Saturday, December. 1 from Raleigh Studios – Playa Vista, CA.
Live on Direct TV® and INDEMAND® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 12, 2012
LOS ANGELES – Undefeated Muay Thai fighter Simon Marcus will take Sweden’s Sadibou Sy, when MUAY THAI IN AMERICA (MTIA) in honor of the King of Thailand’s birthday heads to Raleigh Studios in Play Vista, CA on Saturday, Dec. 1. The event will air live on DIRECT TV® and INDEMAND® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
In honor of the King of Thailand’s Birthday, MTIA will bring together 18 of the best Muay Thai fighters, “Nak Muay”, from the U.S. and around the world to participate in eight fierce bouts, live before an international audience. This will be an unprecedented red carpet gala affair in celebration of the King’s birthday.
MTIA is rapidly positioning itself as a leader in the world of combative stand-up sports. Muay Thai is the most devastating, yet graceful, culturally balanced art form on the planet. Practiced, like a religion throughout the world, Muay Thai is in need of professional execution. MTIA has elevated the presentation of professional Muay Thai to the level of HBO Boxing and that of our closest competitor, ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP (UFC). MTIA has set the bar and is expected to become the industry leader in professional martial art competition.
“For the first time, an American Muay Thai Promoter has been selected to showcase the prowess of Muay Thai for this royal event,” said MUAY THAI IN AMERICA PRESIDENT Don McDaniels. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to not only demonstrate the devastating combat sport of Muay Thai, better known as “The Art of Eight Limbs”, but also showcase the fighting skills of not only America’s Muay Thai champion fighters, but the best form around the world.”
The co-main event will feature the deadly and attractive UK standout Julie Kitchen taking on fellow UK fighter Amanda Kelly.
“This match-up has been in the works for quite some time, but no promoter in UK
has ever been able to make it happen” said McDaniels. “Julie has a huge following in the United States, it should be a treat for her fans to get to see her fight on American soil once again against a great fighter such Amanda Kelly.”
Also taking fighting honor of the king’s birthday is Thai terminator Rungravee Sasiprapa taking on England’s Damien Trainor.
Andy Howson will also be returning to fight on U.S. soil to take on Thanit “Boom” Whattanaya.
Coke Chunhawat will look to honor the king of Thailand as he takes on Paul Karpowicz.
Swiss power house Christophe Pruvost will be fighting the “Vicious Croc” Chike Lindsay from Atlanta, GA.
In a fight that is expected to provide fireworks from the opening bell, Canada’s Joseph Valtellini will be taking on France’s Mehdi Baghdad.
Canada’s Matt Embree and England’s Greg Wooten will meet in what is expected to be a highly technical fight.
America’s Justin Greskiewicz will face off against Libya’s Salah Abdelsalam to kick the night’s fights off.
“With 18 world class fighters competing on the same event, any one of these bouts would serve as the main event on most fight cards,” said McDaniels. “We expect these fighters to show case nothing but the best Muay Thai skills, not only in honor of the king of Thailand’s birthday, but so that fans in America and round the world can witness the beauty of this art.”
MUAY THAI IN AMERICA in honor of the King of Thailand’s birthday will air live on DIRECT TV® and INDEMAND® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Tickets for MUAY THAI IN AMERICA will go on sale to the public on November 12, 2012. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and local gyms, a select number of tickets will be available for purchase at the Raleigh Studios event.
This event will sell out fast.
In addition to being undefeated with a perfect record of 28-0, Simon Marcus is known for his brutal strength and excellent technique. In 2012 alone he has added five dominant victories to his record. They include wins over legend Kaoklai Kaennorsing, American powerhouse Joe Schilling (twice), as well as two wins in China where he fought two opponents in one night. Training out of Siam, No. 1 in Toronto, Canada under Ajahn Suchart, Marcus has quickly made his impact felt not only in the North American Muay Thai scene, but world wide.
With a record of 42-3, Sadibou Sy is expected to test the fast rising Simon Marcus. Born in Sweden but of West African decent, Sy broke on the international scene at the age of 19 when he won the Nordic Open Championship by spinning heel-kick knockout. He went on to compete in the ISKA World Championships where he won 2 gold medals as well as the championship award for most outstanding fighter of the tournament.
Know as “The Queen of Muay Thai” Julie Kitchen quickly became a fan favorite amongst American Muay Thai fans. Always looking to push women’s Muay Thai to the forefront, Kitchen has been an ambassador of the sport for years. As beautiful as she is deadly, she will be looking to not only continue to impress her fans but take home the win against her fellow UK native.
Looking to make her name on the American Muay Thai scene, Amanda Kelly is ready to take advantage of her opportunity. Facing a legend in Muay Thai like Julie Kitchen paired up with the opportunity to gain new fans we should expect nothing but a tremendous effort from Kelly as she takes on “The Queen of Muaythai”.
For more information or the latest MUAY THAI IN AMERICA news, visit
www.MuayThaiInAmerica.com. All bouts live and subject to change.