Scott Hirano was in Las Vegas, NV to capture all of the action from Lion Fight Muay Thai VI: Schilling vs. Marcus. We hope you enjoy his pictures.

You could feel the intensity in the room as both fighters met in the middle to receive the referee instructions and Marcus refused to touch gloves with Schilling. It didn’t take long for the action to start as Schilling was the first to strike as he attacked delivered a light teep to the leg of Marcus, followed up by a body kick and some punches. The fight then hit the clinch where Schilling and Marcus fought for position. After the referee broke them up Schilling delivered a teep to the face of Marcus that got the mostly pro Schilling crowd roaring and they erupted moments later when Schilling knocked Marcus down with a left. Marcus seemed to recover quickly, but took his full eight count before resuming the fight. Schilling continued to aggressively attack, but Marcus was able to rally in the frame as he picked up the intensity and landed some solid strikes on Schilling and neutralized his attack in the clinch.

Round 2-5 were very similar to one another, Schilling and Marcus threw punches, kicks, knees and elbows at each other with each strike having bad intentions written all over it. They both connected with solid strikes and Marcus was able to throw Schilling to canvas a few occasions. The fights x factor was the clinch as Marcus clearly superior with his technique when they locked up. He delivered knee after knee to Schilling midsection and legs with the occasional elbow mixed, while it seemed Schilling was more preoccupied with avoiding any big strikes in the clinch. It was clear Schilling was tiring as the rounds went on but, he continued to as Marcus tried to stalk him down. The exclamation point for Marcus came in the when in the final seconds of the fight he caught a teep from Schilling as the final bell was ringing delivered a huge teep that got the Marcus fans in attendance cheering. In the end the judges awarded Simon Marcus a majority decision (47-47, 48-47, and 49-46). There was no controversy this time; the fans were simply treated to a very exciting fight as both fighters left everything they had in the ring. With the win Simon Marcus will now battle Artem Levin in Bangkok, Thailand for the WBC Muay Thai World Light Heavyweight Title.

In the night’s co-main event Thanit Watthanaya pulled out a split decision victory over Romie Adanza. Watthanaya who had lost by knockout to Adanza before was clearly aware of Adanza’s superior boxing skills and made sure to avoid it as much as possible. Adanza pushed the pace of the fight moving forward the entire fight, but Watthanaya used good lateral movement and kicks to Adanza’s body and legs to score points. You could feel the crowd waiting for one of Adanza’s power shots to connect and signal the end of the bout, but it never came. Instead they had a fight that was pretty difficult to call and even the judges seemed conflicted as the several close rounds had one judge giving the fight to Adanza with a score of 49-46 and the other two judges scoring in 49-46 in favor of Watthanaya. The crowd didn’t seem to agree with the decision as booing started as soon as the decision was announced.

Malaipet Sasiprapa successfully defended his WBC Muay Thai National Title against Philadelphia’s Justin Greskiewicz. Malaipet looked the best he had in quite some time as he out pointed Greskiewicz the entire fight. He was clearly as step ahead the entire fight with his strikes and on several occasions tossed Greskiewicz to the canvas. Despite Greskiewicz efforts Malaipet was the clear cut winner as the judges awarded him a Unanimous Decision. Malaipet seemed prepared and focused for this fight and he has claimed he is ready to return to his old form

Matt Embree and Nils Widlund met in a close and exciting fight. Many considered Embree the favorite in the fight, but Widlund came out letting his hands fly and connecting with several good strikes in the opening two frames. It was clear Widlund took the first two rounds, but once round three started Embree began to turn up the pressure and Widlund seemed to begin to fade. Embree forced the fight into the clinch and it was clear he was the superior fighter from the position as he scored with several knees. Embree also began to out box a fading Widlund with his punches and kicks. It was a close fight with rounds 1-2 easily going to Widlund, 4-5 easily going to Embree and the third round being the x factor. The judges agreed as Embree took home a split decision victory with two judges giving it to him 48-47 and one judge giving it to Widlund 48-47.

