Evolution 15

Australia’s biggest Muay Thai event is set to get even bigger in December when Evolution hosts a qualifying tournament for a place on series two of The Contender Asia. December 6 is set to be one of the biggest nights of Muay Thai action Australia has seen, when Evolution hosts a four man tournament to decide one of the 16 highly coveted places in The Contender Asia series two loft, along with some massive superfights featuring John Wayne Parr, Carnage, Preacher, Soren Monkongtong, Daddy Cool, and The Contender Asia’s Sean Wright and Dzhaber Askerov.

The four-man qualifier will see some of Australia’s best middleweights going toe-to-toe for the chance in a lifetime to appear on the reality series and have a shot at the $300,000 prize money.

In huge news for the sport, former WMC World Champion Warren Elson will be coming out of retirement for his shot at the Contender crown. Elson has beaten the likes of Preacher and Soren, and is sure to show some of the newer guys how it’s done.

Next up is Eli ‘Mad Dog’ Madigan, who has been going from strength-tostrength recently, and has already beaten two of The Contender Asia season one’s contestants in Soren Monkongtong and Zidov Dominik.

The third spot in the tournament will be taken by NSW’s Jason Scerri. The ‘Maltese Mauler’, who has been fighting shootboxing in Japan, is a hungry up-and-comer who recently made short work of New Zealand’s Prince Hamid and could be the real darkhorse in this contest.

The final spot in the four-man will be a mystery fighter chosen by the promoters. “Australia got represented very well last time in The Contender, so now we have to make sure we back it up,” says Evolution promoter Josh Sexton. “Firstly, they have to cut the mustard in the ring and also, with it being on television, personality will go a long way.”

After fighting off two others for the spot, the tournament winner will have only a month before they pack their bags and head off to Singapore to mix it with some of the best fighters in the world.

“Who in Australia wants to step up?” says Sexton. “We’ve got guys that have already put their name down, but we’re hoping someone might come out of leftfield and blow us away.”

Article Courtesy of International Kickboxer magazine

Tickets will sell fast and this show will sell out! Tickets will be available through Ticketek on 13 28 49 or www.ticketek.com. Or get a bunch of friends together and take advantage of the best seats in the house at one of our fully serviced corporate tables. Enjoy first class fights and fine dinning with full table service and all your alcohol served to you at your own private ringside corporate table.(0414 242 510 for Table enquiry’s)

Some of the best from Thailand taking on the Dutchmen

70 Kg Saiyok vs Marvin Sansaar
66 Kg Bovy Sor. Udomsorn vs Rachid Belani
61 Kg WBC World Title Fight / Anuwat Kaewsamrit vs Mosab Amrani
61 Kg Saenchai Sor. Kingstar vs Nico Verezen
72,5 Kg WBC World Title Fight / Lamsongkram Chuwattana vs Rayen Simson
72,5 Kg WBC National Title Fight / Nieky Holzken vs Marco Pique

mymuaythai.com found this clip and it’s awesome to watch a fighter of this calibre on the pads

Sato standing over masato

Another K1 max final another “gimmee” to Masato .

Masato should have been beaten by Sato and then should have lost the final on points but it went through to an extension round and the fight was once again handed to him.

Fight #1: Reserve Fight #1: K-1 Rules
Yasuhiro Kido vs. Albert Kraus via TKO Round 2

Fight #2: Semi Final (1): K-1 Rules
MASATO vs. Yoshihiro Sato via Extra Round Decision

Fight #3: Semi Final (2): K-1 Rules
Andy Souwer vs. Artur Kyshenko via Extra Round Decision

Fight #4: Super Fight: K-1 Rules
Taishin Kohiruimaki vs. Joeri Mes via KO Round 3

Fight #5: Reserve Fight #2: K-1 Rules
Buakaw Por. Pramuk vs. Black Mamba via KO Round 1

Fight #6: K-1 Rules
Haruaki Otsuki vs. Ryuji Kajiwara via Decision

Fight #7: ISKA World Light Weight Title Match:
Susumu Daiguji vs. Daisuke Uematsu via KO Round 1

Fight #8: Final: K-1 Rules
MASATO vs. Artur Kyshenko via Extra Round Decision

Masato Wins K-1 World Max ‘08 Championship. By Monty DiPietro

TOKYO, October 1, 2008 — At age 29, Masato is already a veteran among K-1 World Max fighters. Tonight, the Japanese kickboxer countered any doubts about his speed and stamina by battling to victory in a pair of absolutely thrilling bouts to capture the K-1 World Max 2008 Final Championship at the Nippon Budokan.

