For the first time ever, Muay Thai was center stage at Madison Square Garden, as 28 fighters squared off in 14 different bouts on Friday, March 16. The event was hosted by TaKe On Productions.

Many of the fighters live and train in New York City, including TaKe On 2010 Fighter of the Year Rudy Felix, who defeated Cornell Ward by unanimous decision. Felix trains at Sitan Gym on Steinway Street in Astoria.

Sitan Gym sent three fighter to the event, Felix, Freddy Cheung, and Tim Schmeier, and went 2-1 with Cheung also picking up a victory by unanimous decision to become the TaKe On Welterweight Champion and earn the WKA NY State 155lbs Title.

In another closely watched match up, Nick Vaughan defended his coveted TaKe-On Super Middleweight Title against Brian Hutchings, who hails from the highly acclaimed Megalodon Gym in Georgia.

Vaughn won the first ever TaKe-On Title under Full Thai Rules at the “Battle at Ballys” event in October in Atlantic City.

Muay Thai differs from kickboxing in that Muay Thai fighters grapple more, or “clinch,” which means fighters tie up their opponent and try to elbow or knee them, as well as throw them to the ground. The sport is quickly gaining in popularity in the New York area.

Full Results

Angie Babel v. Prairie Ruglio (w)

Chris Mauceri (w) v. Tim Schmeier

Rich Brattole (w) v. Evaristo Hernandez

Brandon Pointdexter v. Joey Hernandez (w)

Andrillo Suarez v. Freddy Cheung (w)

Cornell Ward v. Rudy Felix (w)

Brian Hutchings v. Nick Vaughan (w)

Steven Hernandez v. Ariel Abreu (w)

Vinny Hui v. Delroy McCoy (w)

Chris Clodfelter v. Brett Hlavacek (w)

Anthony Demaio v. Eric Ruiz (w)

Deshawn Robinson (draw) v. Sean Hinds (draw)

Brian Collette (w) v. Marcus Taylor

Ryan Madigan (w) v. Rigel Balsamico