Promotion crowns first titleholder to conclude wild night in Bangkok
The experienced and respected Singapore-based American Major Overall had to contend with a late change of opponent, but stayed focused and grabbed the opportunity to showcase his skills against a game co-challenger in SEA FC‘s first branded championship fight.
Fellow American Samuel Alexander had made his name as an ambitious, fight-anyone contender, and didn’t have to be asked twice to replace the original foe Kushal Vyas, who withdrew with less than a week to go – with the inaugural SEA FC openweight MMA belt up for grabs.
Ultimately his efforts would be repelled by the excellent Overall, but both men emerged from Bangkok’s BigBox venue with credit.
Overall (66kg) displayed a perfect mix of counter-punching from a standing position, and a potent ground offensive when the fight hit the floor. A salvo of elbows softened up Alexander (72kg) for a two-handed ground-and-pound finish.
As the night concluded with Overall proudly displaying his new belt along with the flag of his adopted home nation, thoughts turned to the bright future of the promotion, now that its first champion has been crowned with such an impressive title-winning performance. His reign is sure to be a can’t-miss chapter in MMA history.
Teen terror Toby in frightening finish to fight of the night
Fight of the night was a spirited affair between the popular and versatile Irish prospect Toby McNerlin and his game Singaporean featherweight opponent, Issak Chua.
Chua, an understudy of Overall, who was an ethusiastic presence in the corner despite his own main-event match looming next, came racing out upon the sound of the first bell, but the action soon settled into a close and intriguing battle of bodies and wits.
McNerlin, even at just 17, is as well-rounded a fighter as you’d care to see, having competed in MMA, grappling and boxing, and he called upon the latter skillset in the first round to counter Chua’s attempts at wrestling.
The Singaporean got what he wanted in round two, though young Toby proved he was comfortable on the canvas too. Still, he reverted to what had worked earlier on as round three unfolded, and pounced with a stunning two-fisted burst as Chua got caught on the ropes, putting his opponent down and out in highlight-reel fashion.
Frenna and Munekata impressive by short and long routes
Another finish coming by way of an opponent overwhelmed by punches saw Jordan Frenna of the UK repeat a victory over Warat Bualom.
Frenna broke local hearts for a second time as big-hitting attack repeatedly knocked Warat bodily sideways until the Thai could take no more, crumpling to the canvas near the end of the first round and bringing the referee’s intervention.
Middleweight Frenna, now undefeated at 4-0, looks one to watch.
The night’s sole distance fight was the women’s flyweight collision between Konoka Munekata and Czech Veronika Partikova.
After an engrossing affair which saw multiple shifts and momentum and changes of tactics, Japan’s Munekata was awarded a wafer-thin points decision.
Other results: Guillot Gautier (France) w sub 2 Sirirot Munggon (Thailand), featherweight; Mikhail Sidorov (Russia) w sub 2 Thibault Chambert (Thailand), flyweight; Cory Shadbolt (NZ) w tko 1 Steve Zavalier (Thailand)
* The fourth installment of the SEA FC chronology continued the brand’s ethos of providing opportunities for grassroots fighters and providing fans with an exciting, well-matched spectacle. The difference here, compared to previous promotions, is that all fights were MMA matches, whereas previously SEA FC has encompassed all combat sports. Which direction will prove more popular remains to be seen, but the unifying element is the passion of all involved – from the promoters to the competitors and the loyal fan base. And now, having crowned its first champion, who performed in a manner worthy of any belt, SEA FC abounds with potential as a rising force in Asian fight sports.
LINKS
Business no longer unfinished: SEA FC Fight Night III
SEA FC company page
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