LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Nov. 17, 2011) – Lion Fight Promotions announced today that it has signed three-time world champion Malaipet Sasiprapa (138-27-5 (26 KO’s) of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. via Thailand to face rising star Jose Palacios (5-2 (3 KO’s) San Jose, Calif. at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. on Sat., Nov. 19, live on Go Fight Live (www.gfl.tv), after Kit Cope, Palacios’ original opponent, was unable to secure a license to fight from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The vacant WBC national welterweight (147 pounds) championship will be at stake in the bout between Sasiprapa and Palacios.
The 29-year-old Sasiprapa, better known to fight fans as “Malaipet,” is a decorated champion of Bangkok, Thailand’s Rajadamnern Stadium, one of the country’s two most prestigious arenas for world-class Muay Thai competition. A practitioner of Muay Thai since the age of eight, he is known for his powerful kicks and clinch work.
Malaipet is looking to bounce back from a unanimous decision loss to Chike Lindsay on Aug. 13, 2011. Just two weeks before that, Malaipet battled British contender Tim Thomas to a majority draw after taking the fight on just one day notice.
In the main event of Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 4, Live from The Joint, surging Muay Thai star Chaz Mulkey (7-4) of Las Vegas will collide with four-time British Muay Thai champion Simon Chu (29-7 (17 KO’s) of Leeds, England for the vacant WBC international middleweight (160 pounds) Muay Thai championship.
In the co-main event, superstar Phanuwat “Coke” Chunhawat (145-24-1 (24 KO’s) of Oakland, Calif. via Thailand will face battle-tested Muay Thai champion and professional boxing contender Rami Ibrahim (13-7-2 (6 KO’s) of Philadelphia, Pa.
Two knockout artists and rapidly emerging forces will collide when Las Vegas-based Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA) standout Chidi Njokuani (10-1 (6 KO’s) squares off with aggressive-minded Ken Tran (13-3 (10 KO’s) of Vancouver B.C., Canada in a 170-pound catchweight fight.
In a heavyweight attraction, Brazilian Muay Thai and K-1 Champion Eduardo Maiorino (40-14 (20 KO’s) of Richmond, Calif. via Campo Grande, Brazil will throw down with K-1 USA veteran Terroll Dees (6-2 (4 KO’s) of Concord, Calif.
The main card will also be highlighted by a pair of women’s bouts. Former Cung Le-protégé Elaina Maxwell (0-0) of San Francisco, Calif. will face off with Roxy “Balboa” Richardson (2-1) of Los Angeles, Calif. at super lightweight (140 pounds) while Vivian Leung (1-0) of Las Vegas via Saskatoon, Canada will lock horns with Cassie Trost (0-0) of Los Angeles in a 120 pound catchweight affair.
Tickets for Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 4, Live from The Joint, priced from $25, are on sale and can be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) and online at Ticketmaster.com.
Doors at The Joint will open at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5 p.m.
Fight fans around the world can tune into the entire 12 bout fight card (7 professional main card bouts and 6 amateur preliminary card bouts) online by logging on to GFL’s dedicated web page for the event and paying a fee of $14.99. The one-time credit card payment will allow purchasers to watch the event both live and after its completion.
Complete Professional Fight Card:
Main Event
WBC International Middleweight (160 pounds) Championship
Chaz Mulkey (Las Vegas, Nev.) (Champion) vs. Simon Chu (Leeds, England) (Challenger)
5×3 rounds
Co-Main Event
WBC National Lightweight (135 pounds) Championship (Vacant)
Phanuwat “Coke” Chunhawat (Oakland, Calif) vs. Rami Ibrahim (Philadelphia, Pa.)
5×3 rounds
WBC National Welterweight (147 pounds) Championship (Vacant)
Malaipet Sasiprapa (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) vs. Jose Palacios (San Jose, Calif.)
5×3 rounds
Elaina Maxwell (San Francisco, Calif.) vs. Roxy Richardson (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Super Lightweight (140 lbs) / 5×3 rounds
Chidi Njokuani (Las Vegas, Nev.) vs. Ken Tran (Vancouver B.C., Canada)
Catchweight (170 lbs) / 5×3 rounds
Vivian Leung (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Cassie Trost (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Catchweight (120 lbs) / 5×3 rounds
Eduardo Maiorino (Richmond, Calif.) vs. Terroll Dees (Concord, Calif.)
Heavyweight (Max 250 lbs.) 5 x 3 rounds
Complete Amateur Preliminary Fight Card:
Tyler Rodgers (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Beto Rodriguez (Los Angeles, CA)
147 lbs / USMTA title / 5×2 rounds
Jason Andrada (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Victor Perez (Van Nuys, CA)
130 lbs / USMTA title/ 5×2 rounds
Patti Teran (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Monique Travis (Atlanta, GA)
108 lbs / 3×2 rounds
Josh Shepard (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Mike Kruska (Los Angeles, CA)
165 lbs / 3×2 rounds
Genesis Bravo (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Pixi O’Reilly (Phoenix, AZ)
112 lbs / 3×2 rounds