By Lion Fight (via press release)

Las Vegas, NV – LION FIGHT has announced its lineup of live fights for LION FIGHT 17, the Muay Thai promotion’s second event set for the east coast. AXS TV’s INSIDE MMA first broke the news that Thai superstar Thepnimit “Mr. Knock” Sitmonchai will make his American debut in a main event matchup with United Kingdom’s multiple world stand-up champion Dean James. LION FIGHT 17 takes place Friday, August 1 live from the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Tickets for LION FIGHT 17 are on sale now starting at $25 and available through Foxwoods.com or by calling the Foxwoods’ Box Office at 800-200-2882 or Ticketmaster at800-745-3000. Tickets are also available by visiting the Foxwoods Resort Casino box office.

LION FIGHT 17 airs live on AXS TV starting at a special time, 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The broadcast will feature play-by-play and color commentary by UFC hall of famer Pat Miletich alongside renowned sports commentator “The Voice” Michael Schiavello.

“Lion Fight fans have been asking us to bring Thepnimit ‘Mr. Knock’ Sitmonchai, a star in Thailand who trains in one of the most respected gyms in the country, to fight here in the U.S.,” said Scott Kent, CEO, Lion Fight. “He’s an aggressive and powerful fighter who has more than earned his nickname in this sport, but World Muay Thai Champion Dean James didn’t hesitate to step up and take this fight. Sitmonchai vs. James is one of the most exciting main events we’ve put together. I can’t wait to go back to the east coast for Lion Fight 17 August 1st at Foxwoods Resort Casino.”

Known internationally for his flashy, skillful fight style, Sitmonchai (115-38-5) earned the nickname “Mr. Knock” after racking up a stunning 98-KO record. He is ranked seventh in the 54kg. weight division at the world famous “Mecca of Muay Thai” Lumpinee Stadium. Hugely popular on the fighting circuit, American Muay Thai fans have been asking for Lion Fight to bring the devastating knockout artist to U.S. soil.

Dean “The Black Diamond” James (20-2-0), is a four-time champion in standup combat, holding rank as an ISKA Champion, two-time WMC Champion and IKF Commonwealth Champion. Fighting out of Birmingham, England, James is credited for going the distance with Rungravee Sasiprapa in their first fight (loss) and lauded for defeating the Thai legend via TKO in their second fight in March of this year. James’ powerful kicks, clinch and physical strength evenly matches against Sitmonchai’s speed and experience in the main event of LION FIGHT 17.

Fan favorite Malaipet, fighting out of Fresno, California, returns to the Lion Fight ring for a much-anticipated rematch with Philadelphia’s Justin Greskiewicz. “Malaipet vs. Greskiewicz 1” took place at LION FIGHT 6 (May 2012) with the former emerging victorious via unanimous decision. The pair squares off again at LION FIGHT 17 for a west vs. east co-main event attraction, meeting this time on Greskiewicz’s side of the U.S.

Also announced for the main televised card of LION FIGHT 17 is the Palestinian-born, now Philly-resident Rami Ibrahim vs. World Welterweight Muay Thai Champion Carlos Lopez, fighting out of Sterling, Va. The card also matches Victor Saravia, fighting out of Hollywood, Calif. with New Yorker Andy Singh, plus an east vs. east matchup between local Ludlow, Mass. fighter Victor Monfort vs. New York City’s Brett Hlavacek. Kicking off the first fight of the night is local Pedro Gonzalez, fighting out of Gloucester, Mass. vs. Philadelphia’s Tim Amorim.

LION FIGHT 15, the organization’s east coast premiere Friday, May 23, was a sold-out event. As a result, Lion Fight and Foxwoods Resort Casino agreed to a multi-fight deal for the remainder of 2014 and throughout 2015, enabling Lion Fight to present events every three to four weeks between west and east coast venues.

“Our first event with Lion Fight was such an unqualified success, that we wanted to build on that debut event with more great cards for the remainder of 2014 and throughout 2015,” said Felix Rappaport, Senior Vice President and COO, Foxwoods Resort Casino. “I give my thanks to Lion Fight and Tribal Council Chairman Rodney Butler and President and CEO Scott Butera for making this event a success. For sports fans that crave action, every amateur fight and every professional fight at Lion Fight’s first event on the East Coast was competitive and exciting. Fans of MMA and boxing alike should come to Foxwoods August for LION FIGHT 17. They won’t be disappointed.”