Master Mehrdad's Muay Thai Classic XVIII
April 26, 2008
University of Tampa-Bob Martinez Sports Complex
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Weigh In @ the Intercontinental Hotel
Anthony Marquez v. Freddy Sierra |
TravelleMason v. Jerry Daniels
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Jeff Meeks vs. Master Arlyn Benson
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Eric Parker vs. Kyle Gagne |
Shahnaz Moayedi vs. Denise Jacob
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Soudabah vs. Rasa
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Ryan Schwartzberg vs. Adam Alicea |
Curtis Tillman, Jr. vs. Matt Colucci
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Fight Night
Soudabah and Shahnaz Muay Thai Classic Fighter
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The event crowed |
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Joshua Marquez vs. Bradley Gamble
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Caden Bullard vs. Matthew Giles
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Conary Bullard vs. Tony Polio
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Conary Bullard vs. Tony Polio
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Conary Bullard vs. Tony Polio |
Anthony Marquez vs. Freddy Sierra |
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Soudabah Moayedi vs. Rasa Bitkauskiene |
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Soudabah Eshret Moayedi |
Soudabah and Master Mehrdad
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George Reagan vs. John Kaye
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George Reagan vs. John Kaye |
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Adam ALicea vs. Ryan Schwartzberg
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Adam ALicea vs. Ryan Schwartzberg |
Adam ALicea vs. Ryan Schwartzberg
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Shahnaz Moayedi vs. Denise Jacobs
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Shahnaz Moayedi landing a Hard jab
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Shahnaz landing a good front kick on Denise Jacob |
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Eric Parker vs. Kyle Gagne
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Bruce Lutchmedial vs. Dana Robbins |
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Shahnaz Moayedi Rising Muay Thai Star
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Jeff Meeks vs.Master Arlyn Benson |
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Eric Parker
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Very good Fight
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Travell Mason and Master Mehrdad
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Travelle Mason vs. Jerry Daniels
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TV Interview Time
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Master Mehrdad’s 18th Amateur Muay Thai Classic
By Abigail Susik
On Saturday, April 26, 2008, the University of Tampa hosted an exciting evening of amateur Muay Thai fights organized by Master Mehrdad Khan Moayedi, Yolanda Moayedi & Joel Collins. 13 bouts filled the fight card at the Bob Martinez Sports Complex, with a large and enthusiastic audience in attendance.
Master Mehrdad is the owner and founder of the World Shin Do Kumaté Association, now based at new headquarters in Clearwater, FL. His Martial Arts Dojang was founded in St. Petersburg, FL in 1992, and currently offers training in Kung fu, Hapkido, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Muay Thai kickboxing.
Master Mehrdad, an 8th Dan black belt and also a professional fighter himself, has committed substantial energy over the last decade to promoting an amateur kickboxing circuit in the Bay area. In addition to his professional kickboxing event held regularly in Tampa Bay, Shin Do Kumaté, his association has also increasingly held amateur events locally. The Amateur Muay Thai Classic held at the University of Tampa on April 26 was the 18th such event organized by the World Shin Do Kumaté Association.
Most of the 13 bouts were 3 rounds of two minutes, excluding the junior fights, which consisted of three rounds of one minute. Two referees, Stéfan Butin Bik and Jacob Henson alternated the supervision of each bout.
The evening commenced with a junior amateur fight between Caden Bullard, a student of Master Mehrdad’s, and Matthew Giles, of Tiger Schulmann’s MMA (Tampa). Caden Bullard stepped in to the ring on a day and a half notice against an opponent who was much taller, heavier and older. The taller Giles dominated both rounds, despite Bullard’s excellent footwork, and won by TKO in the second.
An impressive junior amateur match followed, between Joshua Márquez of USA Muay Thai (Citrus County) and Bradley Gamble of American Top Team (Sunrise). Gamble executed some powerful kicks in the first round in particular, but Márquez picked up the offensive in the second and third rounds with some of the most agile combinations of the entire evening, winning the match by unanimous decision.