Tiffany Van Soest is forced in the ring as she out pointed Heidi Otterbein to a unanimous decision victory; Van Soest was simply to fast and technical for Otterbein as she moved well around the ring and landed here strikes. Otterbein showed great effort as she hung in the fight and went the entire five rounds, but when it was over it was clear that Van Soest had taken the fight and all three judges scored all five rounds in her favor.

Michael Madrid defeated Javier Torres via unanimous decision. Both fighters normally fight MMA, but both were making their pro Muay Thai debuts. The fight was slow paced, but Madrid was able to land more strikes to take home the win.

In the night’s opening bout Scotty Leffler and Artem Sharoshkin fought to a Majority Draw. Sharoshkin knocked Leffler down in the opening moments of the first round, but Leffler was able to recover and turn it into a fight. Both fighters went toe to toe the remainder of the fight. In the fourth round it seemed Sharoshkin had scored another knockdown, but the referee deemed it a slip and did not give Leffler a count. In the end the fight was as exciting as you could have hoped for and hopefully a re-match is in the works the fighters and the fans can get a definitive answer.

Results:
Pro Fights
Simon Marcus def. Joe Schilling via Majority Decision
Thanit Watthanaya def. Romie Adanza via Split Decision
Malaipet def. Justin Greskiewicz via Unanimous Decision
Matt Embree def. Nils Widlund via Split Decision
Tiffany Van Soest def. Heidi Otterbein via Unanimous Decision
Michael Madrid def. Javier Torres via Unanimous Decision
Artem Sharoshkin and Scotty Leffler fight to Majority Draw

Amateur Fights
William Briones def. Brandon Ebert via Unanimous Decision
Guilherme Bertholdo def. Chris Lazaro via Unanimous Decision
Genesis Bravo def. Marie Choi via Unanimous Decision
Josh Shepard def. Amir Ansari via Unanimous Decision
Jason Andrada def. Jesse Magusen via Unanimous Decision

Scott Hirano was on hand to shoot the weigh-ins for Lion Fight Muay Thai VI: Schilling vs. Marcus. The much anticipated re-match between Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus happens tomorrow at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

MTA: You recently fought two opponents in China, not in a tournament format, but you literally faced two different fighters in one night with you being the only fight for each. How was that experience?

Simon: It was a unique challenge and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to win both my fights without taking damage or getting hurt and I did so successfully. Also I tried a few different things so the fight’s were not as exciting as most of mine but I got both victories none the less.

MTA: You recently spent time training in Thailand where you also fought and defeated Kaoklai for the WMPF world title. How was your training in Thailand?

Simon: I actually only trained for two day’s before the fight and it was really hot to say the least.

MTA: In a few days the re-match with Joe Schilling will take place. Are you approaching this fight any differently than your first encounter?

Simon: No, I am not approaching this fight differently. I am going to Vegas to win and that is my approach, which is the same as the first encounter.

MTA: You have had three fights since the first fight, while Joe has had none. Do you think having remained active serves as an advantage for you?

Simon: Yes I do. Reason being without much down time I have been training steadily and focused keeping my techniques sharp and my cardio and strength are now peeking as I had planned. Also I have been able to avoid injury so I will be 100% ready for my fight with Schilling.

MTA: Schilling protested the result of the first fight, ultimately having his appeal denied by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Do you feel this re-match is necessary, you didn’t seem to hesitate accepting it when it was offered to you?

Simon: I dont think the rematch is completely necessary. However, as a fighter if I defeat an opponent and he still has a doubt in his mind as to who is the better fighter I have no problems accepting his challenge and proving it to him once again. Also many fans wanted to see the rematch and I want to give the people who support the sport what they want to see. Not to mention I didn’t get the chance to do a lot of things I wanted to in the first fight.

MTA: Last time the crowd was clearly on Schilling’s side, boos poured when you walked out but you seemed to feed off of it. Are you expecting the same kind of reception this time around or do you think you might have made a few more fans after your first win?

Simon: I’m not sure how the crowd will react to me but it is far from my concern when I am in the ring. I plan to give them a good show and make sure they get their money’s worth.

