Cage Kings returned to these shores once again over the weekend in Cork's Neptune Stadium. As always, the evening provided some fireworks and exciting action as some of the top fighters around mixed it up in a series of different rule sets including the ever adrenaline pumping action of 'Caged Thai'.
The main event saw Ireland's own Ryan Sheehan defeat top Spanish fighter Nestor Rodriguez via unanimous decision in a very tough fight that saw the Corkman get a nice cut (see above - pic via KO Media) on his forehead early in the fight. But he adapted and eventually rose to occasion finishing the fight very strong and deserving the decision.
"The minute the bell rang it was a war and myself and Nester really went at it," said Sheehan via Facebook. "It was a very slow start from myself took me longer than I thought. With getting the cut in the first round making it made it difficult to fight my fight and having to change it up, but as the fight went on I just got better and showed why I am possibly the top fighter in the country! Dropped Nester in the 5th with a body kick but he took the count and went at it to the very end! Beating WBC #13 ranked fighter surely will put me in the rankings this year!"
Speaking directly to us, Sheehan's coach (and Cage Kings promoter & fighter) Martin Horgan had the following to say about the contest and his performance:
"It was an excellent fight. Ryan only fights top level opponents and this fight was set up versus another top and experienced European. He showed how strong and sharp he was early and cut Ryan with a elbow early and took him off his feet. Ryan upped the pace after round 3 and showed his championship form in rounds 4 and 5 with a very strong work rate. He really wore him down with heavy sharp leg kicks, body kicks and pressure. Then dominated Rodriguez and gave him the count in the 5th."
Results:
Main Event : A-Class International Muay Thai 55kgs
Ryan Sheehan (Siam Warriors) def. Nestor Rodriguez (Spain) via UD.
Cage Kings 70kgs Title - FTR
Aaron Browne (Lionheart) def. Martin Horgan (Siam Warriors) via TKO, round 2.
Cage Kings 67kgs Title - FTR
Scotty John (Origins) def. Eoin McCarthy (Siam Warriors) via KO, round 1.
Cage Kings 72.2kgs Title - FTR
Wayne Cambridge (Siam Warriors) def. Liam McGill (Muay Eire Siam) via UD.
FTR 53.5kgs: Dean Murphy Crea (Samson) def. Keith Wall (Courage) via UD.
FTR 78kgs: Dylan Meagher (Courage) def. Dylan Vaughan (Kingdom Warriors) via MD.
B Class
58kgs- Cian Hurley (Siam Warriors) def. Philip Nee (Westside Thai) via TKO, rd 3.
60kgs- Mark Mcgahey (Spartan) def. Niall McGreevey (Langka) via TKO, rd 1.
59kgs- David O'Neill (Spartan) def. Matty Ryan (Westside Thai) via TKO, rd 3.
69kgs- Patrick Maughan (Force) def. Garrett Smylie (Langka) via UD.
C Class
90kgs- Steve Crowley (Spartan) def. Alan O'Mahony via TKO, rd 2.
65kgs- Kieran Stapleton (WMA) def. Liam Purcell (Courage) via UD.
70kgs- Emil Turczyn (Siam Warriors) def. Lee Vernon (DTB) via UD.
60kgs- Finn Keating (Siam Warriors) def. Tyrone Berry (Na Fianna) via UD.
52kgs- Karl Tannian (Spartan) def. Shane Lawless (Na Fianna) via TKO, rd 2.
62kgs- Michael O'Donovan (Samson) vs. Mikey Rizzo (Lionheart) - draw.
75kgs- Robby Drought (Siam Warriors) def. Pierre Monny (Macroom) via UD.
65kgs- Nacem Yo (Siam Warriors) def. David Casserly Lumpin via TKO, rd 2.