Conary Bullard, student of Master Mehrdad’s and older brother to Caden Bullard, and Tony Polio, of Tiger Schulmann’s took to the ring next. Polio launched a spirited attack by the second round and maintained his high energy level into the third, winning by decision.
The fourth fight of the evening featured Anthony Márquez, student of USA Muay Thai and older brother to Joshua Márquez, versus Freddy Sierra of Tiger Schulmann’s MMA. Márquez fired off several powerful kicks in the first round, but by the second round Sierra moved in to punching range with some damaging hand combinations, resulting in a bloody nose for Márquez. Sierra won by split decision.
Next was Soudabah Moayedi, student and daughter of Master Mehrdad, against Rasa Bitkauskiene of Tiger Schulmann’s MMA. In what was a close fight with a controversial decision, Moayedi immediately took the offensive, with Bitkauskiene locking in a solid stance in the middle of the ring in order to defend against her opponent’s quick attacks. Throughout the whole fight, Bitkauskiene would flurry with punches and chase Moayedi down as Moayedi would land hard kicks to the body and legs of Bitkauskiene, raising a large bruise on her left leg. All three rounds played out the same with Bitkauskiene moving forward with punches and Moayedi countering with kicks. At the end of the fight, the judges saw the decision in favor of Bitkauskiene, but look for a rematch to come!
George Reagan of Powerhouse Muay Thai (Apopka) versus John Kaye of Elite Muay Thai (Orlando) followed. In this exciting fight, Reagan wore down his opponent with repeated power strikes, and won by TKO in the third round by the three knockdown rule.
An excellent match between Ryan Schwartzberg of American Top Team and Adam Alicea of Tiger Schulmann’s was next on the roster. Schwartzberg launched into the first round with an extremely high level of energy and speed, attacking Alicea with beautifully executed combos from all sides. Tiring by the second round, however, Schwartzberg had a difficult time fending off Alicea’s powerful strikes, resulting finally in Schwartzberg’s loss.
The eighth bout of the night was a rematch between 13 year old Shahnaz Moayedi, student and daughter of Master Mehrdad, and younger sister to Soudabah Moayedi, and 30 year old Denise Jacobs of Elite Muay Thai. Moayedi pressed hard in all three rounds against Jacobs with a series of relentless punch and kick combinations. By the end of the third round, you could see the frustration on Jacobs face and in her actions as all she could do to avoid damage was to clinch Moayedi and try to wrestle her to the canvas. An impressive win in the rematch for Shahnaz Moayedi.
Kyle Gagne of Elite Muay Thai fought Eric Parker of Tiger Schulmann’s MMA next. In one of the most exciting fights on the night, Parker used spinning attacks to confuse the Muay Thai practitioner Gagne. Both fighters were continually pressing forward trying to gain advantage, but in the end, Eric Parker came out on top with the Judge’s Decision.
Next, in a memorable display of agility and combative grace, Bruce Lutchmedial of American Top Team (Sunrise) overwhelmed his opponent Dana Robbins of USA Muay Thai with a fast paced battery of combos from all sides. From the outset it was clear that Robbins didn’t stick with his game plan. Lutchmedial won convincingly by Judge’s decision and being only 16 years old, there is a bright future in store for this fighter.
Perhaps the most anticipated fight of the night was that between Master Arlyn Benson of ATA Academy in Clearwater and Jeff Meeks, representing Tiger Schulmann’s MMA. Throughout the whole fight, the crowd was on their feet as the two heavyweights exchanged some heavy leather in the ring. The crowd went into a frenzy when Jeff Meeks took a high kick to the side of the head, but pushed right through to get Benson on the ropes. Meeks won by decision in this action packed fight.
The final fight of the evening, between Travelle Mason, student of Master Mehrdad and amateur Light Heavyweight Champion of the Master Mehrdad’s Muay Thai Classic, and Jerry Daniels of Elite Muay Thai in Daytona, FL, began with an exciting exchange of blows in the center of the ring. The crowd erupted when both fighters went for low kicks and Mason stood strong while Daniel’s was taken off of his feet. The two fighters seemed quite evenly matched at first, with both fighters showing control in the clinch, but Mason began to use the knees to great effect. In the corner between rounds the Doctor was called to Daniel’s corner to assess a cut on the fighter’s right eye due to an accidental knee to the head. Not being able to continue due to a lack of vision in his left eye, the referee reluctantly ruled a No Contest due to an accidental knee to the head. A sad end to what was shaping up to be the most explosive fight of the night.