With its 70kg/154lbs weight limit, K-1 World Max’s speed and technique have captivated fightsport fans in Japan and around the world. Tonight, this year’s top-four World Max fighters clashed in a couple of semifinal bouts, with the winners going head-to-head in the Main Event for the World Max 2008 Championship.

Masato’s semifinal opponent was Japanese kickboxer Yoshihiro Sato, the ‘06 & ‘07 World Max Japan Champion.

Sato is tall, and used his 11cm/4″ height advantage well, pushing in front kicks to control the distance and threatening with the knees when the action closed. Masato, meanwhile, drew on his speed, firing in low kicks and darting forward with punches, as both fighters scored soundly through an electrifying first round. The second saw even more action, Masato powering past his opponent’s defenses with numerous left straight punches; Sato showing a great chin and continuing to counter. Incredibly, the boys raised it another notch in the third — a round that showcased what World Max is all about. Sato benefited from a change in tactics, bearing in with punches, and Masato answered in kind as the pair stood toe-to-toe and traded ‘em before Sato got through with a left-right combination to fell his opponent. Masato recovered well to score with straight punches, although most connected at the limit of his reach. Masato did better by closing to work the body blows and uppercuts.

One judge liked Sato but two scored it a draw, prompting a tiebreaker round. Here Masato was quick with his combinations, closing again to work the body; while Sato played it defensively, firing low kicks and pushing his opponent back with front kicks. Masato’s aggression made the difference as he passed with the jab and straight punches then drove home body blows from inside. A late Masato left straight cocked Sato’s head back, and by the time Sato resumed his punching attacks it was too late. Masato with the hard-fought unanimous decision and a trip to the final.

The smart money had it that Masato would meet two-time and Defending World Max Champion Andy Souwer in the final. But Souwer hit a roadblock on the road to glory, in the form of 21 year-old Ukrainian fighter Artur Kyshenko.

Kyshenko smartly snapped in the kicks to start, but Souwer’s blocking and evasions were excellent, and the Dutch fighter went on the offensive late in the first with a couple of smart one-two punch combinations. A bit more action in the second as the distance closed, both combatants throwing punches — Souwer looking good with tight combinations on the counter. But still, neither fighter showed a killer instinct. Souwer’s cautious style was now cause for concern. When would he break out?

The judge’s card had the pair even going into the third, and although Souwer’s blocking in the final frame was once again near-flawless and his combinations on the counter displayed admirable technical skill, his overall defensive strategy did not win him the round, and the bout went to a tiebreaker.

Kyshenko knew he had an excellent chance to win it. The Ukrainian’s stamina served him well as he launched a number of creative attacks, including a spinning back kick and flying knees. Souwer responded with low kicks and also varied his attacks some, but that might have been the Champ’s problem — he spent too much time responding. When the bell sounded, judges gave Kyshenko the nod and a date with Masato in the final.

In ten World Max bouts, Kyshenko’s only loss had come against Masato in last year’s final. In that bout, Kyshenko was ahead on the cards before falling to a Masato left hook. And so this had the making of a great, albeit unexpected final. Both fighters had gone four rounds in their semifinal contests, but Kyshenko — seven years Masato’s junior — had taken fewer blows en route to the final.

The fighters came out hard and fast, exhibiting no ill effects from their semifinal bouts. Kyshenko answered Masato’s first low kick with three of his own, and Masato worked the straight punches, but Kyshenko’s blocking was sound. Kyshenko landed a solid low kick and right hook, however more of Masato’s surgical strikes got through, the Japanese fighter improving both his power and accuracy as the first round wound down.

