Eruption Muay Thai returns for 2017 at the Eagle Sports Complex in Mansfield this Friday night. A spectacular eight-man lineup featuring some of the countries top 70kg fighters will take part in a Super 8 tournament where one fighter will be crowned the champion and rewarded with $6,000. A staple of Australian muay thai, Super 8 tournaments often produce dream match-ups and highlight-reel fights when a mixture of exciting styles clash on the night.
With the final tournament draw still to be finalised, a whole range of potential match-ups are on offer including the tantalising third fight between Sydney based Nathan Robson (19-7-0) and Ben Mahoney (26-7-0) from John Wayne Parr’s Boonchu gym on the Gold Coast. The first fight between the two in 2015 went the way of Nathan Robson via a points decision that earned the two the Australian Muay Thai Awards ‘Fight of the Year’ honours. The follow-up fight between the two last year at Eruption 13 in June saw a very close fight going the way of Mahoney via a split points decision. Should they end up fighting each other in the tournament this Friday night, fans are in for a treat!
Also in the eight-man lineup is strong up-and-coming fighter Cory Smith from Melbourne. While technically the most ‘inexperienced’ of the fighters in the tournament, Smith comes to Eruption 14 with two recent big wins under his belt. On one week’s notice he managed to beat tough Western Australia fighter Tyler Hardcastle at Epic Muay Thai 13 in March. In addition to other fighters on the card he faces a potential rematch with Nathan Robson who he beat on Rebellion 12 in Sydney last November via stoppage in the fourth round of their bout. Incredibly strong in the clinch and with pin-point accurate knees and elbows, Smith will pose a real threat to the other fighters in this tournament if he can dictate the action on his own terms.
Another fighter to highlight in this event is Western Australian based fighter George Mann. The Scottish fighter who is one of the youngest members of the tournament but also the tallest at six foot and 4 inches represents a real danger to all those he ends up being matched with. His ability to keep his opponents away with a strong jab and ranged pushed kick gives him a significant advantage. His last bout was in March at Epic Muay Thai 18 against Barrie Oliver where he came away with the unanimous points decision and proved he has the goods to deliver on a big stage.
Other fighters in the tournament who also could potentially lay claim on the Super 8 title include late replacement New South Wales fighter Lindon Wotton (17-8-0), and Jake Moulden (29-7-0), Jacob Richards (18-2-1) and Odin Daniels (18-13-0) who all hail from Queensland.
70kg Super 8 Tournament Participants:
- Cory Smith (VIC)
- Lindon Wotton (NSW)
- Nathan Robson (NSW)
- Ben Mahoney (QLD)
- Jake Moulden (QLD)
- Odin Daniels (QLD)
- Jacob Richards (QLD)
- George Mann (WA)
Fight Card:
- Super 8 Final
- Jerry Otineru vs Junior Tafa
- Josh Spurway vs Rob Ferguson
- Super 8 Semi Final 2
- Super 8 Semi Final 1
- Jaidyn Townsend vs Zac Tilley
- Brooke Cooper vs Demi Mcnamara
- Super 8 Quarterfinal 4
- Super 8 Quarterfinal 3
- Super 8 Quarterfinal 2
- Super 8 Quarterfinal 1
- Ty Hogan vs Greg Curtis