Altogether, this event was the largest Muay Thai Classic to date and showcased some of the best fighters in Florida. Fight DVD’s and Event Photos are on sale by calling 727-573-8589. Get ready for the 19th installment of the Master Mehrdad Muay Thai Classic on June 28th at the Safety Harbor Community Center.
Kickboxing… with a twist
Muay Thai may just be the new rising star of sports
By SABRINA HAMILTON
A 13-year-old girl steps into the Warriors Ring against another woman. The world stops. With only headgear, boxing gloves and shin guards to protect her, she throws the first punch.
John. Hopkin seventh-grader Shahnaz Moayedi knocks her opponent down. The woman tries to spin her onto the floor. She loses a point. Her dad shouts from the sidelines, “Keep moving! She’s easy to beat!” Fists go flying and then the bell rings to signal the end of the round. With one more pep talk from her corner of the ring, she’s back on her feet and performing front kicks on the other woman. The fight comes to an end when the referee lifts up the 13-year-old’s arm. She has beaten the 35-year-old for the second time. Shahnaz won this fight on April 26 at the University of Tampa. She said that when she fights someone older than her, it’s fun because “you wouldn’t expect a 13- year-old girl to win against a 35-year-old woman.”
She is a Muay Thai fighter. Muay Thai is similar to kickboxing, just add knees and elbows. She has been fighting in the ring for about two and a half years but has been involved in the martial arts her whole life. She grew up watching her dad train and compete in Muay Thai fights. Then she started martial arts with her sister Soudabah at age 3. Soon she was in the ring, and not too long after that she was fighting 30-year-olds.
Shahnaz has fought a total of 13 times and has won 12 of them. Even though she has only lost once, she still remains an amateur. You have to be 18 to be a professional. She has knocked out 2 of the 13 fighters. In Muay Thai being knocked out can mean two things: you literally get knocked out cold or you get knocked onto the floor of the ring. Most of the time when her friends find out about her “secret life” they say “Wow! You fight people for a living!” Then she has to explain that you can get paid, but she doesn’t. “Only professional fighters do,” said Shahnaz.
Despite wearing so much protection, she has had her share of injuries. “I was fighting a bulky girl and she hit me in the face too many times and almost dislocated my jaw,” said Shahnaz. She has also received a few bruises and busted her lip a couple times “but that’s the fun of it,” she said.
Before a fight, Shahnaz has to train really hard. “I train six days a week,” she said. She runs three days a week around Crescent Lake Park. The other three days are spent at her dad’s martial arts school with nun chucks, punching bags, Thai pads, jump ropes, fighting drills and sparring. Shahnaz is a high-ranking brown belt in martial arts and hapkido. She won’t be tested for her black belt until she is 16. Her dad is a master at Muay Thai and owns his own school called MKM. “I think my dad is harder on me than his students because I am his daughter and he expects more from me, and wants to bring out the best in me,” she said. Master Mehrdad Khan Moayedi, Shahnaz’s dad and teacher, has been practicing Muay Thai for 35 years. He said he teaches her “old school,” which is a more hard core method. He was trained in martial arts the same way, and he thinks it’s better. He was the one who started the business in the family line. “I thought the sport needed to be presented by someone who knew a lot about it and had a lot of passion for it,” Master Moayedi said. Even though Muay Thai is still rare in the U.S, his goal is to get this fighting style known around the world.
Shahnaz’s mom helps run the family business. She has been supportive of her, but she still gets nervous when she sees her fight because she is afraid of her getting hurt. “I get nervous when my husband fights, and it is the same scenario with my kids,” she said. Shahnaz’s sister, Soudabah, is also involved. She has been a Muay Thai fighter for nine years and participates in amateur fights. “I have done about 13 fights and I’ve won about ten of those,” said Soudabah. She may turn professional for a few years and then retire. Shahnaz also wants to go pro. “I want to be a professional fighter when I turn 18 because I want to continue proving to people that just because I’m a 13-year-old girl, that it doesn’t matter, and you can do anything you set your mind to,” said Shahnaz.