Significant among World Max rule changes introduced for this event was an “open-scoring” system, whereby judges’ scorecards are displayed on arena monitors at the conclusion of each round.

It might have lit a fire under Kyshenko when one judge scored the first round a draw and the other two gave it to Masato by a point. Kyshenko started the second with a hard right straight punch and continued striking with combinations until a left dropped Masato. The trip to the mat did not unnerve Masato, who coolly countered with low kicks and closed with uppercuts. Meanwhile, many of Kyshenko’s punches were exploding promisingly from the guard only to miss the mark, and a Kyshenko kick sailed high late in the round.

Still, the down had put Kyshenko up on one card going into the third. The Ukrainian had his chance, but could not put this one away. Stamina had entered the equation, and if there was a fatigued fighter in the ring it was certainly not the ever-advancing Masato. Plenty of hard stuff thrown here, Kyshenko floating some and missing more; Masato solidly planted on his feet to take the edge in power and accuracy. Kyshenko however remained dangerous, landing a knee late in the round.

After three rounds, one card had it for Masato while the others added up even, and so a tiebreaker was prescribed.

Crunch time, and they came out swinging — but again Masato set himself better, picking his spots and hitting the target while doing an excellent job of reading and evading Kyshenko’s big hooks. Masato had the initiative, and he had the right attack at the right time. Although Kyshenko connected with a hard upper, his flagging guard left him vulnerable and he received more than he gave, and Masato finished the round in control.

A very good performance by the young Kyshenko, but a better one from the experienced Masato, whose stamina, smarts and versatility erased the second-round down and earned him a unanimous decision and the World Max Belt. It was the second time Masato has won the World Max Final, he also took it in 2003.

“These were the toughest fights I’ve ever had,” said Masato in his post-event interview. “My face and my legs hurt. I didn’t expect to be downed twice, I gave 100%, and I have nothing left — now I just want to relax and have a cup of coffee! Of course, I am very happy to win the belt. It is definitely different from what I felt before, now I think I can realize the true value of this belt. I’m completely exhausted, right now I feel like I don’t want to ever fight again — so I’ll think about the future later.”

“Now I understand why Masato is the champion,” said Kyshenko afterward. “He has good punches and kicks, and I think the reason I lost was because I don’t have as much experience as he does. But now I’ve fought him two years in a row, it was a great learning experience. Also it gave me a lot of confidence to beat Andy Souwer, who was the Max champion twice. Last year I finished in third place and this year I was second-place, so I’m improving one step at a time — next year I’ll be the champion!”
In the first tournament reserve, Japanese kickboxer Yasuhiro Kido fought the first-ever World Max Champion, boxer Albert Kraus of Holland.

Good positioning and movement by Kraus in the early going, the Dutchman getting through with the fists and scoring with low kicks. Kido connected with a couple of strikes but otherwise struggled to find his distance, and a Kraus knee at the bell sent the Japanese fighter to the interval with a nasty gash over his eye. Kido came alive in the second, making good with combinations, but time was twice stopped for the ringside doctor to check his worsening cut. Kido did not pass the second evaluation, so Kraus had the TKO win.

“Kido was good and strong and technical,” said Kraus post-bout. “I’m happy with my performance this year, the only thing I missed out on was the championship belt.”

The second tournament reserve pitted two-time World Max Champion Buakaw Por Pramuk of Thailand against Indian muay thai fighter Black Mamba.

There is a reason Buakaw has won the World Max twice, and the Thai fighter showed it tonight. Mamba made a go of it, but was simply out of his league as Buakaw commanded the distance, pace and style of this one from the first bell. At just 2:18 of the first Buakaw had the win courtesy a couple of downs — the first after a leg-grab and left straight punch to the chops, the second courtesy a couple of side-launched right hooks.
The evening’s 13-bout card also included a World Max Superfight, the ISKA World Lightweight Title Match and another lightweight contest, plus the quarterfinals in K-1’s new Koshien King of U-18 series.

