Monday, 20 May 2013 01:44

Saenchai Sinbimuaythai is the most recognizable fighter in Muay Thai today, and has been for the last several years. It's not common at all to see a fighter who is 30 with nearly 300 fights still being considered one of the best, if not the best in Thailand. His clever style, and ability to avoid big shots has allowed him to be a pro fighter for 20 years, and a top Stadium fighter for 15 years. Throughout his career he has fought the best fighters in the country on a regular basis, even if it meant moving up several weight classes to do so. Just a little over a week ago he traveled to Australia and defeated Kurt Finlayson by decision at a weight of 140 pounds. Now, this Thursday he's shedding a dozen pounds to fight at 128 against the hottest fighter in the sport, Kongsak Sitboonmee. 

Kongsak is 10-0-1 in his last 11 fights, and all of those opponents were of the highest level. He's just in his early 20's, but like Saenchai, has been fighting since he was 10 or so years old. He brings a typical Thai style to the ring, but has an ungodly left kick. One of the best game changing left kicks I've seen since Samkor Kiatmonthep. 

This will be Kongsak's fight to lose. Like I mentioned earlier, Saenchai will have to suck a lot of water out of his body to make weight. Saenchai is also coming off an illness, and a knee injury that may be more serious than we know. Add that to the fact that Kongsak is tearing things up right now, and it leaves me to believe Kongsak will win a decision after butchering Saenchai with his left kick late in the fight. 

This fight is one of the reasons why Muay Thai is so great. When 2 fighters are of similar weight, the fight more times than not gets made, and gets made quickly. They agree to the catch weight and a few weeks later they're in the ring fighting. The purse each fighter will receive is nothing like what a big time MMA fighter, or boxer would get. But, this is THE fight in Muay Thai. It's Thai boxing's GSP/Silva, or Pacquiao/Mayweather. However, no dreaming or pondering here, its actually happening. 

Aside from the main event this entire card is quite stacked. The event will take place at Rajadamnern Stadium, one of two elite boxing stadiums in Thailand, the other being Lumpini Stadium. The man who just beat Saenchai last month, Sagetdao Petpaiyathai will once again be matched up with Petchboonchu FA Group. They've each beaten each other in the past, with the most recent fight happening earlier this year where Sagetdao took a points win. I expect the same thing to happen this time around. Nong-O Gaiyanghadaogym looks to end a 5 fight fight losing streak when he squares off against F16 Rajonont. This fight will have a 600,000 baht side bet between the 2 and there camps. Its a good fight for Nong-O, and I expect the losing streak to end. Sam-A Gaiyanghadaogym, Kaotam Lookprabahrt, an Singdam Kiatmuu9 are also in action. 

Monday, 20 May 2013 01:44

As a part of K-1's relaunch this year, K-1 has launched their "Hidden Treasures" initiative. It is K-1's way of utilizing social media to help them do the dirty work of scouting talent around the globe. They are looking for the next big talent in the world to join K-1 and have decided to skip the usual rigors of talent scouting and go right to the internet for help.

So far they have created two pages for the search, a Heavyweight page and a MAX 70kgs page.

They are looking for you, the unknown fighter to give them your personal information and a video so that you can be properly scouted by them.

If you are a talented Heavyweight or Middleweight, head over to one of the two pages, "Like" it and post your details.

Heavyweight: http://www.facebook.com/K1treasures.WGP

Middleweight: http://www.facebook.com/K1treasures.70kg

Don't forget that they are looking for 63kg fighters as well,

63kgs: http://www.facebook.com/K1treasures

Monday, 20 May 2013 01:44

All of us here at Liverkick.com would like to wish a happy 4th of July to all our American friends. Take in the great day and have a great time. If for some reason you're at home and bored, check out this video of one of the greatest American kickboxers, Rick Roufus. Rick Roufus vs. Rob Kaman with Roufus rocking his American flag pants. This was their second fight, after the first ended in controversy.

Monday, 20 May 2013 01:44

The kickboxing world knows no man as intense as Badr Hari, and his return was a huge event. So behold this inside look into the backstage area as Badr Hari prepares for his fight against Gregory Tony. Shot by Staredown.nl and edited by StillWill.

Monday, 20 May 2013 01:44

Earlier today in, the draw for It's Showtime's Fast and Furious 70MAX Tournament took place in Brussels, Belgium. All 8 competitors were on hand to decide the quarter final match-ups. The following 4 quarter final match-ups were determined:

Artur Kyshenko vs. Gago Drago

Andy Souwer vs. Harut Grigorian

Murat Direkci vs. Chris Ngimbi

Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Chahid Oulad El Hadj

What's interesting about these match-ups is that 3 out of the 4 match-ups are rematches, and intriguing rematches at that. Drago and Kyshenko just fought this March, with Kyshenko picking up the win. It should be another good fight. Chris Ngimbi topped Murat Direkci in December to win the It's Showtime 70MAX World Title, albeit in controversial fashion where he didn't look that great himself. Last but not least, Giorgio Petrosyan and Chahid are coming off that No Contest from May, in which many people wanted to see more of.

The card takes place on September 24 in Brussels, Belgium. It's also set to feature some Belgian talents, such as Sonny Dagraed, Marat Grigorian and Marco Vlieger.

Keep on the lookout for updates here on Liverkick.com