They say when one door closes, another opens, and that’s exactly what’s happened with Melbourne-based muay thai fighter Claire Foreman (17-2-0). Due to make her US debut on Lion Fight 36 and with the promotion unable to find her an opponent for the event, Claire was left without a fight.
In steps Chinese kickboxing promotion, Kunlun Fight, and Claire ‘Fury’ Foreman now has an exciting opportunity on the international stage. Taking place on April 23rd (same day as her original bout), Foreman will step in against Chinese fighter Zhang Meng in a K1 rules fight on Kunlun Fight 60.
Foreman, the current World Muay Thai Council (WMC) Australian Champion, will be looking to make an impact on the international scene, telling Fight News Australia “my goal is to test my skills on the world stage, represent Australia and my gym (Absolute MMA)”.
Adapting to the modified kickboxing rules will be new to Foreman, who has previously only concentrated on her preferred muay thai.
“K1 is not my usual style as I’ve always fought muay thai rules. Training at Phuket Top Team recently, I’ve had the privilege of sparring with a whole range of international fighters – MMA, boxing and kickboxers so I’m confident that I can match up well. I can’t clinch so I’ll be using my long range weapons. It’s a fast-paced fight and point scoring matters so I’ll be keeping a high work rate and constant pressure on her”.
Foreman is still slated to make her US debut on the next Lion Fight card in June, with a possible match up against Estonian fighter Andra Aho (still to be confirmed). Aho beat veteran fighter Jeri Sitzes via TKO on Lion Fight 35.
Beginning in 2014 in Beijing and now the biggest kickboxing promotion in China and one of the fastest rising combat sports promotion in the world, Kunlun Fight has made great strides in a short time frame signing some of the best fighters in kickboxing and muay thai including Yodsanklai Fairtex, Sitithichai Sitsongpeenong, Valentina Shevchenko, Simon Marcus and Thai superstar Buakaw Banchamek.