In the World Max Superfight, Japanese kickboxer Taishin Kohiruimaki met Dutch kickboxer Joeri Mes. Kohiruimaki started with an ambitious knee, but Mes quickly seized control, making good with the left straight punches to score an early down. Mes continued to close on his opponent, and although Kohi came back with knees and low kicks midway through the second, Mes was the dominating fighter, and started the third with a three-point lead on all cards. Kohiruimaki desperately needed to make some noise here, and as time wound down he opened up — but it was the indefatigable Mes who got through with the decisive blow — a left hook on a counter — to lay the Japanese fighter out flat. An impressive display of power, speed and spirit by Mes.

“I feel good,” said Mes, “I fought aggressively, like Melvin [Manhoef] and Badr [Hari]. “I knew Kohi is a good fighter, but he kept clinching. After my win today, I’d like to fight more in K-1. I already fought Andy Souwer once and I lost, I’d like to fight him again and win! I’d also like to fight Japanese fighters like Masato and Sato.”

In the ISKA World Lightweight (60kg/132lbs) Title Match, it was Japanese fighters Susumu Daiguji, a 30 year-old karate stylist; and Daisuke Uematsu, a kickboxer two days shy of his 24th birthday.

A quick start and a quicker finish to this one. Daiguji shot in with the fists, Uematsu weathering the attack before countering with a middle kick then pumping up a knee to score a down. As Daiguji slumped against the ropes then onto the mat, the referee stepped in to call it. Uematsu the winner by KO at just 0:29.

Another lightweight contest featured Japanese fighters Haruaki Otsuki and Ryuji Kajiwara.

The shorter fighter, Otsuki hung his guard loose and low and chased Kajiwara with kicks, but ate a few fists — including a hard right hook in the second. It was anyone’s fight going into the final frame. Good action here, Kajiwara punching into his opponent’s guard, Otsuki answering with a punishing high kick. Kajiwara scored with a right hook, but Otsuki was more creative inside, and took a unanimous decision.

In the evening’s opening fight, a World Max contest, Nieky “The Natural” Holzken of Holland’s prestigious Golden Glory Gym rammed the fists past South African boxer Virgil Kalakoda’s guard to score two quick first-round downs and pick up the KO win.
Also on the card were the quarterfinal contests in the new K-1 Koshien King of U-18 Series. Paralleling Japan’s hugely popular Koshien high school baseball tournament — which enjoys television viewer ratings exceeding those of Japanese major league baseball — K-1 Koshien is open to high school students aged 16-18, with a weight range limitation of 57kg/126lbs to 62kg/137lbs. Bouts are conducted under modified K-1 rules, with 5-counts and fighters wearing ten-ounce gloves.

Koshien promoter’s selection Hiroya snapped in straight punches to rattle Taishi Hiratsuka, a Top-3 Chubu Region Fighter, prompting the referee to call it for Hiroya. Shota Shimada, also a promoter’s selection, took a unanimous decision over Ryo Murakoshi, a Top-3 Kanto fighter; Chubu Champion Ryuya Kusakabe’s high kick KO’d Kanto Finalist Daizo Sasaki late in the first round; and Kanto Champion Koya Urabe scored a second-round TKO over Yusuke Tsuboi, a Chubu Finalist.

During tonight’s intermission, a draw was held to determine the semifinal matchups for the Koshien Final, which will be held at K-1’s New Year’s Eve Dynamite event. It will be Hiroya vs Shota Shimada; and Ryuya Kusakabe vs Koya Urabe.
The K-1 World Max 2008 Final attracted a sellout crowd of 15,321 to the Nippon Budokan. All bouts were conducted under K-1 Rules — three rounds of three minutes each, with a possible tiebreaker round in all but the K-1 Koshien Series, and two possible tiebreakers in the ISKA Title bout and the World Max Final’s championship bout.

The event was broadcast live in Japan on the TBS network. For television scheduling information in other regions contact local providers. Visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for official results and comprehensive coverage of this and all K-1 events.

