Saturday, December 5, 2009

By Isaac Kuhlman

  Kevin Ross got another chance to prove why he is considered by many to be one of the premier rising stars in the world of Muay Thai on Saturday night at the Star of the Desert Arena at Buffalo Bill's Casino in Primm. Ross took on one of the toughest U.S. fighters in Chike Lindsay. Lindsay came into the fight undefeated and gave Ross all the fight he could handle for the 5-round match. Ross won by unanimous decision, but the fight was actually pretty close. My personal scoring showed that if all things were unbiased, the fight could've easily been scored a draw. Ross was the heavy favorite in the fight, however, and judges could see his superior technique. Lindsay was very good at pressuring and landing quick shots that caused damage. In the end, it was Ross's day.

  In the fight of the night, Kunitaka "Monkey Ninja" Fujiwara took on WBC International Super Bantamweight Champion Romie Adanza in the fight of the night where Fujiawara was knocked down in the first round, but, using vicious elbows in the clinch and working tirelessly to attack, Fujiwara won the fight after the doctor had to stop it in the 5th round when Adanza's left eye was split WIDE open, a massive welt plastered his left forehead, and a huge cut gaped on the top of his head. Adanza was upset about the stoppage and with good reason. He was probably ahead on the scorecard and was to still able to go on. However, the call was probably the right one to make as Adanza was covered in blood and in horrible condition. Fujiwara now becomes the champ, and it seems likely that these two will get a rematch in the near future if it all works out.

  The "Diamond" Malaipet was on hand at this event to showcase his stunning abilities against a game (but outmatched) James Cook. Malaipet took Cook for granted for most of the fight, but when he was serious he laced some huge kicks, knees, and elbows that were physically hurting Cook. By the end of the 3rd round Cook had been battered and decided to call it quits as he cited a "possible broken rib."

  Las Vegas standouts Shawn Yarborough and Chaz Mulkey also garnered victories in the event. Mulkey got a surprising KO on Bryce Krause with a perfectly-timed, left jab. Yarborough took on "super" seasoned Muay Thai veteran Manson Gibson. Yarborough is one of the world's top kickboxers and Gibson is well over the hill. It was an easy to see result, but the fact that Manson lasted through 2 rounds before his corner stopped it due to "exhaustion" was actually somewhat impressive. I expected a 10-second knockout--and so did other observers sitting ringside.

  The card had other professional and amateur fighters on the card, and to see a list of the results, click here.