The Main Event is set to take place Saturday, May 23 from the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, for what is expected to be one of the United Kingdom’s biggest ever muay thai and kickboxing events.
Headlined by a 75kg kickboxing bout, Chad “2 Slick” Sugden will face muay thai phenomenon Michael Wakeling, who is undefeated under thai rules for over 10 years.
Already the ISKA 72.5kg world champion, young Sugden looks to become a two division champion, but must first overcome his biggest career challenge to-date in Wakeling.
21 year-old Sugden holds two previous wins on The Main Event, with decisions over Joe Roberts and Nathan Epps. Having already competed in the K-1 promotion, he recently fought under the GLORY banner in Dubai, defeating resilient Turkish fighter Atakan Arslan on points.
The Suggy’s Gym kickboxer is a very technical outside fighter. He will likely look to use his push kick and head movement to avoid the deadly Wakeling combinations.
Coming from a muay thai background, one would have to question how Wakeling will fare in a fight where he cannot use his clinch and elbows, however with his vast level of experience expect him to adapt well.
He holds a win over Chris Shaw from the Rumble at the Reebok event in 2010, but has not been very active since then. Having not competed since a December 2013, spinning elbow KO of Ali Gunyar, Scorpions Gym’s Wakeling is still considered one of the best around. His devastating left leg kick, which he can score with high and low, presents danger, and could be the game changer if it connects.
In the co-main event, triple world champion Dean James faces the almost 130 fight veteran in Wuttichai. Pra Chao Suua’s James is ranked as the number one junior featherweight in the country and is expect to put on a performance against the Ireland based Thai. James is known for his technical prowess and his ferocious pacing is what many consider his best attribute.
Also, Petchyindee Academy’s Daniel McGowan makes his first appearance since his recent stint over in Thailand, which included a points win over Daodang at the esteemed Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok. He goes up against three time Italian champion Gery Bavetta, which is one of the top matches available at 54kg.
Elsewhere on The Main Event, Greg “The Prodigy” Wootton, representing the KO Gym, takes on Thailand’s Rungrat Sasiprapa. Wootton has fought some of the best Thailand has to offer, and despite falling short to Pakorn PK Saenchai Muaythaigym last year, he boasts an impressive win over Petchboonchu FA Group.
Stephen Meleady, fighting out of Bad Company, Leeds takes on the very tough Panicos Yusef who currently rides a 21-fight win streak. It will be an incredibly stern test for Meleady, but should he defeat Yusef, he will hold a claim as one of the best 61.5kg fighters in the country.
The event also marks the return of highly touted female thai fighter, Dakota Ditcheva as she faces Thai Style’s Rebecca Caslin in a 48kg C class bout. Ditcheva has dominated her division over the past year, and will look to continue building her reputation in Birmingham.
The Main Event full card
75kg K1-kickboxing rules IKF World Championship
Chad ‘2Slick’ Sugden (Suggy’s gym, Newark) vs Michael Wakeling (Scoprions, London)
56kg 5 x 3 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Dean James (Pra Chao Suua, Staffordshire) vs Wuttichai (Thailand)
54kg 5 x 3 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Daniel Mcgowan (Team Tieu, London) vs Gery Bavetta (Team Cacciato, Italy)
63.5kg 5 x 3 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Greg Wootton (KO Gym, London) vs Rungrat Sasiprapa (Thailand)
61.5kg 5 x 3 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Panicos Yusuf (All Powers, Stockport) vs Stephen Meleady (Bad Company, Leeds)
69kg 5 x 3 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Michael Pham (Team Tieu, London) vs Aaron Turner (Thaitans, Redditch)
95kg+ K1-kickboxing rules
Aundre Groce (Firewalker, Wolverhampton) vs Kaz Mwamba (KO Bloodline, London)
61.5kg 5 x 2 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Andrew Lofthouse (Team #OO, Bolton) vs Matt Mckeown (Diamond Academy, Willenhall)
65kg 5 x 2 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Danny Horton (Majestic, Wigan) vs Nathan Bendon (Corefit, Birmingham)
53kg 5 x 2 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Grace Spicer (Double K, London) vs Nicola Kaye (Bad Company, Leeds)
57kg 5 x 2 minute rounds Full Thai Rules
Macauley Coyle (Petchnoi, Northampton) vs Tam McCourt (Glasgow Thai Boxing Academy)
67kg 5 x 1.5 minute rounds C Class Rules
Tyler Liptrott (Team #OO, Bolton) vs Patryk Jelonkiewicz (K-Star Legacy, Birmingham)
48kg 5 x 2 minute rounds C Class Rules
Dakota Ditcheva (Northern Spirit, Sale) vs Rebecca Caslin (Thai Style, Liverpool)
64kg 5 x 2 minute rounds B Class Rules
Joe Hall (Silapa Muay Thai, Darlington) vs Josh Page (K-Star, Birmingham)
61kg 5 x 1.5 minute rounds C Class Rules
Ruman Johal (Team Fearless, Birmingham) vs Jack Morris (Two Brothers, Liverpool)
64kg 5 x 1.5 minute rounds C Class Rules
Liam Brennan (Corefit, Birmingham) vs Ryan Perkin (Stoke Thai Boxing)
72.5kg 5 x 1.5 minute rounds C Class Rules
Afzal Khan (Team Fearless, Birmingham) vs Muzzy Ahmed (Loughborough Muay Thai)
