Muay Thai: Hollenbeck to Fight Holst in Lion Fight 30 Main Event

Las Vegas-based muay Thai promotion Lion Fight is pulling out all the stops with Lion Fight 30 which goes down July 8 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Headlining the marquee will be a middleweight showdown between two elite fighters, with the winner nabbing the number-one contender spot for the promotion’s championship. American Ky Hollenbeck will take on Mark “Boots” Holst in the featured bout to determine who will get a chance at current champ Yodsanklai Fairtex, who is enjoying an impressive 21-fight winning streak.

Hollenbeck (33-3-1) is fresh off a second-round stoppage of Justin Greskiewicz at Lion Fight 28. Canada’s Holst, meanwhile, is a veteran of both muay Thai and MMA, having already fought for the UFC, though he lost to Paul Sass and John Gunderson in his only Octagon appearances.

Lion Fight also announced Monday that the co-main event will see newly-crowned lightweight champion Sergio Wielzen defending his crown against Paul Barber. Wielzen (41-9-2) captured the title by conquering Ognjen Topic at Lion Fight 28 and Barber (17-2) will appear inside the Lion Fight ring courtesy of the promotion’s partnership with England’s Muay Thai Grand Prix.

Finally, another title will be up for grabs as Antonina Shevchenko (36-1) will take on Annabelle Gely (16-2-1) for the vacant women’s lightweight crown.

Lion Fight 30’s main card will be rounded out by a welterweight bout between Nick Chasteen and Eddie Martinez; Amine Ballafrikh will oppose Kaichon Pongthong at featherweight; and Isaac Tijerma will square off against Yeison Berdugo, also at featherweight.

Lion Fight 30 will be televised live on AXS TV starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.