2011 was a great year for Muay Thai in North America, we have decided to compile a list of ten fights we would love to see in 2012. All of the fights include a North American fighter, and if we are lucky and any of these fights do happen in 2012, then hopefully they will all be on North American soil. Fights include a range of fighters from Canadian’s Jesse Miles and Simon Marcus to American powerhouses Joe Schilling and Ky Hollenbeck.

Keep in mind that there are many exciting fights that could be made, but these are ten that we would consider competitive, and ground breaking or entertaining. Of course there are various variations or other fights that we would love to see, but we had to limit ourselves to ten fights only. Chime in with fights you want to see in 2012 and why you would like to see that fight happen.

Miriam Nakamoto vs. Julie Kitchen
Nakamoto and Kitchen were first set to fight in December of 2010, but an injury to Kitchen postponed the fight. It seemed the two were on a collision as part of the Muaythai Premier League in 2011, but an injury to Nakamoto halted any chance of the bout happening. With both fighters looking to be healthy in 2012 and Muay Thai continuously increasing its profile it makes perfect sense to have the two best female fighters in the world face off.

Kevin Ross vs. Omar Ahmed
Ross is looking to forget 2011 and return to his old form in 2012, Ahmed is looking to start leaving his mark on the sport. Ahmed is a young fighter from New York, while Ross is a grizzled veteran that fights out of Las Vegas. It would be a great way for Ahmed to measure himself against a top North American talent and for Ross to face a young talent such as Ahmed. This would be a huge West vs. East battle if it ever happened.

Chaz Mulkey vs. Joseph Valtellini
Mulkey has made a name for himself in 2011, with wins over the likes of Simon Chu and Remy Bonnel he proved he could competed with top quality fighters from around the globe. Valtellini, a young Canadian dynamo typically fights at 165lb and has been dangerous in the ring since turning pro in late 2010. Valtellini making 160 doesn’t seem like a stretch and it would be a an exciting test not only for Valtellini to fight a technician such as Mulkey, but for Mulkey to fight Valtellini due to the fast pace that Valtellini fights. Combine Valtellini’s athleticism with his power and technique and he can prove to be a dangerous test for Mulkey.

Joe Schilling vs. Artem Levin
Schilling put his name on the map with his one sided clobbering of Kaoklai in October of 2010. The fight won him the interim WBC Muay Thai light heavyweight world title. Levin the current WBC Muay Thai light heavyweight champion is someone Schilling has expressed interest in fighting and it would only make sense for the two to fight for the undisputed title. Schilling vs. Levin is sure to be fireworks as both fighters come in to finish fights and both have tremendous power in their strikes.

Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus
Like Schilling, Simon Marcus is a rising star and the North American audience go to see him take center stage when he traveled to California as part of the Muaythai Premier League. Schilling vs. Marcus would proved to be an exciting fight as both fighters pack great power and look to end their fights.

Matt Embree vs. Rungravee Sasiprapa
Rungravee has become a fan favorite after two amazing fights in the United States. Each time he has had to face opponents from over sees because it seems that there isn’t anyone to test him at the 135lb weight class. Despite recently stating that 140 will likely be his permanent home, Matt Embree would be an excellent choice to fight Rungravee. Embree is a strong technical fighter that has competed against much larger opponents and watching him take on someone as aggressive and skilled as Rungravee would be great. Rungravee would also get a solid test out of a fight with Embree, although you would have to consider Rungravee to be the favorite.

Luis Bio vs. Bryce Krause
Bio and Krause each had only one fight in 2011. Both are solid fighters that could only help continue the growth of Muay Thai in North America. Bio is a current WBC Muay Thai Mexico champion with some solid technique and Krause is the MTAA national champion that packs power in his right hand. Krause fought for the first time in 2011 for the first time in a year and half after recovering from an elbow injury. Bio missed most of the first half of the year as he was recovering from injuries as well.

Ky Hollenbeck vs. Ekpracha “Hitman” Menton
Ekpracha’s lone fight in the United States was against William Sriyapai at Push Kick Promotions “World Stand Off” and he looked deadly, picking Siryapai apart for three rounds before the fight was stopped. Hollenbeck was on hand after his fight that night had fallen through and talks of Hollenbeck vs. Ekpracha started, but just as quickly have now stopped. It would be a great match up as both are aggressive fighters and the winner would add a solid name to the others resume.

Chaz Mulkey vs. Jesse Miles
As Mulkey continues to climb the international ladder some of the best match-ups lie right across the border with Canadian fighters. Jesse Miles is one of the best and most recognized Canadian fighters and would add a solid test to Mulkey’s resume as would Mulkey to Miles resume. Stylistically both are technical fighters and it would be a chess match in the ring.

Jesse Miles vs. Joseph Valtellini
Miles is one of the most recognized faces in Canada, he has fought abroad on in Thailand, he was part of the reality TV show The Challenger Muaythai and many consider him the best out of Canada. Valtellini is a fighter who doesn’t have as many fights as Miles but his skill level is high and being around the same age and the same weight class it would be a perfect fight. Valtellini’s athleticism and Miles technical prowess would definitely make for an entertaining fight.

Source: http://www.muaythaiauthority.com/