Lion Fight 23 Pictures

Freddy Sosa was a Lion Fight 23 to shoot the action for Muay Thai Authority. Below are a few of the pictures from the event.

Lion Fight 23 Predictions

Lion Fight 23 takes place tonight in Temecula, CA at Pechanga Resort and Casino. The UK's Liam Harrison will take on Malaipet Sasiprapa in the main event of the evening. In the co-main event Tiffany Van Soest will look to defend her Lion Fight title when she takes on Martyna Krol. Check out our predictions on tonight's fights below and let us know who you think will win.

Liam Harrison vs. Malaipet Sasiprapa

Harrison is arguably the best UK Muay Thai fighter, and one of the best around the world. Malaipet has a great reputation, but when facing top opposition he has struggled. There are always talks about the old Malaipet coming back, but he never quite seems to make a full come back. 

Malaipet will likely start strong like he does in nearly every one of his fights, but as this fight goes on he will begin to slow down. Harrison will keep his work rate and pressure consistent throughout the fight and this will spell trouble for Malaipet. Harrison packs power in his strikes and is very accurate with his strikes. This fight should resemble Malaipet’s fight with Pinca, although Harrison will probably inflict more damage than Pinca did on Malaipet. The first round we will see Malaipet taking the fight to Harrison, but after the first round Harrison will be in full control.

Malaipet is tough so it is difficult to imagine Harrison stopping him, although the potential is there with the heat Harrison throws. More than likely Malaipet absorbs the punishment and this ends up in a decision win for Harrison.

Prediction: Liam Harrison def. Malaipet Sasiprapa by Decision

Tiffany Van Soest vs. Martyna Krol

Tiffany Van Soest has been able to set herself apart from most of her female counter parts because of her athleticism and this shouldn’t be any different in her fight with Martyna Krol. Van Soest knows how to move in the ring, using angles and exploding on her opponents when openings present themselves. Caley Reece defeated Van Soest in the clinch, but since that fight she has improved in that aspect of her game and Krol’s clinch is not the level of Reece’s. 

Krol is a tough and has a decent amount of experience, but it is hard to imagine here out pointing Van Soest let alone stopping her. Krol is a very linear fighter and mainly moves in a straight line which will play right into the hands of Van Soest. This fight should be all Van Soest from the opening bell. Expect a stoppage win for Van Soest and a lot of damage inflicted from her before this one is over.

Prediction: Tiffany Van Soest def. Martyne Krol by (T)KO

Kevin Ross vs. Rungrat Sasiprapa 

Ross will be looking to rebound from his loss to Tetsuya Yamato, and he did not pick an easy fight. Rungrat is a quality Thai opponent and this should be a close fight. Ross is tough as nails and likes to press the pace, the faster the pace the more comfortable Ross seems to get. Rungrat has the potential to fight that type of fight, if that will happen is another story. 

Ross is going to want to use his boxing and use his movement, which are some of his strongest assets. If he can stay out of the clinch his high volume style should yield positive results. Rungrat should want to grind in the clinch and slow Ross down. This is a hard one to pick, but we say Ross is able to stay out of the clinch and implement his game plan to take home a decision.

Prediction: Kevin Ross def. Rungrat Sasiprapa by Decision

Victor Saravia vs. Stan Mancebo 

Saravia is on a roll since turning pro. He has knockout power and uses it aggressively. If you are going off of recent history Mancebo is going to have his hands full with Saravia. The biggest advantage Saravia has is that he is a smart fighter; he waits for the opening and then goes for it once it becomes available. 

His power should be the difference maker and Mancebo is going to have to respect it. Expect Saravia to take control early and deliver a stoppage win.

Prediction: Victor Saravia def. Stan Mancebo by (T)KO

Mike Lemaire vs. Andrew Kapel

Lemaire and Kapel have fought before and it was a close fight the first time. So close that it had to be settled with an extra round where Lemaire took the decision win. This fight should be another close fight, but Kapel might have the advantage because it will be Muay Thai rules rather than Kickboxing like their first encounter. Kapel seems to have traditional Muay Thai style and being able to clinch and elbow should favor him a bit. 

Lemaire packs power and it will be important for Kapel to close the distance and use the clinch so that Lemaire can’t deliver those heavy shots. This is going to be another close fight, but with the clinch in play Kapel should be able to edge out a close decision.

Prediction: Andrew Kapel def. Mike Lemaire by Decision

Daniel McGowan vs. Romie Adanza 

Adanza has not been very active lately, while McGowan has not only been active but is considered the best bantamweight fighter in the UK. Adanza has great boxing, but his inactivity could prove to be an issue. 

McGowan should be able to control Adanza throughout the fight especially in the clinch, but you can never count a crafty veteran like Adanza out. The pick here is McGowan as he is the younger and more active fighter of the two. A stoppage victory might occur if McGowan can deliver some serious damage from the clinch, but I think the safe pick is a decision.

Prediction: Daniel McGowan def. Romie Adanza by Decision

Tony Fausto vs. Marvin Madariaga

Fausto did not have a good showing his last fight under Lion Fight as he out struck by Nick Chasteen. You can’t question his toughness as he was willing to fight until his corner threw in the towel. This fight against Madariaga will be power vs. technique.