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Master Mehrdad's Muay Thai Classic XVII
February 2, 2008
Safety Harbor Community Center
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Adam Alicea (red shorts) vs. Jack Thorsen (black shorts)
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Paul Wierser (green shorts) vs. Dana Robbins (black shorts)
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Shahnaz Moayedi (red/black shorts) vs. Denise Jacobs (pink/black shorts)
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Mike Vallery (blue shorts) vs. Lloyd Walton (black shorts)
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Andrew Johnson of Elite Muay Thai |
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Ron Ritter in the corner with Master Mehrdad
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Benjamin Jordan (white shorts) vs. Dana Robbins (black shorts) |
Travelle Mason (blue shorts) vs. Jerry Daniels (camo shorts)
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Bout 1– Adam Alicea(150 lbs / Tiger Schulmann's MMA) vs. Jack Thorsen(145 lbs / American Top Team Orlando)
Adam Alicea wins via Judges Decision
Bout 2 – Paul Wieser (161 lbs / American Top Team Orlando) vs. Dana Robbins (159 lbs / USA Muay Thai)
Dana Robbins wins via Judges Decision
Bout 3 – Shahnaz Moayedi (116 lbs / WSDKA) vs. Denise Jacobs (118 lbs / Elite Muay Thai)
Shahnaz Moayedi wins via Judges Decision
Bout 4 – Mike Vallery (187 lbs / Lone Wolf Muay Thai) vs. Lloyd Walton (194 lbs / Bomb 1st)
Mike Vallery
wins via TKO in Round 3
Bout 5 – Ron Ritter (240 lbs / WSDKA) vs. Andrew Johnson (210 lbs / Elite Muay Thai)
Andrew Johnson
wins via TKO in Round 2
Bout 6 – Travell Mason (203lbs / WSDKA) vs. Jerry Daniels (203lbs / Elite Muay Thai)
This bout was scored a Majority Draw
Bout 7– Dana Robbins (159 lbs / USA Muay Thai) vs. Benjamin Jordan (162 lbs / Ali Tareh's Martial Arts)
Benjamin Jordan
wins via Judges Decision
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Master Mehrdad's Muay Thai Classic XVI Championship Night
October 6, 2007
Safety Harbor Community Center
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Soudabah E. Moayedi & Tiffany Connell, Champions by Master Mehrdad
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Eric Brown with Master Mehrdad, won his Amateur debut |
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Soudabah Moayedi (14 yrs old) and her father Master Mehrdad, who is honoring her with her new championship belt |
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Nadier Yacoub of Lone Wolf Muay Thai wins the first Master Mehrdad's Muay Thai Classic Super Middleweight Title |
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Tiffany Connell says, "I couldn't have won this Championship without him!" |
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Travelle Mason, of Master Mehrdad's Martial Art Academy is the new Light Heavyweight Champion
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"TNT" brought the Belts Home and showed Florida who is the boss! |
Some things are worth fighting for
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Bout 1– Jack Thorsen (140 lbs / American Top Team Orlando) vs. Robert Baez (140 lbs / Ali Tareh’s Martial Arts)
Robert Baez wins via TKO in Round 2
Bout 2 – Eric Brown(160 lbs / WSDKA) vs. Robert Mosier (158 lbs / LA Boxing Orlando)
Eric Brown wins via Judges Decision: 29-27, 29-27,29-27
Bout 3 – Lloyd Walton (195 lbs / Bomb 1st) vs. BJ Gress (185 lbs / Tampa Combat Club)
Lloyd Walton wins via Judges Decision: 29-28, 29-28, 30-27
Bout 4 **Female Super Lightweight Title Bout** – Soudabah Moayedi (111 lbs / 14 yrs / WSDKA) vs. Marisol Garcia (123 lbs / 25 yrs / LA Boxing Orlando)
Soudabah Moayedi
wins via Judges Decision: 30-27, 30-27, 30-27
Bout 5 **Male Super Middleweight Title Bout** – Nadier Yacoub (185 lbs / Lone Wolf Muay Thai) vs. Ben Van Pelt (190 lbs / Orlando Fighter)
Nadier Yacoub
wins via TKO in Round 1
Bout 6 **Female Lightweight Title Bout** – Tiffany Connell (125lbs / 19 yrs / WSDKA) vs. Cristina Milanes (121lbs / 19 yrs / World Class Martial Arts)
Tiffany Connell wins via Judges Decision: 29-26,30-25,29-26
Bout 7 **Male Light Heavyweight Title Bout** - Travelle Mason (203 lbs / WSDKA) vs. Justin Smith (201 lbs / Gracie Tampa)
Travelle Mason wins via Judges decision:29-28, 30-27, 29-28
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Friday Night Fights / American Dragon Dojo
August 24, 2007
Tampa Bay Health and Fitness Center
Shahnaz Moayedi (Age 12, 120 lbs) vs. Summer Satterfield (Age 15, 130 lbs)
Winner Shahnaz Moayedi dominating all 3 rounds. Shows the power of Muay Thai.
