It’s not often the opportunity to see a world champion in action comes your way. When it does come, that opportunity must be snatched.
On July 1st, Bangkok will play host to a special event in combat sports.
Former WBC and WBA Light Flyweight Champion boxer Suriyan Sathorn makes his MMA debut at Full Metal Dojo: Bigger, Badder, Blacker, Madder.
Buriram’s pride and joy, who still holds the WBA Asia Championship, will fight in Asia’s fight-fan favourite MMA promotion against Anupong “Beer” Fokklang.
Suriyan has been training MMA at Zendokai in Pra Kanong, Bangkok, with Shingi Dojo and admits the switch has been fun, but tough.
“It’s been very tiring, especially all the grappling on the ground, and defending submissions!”
The 35-year-old boxing champion is unfazed by the enormity of the challenge, switching from boxing to Mixed Martial Arts.
“I am enjoying it, and I am improving my fighting techniques. I’m not overly excited, nor am I nervous, I want to see what MMA is like and go from there.”
Suriyan plans, unsurprisingly, to use his phenomenal hands against “Beer”, a man with over 120 Muay Thai victories to his name.
“I’ll feel him out in the first round and see how he comes at me; then I plan to use my fists, a lot, to finish the fight.”
“I don’t expect to become the champion, but I do promise to give everything to the sport. I’ll give it my all.”
The 154 cm champion has amassed a staggering 58 wins from 63 professional bouts and held the prestigious WBC title in 2013.
On July 1st he will compete in the Strawweight division at FMD 14 in what promises to be a thrilling battle between two fierce strikers, who both have striking in their blood.
To find out more about the event head on over to the Facebook event page >>> FMD 14: Bigger, Badder, Blacker, Madder.