Re-match between Sanny Dahlbeck and Jordan Watson set for Yokkao 18

Yokkao is set to return to Macron Stadium in Bolton, England. Yokkao 17 and Yokkao 18 will follow their recent trend of two shows in one night. The events are set for March 19, 2016 and they have announced the main event for Yokkao 18 to be a re-match between current Yokkao 70kg Champion Sanny Dahlbeck and Jordan Watson.

The pair previously fought at Yokkao 12. Watson was the newly crowned Yokkao 70kg champion at the time and was looking to make his first title defense. The fight was nothing but excitement as neither fighter wanted to give up any ground. Going into the fourth round it was a close fight and then Dahlbeck scored a huge knockdown with a barrage of punches, knees, and elbows. Watson recovered, but was again sent down to the canvas. Watson once again beat the referee's count, but Dahlbeck hell bent on ending this fight. He began to unleash a fury of strikes that had Watson hurt and the referee stepped in and stopped the bout.

If the re-match is anything like the first fight between these two then fans are in for a treat.

Rematch of Alex Filip vs. Atakan Arslan ordered by SUPERKOMBAT board

SUPERKOMBAT has announced that Alex Filip and Atakan Arslan will re-match at a future event. filip and Arslan fought at the SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix IV where Filip was declared the winner in an extra round decision.

The decision for the re-match came from the SuperKombat board after Arslan officially contested the decision. The change comes after it was determined that the decision was questionable. It also prompted the another major change, in future events two international judges outside of the host country will be used at SuperKombat events.

"This fight was contested officially by Atakan Arslan team and I can confirm that it was a controversial decision after the technical commission analyzed the fight. Also, I want to announce that from this moment, for the future events, we will have two international judges outside of the host-country and an international supervisor", said Superkombat CEO, Eduard Irimia.

Neither fighter seems to shy away from the rematch. 

"Wasn't the worst decision ever, but I think I was the winner of the fight. I'm very delighted because Superkombat ordered the rematch and that proves a lot. I cannot tell you now how happy I am for that. Next time I will knock-out Filip" responded Arslan.

"I'm waiting for him, no matter when the fight will happen. I'm better than him and I will prove it again" replied Filip. 

Brett Hlavacek talks upcoming re-match with Cyrus Washington at Lion Fight 17

Brett Hlavacek will make his Lion Fight debut this Friday at Lion Fight 17. The New York based fighter is one of the top super middleweights in the East Coast. Knowing the fight will be broadcast to Muay Thai fans all over the United States, Hlavacek is ready to put on a show for fight fans as he faces a similar foe in Cyrus Washington. The pair fought a little over a month ago under The Warriors Cup promotion in New Jersey.

Brett was kind enough to sit down and answer a few questions for Muay Thai Authority about his upcoming fight, enjoy.

MTA: You are fighting on Lion Fight 17 against Cyrus Washington, how is training going for the fight?

Brett: Training has been going great I have been trying to stay as active as I can right now and it's paying off. I fought I n April, May, and recently in June for a WBC national title. When I'm this busy I spend less time on getting back in shape and on weight and more on my technique and skill.

MTA: You had a last minute opponent switch and are now fighting Cyrus Washington. Were you disappointed you were fighting Cyrus again after recently beating him?

Brett: I was a little disappointed but these things happen and I just want to get on there and I'm excited to work with Lion Fight finally.

MTA: Having fought Cyrus once already, does it make it easier to train to fight him?

Brett: Not only did I already fight him but it was only 4 weeks ago so I remember the fight and how it was. Every fight is different so I will be ready for whatever adjustments he will try and make this time around.

MTA: You won the first time so do you plan on switching anything up in this rematch or just doing what you did the first fight to get the win?

Brett: I'm not gonna switch too much up. I'm just gonna do what I did last time but do it better.

MTA: What do you think is Cyrus's greatest strength in the ring?

Brett: At times he can be explosive and fast with his kicks. If you relax while fighting him you will pay.

MTA: This fight will be aired on AXS TV, is knowing this will be in front of a live TV audience add some pressure?

Brett: There will be a little pressure but I feel it's a good thing. I think for the most part everybody feels the pressure and nerves before the fight. It's how you deal with that stuff that makes the fighter.

MTA: You are known for having a strong clinch game, is that something you focus on a lot in training or is it just an aspect of your fight style that evolved to another level as you progressed in the sport?

Brett: I feel like I'm more of a kicker but at our gym we constantly work on clinching and it has shown in some of my fights in the past. If I feel like that is where my best fight will be then I'm going to work the clinch in the fight.

MTA: You have dabbled in kickboxing, which do you prefer full rules Muay Thai or Kickboxing rules?

Brett: Muay Thai is what I love to do and what I will continue to do. That's not to say that I won't take anymore kickboxing fights though. Glory was a whole new challenge for me. You really have to approach it as a completely different sport. Some people think you just can't clinch and elbow but also you have to take into account that the length of the fights and the scoring is different.

MTA: Not looking past Cyrus Washington, but is there anyone in particular you would like to fight after him?

Brett: Nobody in particular, I have been fighting between super middleweight and light heavyweight these last couple months so whoever is ranked ahead of me. I definitely want to start testing myself against more international competition.

MTA: How excited were you when you got the call from Lion Fight?

Brett: Very excited, fighting for them this year was one of my goals so it's awesome to finally be able to get a shot.

MTA: You have a slew of tattoos, how many do you have exactly and when did you start getting them? Any more plans for future tattoos?

Brett: I don't really have a number but a good deal of my body is covered. As soon as I was 18 I started getting them. I got a majority of my work done in my early 20's and have since slowed down. I plan on getting more done I just need to find the time. It takes time for the tattoo to heal so that means I'm out of the gym which means I'm not training or teaching then.

MTA: How long have you been training Muay Thai and how did you get involved in the sport? 

Brett: I have been involved with Muay Thai for about 15 years or so. I got started at a very young age and was getting in fights when I was 12 or so. Back then there were not that many fights going on and also not that many teenagers fighting so I would only fight a couple times a year. I was doing TKD at the time and wanted something with a little more contact and I came across a Muay Thai seminar with Vut Kamnark and that was it I was in.

Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus re-match taking place at Lion Fight Promotions May 12th event

The highly anticipated re-match between Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus is now expected to take place at Lion Fight Promotions next event on May 12th. Sources close to the promotion have informed Muay Thai Authority that both fighters have already agreed to the fight.

For those not familiar with the situation, Schilling and Marcus fought at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5”. Marcus won by first round (T)KO, but there was much debate after Schilling and Marcus fell to the canvas after an attempted throw by Marcus, the fall causing Schilling to get dazed. After they were back on their feet a vicious left hook from Marcus knocked Schilling down and then a few moments later an elbow from Marcus knocked him down again at which point the referee stopped the fight.

An official announcement from Lion Fight Promotions is expected in the upcoming days.