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Strikeforce lightweight title contender Billy Evangelista (9-1) defeated Jorge Gurgel (13-6) in a unanimous decision by judges’ scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 once at Strikeforce Challenger Series 4 in Fresno Friday night.
Team Oyama heavyweight Shane Del Rosario (5-0) and Team Quest lightweight Dave Jansen (10-0) both remained undefeated in Seoul Saturday at M-1 Challenge Korea Presented by Affliction.
Del Rosario, who drew eyeballs in ‘07/’08 with three stoppages on ShoXC’s Challenger Series, disposed of Maksim Grishin (1-2) in 21 seconds. Del Rosario has won all of his fights by stoppage.
Jansen took just a second longer to stop Amirkhan Mazihov (0-1) in a guillotine choke.
Read More About Del Rosario, Jansen Remain Undefeated at M-1 Challenge Korea…
“The Diamond” Malaipet Sitprapom (3-1) will try to continue his transformation from world-class superstar Muay Thai kickboxer to mixed martial arts world champion when he faces “Wildman” Thomas Denny (25-16) Friday, 21 March, at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.
A winner of three in a row, the popular, extremely charismatic Malaipet will be making his MMA main event debut in a fight that will headline a five-bout ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series telecast on Showtime that begins at 23:00 ET/PT (delayed on the west coast of the U.S.).
It is the fifth ShoXC cage fight card, which is patterned after the popular Showtime boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation, which has been a springboard for many, young future champions.
“Like I’ve said, there are a lot of promising MMA fighters thirsting for an opportunity to show their stuff and make a name for themselves on the worldwide stage,” EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw said. “This [ShoXC] is the place where they can do it. The Malaipet-Denny matchup is a great one.
“Malaipet is a legend in kickboxing, but I think a lot of us are anxious to see how he does as he continues to step up. For sure, he could turn out to be special, but Denny is one tough vet. I love to watch the progress of all young athletes as they develop. The response to this series has been incredible.”
Few, if any, world champions in other sports have made a successful cross over to MMA; but, Malaipet, a decorated 17-year pro with reportedly more than 300 Muay Thai bouts, could be an exception.
A Lumpinee champ in Thailand, Malaipet has a very Thai style of movement, which he exhibited in his ShoXC debut, an impressive, dominant performance against Kaleo Kwan (5-8) en route to winning a three-round standup war by 30-26 and 30-27 twice. He was calm, relaxed, punched in combination and displayed the kind of stalking footwork that lets him carefully pick his shots and his opponent apart.
“I started watching MMA when I got to the U.S. and liked what I saw,” he said. “I respect both Muay Thai and MMA. I am still learning, but I feel I have what it takes to make it in MMA.”
So, can Malaipet make up ground, and learn a ground game, so he doesn’t get tossed to the mat and, possibly, get submitted? For sure, the more experienced, determined Denny will try and find out.
A former King of the Cage champion who recently signed with EliteXC, the 5-foot-10-inch Denny has fought the likes of “Daddy” Joe Stevenson (28-8), “Bang” Duane Ludwig (16-8), and Yves Edwards (33-13-1).
A colorful fighter known for wild and crazy hairstyles, Denny specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and Muay Thai kickboxing. His self-proclaimed signature moves are “knees and elbows.” But, mostly Denny likes to “give pain. I like to make my opponent suffer.
“Malaipet is untested on the ground. Well, I am going to test him,” Denny said. “I always like to do the opposite of whatever my opponent is doing anyway, and everyone knows Malaipet wants to stand up.”
In other bouts on the telecast, Marlon Matias (5-1) of Brazil faces Conor Huen (6-2) of Los Angeles at 160 pounds; Shane Del Rosario (3-0) of Irvine, California meets Analu Brash (1-1) of Kula, Maui at 265 pounds; and Mark Oshiro (9-1) of Honolulu clashes with Chris Caraiso (6-0) of California at 140 pounds.
Non-televised bouts include: Devin Howard (debut) of La Habra, California versus Mark Kempthorne (1-4) of Vandenberg, California at 170 pounds; Amadeo Viola (0-1) of San Bernardino, California versus Jason Williams (debut) of Vandenberg, California at 265 pounds; Luke Riddering (debut) of San Luis Obispo, California versus TBA at 170 pounds; and Kenny Johnson (debut) of Los Angeles versus TBA at 170 pounds.