Fausto has a very technical style and should want a slower paced fight. Madariaga should hold the advantage in power and that will be his strongest tool. He should take the fight to Fausto and wear him down, and this should help him get a stoppage in the later rounds as long as his cardio holds up.

Prediction: Marvin Madariaga def. Tony Fausto by (T)KO

Liam Harrison talks upcoming Lion Fight 23 bout against Malaipet

Liam Harrison (@LiamBadco) is the most recognized fighter out of the UK, and has established himself as one of the best fighters in the world. On July 31st the Bad Company trained fighter will take on Malaipet Sasiprapa at Lion Fight 23. We were able to catch up with Liam to talk to him about the upcoming bout and a few other things. 

MTA: You are fighting Malaipet at Lion Fight 23, how are you feeling coming into this fight?

Liam: I'm feeling good I've trained hard and looking forward to show casing myself in the states again. 

MTA: Malaipet is one of the most popular fighters here in the states, are you familiar with him and his fight style?

Liam: Yes I know him so I have trained hard as I know he's a very good fighter. 

MTA: This will be your second time fighting in the States, are you looking forward to fighting in front of the American crowd again?

Liam: Yes I'm really looking forward to it, Lion Fight is a great promotion and I have been trying to get on these cards for a long time. 

MTA: You are always involved in high profile fights, as a fighter how do you prepare for that mentally knowing you are fighting some of the biggest names in the world?

Liam: I don't really feel I need to mentally prepare anymore it's ingrained into me as I've proved over the years I'm up there with the best of the best and have been fight the top level for the last 10 years.

MTA: How was it that you got involved with Muay Thai, and at what point did you realize that this was going to be your profession?

Liam: My cousin former world champion Andy Howson just took me down to Bad Company gym with him one day and I instantly fell in love with the sport. My first pro fight was at 14, but it wasn't until I was about 18 I realized I could actually make a living out of the sport if I applied myself correctly. 

MTA: Outside of Muay Thai what are some of your hobbies?

Liam: I used to play a lot of football (soccer to you guys) but obviously had to give that up in case of injury which I really miss but still enjoy having a bet on a Saturday afternoon and going to watch the games, other than that my life is pretty much spent in the gym. I enjoy going out for a drink or nice meals when I'm out of fight camp, and go the cinema weekly also but that's about it really.

MTA: On social media it seems that your team Bad Company is always having a good time, how is it training at Bad Company and how is the team dynamic?

Liam: I absolutely love training at Bad Company, we are a family and are all best friends, which is probably why we are all so successful. We all train hard together and are all set on the same goals of just being the best we can be and all push each other to the limit. When one of us wins, we all win and the same when we lose we feel like we all lost. I couldn't imagine training anywhere else tbh. 

MTA: A while back there was talks among fans that they wanted to you see you fight American Kevin Ross, is that a fight that you interested in?

Liam: Yeah it's been talked about but Kevin's team said he only fights at 63.5 against international opposition and I'm more 65-66 so not sure it will happen unless a catch weight could be agreed. 

MTA: You had a brief stint in Kickboxing two years ago, is that something you might try again or do you simply prefer to fight Muay Thai?

Liam: No to be honest I don't like fighting K-1 rules my heart is with Muaythai, it's hard to be good at something which you don't enjoy. 

MTA: If you have to sum yourself up as a fighter in one word what would it be? 

Liam: 1 word.....clinical.

MTA: Thanks for the time Liam, do you have any parting words for your fans and supporters?

Liam: Just like to say thanks to my sponsors SAY scaffolding and Gold standard nutrition, and say I'm looking forward to putting on a good show for all my supporters friends and family who will be watching when I fight next week.

Lion Fight 23 complete with 7 pro fights including Van Soest and Ross

Lion Fight 23 is set for July 31st at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, CA. As previously announced the event will be headlined by a bout featuring Malaipet Sasiprapa against the UK's Liam Harrison.

The night's co-main event will feature Tiffany Van Soest as she attempts to defend her Lion Fight title against Martyna Krol. Van Soest will attempt to make here first title defense after recapturing the Lion Fight belt at Lion Fight 22 earlier this year.

Also featured on the card with be Lion Fight main stay Kevin Ross as he takes on Thai Rungrat Sasiprapa. Ross will be looking to bounce back after his (T)KO loss to Tetsuya Yamato at Lion Fight 21.

Romie Adanza will also return to the Lion Fight ring against Daniel McGowan, young gun Victor Saravia will look to keep his perfect record in tact as he faces Stan Mancebo, and Mike Lemaire will make his Lion Fight debut against Michael Jasper.

Fight Card:

Malaipet Sasiprapa vs. Liam Harrison

Tiffany Van Soest vs. Martyna Krol

Kevin Ross vs. Rungrat Sasiprapa

Marvin Madariaga vs. Tony Fausto

Victor Saravia vs. Stan Mancebo

Mike Lemaire vs. Michael Jasper

Romie Adanza vs. Daniel McGowan