Going Into the City: Friday Night Fights 8-1 Muay Thai Tournament

(pics courtesy of Eric Greenbaum & Empire Fight Sports)

Going into the city has made sloppy Long Islanders seem cooler than they really since the days of East and West Egg, so in the great tradition of switch-overs at Jamaica and tall boys in a brown paper bag, I found myself aboard the grossly over-priced LIRR on Friday night, ready to bask in the bright lights of 212.

Destination:  Broad Street Ballroom for the Friday Night Fights eight-man Muay Thai tournament.

Below are quic recaps of only the tournament bouts.

Quarterfinals:

Diarmaid McGregor won a close split decision over Shawn Fagan. Shawn was the aggressor, landing some big hooks and pressing forward all night, but Diarmaid was the more technical, efficient striker, and his knees scored favorably with the judges.

Troy Sheridan remained undefeated against American Top Team/Evolution Muay Thai fighter Phil LeGrand. After a close first round in which both fighters scored with power shots (Phil with left uppercuts, Troy with thunderous leg kicks), Troy seized control of the fight. He controlled the pace and dropped Phil with a lead left hook followed by a body kick. The final round ended with Troy punishing Phil. A lot of people around me were surprised the fight wasn't stopped.

Josh Fitzsimmons smashed Adam Edgerton. He landed heavy punch combinations and big knees in the clinch, ultimately dropping Adam with left hooks just 1:51 into the first round. Impressive.

Richard Huang was game, but the size and strength of Chris McMillan was too much. Chris controlled the clinch, muscled Richard around the ring, and scored with some big kead kicks. A flurry of knees and a right uppercut in Round 2 prompted the ref's eight count, after which Richard was too tired to continue.

Semifinals:

Troy Sheridan made quick work of Diarmaid McGregor. Troy picked him apart with his hands and dropped him in a neutral corner. A subsequent left to the body and a left upstairs knocked out Diarmaid 1:24 into the opening frame.

Josh Fitzsimmons advanced into the finals with a close win over Chris McMillan, whom Josh had beaten two years ago. Josh smothered Chris immediately, attacking with both hands, head kicks, and elbows to the knees. And then out of nowhere, it seemed, Chris landed a head kick that dropped Josh in the closing seconds of Round 1.  Josh's punch combinations and clinch work prevailed over the next two rounds, thus swaying the judges' decision.

Finals:

Troy Sheridan (above right) vs. Josh Fitzsimmons (above left) - I was sitting next to two of Troy's teammates from Toronto, so I was pulling for Troy all night. Troy's punches were on display in the first round, but it was the striking of Josh that drew the ref's eight count. Troy recovered between rounds and (on my card) won Round 2. Early in the third round, Josh, also Canadian, landed a short right hand that send Troy crashing to the mat. The stunning KO came just :19 seconds into the third round.

I loved the one-night tournament format and the venue was perfect. Make an effort to catch another Friday Night Fights event; you won't be sorry.