Brian Sheaffer (170 lbs) vs. One of Ed Dominguez's Fighters (165 lbs)
Winner Brian Sheaffer by TKO early 2nd round
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Shahnaz execute a hard shin kick against Summer's Spinning Back Hand
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Master Mehrdad's Muay Thai Classic XV
August 4, 2007
Safety Harbor Community Center
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Master Mehrdad and Bubba the Love Sponge
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Jozlin Goodman vs. Brent Hatley |
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Master Mehrdad and Brent Hatley producer of Bubba the LoveSponge show @ Master Dojang for pre-fight weigh-in.
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Bout 1– Justin Morelock (World Shin Do Kumate Association) vs. James Bryant (Ali Tareh’s Martial Arts)
James Bryant wins via Judges decision: 36-36, 36-33, 35-34
Bout 2 – Lance Ashworth (The Armory) vs. David Smith (Ali Tareh)
David Smith wins via Judges Decision: 36-33, 35-34, 33-35
Bout 3 – Dustin Robbins (USA Muay Thai) vs. James Rose (Mad Lion Muay Thai / ATT Orlando)
Dustin Robbins wins via Judges Decision: 36-33, 36-33, 36-33
Bout 4 – Tiffany Connell (WSDKA) vs. Summer Satterfield (Joe Lewis Fighting Systems)
Tiffany Connell wins via Judges Decision: 35-34, 35-34, 34-35
Bout 5 – Jeremy Phurlow (Rob Khan’s Gracie Tampa) vs. Shay Marvin Blair (Ali Tareh)
Jeremy Phurlow wins via Judges Decision: 36-32, 36-32, 35-34 *Blair was deducted one point for hitting a downed fighter.
Bout 6 – Jesse Benton (Mad Lion Muay Thai / ATT Orlando) vs. Jose Rodriguez (Ali Tareh)
Jesse Benton wins via Judges Decision: 35-34, 36-33, 35-34
Bout 7: - Nadier Yacoub (Lone Wolf Muay Thai) vs. Brian Sheaffer (WSDKA)
Nadier Yacoub won via Judges decision: 35-33, 34-34, 35-34 *Sheaffer was knocked down in the 3rd round by leg kick
Bout 8 – Jozlin Goodman (Mad Lion Muay Thai / ATT Orlando ) vs. Brent Hatley ( Rob Khan)
Jozlin Goodman wins via KO (Head Kick)
Bout 9 – Travelle Mason (WSDKA) vs. Mike Vallery (Lone Wolf Muay Thai)
Travelle Mason wins via Judges Decision: 35-34, 34-35, 35-34
Amateur Fight
May 5, 2007
Safety Harbor Community Center
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Amateur Fight
January 20, 2007
Safety Harbor Community Center
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Amateur Fight
July 29, 2006
Historic Cuban Club, Ybor City |
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Amateur Fight
April 1, 2006
Safety Harbor Community Center
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Amateur Fight
October 29, 2005
Safety Harbor Community Center
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