and Recap: K-1 Los Angeles MAX Tourney fights

Justin Greskiewicz and Bryce Krause kicked off the K-1 Max Tournament. Krause came out strong and looked to be ready to take this fight over after a strong first round. His hands looked great and he seemed more accurate and aggressive than Greskiewicz. In the second round, however, the tables turned. As Krause had Greskiewicz in the corner he was countered by a right that hurt him and then a flurry of strikes from Greskiewicz followed. A right sent Krause down, after answering the referee’s count another right by Greskiewicz dropped Krause again, but he is able to make it out of the round. Krause comes out looking aggressive once again to start the third round. A right by Greskiewicz a minute into the round hurt Krause, Greskiewicz followed up with more punches, a knee and then more punches until Krause took a knee and the referee stopped the fight.

It's better to dance with the devil that you know than to sing with the one you don't

In combat sports a fighter is only as good as his record. To a fighter it should be like their child, willing to protect it at all cost. Sure there are fighters who fight anyone anytime, but only few of those fighters can be successful. Kevin Ross, and Romie Adanza are great examples of this, they will fight bigger guys, but their technique is so good they can compensate for the size disadvantage. What happens when the disadvantage isn't size but the rules, and you have your back against a wall?

Ben Yelle will tell you he recently faced those issues head on, and in a sport where fights are hard to come by, most fighters have to play by the promoters rules or they don't fight. Ben fought on the November 13th WCK Muay Thai fight card in Las Vegas, NV. When he was on his way to Las Vegas from Michigan he was ready to fight a five round full rules Muay Thai bout against Kang En. When he arrived in Las Vegas, and was working to make weight things changed.

WCK Muay Thai WuLinFeng Spectacular Results

The Chinese WuLinFeng team bested the United States team by winning five of the nine match-ups that took place at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas Nevada. The United States claimed three victories.

Shane Oblonsky put on a great show to defeat Xu Yan by unanimous decision. Yan was coming off a unanimous decision victory of his own against the highly regarded Malaipet. The other bright spots for the U.S. team were Adrien Grotte who won via KO in Rd.2 against Yi Long, and Andy Kapel, whom took home a close split decision against Guo Qiang. In quite a surprise Heath "Cowboy" Harris was defeated by Wang Hongxiang by TKO in the first round, unfortunately for Harris he suffered an ankle injury. The WuLinFeng team definitely came prepared and unfortunately for the United States team they were not able to claim victory with the final tally ending up 5-3-1 in favor of the WuLinFeng team.

WCK Muay Thai at Harrah's Casino Nov. 13th fight card

WCK Muay Thai is bringing patriotic competition back for their November 13th event. The event will feature U.S. fighters vs. the Chinese WuLinFeng Team.

Headlining the event will be a bout between Heath "Cowboy" Harris and Wang Hongxiang, with a co-headlining bout featuring Ben Yelle vs. Kang En.

Current Fight Card:

Heath "Cowboy" Harris vs. Wang Hongxiang
Ben Yelle vs. Kang En
Adrienne Grotte vs. Yi Long
Jack Thames vs. Hong Guang
Shane Oblonsky vs. Xu Yan
Alfred Khashakyan vs. Lin Shuai
Andrew Kapel vs. Guo Quiang
Nat McIntyre vs. Li Ning
Tiffany vanSoest vs. Wang Cong