Friday Night Fights Muay Thai “2011 Season Finale” and The Warriors Cup XIII delivered some great Muay Thai action this past weekend in New York and New Jersey. In New York, Phil LeGrand defeated highly touted amateur fighter Josh Fitzsimmons and announced he would be going pro, while in New Jersey Ognjen Topic continued to show why he is one of North America’s up and coming talents. Below are a few match-ups that would make sense as the next possible fight for some of the competitors from this weekend’s action.
Ryan Murray vs. James Smith
Smith and Murray fought a back and forth fight for two rounds. It seemed Murray was on the brink of defeat at the end of the first round, but he came storming back in the second round. Unfortunately for both fighters a torn bicep ended Smith's night early. Injuries occur all the time in sports and no fighter wants to take a win simply because their opponent was injured. Murray really turned things around in the second stanza and it seemed it could have eventually resulted in a stoppage victory, but with the injury we did not have a chance to find out. A re-match is fitting due to the unfortunate ending of this bout.
The Warriors Cup XIII took place in Lincroft, New Jersey and it certainly faced some challenges. The main event between Justin Greskiewicz and Gabriel Varga was cancelled with less than two days left before the event due to an injury Greskiewicz sustained. As they say though, "the show must go on".
In the night's first pro fight Ognjen Topic and Anthony Demaio faced off. The bout started off slow with the fighters feeling each other out through most of the first round. In the second round Topic started to pick the pace up a bit. Topic was able to connect with an elbow and cut Demaio on the inside of his right eye. With blood flowing from the cut the referee called for time so that the cut could be checked. The ringside doctor called a stop to the bout after inspecting the cut. With the win North Jersey Muay Thai's Ognjen Topic improves is professional record to 3-2.
Muay Thai Authority was informed this morning that The Warriors Cup XIII has lost its main event fight between Justin Greskiewicz and Gabe Varga. Greskiewicz was involved in a motorcycle accident a few weeks back, a knee injury from the accident was made worse by a staph infection.With less than 48 hours before the event takes place Muay Thai Authority was informed that it is highly unlikely a replacement will be found. The fight between Greskiewicz and Varga would have been a re-match from a few years back, a bout which Varga won.The loss of Greskiewicz vs. Varga leaves two pro fights for the event. Ognjen Topic will face. Anthony Demaio and James Smith will take on Ryan Murray. The two remaining professional bouts will be sanctioned by WBC Muay Thai. Below is the entire fight card scheduled for the event on December 3rd.
Weapons 9 Promotions is fresh off The Warriors Cup XII which featured the American debut of Liam Harrison, but they are now hard at work setting up their next event which is currently scheduled for December 3rd. Muay Thai Authority has been informed sources close to the promotion that Brett Hlavacek will be taking on Eric Utsch.
Hlavacek fights out of The Wat under Kru Phil Nurse and recently defeated Marcus Fisher by decision at The Warriors Cup XII. Hlavacek is 4-0 since turning pro it should be interesting to see him face a veteran like Eric Utsch.
Utsch last fought at Friday Night Fights year opening event where he defeated Brian Daye via decision. Utsch has since spent time training in Holland and should be a tough test for Hlavacek. He is currently ranked as the number one contender for the WBC Muay Thai national super middleweight title.
