Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:31

It's pretty cool whenever we get behind-the-scenes footage from any kickboxing event, let alone one of the biggest shows of the year. GLORY recently put up this 10 minute long video featuring all the stuff us normal fans never get to see. Enjoy. 

Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:31

Monday, March 18
Ponmongkol K.T. Gym def. Songkom Sakhomsin by decision.
Kangwanlek Petchyindee def. Thepnimit Sitmonchai by decision.
Petchinarath Sor. Sommai def. Rungrit Sor. Phenprapa by decision.
Nongyot Sitjekarn def. Phettai Kiatnadee by TKO in Round 4.

Tuesday, March 19
Uiseeopor Sujeebameekeow def. Rungrat Tor Pitakkonlakan by decision.
Sangdao Sor. Kittichai def. Phetbaankek Sor. Sommai by decision.

Wednesday, March 20
Fahpennuang K.R.S. Gym def. Phetaik Sor. Meanut by decision.
Mongkolkaew Sor. Sommai def. Binbon Sitdanai by decision.
Rungphet Por. Rungsiri def. Nuanglanlek Sitporjo by decision.
Wansodsai Sit. Jor def. Panpet Pethuaytaptan by TKO in Round 1.

Thursday, March 21
Thaksinlek Sitprakaifar def. Methee Sor. Jor. Toipedrew by decision.
Yodmongkol Muangsima def. Chofah Tor. Sangtiennoi by decision.
Nongmai Teded 99 def. Komean Sor. Worachot by decision.

Friday, March 22
Serkim Sitjetaew def. Satarnfah Zakami by decision.
Muangthai Sor. Boonyiam def. Ongbak Sitsarawatser by decision.
Mafuangnoi Chor. Rothsurang def. Singdam Sakrangsit by decision.

Overall, the past week was much quieter than previous ones this year. As a result, there are a lot less videos available than usual. Everything though is, as usual, well worth checking out.

Ponmongkol continues to roll while Songkom has dropped two in a row now. Kangwanlek also continues to defy age in beating a surging Thepnimit Sitmonchai. Nongyot's stoppage win on the same Monday card is also vicious and a must watch.

Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:31

In the aftermath of yesterday's GLORY 5 London event, there's a lot of subject matter to talk about. From thoughts on the overall show to Tyrone Spong's emphatic finish of Remy Bonjasky in the main event, a lot went down yesterday, to put it briefly.

Anyone who has been following LiverKick knows I'm a huge proponent of other weight classes in kickboxing and that's why I will take this opportunity to shine some more light on one of yesterday's high points that I feel isn't being talked about enough: Steve Wakeling. Wakeling made his GLORY debut yesterday in the 85kg division and absolutely demolished Eddie Walker with low kicks, culminating in a second round stoppage.

Sure, Remy Bonjasky and Tyrone Spong were the big names on the event, but that's not all that matters. Steve Wakeling returning to the ring to campaign in GLORY's 85kg division is a pretty big deal. It's no secret that Wakeling has been inactive over the past years, but nevertheless, he's an elite fighter, and he showed why yesterday. He was in complete control of the fight from start to finish. The kickboxing ruleset that GLORY uses didn't seem to affect him at all as he utilized heavy, swift kicks, a sharp, stiff jab and an overpowering clinch game.

The main point here is that we now have another elite fighter added to the mix at the top of GLORY's 85kg division, which has already began to kick off this year. On a glance at GLORY's 85kg division, not including anyone that could potentially be signed, there are potential match-ups with Sahak Parparyan, L'houcine Ouzgni, Jason Wilnis and even a rematch of the controversial draw with Artem Levin. Of course, should he fight Muay Thai again, Simon Marcus is right there as well. Now moreso than ever, it looks like Steve Wakeling will get the chance to be an active fighter again. He talked about the reasons for his inactivity in this interview on GLORY's website:

"'Its true, its been a struggle to get fights really. And its not for lack of trying. But it has been a challenge to get people to sign on the dotted line. Either that, or there have been offers where the purses just haven’t been right. I don’t mean to sound big-headed or arrogant but I know what I am worth and I won’t fight for peanuts,' he explains."

He'll finally have a platform to stay active on and showcase his skills while mixing it up with some of the best fighters, which is right where he belongs.

Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:31

If there's anyone flying under the radar in the 70 kg weight division, it's Enriko Kehl. The twenty year old German sensation put on some seriously impressive performances during 2012, including a KO win over Nonsai at last year's Thailand vs. Europe, as well as a collection of Tatneft victories. Kehl came into Thailand vs. Europe 2013 off a hotly disputed loss to Dzhabar Askerov. Keep in mind Askerov went on to defeat Any Souwer at Yokkao 2013 not long later, so this should give you an idea of exactly how good Kehl is, or has the potential to be. Last night he took to the ring again against Berneung Topking Boxing, who himself was coming off a loss. Berneung may not be in his prime of his life, but he still has the ability to put solid wins together. 

Kelh demonstrated why we at Liverkick are excited about this kid. After a relatively even first two round, Kehl threw a right elbow, which Beneung dodged, and continued the rotation into a second spinning elbow, catching the Thai flush on the jaw and sending him to the canvas in a crumpled heap. Medics immediately rushed into the ring to revive him, and he was still unable to stand when Kehl's victory was announced. I think Enriko would make a great addition to any big-name league, whether it be Kickboxing or Muay Thai. He can go places.

Also on the card, Phuket Top Team's Nonsai Sor Sanyakorn faced perpetual journeyman Steeve Valente, and ended his night with a TKO elbow victory midway through Round 3. "The Black Sniper" Marco Pique failed to rebound from a loss to Raphael Llodra, losing a unanimous decision to Suriya Prasathinpimai. In the surprise of the night, Christophe Provost won a decision victory against Changpuek Sor KeawSuek, who had most recently won back-to-back victories in the Korea MAX tournament, and Thai Fight 2013.

Full Results 

Shkodran Vaseli def. Alexander Sakotic by Decision

Daniel Koehler def. Ramon Kubler by Decision

Nonsai Sor Sanyakorn def. Steeve Valente by TKO (Elbow) in Rd. 3

Christophe Provost def. Changpuek Sor KeawSuek bu Decision

Suriya Prasathinpimai def. Marco Pique by Decision

Enriko Kehl def. Berneung TopKing Boxing by KO (Spinning Elbow) in Rd. 3

Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:31

In another packed Saturday of stand up fighting, the action moved to Brazil, where WGP Kickboxing played host to a 4 man Heavyweight tournament in which the winner qualified for a place on the Superkombat roster. Also on the card, Superkombat veteran, Miodrag Olar, was set to take on former MMA fighter and Bellator veteran, Thiago Michel, and fan favorite Sandro Pereira fought for the 85 kg Brazilian Title against Cesar Almeida.  

In the opening rounds of the heavyweight tournament Felipe Micheletti won a hard fought decision against Argentina's Rogelio Ortiz, and Brazil's Edson Lima took out Robson Rocha by KO in the second round. Michelliti and Lima met in the finals, with Michelliti primarily back-pedalling and landing hard shots to the chin of Lima, who ambled forward swinging at air. In the first and third round Edson seemed a hair's breadth away from tumbling to the canvas. After 3, it was Micheletti who had his hand raised, and was awarded a place among the Superkombat Heavyweight roster.

On the other half of the card, Thiago Michel won a lackluster decision over Miodrag Olar. The Brazilian clearly outweighed the smaller Olar, pushing him around the ring and dominating in a display of brute strength and size. The other big fight was far more entertaining. Home-town hero Sandro Pereira put on a show of shows against Cesar Almeida in a knock down, drag out, balls to the walls 5-round throwdown. The two Brazilians opened up in the first, deciding during the first thirty seconds to stand in front each other and throw everything they had at full power while eating punches with a smile. To the delight of the fans, Pereira began to pull from Almeida in the later rounds, eventually coming away with the unanimous decision and the 85 kilogram belt. 

Full Results

Semifinal #1: Fillipe Micheletti def. Rogelio Ortiz by KO (Liver Kick) in Round 2

Semifinal #2: Edson Lima def. Robson Rocha by KO in Rd. 2

Final: Fillipe Micheletti def. Edson Lima by Decision

Thiago Michel def. Miodrag Olar by Decision

85 kg Brazilian Title Fight: Sandro Pereira def. Cesar Almeida by Decision