Fighters April 2010 - MSA Preview

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BRINGING MARTIAL ARTS TO LIFE!!!

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MARTIALARTSSHOW the

THE NEC BIRMINGHAM 22ND & 23RD MAY 2010

APRIL 2010 £3.75

www.fightersmag.co.uk

UFC

K-1

MSA

$40,000 to The Winner!

ENFUSION The New Reality TV Show

KICKBOXING - MUAY THAI - MMA - K-1 - BOXING

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CONTENTS 6

NEWS ROUND-UP Domestic & International

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YOUR SHOUT Fighters Letters

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THE NEIL ADAMS SUBMISSION CLINIC

By Fergus Dullaghan

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FIGHT ANALYSIS...

Or Learning From The Greats Episode 7 - Eubank vs Benn

Well, it’s less than 3 weeks to go before the MSA takes place at the MEN Arena in Manchester!

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CAIN VALASQUEZ An Interview With UFC’s Rising Star!

The MSA Muay Thai Premier League will take place on Saturday the 27th of March 2010. I thoroughly recommend you take a trip to this fantastic piece of history in the making.

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ENFUSION! A Test of Champions A Fighters Magazine Exclusive!

Just three weeks to go - watch the trailer here:

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THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER... & The Mixed Martial Arts Revolution

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MSA Taking Muay Thai Further Into The Big Time

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WRESTLING Going Forward, 2010 & Beyond

The lineup features Thailands best as well as some of the best domestic matches ever seen:

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MATT SERRA Never Afraid to Speak His Mind!

Liam Harrison (Bad Company, Leeds) vs Anuwat Kaewsamrit (Thailand, 2 x Thailand fighter of the year) Harrison, arguably England’s best pound for pound, is out for revenge having lost previously to anuwat on a super show in Jamaica last year.

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LIAM HARRISON Once More Into The Breach An Interview With ‘The Hitman’

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THE BRITISH ARE COMING UK MMA at a New Peak

By Ben Cartlidge

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THE NEW PRIZEFIGHTERS A Batch of UK MMA’s Top Fighters Wins Titles in The Prizefighter UK ltd Boxing Tournament

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ANTONIO RODRIGO NOGUEIRA Did The Downfall Begin Way Back in July of 2007?

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UCMMA Ultimate Challenge - Fight For Heroes

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UFC 109 It’s Over so Waht’s Next?

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K-1 FINAL A Clean Sweep as Bodies Fall!

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DYNAMITE! Masato Victorious

Stuart Kemp (Tobins Gym, Leeds) vs Alex Abusin (Bradford Thai) Upcomer Kemp has a big test against the tough Abusin

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GENESIS 2 Full Report & Photo’s

All fights are contracted and with two other fights to be announced, this is certainly the card of the decade!

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BLACK WIDOW FIGHT NIGHT ISKA Championship Thai Boxing

For tickets go to http://men-arena.com/about/?page_id=1653

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THE HOMECOMING ISKA Championship Thai Boxing

CONTENTS EDITORIAL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbX4f93gxo Tickets are selling very fast now - get yours asap here: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F004365EF7C8AE7?camefrom=CF C_UK_MEN1_MENA&brand=UK_MEN MSA brings you the biggest muaythai show ever in the UK!

Michael Dicks (Darlington) vs Bovy Sor Udomsorn (Thailand) Both of these two only know one way to go and that is forward. Bovy Sor Udomsorn is regarded as one of Thailand’s most exciting fighters ever.

Damien Trainor (K-Star, Birmingham) vs Kaewklaa Kaewsamrit (Thailand) IKF World Champion Trainor has a tough challenge against Rajadamern Stadium title challenger Kaewklaa Neil Woods (Kaobon, Liverpool) vs Kevin Harper (Majestic, Wigan) These two old adverseries, two of Britain’s best ever, return from several years out just to fight at MEN Arena and settle the score.

