Miriam Nakamoto to defend her title at Pechanga
“Here comes the champion, my friends!” Tomorrow night at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA, the WBC Muay Thai Women’s Lightweight Champion of the World, Miriam Nakamoto will be defending her title against Aleide Lawant of Holland. Photos: J. Wyatt
August 23, 2013
If you’re into Muay Thai, it’s for sure you’re aware of last year’s awesome Muay Thai show featuring the formidable Miriam Nakamoto (15-0), the U. S. Champion, defeating Julie Kitchen of the United Kingdom for the undisputed Women’s WBC Muaythai Lightweight World Title. Well, here we go again.
Tomorrow night, WCK Muay Thai returns to the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, CA with another exciting lineup of the top fighters from around the world. Dubbed “Hot Summer Fights” this one will feature two sanctioned World Title bouts plus two sanctioned National Title Bouts.
Since her last Muay Thai bout, Nakamoto has kept herself busy by making the successful transition over to MMA, a Cris Cyborgesque move but in reverse. After her year long absence, Nakamoto makes her return to face Aleide Lawant (19-8), the Dutch striking champion who in 2011 was the winner of the Enfusion tournament.
Aleide Lawant (bottom), the hopeful Netherlands, has come along way in an attempt to defeat Miriam Nakamoto. All photos: Jim Wyatt
The 29 year-old Lawant is hoping the rust will show when she challenges the 37 year-old, undefeated veteran, then boldly takes the WBC championship belt from Nakamoto’s waist and returns home to Holland to be celebrated.
For the invincible Nakamoto, it’s like being the top gun in Dodge City and here comes another young gunslinger hoping to knock her off her mighty perch.
(r to l) Luis Bio to face Raul Rodriguez.
In the evening’s Co-main event they have WBC Mexican Middleweight Muay Thai champion Luis Bio (11-4) squaring off with Raul Rodriguez (11-1) in a 154 lb. title match.
The 28 year-old Bio, who’s been training for 10 years, is hoping to bounce back after his decision loss in China to Zhipeng Zhou in the Wu Lin Feng 154 lb. 8-man tournament. Rodriguez last competed in November of 2012 when he scored a decision victory over Chuang Xie at the WCK’s Wu Lin Feng event in Las Vegas.
(l to r) Michael Andrew Lemaire versus Ryan Madigan.
Also featured on the card is Michael Andrew Lemaire (9-1) from the Art of Eight Training & Fitness Center in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, CA vs. Ryan Madigan (28-6) for the WBC Muay Thai national cruiserweight title. Like Bio, Lemaire is hoping to bounce back after his first professional loss.
Ryan “The Lion” Madigan is the General Manager and head striking coach for Evolve MMA in Medina plus a frequent competitor on the Muay Thai circuit. The UFC plus World Combat League veteran has been ranked as high as #4 in the world of kickboxing.
(photo left, r to l) Lena “The Hunter” Ovchynnikova of the Ukraine versus Emily Bearden of New York City, USA.
The Lena “The Hunter” Ovchynnikova of the Ukraine versus Emily Bearden of New York City match is for the IKKC Muaythai World Title.
The alluring Ms. Ovchynnikova (9-3 in Muay Thai, 9-2 in MMA), who is trained by Viktor Lazurko, reminds many of a petite version of Angelina Jolie. She’s making her first return to the area after breaking her hand last year in that fight against Tiffany Van Soest, another of the area’s World Champions, at the Pala Casino.
Adam Rothweiler (2-0) from San Bernardino, CA (right) will be facing the 21 year-old Levon Sarksyan (left) who is making his pro-debut.
Fast rising WCK star, 27 year-old Adam Rothweiler (2-0) from San Bernardino, CA will be facing the 21 year-old Levon Sarksyan. With Sarksyan being 6 years younger, you would think Rothweiler had an advantage but no.
Sarksyan, from the Little Armenia neighborhood of Glendale, CA, a recent immigrant from Armenia, has been training in Muay Thai since he was eight years old. When he left his native Armenia four months ago, he was considered #1, pound for pound, in the country.
In the cruiserweight weight division, it’s Miguel Cosio (L) taking on Jacob Poss.
In the 195 pound, Cruiserweight weight division, they have Miguel Cosio taking on Jacob Poss. Poss (1-1), an ex-football player at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, is a strength and conditioning coach who has now been training in Muay Thai for 10 years.
Dave Pacheco (bottom photo, left) will be taking on James Steelsmith (right).
In the 170 lb. division, they have Dave Pacheco taking on James Steelsmith. Like Lemaire, the 28 year-old Steelsmith, a graduate of Purdue University, is from the Art of Eight. He’s now been training for six years.
(top photos) Rajesh Narine (l) will be taking John Vargas (r).
Rajesh Narine will be taking on the 31 year-old veteran John Vargas. Vargas, a local San Diegan, was proudly showing off his first child, daughter Janessa. His adorable baby was conceived while on a recent trip to Thailand.
(l to r) Alfred Khashakyan versus Chris Minor.
In a super lightweight clash, they have 25 year-old Alfred Khashakyan with 10 years of training going up against Chris Minor in a four rounder.
In the final bout, they have Ed Abasolo (r) taking on Angel Meza (l).
