MUAY THAI: MUAY THAI ACTION TO BE FEATURED AT MECCA XIII TONIGHT

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Minnesota Muay Thai continues its rise and Driller Promotions remains at the helm tonight as “Mecca XIII” makes it’s way to the Varsity Theater in downtown Minneapolis. The main event pits two well recognized mixed martial artists against each other in Ben Neumann (Warriors Cove) and Tom Krenzel (The Cellar). Each fighter will be making their Muay Thai pro debut.

With 12 Driller Promotions appearances under his belt, 28-year-old Tom Krenzel is a fight veteran who

ben neumann tom krenzel

Ben “The Baker” Neumann, left, and Tom Krenzel face-off at yesterday afternoons weigh-ins.

brings his best on every occasion. Some feel like Krenzel will have the upper hand in this interesting Muay Thai match against the jiu-jitsu specialist Neumann and he appears to be in the best shape of his career.

Neumann says that he sought out a Muay Thai match to further himself from his jiu-jitsu comfort zone. He has looked good against strikers in the past so don’t expect the 11-year fight veteran to be out of place when the knees and elbows begin to fly. Neumann told Minnesota Fight News back in May that he teaches a lot more striking than he personally uses in his MMA bouts.

“I’m looking forward to testing myself tomorrow, and win or lose I plan to be back in the MMA cage next summer, where I’m slightly more comfortable (laughing)” said Neumann. “I enjoy the aspect of martial arts that allows you to set big goals and test yourself in a way that is not possible on a football field or basketball court. The training process for this fight has been beneficial for me as an overall martial artist, no matter the outcome tomorrow.”

Although the card is loaded with fun matches, Minnesota Fight News’ prediction for fight of the night

jesse poolaw vanyu xiong

Jesse Poolaw (The Academy) and Vanyu Xiong (Spartan) face-off at yesterday afternoons weigh-ins.

goes to one of the featured amateur bouts between Jesse Poolaw and Vanyu Xiong. The two men are among the hardest pound for pound strikers in the state. When it comes to pure firepower and skill, Xiong and Poolaw don’t hold back in the ring or cage.

There are 15 bouts scheduled with the Varsity Theater doors opening at 2:30 and first fight set for 3 PM sharp.

 

Main Card PRO
Tom Krenzel (0-0) Cellar vs Ben Neumann (0-0) Warrior’s Cove 180lbs
Main Card Amateur – Only Elbow Pads
Steven Bass (10-11) Podany’s vs Ian Greer (14-10) Free Spirit 155lbs
Vanyu Xiong (6-2) (3-2 MMA) Spartan vs Jesse Poolaw (5-2) (3-0box) Academy 155lbs
Kwadwo Ankawa (9-9-1) Peoria Muay Thai vs Nate Kosberg (5-6) Academy 140lbs
Dylan Murphy (11-4) Spartan vs Steven Hudley (5-1) (2-1MMA) Nak Muay Gym 175lbs
Lajly Yang (5-4) Cellar vs Sherwin Millon (3-5) Aiki Training Hall  127lbs
Under Card Amateur – Shin and Elbow Pads
Ashley Findlay (1-0) Winnipeg KB vs Haylee Donnelson (1-1) The Academy 160lbs
Undercard Amateur – Shin Pads, No elbows
Freddy Lopez (0-0) Warrior’s Cove vs David Lewis-Frazier (2-1) Academy 215lbs
Kyle Hurley (2-1) Maximus Muay Thai vs Spencer Roble (0-0) Academy Eden Prairie 225lbs
Dylan Smerillo (1-0) 3soteric vs Des Flaherty (2-0) Free Spirit 145lbs
Luke Schorr (2-1) Maximus Muay Thai vs Blake Moreland (0-0) Warrior’s Cove 155lbs
Jon Bosma (0-0) 3soteric vs Scott Hunter (1-0) Academy 143lbs
Stardest Purnell (0-0) Spartan vs Kenneth Hutton (0-0) Warrior’s Cove 147lbs
Andrew Zelee (0-0) McCune’s vs Anteze Howard (0-0) Warrior’s Cove 155lbs
Daniel Becker (0-0) Spartan vs Santos Veridinez (0-0) Warrior’s Cove  160lbs