Dean James (Pra Chao Suua) vs Andy Howson (Bad Company, Leeds) Dean James challenges Andy Howson for the no.1 bantamweight spot in what will be one of the domestic fights of the year Kieran Keddle (Semtex, Swanley/London) vs Imran Khan (Wicker Camp, Sheffield) The long awaited contest between two great technical fighters as Keddle makes his return to the ring, a guaranteed elbow fest.

UKMF British title Simon Chu (Kiatphontip Leeds) vs Daitan Jackson (Salford Fight Factory) War of the roses, Yorkshire vs Lancashire for the vacant British title

Doors 4.45pm Show Starts 5.45pm Sharp

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The British Are Coming Page 54

WWW.FIGHTERSMAG.CO.UK PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Paul S. Clifton paul@martialartsinprint.com SENIOR DESIGNER Mark John Davies GRAPHIC DESIGN Kevin Thompson ADVERTISING/SALES EXECUTIVE Jan Harley 0121-351-6930 fighters@btconnect.com UK THAI SUB EDITOR Dan Green UK MMA SUB EDITOR Rob Nutley UK BJJ SUB EDITOR Carl Fisher UK KICKBOXING SUB EDITOR Cris Janson-Piers UK BOXING SUB EDITORS Luke Calvert, Mark Wilson Smith THAI / KICKBOXING Tony Myers, Shaun Boland, Bob Spour, Paul Hennessy, Neil Holden, Dean Sugden

CONTRIBUTORS Steve Dileo, Bryan Levick, Fergus Dullaghan, Ben Cartlidge, Alan MacDonald, Christina Castellana, Teddy Galbally, Craig Bush, Seymour Yang, Rocki Sondhi, Tommy Thompson HOW TO GET WORK PUBLISHED Drop us an email at fighters@martialartsinprint.com or give the editorial team a call on 0121 351 6930 NEWS ITEMS For all news related items, simply mark your envelope “FIGHTERS NEWSLINE” and together with a photograph (if required) and a covering letter, send it to: FIGHTERS, Head Office or E-Mail: fighters.news@btconnect.com HEAD OFFICE: Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. Tel: 0121 351 6930 E-Mail: fighters.magazine@btconnect.com ADVERTISING DETAILS If you would like to advertise in FIGHTERS email us at fighters@martialartsinprint.com to obtain details, deadline dates and costs.

DISCLAIMER FIGHTERS is published by M.A. Publications Ltd, Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. The publishers reserve the right to reject editorial and/or advertising material as they see fit. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material. However, the Publishers will endeavour to return such matter providing that it is accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. Any material accepted by the Publishers shall be revised or altered should the Publisher deem it necessary to do so. The act of submitting manuscripts and/or materials shall be considered an express warranty that such material is original and in no way infringes upon the rights of others. It is expressly forbidden for any part of the magazine to be reported whatsoever without the permission of Editor / Publishers. The views or comments expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the editor or Publisher.

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SUBSCRIPTION RATES To take out a subscription to Fighters, just send your cheque for the correct amount made payable to M.A. Publications ltd. to: Subscription Dept. Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. or telephone: 0121-351 6930 12 issues = UK @ £44.95 EUROPE @ £75 (Airmail) REST OF WORLD @ £90 (Airmail)

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MSA

MEN Arena Manchester With the momentum generated by its sell out show in Bolton last November (see December 2009 issue of Fighters), MSA now looks to take Muay Thai further into the “big time” with the first ever UK arena show at MEN Arena on Saturday 27th March.

The matchmaking for this show is set to showcase several top international bouts and many of the most exciting domestic battles to take place for years - with some fights that many thought would never happen!

Harrison vs Anuwat 2! Dicks vs Bovy!

Woods vs Harper! Trainor v Kaewklaa!

James v Howson! Keddle vs Khan!

Kemp v Abusin! Watson v Buccoliero!

