Travis Lizotte "Full Contact Writer"
Two of New England's most dangerous Muay Thai practitioners were in action Friday night in Hutchinson, Kansas as Team Link Muay Thai standout Mike "Iron Boy" Triana (7-1) and Lion Fight North American Super Cruiserweight Champion Steve "Put Em to Sleep" Walker (9-0) represented New England in exciting fashion at Lion Fight 64. Scott Kent's Lion Fight Promotions, North America's premier Muay Thai promotion, would make its Kansas debut Friday night as it rolled out an absolutely stacked card at Lion Fight 64. Lion Fight 64 would mark the promotion's second appearance on UFC Fight Pass as the partnership between Lion Fight Promotions and the World's largest combat sports streaming platform continues to blossom.
The evening would get started in the Lightweight division, as well traveled and highly skilled Team Link Worcester stand out; Mike "Iron Boy" Triana (7-1) found himself lined up across from Wichita, Kansas native, and hometown favorite; Cody "Black Shark" Moberly (23-16). In the opening round Moberly came out aggressive, looking to bring the fight to Triana, but in the early going "Iron Boy" had all the answers to Moberly's combinations putting on a great display of counter-striking, before scoring with heavy right kicks to the head and midsection knocking Moberly to the canvas with just seconds to go in the round. Referee Kerry Hatley would rule that Moberly slipped on the exchange even though it appeared that Triana's strikes caused the late first round knockdown.
Moberly looked to reestablish himself as the leading striker in the early moments of round two, once again coming out aggressively and backing Triana into the corner with a lengthy combination. Triana covered up and circled out of the way of Moberly's barrage at the same time firing another right high kick that found its mark. The "Black Shark" collapsed to the canvas as Triana's shin made solid connection with his reset button, Moberly peeled himself off the canvas but not in time to answer Kerry Hatley's ten count as Hartley waved off the contest at :46 seconds of the second round; declaring Mike Triana the winner by Head Kick TKO.
In the evenings Main Event Lion Fight World Super Cruiserweight Champion and Lion Fight North American Super Cruiserweight Champion Steve "Put Em to Sleep" Walker (9-0) would put his North Americn Super Crusierweight belt on the line against hard hitting Glory Kickboxing veteran; Brian Collette (27-6). And it didn't take long for the Boston, Massachusetts native Walker to show why the Lion Fight belts reside around his waist. Within 15 seconds of the opening bell Walker landed a left hand that put Collette down for the mandatory eight count, but it was only the beginning of the punishment that would be handed out by the Champion Walker.
As the action restarted Walker picked right up where he left off, firing a combination of kicks and punches that backed the veteran Collette into the corner, clearly disoriented. That's when Walker went full superhero; loading up on a spinning left head kick that landed flush to the cranium of Collette, sending him crumbling to the canvas in highlight reel style. As the dust settled, Walker retained his Lion Fight North American Super Cruiserweight strap, keeping his undefeated record intact and adding another highlight to an already impressive list of accolades.
What a night for these two New England warriors! 2-0 with two impressive Head Kick Knockouts has New England combat sports fans excited to see what the future holds for these two young strikers. Scott Kent's Lion Fight will return to Salina, Kansas and UFC Fight Pass April 9th when Nico Carrillo and Josue Cruz meet in a Lion Fight Super Lightweight Title Eliminator at Lion Fight 65. Below are the complete results from Friday evening's Lion Fight 64 card.
Lion Fight 64 Main Event: Steve "Put Em To Sleep" Walker (9-0) def. Brian "The Lion" Collette (27-6) via KO, 0:48 of Round 1 (spinning head kick)
*Walker retains Lion Fight North American Super Cruiserweight Title. He is also the Lion Fight World Super Cruiserweight Champion.
Warren "Destroyer" Thompson (11-8) def. Cody "The Freight Train" East (5-2) via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
*Thompson advances to Final of Lion Fight North American Heavyweight Tournament
"Bazooka" Joe Stripling (6-1) def. Terrance "El Jefe" Hodges (6-2) via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46)
*Stripling advances to Final of Lion Fight North American Heavyweight Tournament
Cody Carrillo (7-3) def. "Half-Ass" Chance Thackston (3-1) via TKO, 1:22 of Round 1
Andy "The CrAsian" Nguyen (2-2) def. "The Lovely" Crystal Van Wyk (0-1) via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-43, 50-43)
Mike "Iron Boy" Triana (7-1) def. Cody Moberly (23-16) via TKO, 0:46 of Round 2
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