Lion Fight 23 takes place tonight in Temecula, CA at Pechanga Resort and Casino. The UK's Liam Harrison will take on Malaipet Sasiprapa in the main event of the evening. In the co-main event Tiffany Van Soest will look to defend her Lion Fight title when she takes on Martyna Krol. Check out our predictions on tonight's fights below and let us know who you think will win.
Liam Harrison vs. Malaipet Sasiprapa
Harrison is arguably the best UK Muay Thai fighter, and one of the best around the world. Malaipet has a great reputation, but when facing top opposition he has struggled. There are always talks about the old Malaipet coming back, but he never quite seems to make a full come back.
Malaipet will likely start strong like he does in nearly every one of his fights, but as this fight goes on he will begin to slow down. Harrison will keep his work rate and pressure consistent throughout the fight and this will spell trouble for Malaipet. Harrison packs power in his strikes and is very accurate with his strikes. This fight should resemble Malaipet’s fight with Pinca, although Harrison will probably inflict more damage than Pinca did on Malaipet. The first round we will see Malaipet taking the fight to Harrison, but after the first round Harrison will be in full control.
Malaipet is tough so it is difficult to imagine Harrison stopping him, although the potential is there with the heat Harrison throws. More than likely Malaipet absorbs the punishment and this ends up in a decision win for Harrison.
Prediction: Liam Harrison def. Malaipet Sasiprapa by Decision
Tiffany Van Soest vs. Martyna Krol
Tiffany Van Soest has been able to set herself apart from most of her female counter parts because of her athleticism and this shouldn’t be any different in her fight with Martyna Krol. Van Soest knows how to move in the ring, using angles and exploding on her opponents when openings present themselves. Caley Reece defeated Van Soest in the clinch, but since that fight she has improved in that aspect of her game and Krol’s clinch is not the level of Reece’s.
Krol is a tough and has a decent amount of experience, but it is hard to imagine here out pointing Van Soest let alone stopping her. Krol is a very linear fighter and mainly moves in a straight line which will play right into the hands of Van Soest. This fight should be all Van Soest from the opening bell. Expect a stoppage win for Van Soest and a lot of damage inflicted from her before this one is over.
Prediction: Tiffany Van Soest def. Martyne Krol by (T)KO
Kevin Ross vs. Rungrat Sasiprapa
Ross will be looking to rebound from his loss to Tetsuya Yamato, and he did not pick an easy fight. Rungrat is a quality Thai opponent and this should be a close fight. Ross is tough as nails and likes to press the pace, the faster the pace the more comfortable Ross seems to get. Rungrat has the potential to fight that type of fight, if that will happen is another story.
Ross is going to want to use his boxing and use his movement, which are some of his strongest assets. If he can stay out of the clinch his high volume style should yield positive results. Rungrat should want to grind in the clinch and slow Ross down. This is a hard one to pick, but we say Ross is able to stay out of the clinch and implement his game plan to take home a decision.
Prediction: Kevin Ross def. Rungrat Sasiprapa by Decision
Victor Saravia vs. Stan Mancebo
Saravia is on a roll since turning pro. He has knockout power and uses it aggressively. If you are going off of recent history Mancebo is going to have his hands full with Saravia. The biggest advantage Saravia has is that he is a smart fighter; he waits for the opening and then goes for it once it becomes available.
His power should be the difference maker and Mancebo is going to have to respect it. Expect Saravia to take control early and deliver a stoppage win.
Prediction: Victor Saravia def. Stan Mancebo by (T)KO
Mike Lemaire vs. Andrew Kapel
Lemaire and Kapel have fought before and it was a close fight the first time. So close that it had to be settled with an extra round where Lemaire took the decision win. This fight should be another close fight, but Kapel might have the advantage because it will be Muay Thai rules rather than Kickboxing like their first encounter. Kapel seems to have traditional Muay Thai style and being able to clinch and elbow should favor him a bit.
Lemaire packs power and it will be important for Kapel to close the distance and use the clinch so that Lemaire can’t deliver those heavy shots. This is going to be another close fight, but with the clinch in play Kapel should be able to edge out a close decision.
Prediction: Andrew Kapel def. Mike Lemaire by Decision
Daniel McGowan vs. Romie Adanza
Adanza has not been very active lately, while McGowan has not only been active but is considered the best bantamweight fighter in the UK. Adanza has great boxing, but his inactivity could prove to be an issue.
McGowan should be able to control Adanza throughout the fight especially in the clinch, but you can never count a crafty veteran like Adanza out. The pick here is McGowan as he is the younger and more active fighter of the two. A stoppage victory might occur if McGowan can deliver some serious damage from the clinch, but I think the safe pick is a decision.
Prediction: Daniel McGowan def. Romie Adanza by Decision
Tony Fausto vs. Marvin Madariaga
Fausto did not have a good showing his last fight under Lion Fight as he out struck by Nick Chasteen. You can’t question his toughness as he was willing to fight until his corner threw in the towel. This fight against Madariaga will be power vs. technique.
Fausto has a very technical style and should want a slower paced fight. Madariaga should hold the advantage in power and that will be his strongest tool. He should take the fight to Fausto and wear him down, and this should help him get a stoppage in the later rounds as long as his cardio holds up.
Prediction: Marvin Madariaga def. Tony Fausto by (T)KO
