MUAY THAI: MATLON, ABURIA TOP MECCA IV TONIGHT

Muay Thai combatants storm the Varsity Theater in downtown Minneapolis, MN this afternoon as Driller Promotions presents Mecca IV. The Varsity was host to a fun night of fights last December and 14 action bouts are set to take place this time around.

Fans will see two powerful strikers clash in the heavyweight main event when The Academy’s Tommy Matlon (1-0, pro) meets Valhalla’s Mahmoud Aburia (pro debut).

Matlon with his hands raised during his final amateur fight in 2018.

Tommy Matlon won his pro Muay Thai debut in February of 2018 in Thailand. Going 18-3 as an amateur, Matlon says he is ready to get back in the ring on Saturday night.

“I don’t know much about my opponent, I heard he’s an MMA fighter, and the Muay Thai coach at Valhalla Combat” said Matlon when talking about his opponent. “The last fight I could find of his was back in 2013 which is before I even started training, so he’s been in the game a while. It also means I don’t really know what I expect him to bring to the table. Six years is a long time and Muay Thai is much different than MMA. I’m not sure how active he’s been keeping himself but I haven’t fought in over a year and a half now. So there might be some ring rust to shake off in the first round. But it’s a heavyweight bout and I always try to finish my opponent, so I’m sure it’ll be an intense and exciting fight for the fans.”

Aburia landing a left hook in a 2014 boxing match.

Mahmoud Aburia brings a wide range of fighting skills to the ring as Matlon pointed out. Having competed in MMA (2-1 amateur, 3-1 pro) and boxing (2-1 pro), he also has kick boxed (1-1). Aburia’s well laid out skillset will make for an interesting contrast of styles when the two heavyweights meet in the main event.

“My opponent is a strong Muay Thai fighter who is very strong in his clinch game and has strong endurance” said Aburia when describing Matlon. Fans should expect a good back and forth fight that will be exciting. I am very excited for this opportunity to fight on the main event and can’t wait to fight!”

The Varsity doors open to the public at 3:30 PM with the action set to begin at 4:30 PM. All ages are welcome to come with tickets available at the door. Below is the Mecca XIV line-up.

Professional

Tommy Matlon (1-0) Academy vs Mahmoud Aburia (0-0) Valhalla at Heavyweight

Amateur – Class A – No Shin Pads

Shelby Pickard (4-6) Academy vs Diana Koutinas (7-2) Fitness Fight Factory at 170 with no allowance S
Nate Kosberg (6-7) Academy vs Harrison Ofori (7-3) Warman Muay Thai at 137 with No allowance S

Class B – With Shin Pads

Josh Fleck (1-1) (4-0 MMA) Academy vs Josh Stephenson (0-0) (1-0 MMA) Free Spirit MT at 170
Matt Halverson (0-0-1) Academy EP vs Blake Mooreland (1-1) Warrior’s Cove at 153
Esmerelda Moran (0-1-1) Academy vs Julia Zapata (1-5) Nak Muay Gym 102
Nick Krohn (0-0) (0-1 MMA) Free Spirit vs Santos Verindez (0-1) Warrior’s Cove at 145
Chase Olson (0-0) (2-3 boxing) Spartan vs Sam Anderson (1-6) MAMA at 195
Brody Martin (1-1) (2-3 MMA) McCune’s vs Nick Olson (0-0) (3-2 MMA) at 159

Class C – No Elbows, With Shin Pads

Dominic Murn (3-2) Academy EP vs Kostya Haug (1-1) Cellar at 172
Bryan Beck (0-1) Academy vs Patrick Kelly (0-0) Cellar at 142
Anteze Howard (2-0) Warrior’s Cove vs Cody Johnson(1-1) Cellar at 159
Kyle Hedemark (1-0) vs Keenan Booth (0-0) Warrior’s Cove at 185
Kerry Delgado (1-) St CLoud Boxing vs Hykeem Green (0-0) Warrior’s Cove 170