FMD 8: Return of the Mack saw a card full of up-and-coming Thai prospects and experienced foreigners who went all-out at the promotions' return to the island in two years.
The night's main event saw locally-based veteran Will “The Kill” Chope (29-9), who recently trained out of Combat 360X Khao Lak, take on Czech fighter Michal Vostry (6-7) out of Legacy Gym in Ubon Ratchathani. Though Chope's height became a factor, Vostry used his size and punching power in the first round to take down the American in the first round.
The second round saw Chope return to form by dominating with his ground game, making several attempts to rear-naked choke Vostry with no success. Vostry continued to pressure Chope in the third round though the judges gave the veteran the win via split decision.
The night also saw a win for Masoud Ranjbar (2-0), a heavyweight Iranian fighting out of AKA Thailand in Rawai, over Polish fighter Andrzej Kulik (0-4). Within moments of the opening bell, Ranjbar was able to slip and dodge Kulik's striking and take him down. The Iranian capitalised on the opportunity by staying on top of Kulik and raining down hard elbows and punches, prompting a referee stoppage in the first minute and a half.
The win was Ranjbar's second professional victory after making his debut at FMD 4 last February in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, Yousseff Wehbe, a Lebanese fighter from Phuket Top Team, was defeated by Carlos Prates (5-4) out of Phuket Fight Club in the second round of their welterweight battle. Wehbe's takedown attempts in the first round were stuffed by Prates. The Brazillian used his ground game to take Wehbe down in the second round and submitted him with a rear-naked choke.
George Farrow, a fighter from Maximum Gym in Patong, made his debut at the event against fellow Thailand national Komom “Jon Tap” Ninin (0-1) of Bangkok. After the first minute of the fight, Farrow was able to take down Ninin and finish him off with a series of elbows to get a referee stoppage victory.
In keeping with one of the primary aims of the promotion, FMD 8 saw a battle between two Muay Thai specialist making their MMA debut, Atipong “Sing Noi” Nuiaiad (18-12 in Muay Thai) of Lion Muay Thai in Phuket, took on Supachai Sungprasert.(100+ Muay Thai fights) of Amazing Muay Thai Gym Hua Hin. The bout was, as expected, primarily a striking affair with a little to no attempts at transitioning to the ground. Atipong was declared the winner via unanimous decision.
The event was the third time the promotion brought their brand of MMA to Phuket's Seduction Nightclub, which also hosted the inaugural show in 2014 and FMD 2 that August. Both of those shows saw a slew of fighters based in many of Phuket's MMA camps as well as other gyms around Thailand.
Full FMD 8 Results:
- Will Chope beats Michal Vostry by Decision (Split)
- Jayson Margallo beats Yodkaikew Fairtex by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
- Masoud Ranjbar beats Andrzej Kulik by TKO (Elbows)
- Carlos Prates beats Youssef Wehbe by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
- Atipong Nuiaiad beats Supachai Sunpasert by Decision (Unanimous)
- Vy Srey Khouch beats Aiyada Verpoest by KO (Punches)
- Christian Tremeyne beats Amr Maher by first round TKO (Punches)
- George Farrow beats Komin Ninin by TKO (Punches and Elbows)
- Haider Farman beats Wisanu Pimpa by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)