Local muaythai champions Chris ‘Butcher’ Harrington and ‘Ruthless’ River Daz will be avoiding the Christmas pudding this festive period after it was revealed on Friday that both would be making their Lion Fight debut in February of next year.
The leading muaythai promotion in the United States, Lion Fight Muaythai, announced their stacked international card for Lion Fight 34 on Friday. Taking place at the Tropicana Hotel on February 3rd, the fights represent a golden opportunity for both Harrington and Daz to make an impression in the Mecca of combat sports, Las Vegas. The event will also be screened lived on Axis TV across the United States.
The news further highlights the great opportunities being provided for Australian fighters since the official partnership was announced between Victorian muaythai promotion Warriors Way and Lion Fight in February of this year. Following his qualifying win in a four-man tournament in April, adopted Aussie, Tum Sidyodtong would go on to fight and beat Gaston Balanos on Lion Fight 31 to capture the Lion Fight Super Welterweight world title.
Chris Harrington (23-2-0) will have his hands full against former WEC/UFC lightweight fighter, Anthony ‘The Assasin’ Njokuani (22-0-0). Njokuani returns to the muaythai ring following a long career in MMA where he faced some of the toughest lightweights in the world including Benson Henderson, Donald Cerrone and Rafael dos Anjos. Harrington last fought in November on Warriors Way 17 when he beat John McKenna to capture the WMC Victorian Title via split decision over five rounds.
In the opening bout of the night, River Daz (12-0-1) will be taking on tough Mexican fighter Diego Llamas (8-2-0). Daz goes into this fight coming off a resounding fourth-round KO victory over Albert Xavier in November to retain his Muaythai Australia (MTA) Victorian title at Warriors Way 17. Llamas, who currently resides in California, trains at the CSA gym alongside Bellator Kickboxing Star Kevin Ross.
Headlining the Las Vegas card will be a Super-Middleweight Title fight between the champion Regain Eersel (Netherlands) and Samy Sana (France). The semi-main event will see the Women’s Super-Bantamweight Title on the line when champion, Iman Barlow (UK) takes on Meryum Usla (Germany).