Dane beecham won his over a 5 rounds.

Corbett won his fight against the much lighter but taller thai.
Corbett took him out with an elbow which took the thai to a count.  When he got up Corbett just finished the job

Zidov was demolished by a body shot from Eli

Sean wright defeated the preacher with solid boxing skills

JWPs fight was apparently awesome. Any other fighter would have been knocked out by Askerov but Parr weathered the storm and went on to win on points.

Thanks to Scottya for the pics ]]> http://muaythai.com.au/evolution-14-results/feed http://muaythai.com.au/aron-leigh-to-fight-in-hong-kong http://muaythai.com.au/aron-leigh-to-fight-in-hong-kong#comments Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:48:24 +0000 Rob http://muaythai.com.au/?p=104 Aron is always an exciting thai stylist to watch and we wish him luck in his next fight

Aron Leigh Hong Kong Muay thai fight poster

Aaron Ts2 Leigh is heading to fight in Hong kong for the 6th time in about 18 months.
He is fighting at 55kg against a Japanese fighter ranked number 2 in Japan at the same weight division. His name is Yasuhiko Abe.
Also on the card will be Judd Cornwall also from the Strikeforce gym he is matched at 70kgs with another Japanese fighter.

Reserve Fight #2 : K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R

Buakaw Por. Pramuk Thailand / Por.Pramuk Gym VS Black Mamba India / Revolution Fight Team

K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R / 60kg

Haruaki Otsuki Japan / AJKF VS Ryuji Kajiwara Japan / Team Dragon

K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R / 60kg

Susumu Daiguji Japan / Silver Wolf VS Daisuke Uematsu Japan / Team Dragon

Semi Final : K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R

MASATO Japan / Silver Wolf VS Yoshihiro Sato Japan / FULLCAST, Nagoya JK Factory

Semi Final : K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R

Andy Souwer Holland / Shooto Boxing Holland VS Artur Kyshenko Ukraine / Captain Odessa

Reserve Fight #1 : K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R

Yasuhiro Kido Japan / Taniyama Gym VS Albert Krauss Holland / Team Super Pro

Super Fight : K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R

Taishin Kohiruimaki Japan / BRAVI RAGAZZI VS Joeri Mes Holland / SHOWTIME

Super Fight : K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R

Nieky “The Natural” Holtzken Holland / Golden Glory VS Virgil Kalakoda South Africa / Warrior’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy

Thanks to www.fansofk1.com for this information

Whoever wins out of the Masato/ Sato match could potentially fight Andy Souwer.

Though Andy Souwer won’t get an easy ride against Ukranian Fighter Artur Kyshenko who managed to dominate Yasuhiro Kido with fast hands and strong low leg kicks. While just only 21, Artur’s youth may not be enough against Souwer’s experience but either way it should be a great fight.

WMC MAD World Title
Steve Wakeling (Scorpions, England) beat Diesellek KingBoxing Gym (Thailand) on points

Super Prestige Fight
5 x 3 mins Full Thai Rules 65 kilos:
Somluck Khamsing (Thailand) beat Kieran Keddle (KFA, England) on points

WMC World title
Bernise Alldis (Keddles, England) beat Maria Verheijen (Jego Gym, Holland) on points

3 x 3 mins 95+ kilo:
Dellian White (Team Red Dragons, England) beat Chris Knowles (Minotaurs, England) on points

5 x 3 mins Full Thai Rules 59 kilos:
Rob Storey (Keddles, England) beat Chris Heyneman (Belgium) by 1st round TKO

WMC European title:
Ruth Ashdown (Crawley, England) beat Leonor Agostinho (Portugal) on points

Big Ben Chor Praram 6 powered over Nopadeth 2 Chuwatana in four of five rounds to finish a comfortable winner 49-7, 50-47 and 49-47.

Big Ben used his superior body strength to dominate the championship to take his place as an elite world champion.

Nopadeth 2 won the third round after trailing in the second, but the final two rounds were the domain of Big Ben who was far too strong in grappling and finished too strong for his slower opponent.