World League of Fighters announces grand launch of Muay Thai event, winners to receive Golden Tickets for UAE

The World League of Fighters (WLF), the first-of-its-kind franchise-based league-styled Muay Thai tournament, announced the grand launch ceremony on May 20 of its inaugural season. It will take place from June 1 at the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Owned and run by the Royal Thai Army, the stadium is regarded as the symbol of modern Muay Thai and is frequented by fans in large numbers each week to witness thrilling fights.

Sticking to the league’s ideology of "sportainment", the mega launch event will offer the audience live musical performances from some of the renowned artists along with an action-packed fight night comprising five intense bouts to stun the local Muay Thai fans.

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Attendees, fighters and live performances

The grand event will be attended by:⁠

• The Honorable President of WBC Muay Thai, Colonel Thanapol Bhakdibhumi
• Mr. Fouad Darwish CEO and Managing Director of Palms Sports
• Mr. Kevin P. Noone, Secretary General WBC Muay Thai
• Mr. Rajesh Banga, Chairman World League of Fighters
• Mr. Sunil Mathew, Co-Founder World League of Fighters
• Mr. Nilesh Pundir, Co-Founder of the World League of Fighters
• Mr. Rahul Saxena, President and CEO World League of Fighters
• Mr. Samer Al Suojhayer, Co-Founder and Head of Operations at WLF Asia

To kick start the exciting Muay Thai action, USA's Matt Baker will face off against Azerbaijan's Rauf Gerayzade in a cruiserweight bout, while Thailand's own Satanfah Sitsongpeenong will take on Iran's Mohammad Sirasani in a middleweight fight.

India's Surya Sagar will vie for a win when he takes on Lithuania's Deividas Danyla in a welterweight match, and Russia's Dana Begzhanova will also be in action against Spain's Alba Morral in a women's featherweight bout.

The winners of the four bouts will get a Golden Ticket to the inaugural season of the World League of Fighters which will take place in United Arab Emirates later this year. The Muay Thai action will close with the headliner between Kazakhstan's Ali Kabdulla and Armenia's Martun Mezhlumyan in a 170-pound catchweight contest.

To further add to the spectacle, the fans will get a chance to groove along with the biggest Thai pop sensation Kratae Rsiam, who recently opened Bruno Mars' concert in Bangkok and will be performing live at the launch ceremony.

The renowned Hip Hop sensational musical artist Tong Twopee, who has garnered a cult-like following on social media, will also be performing live for the audience in attendance.

Speaking on the upcoming Launch event, Rajesh Banga, the Chairman of the World League of Fighters said:

"The launch event in Thailand is a teaser of the extravaganza that we will be presenting to the world with the inaugural season of World League of Fighters. We are bringing an exciting format to the world of combat sports, and we are confident our vision will resonate with the global masses."

"The launch event will not only give the fans a chance to enjoy Muay Thai fights but also allow them to engage with world-class entertainment," Banga contined. "We are grateful to WBC Muay Thai for their constant support and the Thailand government authorities for allowing us to showcase our vision at the iconic venue – the New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium."

WLF partnered with the World Boxing Council Muay Thai to revolutionize the sport of Muay Thai and spread its reach across the globe. This is the first time in the combat sports world, a franchise-based league-style tournament is being organized featuring 16 of the world's best male and female Muay Thai fighters.

The renowned international combat sports stars will be divided into four franchises that will compete against each other in a round-robin format, to claim the Coveted WLF x WBC title belt in the UAE.

President WBC Muay Thai, Colonel Thanapol Bhakdibhumi, added:

"It is about time the adrenaline-pumping sport of Muay Thai gets a revamp. A league-styled competition of such magnitude is a celebration [that] will boost the popularity of the sport and expand its reach beyond [the] horizon.

"The upcoming launch event is a moment of celebration for all Muay Thai fans, aficionados, trainers, and fighters not only in Thailand, but all around the globe, and we want to give them a show that they will never ever forget. The mingling of Muay Thai with entertainment is an unprecedented chapter in the history of combat sports and we cannot wait to present a glimpse of what is in store for the fans."