Andy Thrasher! Chu v Jackson! It just doesn’t get any bigger than this!

It’s appropriate that Manchester is to play host for this epic event as Grandmaster Sken and the other Thai trainers all established their clubs there, from which they launched so many

British Champions and top trainers.

The MEN Arena is recognised as one of the best venues in the UK and Europe, having broken box office records for live audience events several times over the last few years! All seats will provide an excellent view of the action and doors will open at 4.45pm.

Current contracted fights at time of going to press include: Liam Harrison (Bad Company, Eng) vs Anuwat Kaewsamrit (Thailand)

Neil Woods (Team Kaobon, Liverpool) vs Kevin Harper (Majestic Gym, Wigan) Kieran Keddle (Semtex Gym, London) vs Imran Khan (Wicker Camp, Sheffield) Dean James (Pra Chao Suua, Wolves) vs Andy Howson (Bad Company, Leeds) Stuart Kemp (Tobins Gym, Leeds) vs Alex Abusin (Bradford Thai Boxing) Simon Chu (Kiatphontip, Leeds) vs Daitan Jackson (Salford Muay Thai)

Michael Dicks (Darlington, England) vs Bovy Sor Udomsorn (Thailand)

Jordan Watson (Bad Company, Leeds) vs Gianluca Buccoliero (Italy)

Damien Trainor (K-Star, England) vs Kaewklaa Kaewsamrit (Thailand)

Andy Thrasher (GFC, Manchester) vs TBA

Bovy

Michael Dicks

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We’d usually just take a look at each of the main events in turn but this time every fight could be a main event, so...:

HARRISON vs ANUWAT 2 REVENGE!

Anuwat Kaewsamrit is a two time Thailand Fighter Of The Year, several times stadium champion and one of Thailand’s most exciting fighters famed for his KO punching power.

Harrison is the golden boy of British Thai boxing, a hard hitter and technically one of England’s best ever fighters. No-one else currently fighting from the UK has ever fought as many top stadium ranked Thai fighters !

On 26th June 2009, Harrison fought Anuwat, getting stopped in the third round. Now Harrison has never been so hungry for a fight: rigorous dieting; applying total focus; and launching wholeheartedly into a strict training regime for the full 3 months pre-battle!

Harrison has never looked so focused and, for sure, this time things will be different. Fireworks are guaranteed as both fighters are bangers! A certain contender for ‘Fight of the Night’!

DICKS vs BOVY

A fighter that in every fight goes explosively forward looking for the KO. A non-stop fighting machine, hard as nails, virtually unstoppable with a killer instinct that always looks for the finish. Which fighter are we talking about? It could be either - and that’s what makes this such an exciting contest.

Dicks vs Bovy will be a war with elbows being thrown left, right and centre. This will be Dicks’ chance to take a world class scalp! Dicks notched up a lot of international experience last year that will stand him in good stead for this fight. Bovy is widely regarded as one of Thailand’s most exciting fighters ever. But the way he fights will suit Dicks to the ground.

Damien Trainor

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Andy Thrasher

Dean James

Thai superstar Somluck Khamsing. “I CANNOT wait - Muay Thai’s biggest ever show in the UK! I had to be a part of it!” said Keddle.

Khan has been getting more and more experience in Thailand. He also went the distance with Anuwat last year. Both haven’t fought in the UK for a while and with Khan stepping up to welterweight, this will be an intriguing contest for many.

JAMES vs HOWSON

TRAINOR vs KAEWKLAA

Damien Trainor is a true gentleman of the English Thai boxing fraternity with one of the hardest left hooks in the business! Twice last year, he fought the very experienced Tawatchai Budsadee (who has over 500 fights to his name) and in the second fight, Trainor simply took him apart in his classiest performance to date.

Kaewklaa Kaewsamrit is the new upcoming star from the world famous Kaewsamrit Gym in Bangkok. He recently fought for the Rajadamnern Stadium title losing a close points decision and will be a really tough technical challenge for Trainor.

