THAILAND’S LEADING Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion, Full Metal Dojo, packed out the hangar-like Insanity Nightclub on Sukhumvit Soi 12 last week as fans of muay Thai and other fight genres gathered eagerly for the latest event, “FMD10: To Live and Die in Bangkok”.

The 10-fight card featured spectacular action, with multiple come-from-behind wins amongst the KOs and submissions. The headlining fight was won in dominant fashion by former UFC fighter Tommy Hayden over Filipino Arben Escayo, to an ecstatic crowd of cage-side MMA fans.

Elsewhere, fighters from Thailand, Cambodia, the US and the Philippines shone in a night of upsets and underdog victories.

FMD Bantamweight Champion, Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai put in a confident winning performance in his flyweight bout against Pakorn “The Body” lsarat. The Thailand Wrestling Team stand-out is best known for his suplexes and throws, but decided to show off his muay Thai skills with some slick combinations, before moving to the floor for the submission, cementing his place as one of Thailand’s top mixed martial artists.

One of Cambodia’s top emerging talents, Thai Rithy put on a sensational performance against Veerayut “Yut” Uttapan, one of Thailand’s most well-rounded MMA fighters. The Cambodian’s constant aggression and versatility won through, with multiple soccer kicks and a dramatic standing arm-bar attempt. The Thai fighter eventually wilted under a barrage of mounted elbows at the end of the first round, both fighters lying exhausted on the canvas.

In possibly the biggest upset of the night, decorated former Ratchadamnoen Champion, Thirayut “Top” Khaorat was unable to get a quick finish with his stand-up skills against Dindo Camansa, and found himself in trouble on the ground, soon submitting to a slick armbar from the Filipino.

The ladies too put on a good show, with Tipsuta “Ann” Anoushian from AKA Thailand, Phuket, defeating Suwanan “Amp” Boonsorn with a slick armbar in an impressive MMA debut from the famed bodybuilder, as her coach and former UFC star Mike Swick watched on.

Full Metal Dojo founder, Jon Nutt, was delighted with the event.

“I’m over the moon with how well this weekend’s event went. We are a small team here at FMD but we are growing fast. From behind the scenes, this show was smooth. And from an in-your-face point of view, we sold out,” he told XP. It was all-around the most successful show we have ever had, and allows me to start making more moves on bigger deals. As an MMA event, it was easily the most fun thanks to the people of Bangkok and our loyal FMD Fans.

With new sponsors and a TV deal in the works, FMD will be signing its first few fighters to long term contracts. “This will guarantee them constant action, and all of that solidifies our dreams of making our nationwide amateur MMA tournament, ‘Made In Thailand’ happen later this year,” Nutt explained.

FMD will be back in action in Bangkok on Saturday, June 4.