MTA: Last time there was a few people, most probably drunk who were yelling at you after you had won the fight and you were back in your corner. What is going through your mind when you see these people who are not trained fighters such as yourself talking and yelling insults at you?

Simon: I try not to pay too much attention to those people because anyone can yell and talk trash when their in a big crowd of people. But I believe the real Muay Thai fans will show respect to me regardless of who they were cheering for.

MTA: At the end of the last fight it seemed you were walking to pay your respect to Joe’s corner and when you walked by him you extended your hand to him and he got upset, turned and made a move towards you, but the ring officials were able to intervene.. Was anything said in that moment or what was the reasoning behind that?

Simon: After the fight I went to show my respect to Joe and he walked away so I taped him on the stomach with my hand and I guess he didn’t like it so he turned around looking upset. Nothing was said though.

MTA: It seems last time there was a lot of verbal jabs from Schilling leading up to the fight. This time around it seems things have been pretty quiet, why do you think?

Simon: I think Joe doesn’t want to eat his words and face all that embarrassment again.

MTA: The winner of this fight is set to fight Artem Levin in June for the WBC world title. How important is it for you to earn that title shot?

Simon: Once I step in the ring it is all the matters in my world. For me I dont just fight to compete at the top level but to be the best. This fight gives me the opportunity to prove that to myself and the world so it is of very great importance to me.

MTA: How is the fight going to go this time around, same result as last time?

Simon: I will win the fight probably by knock out. But there will be no doubt who is the better fighter.

MTA: Any words for your supporters Simon?

Simon: I want to thank everyone who supports me and who supports Muay Thai and Thai culture. I will never stop improving as a fighter and as a martial artist, and continue to show the world what an authentic traditional Muay Thai Champion is. I also hope to be a model athlete that proves when you believe in yourself nobody can stop you.

Below is the full press
release.

“LAS VEGAS (May
3, 2012) – The World Boxing Council
(WBC) has named Lion Fight Promotions its Muay Thai “Promoter of the Year 2011,” following a year in which the upstart
Las Vegas-based fight series made significant strides to putting full-rules
Muay Thai competition on a big stage in The United States.

WBC Vice President Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi will present the
award to Lion Fight Promotions CEO Scott
Kent in the ring at Lion Fight Muay Thai VI: Schilling vs. Marcus II, the
promotion’s next live event at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on
Sat., May 12.

“Lion Fight Promotions and
Scott Kent have done at exceptional job at providing professional Muay Thai
with an unprecedented, major platform in The United States,” said Bhakdibhumi.
“Scott and his team have shown their sincere commitment to building the sport
of Muay Thai in America
and promoting true world-class caliber competition between the best fighters in
the world.

“We are honored to be the
recipient of this award from one of the longest-standing and most prestigious
governing bodies in combative sports,” said Kent, a former casino executive for
Mandalay Resort Group and The Mirage, whose passion for the national sport of Thailand
inspired him to make a career change in 2010.

Lion Fight Promotions capped
off 2011 by signing a multi-fight agreement with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
in Las Vegas to stage live events at the resort’s The Joint theater venue that
regularly hosts concerts for major record label artists, including The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Incubus, Foo Fighters
and Motley Crue.

The star-studded Lion Fight
Muay Thai VI: Schilling vs. Marcus II event features 11 bouts, headlined by a
highly-anticipated rematch between WBC Interim International Light Heavyweight
(175 pounds) Champion Joe “Stitch ‘Em
Up” Schilling (12-2, 10 KO’s) of Los Angeles, Calif. and undefeated top
contender and bitter rival Simon Marcus
(23-0, 18 KO’s) of Toronto, Ontario Canada. 

In the co-main event and a
second much-anticipated rematch, Filipino American Romie Adanza (16-3, 7 KO’s) of Irvine,
Calif. will face off with Thanit “Boom” Watthanaya (45-12, 12 KO’s) of Vancouver, BC Canada via
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in a super flyweight (115 pounds) match up.”