WOODS vs HARPER

This fight is one UK fans have been waiting to see for over 5 years! Two of Britain’s greatest ever fighters will come out of retirement just to battle at MEN Arena.

Woods was always regarded as an indomitable K1 style fighter, whereas, Harper, more the Muay Thai stylist.

Last time, the match was under K1 rules. This time, it’s Muay Thai. Harper has wanted this fight for years and a real battle is guaranteed.

Woods had a great career culminating in his K1 Max UK victory and also winning the WAKO Pro World Thai boxing title. Harper has won two world titles (WKA and WAKO Pro) and is one of Britain’s most experienced fighters, with over 70 fights to his name.

The two met once previously in the first K1 Max UK with Woods stopping Harper with low kicks. Harper’s camp always maintained that he had the harder route to the final and since then, the rematch has been talked about and scheduled a few times, but never happened. Now with contracts signed, MSA will give the fans the fight they always wanted.

KEDDLE vs KHAN

Keddle makes his return to revenge one of his best friends (Storey) against the slick and elusive Khan. This will be a very technical, high octane contest where both fighters will look to control the clinch and cut with elbows to win.

It will be Keddle’s first fight for nearly two years since he fought the all time

Dean James made his mark in 2009, first beating WKN European Champion, Antonio Rodriguez, and then challenging Dimitri Varats for the WMC European title. Varats had previously beaten the UK’s other two top bantamweights, Damien Trainor and Andy Howson, both of whom are much more experienced than James. However, James fought an excellent non-stop technical contest, out kicking and out clinching Varats to take the 5 round points win - and the European title.

Howson, too, had a good year, starting off with a well fought win over Damien Trainor and then later winning the WMC MAD World title against top Malaysian fighter, Mohd Ali Yaakub.

Howson is simply thrilling to watch.

Every time he fights, it’s bound to be war! James, despite having a lot less experience, has only 1 loss on his record. Be assured, this will be a spectacular, electric fight!

KEMP vs ABUSIN

Stuart Kemp is a great prospect and had a good year in 2009, notching up 3 wins. His only loss - by split decision was in Sweden to top European fighter, ‘Stoneface’ Barnabas. Abusin, though, is far more experienced with elbows and has beaten the likes of Daitan Jackson, Mike Egan, Andy Brocklebank but to name a few eminent names. This will be Kemp’s first real test and the extremely tough Abusin will be hungry for the win.

CHU vs JACKSON

This will be a War of The Roses! Simon Chu and Daitan Jackson will clash for the UKMF title. Chu, one of the hardest hitters in England, is on the come-

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back trail. At the time of writing, he is training and winning in Thailand - and expecting shortly to be Rajadamnern Stadium ranked. Jackson is one of the most talked-about fighters in the UK (he broke Eric Darricarrere’s jaw and elbow-gashed him last September) and notching up a string of wins, will be going after Chu as his first ‘big scalp’!

WATSON vs BUCCOLIERO

At only 21 years and Contender UK Champion, Jordan is a true rising star and deadly all-rounder pounder. Facing him will be the dangerous Italian Muay Thai champion, Buccoliero. This will be an adrenalin-pumper!

The other UK (and ‘local’) hero on the night’s card will be the ever popular, seasoned battler, Andy Thrasher, who will probably face a formidable opponent from the Netherlands.

Whatever you may have planned, be at the MEN Arena on Saturday 27th March for this simply cannot-miss Muay Thai extravaganza!!

NOTE: The production of this show will be at a level never previously seen in UK Muay Thai. For latest news about the event visit www.mastersken.com Tickets are available from www.men-arena .com or by calling Ticketmaster on 0844 847 8000. VIP table seats include a two course Thai meal and two bottles of champagne per full table of 10. For individual VIP seats, call Laura on 020 8652 9300 (or email laura@mastersken.com).

Liam Harrison

Anuwat

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