Lion Fight 24 Results: Hollenbeck vs. Abraham ends in controversial decision

Lion Fight 24 returned to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. The night's main event featured the return of American stand out Ky Hollenbeck as he took on up and coming Richard Abraham. Many expected Hollenbeck to run through the less experienced Abraham, but the fighter from Illinois showed some real grit.

Hollenbeck used his usual aggressive style to try and keep Abraham on his heels, but Abraham was more than willing to engage with Hollenbeck as he came forward. Hollenbeck started off slow, but as the rounds went on he got more aggressive. and started landing some nice shots and looked stronger in the clinch. In the second round a cut was opened over the right right eye of Abraham, and in the third round an accidental headbutt opened a cut over the left eye of Hollenbeck. The referee stopped the action to have it checked and the doctor allowed the fight to continue.

In the fourth round Abraham landed a right hand that caused the cut to open again and after a few more seconds of action the referee called for the doctor to check on Hollenbeck's cut. The doctor stopped the bout and it seemed Abraham would be the winner by (T)KO, but a protest from Hollenbeck resulted in the fight going to the judges score cards where Hollenbeck was declared the winner by unanimous decision.

The controversial part of the ending is that typically this would be a (T)KO win for Abraham. If the fight had been stopped when the headbutt first occurred then the ruling of a no contest would apply or if the headbutt had occurred in the fourth round then they would go to the score cards, but letting it continue into another round and the cut opening up again because of a landed punch doesn't fall under that. The ruling should have been a (T)KO win for Abraham due to doctor stoppage. On top of that when the doctor was checking the cut he asked how it happened, if it was a headbutt or elbow. It shouldn't matter to the doctor how the cut happened as their job is to assess if the fighter is able to continue fighting with the cut. How it occurred should have no bearing on the his decision if the fighter is able to continue or not. Unless they have some special rules in Connecticut regarding this Abraham should have won by doctor stoppage. 

In the co-main event Ognjen Topic and Stephen Meleady fought for five rounds as both men looked to capture the Lion Fight Lightweight Title. The first two rounds were close as both fighters exchanged kick & punches, and jockeyed for position in the clinch. Topic began to take control with his boxing in the third round, and in the fourth round wobbled Meleady. It was evident Meleady was tough as nails as he continued to press forward, but Topic got the better of the exchanges. In the end Topic won a unanimous decision and the Lion Fight Lightweight Championship.

Jo Nattawut showed why they call him Smokin' Jo. He successfully defended his Lion Fight Super Welterweight Championship against the UK's Charlie Peters. Nattawut was a bit more aggressive than normal in this fight and it paid off when he scored a third round (T)KO due to elbows. A barrage of elbows knocked Peters down and after the referee started his count Peters signaled he could not continue. Nattawut continues to be undefeated since joining Lion Fight and has now gone 5-0 for the promotion.

In other action Gaston Bolanos remained undefeated with a fantastic finish of Ben Yelle in the second round. Bolanos landed his patented spinning elbow and hurt Yelle which led to the fight being called off. It was another fantastic performance by the young Bolanos.

Chris Mauceri was also in action and delivered the KO of the night. In the third round he landed a brutal spinning elbow on Nicolas Parlanti that knocked him out cold. It was easily the most spectacular finish of Mauceri's career.

Results:

Ky Hollenbeck def. Richard Abraham via Unanimous Decision

Ognjen Topic def. Stephen Meleady via Unanimous Decision

Jo Nattawut def. Charlie Peters via KO (Elbows) in Rd. 3

Gaston Bolanos def. Ben Yelle via (T)KO in Rd. 2

Chris Mauceri def. Nicolas Parlanti via KO (Spinning Elbow) in Rd. 3

Julio Pena def. Yelson Berdugo via (T)KO in Rd. 3

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

Ky Hollenbeck vs. Richard Abraham and Ognjen Topic vs. Stephen Meleady set for Lion Fight 24

Lion Fight 24 is scheduled to take place September 25th at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard Connecticut. In the night's main event Ky Hollenbeck (@KyHollenbeck) will return to the promotion for the first time since 2011. Hollenbeck will be taking on Richard Abraham in a bout that will be Abraham's toughest test to date. In the co-main event Ognjen Topic (@OgnjenTopic) and Ireland's Stephen Meleady (@LaFlamaBlanca50) will fight for the vacant Lion Fight Lightweight World Title.

Hollenbeck has spent the last few years competing for other promotions, but in 2011 was 2-0 for Lion Fight. He won the WBC Muay Thai Middleweight World Title at Lion Fight 2 with a unanimous decision win against Gregory Choplin and then defended his title at Lion Fight 3 with a unanimous decision win against Simon Chu.

Ognjen Topic is one of the United States future stars. Already known for his skill and toughness he has quickly become a fan favorite. He consistently travels to Thailand to train and compete and has defeated Thai's like fan favorite Rungravee Sasiprapa, Coke Chunhawat, and Paowarit Sasiprapa. 

Meleady is one of Ireland's best fighters. He constantly competes against the best fighters in the world and has been in the ring with the likes of Saenchai, Sam-A, and Rungravee Sasiprapa. 

Keep checking back here at Muay Thai Authority for more information regarding Lion Fight 24 as it becomes available.

Fight Card:

Ky Hollenbeck vs. Richard Abraham

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

Siam Warriors Results : Rungravee avenges loss to Pornsanae

Siam Warriors took place this past weekend in Cork, Ireland. The event featured a main event bout between Saenchai and Ireland’s Stephen Meleady. It was an entertaining fight for fans, and Meleady put on a solid performance in front of his home crowd. Despite his worthy effort Saenchai proved to be too much for him. In the fourth round the fight was stopped due to a cut that Saenchai had opened on Meleady. As it has come to be expected it was another great performance from Saenchai.

In a fight that fans couldn’t wait to see, Rungravee Sasiprapa took on Pornsanae Sitmonchai in a re-match of their 2013 fight. In their first encounter Pornsanae scored a impressive elbow KO over Rungravee. The re-match was a different story, both fighters went toe to toe and no one landed a fight ending strike. This one went to the judges and Rungravee took a decision on the judges’ score cards to even up his rivalry with Pornsanae at one a piece.

Results:

Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym def. Stephen Meleady via (T)KO (Cut) in Rd. 4

Kieran O’Brien der. Martin Conroy via Decision

Paddy Douglas def. Gary Ormond via Decision

Rungravee Sasiprapa def. Pornsanae Sitmonchai via Decision

Cian Cowley def. Rob Doyle via (T)KO (Referee Stoppage) in Rd. 2

Shane O’Neill def. Eoin McCarthy via Decision

T-Bob Tinica def. Jono Bracken via (T)KO in Rd. 1

Conor O’Keeffe def. Jonathan Linnane via (T)KO in Rd. 3

Sean Clancy def. Andy Turland via (T)KO in Rd. 2

Ryan Sheehan def. Keith Wall via Decision