Morgan Bennett Wins A class debut…
On Saturday June 15th 2024 Morgan Bennett made her A class debut, at 53kgs Muay Thai rules, against Rita Garbryte on the inaugural Leapfrog Fight Night event at Venue360 Arena in Luton.
Garbryte has a wealth of experience coming into this match up with a record of 12-8 compared to Bennetts 5-1. A real youth vs experience contest.
Both fighters waisted no time at all bringing the action from the first bell. Exchanging punches, clinching and both landing knees. Garbryte looked strong forcing Bennett into the corner where they were separated by the referee. After another punching exchange they again clinched and Garbryte again seemed to get the better of the clinch exchange looking strong. Towards the end of the first round Bennett started to land with her boxing and a couple of good elbows too for good measure. With non stop action from both women in the back end of the round both willing to take shots to land them and this fight was heating up nicely. Gabryte finished the round strong.
Round 2, again, both women came out ready to go! The solid punching exchanges continuing, this time Bennet throwing more kicks to set up her hands. Garbryte marched forward for the clinch and, again, managed to force Bennett into the corner where she landed some knees before and aggressive turn and sweep. Bennett was straight up and again fired off kicks and punches before Garbryte clinched and swept her once more, looking physically strong. More punches exchanged before they clinched up again, this Tim Bennett looked stronger, managing two turn her opponent and find a home for some well placed knees of her own. The round ended with another great flurry of punches from both fighters. Bennetts jab was starting to look strong toward the end of round 2.
Round 3, Bennett came out in the third and visibly took it up a gear, mixing up her kicks and punches, walking forward and looking more aggressive. There was a sense of a momentum shift and Bennett starting to grow into this fight now. Comanding the centre of the ring more, snapping Garbrytes head back with her pucnhing combos. When Garbryte clinched this time Bennett looked much stronger and dealt with it well, finding her way out and again delivering more well timed shots, that looked to have more impact in this round. Garbryte starting to look slightly more tired now as Bennett was able to catch her kicks and fire back shots of her own. Bennett now really starting to mix up her attacks and the sound she was looking much stronger in the clinch. This round, again, ending with both women firing of punches.
Round 4, these two warriors immendaitley picked up where they left off standing toe to toe in the centre of the ring and throwing down! Bennett looking as though she was starting to emerge as the slightly stronger of the two now, her conditioning was evident and she was marching forward in true Jai Dee style. Bennett now really starting to deal with the clinch, and fire off her own knees as well continuing to pepper her opponent with strong boxing combinations on the breaks. there was absolutely no Sogn of this fight slowing down and pace was full on from the very first bell! Both women continuing to use all of their tools and put together great combos. The signs of this absolute non stop war were starting to show on both fighters faces, Bennett with a bloody nose and Garbrytes face visibly swollen.
Round 5, Bennett came out throwing high volume and great combos of kicks and punches landing with authority. After being operated from the clinch the fighters immediately took the centre of the ring and started to go toe to toe again, both women landing some heavy shots. Bennet having much more success in the clinch now in these later rounds and not looking overpowered anymore. In the final minute Bennett still marching forward landing her punches, the time in the clinch she looked dominant driving home several knees that looked to hurt Gabryte now. with just 30 secs left Gabryte caught a kick and swept Bennet nicely, she jumped straight up and and continued working. Just when you thought there couldnt be any more action both women finished with a flurry of kicks and punches taking it right to the final bell.
WHAT a fight! An absolute war, and a fantastic display of Muay Thai from both women showing the full range of skills a Muay Thai fighter should.
After 5 non stop rounds of action Morgan Bennett wins by decision, This was an absolute war and huge credit goes to both fighters.
Congratulations Morgan! We are so proud of you and your performance. First A class fight, a great performance, and fantastic win.
On the same card, at Leapfrog Fight Night 1, Jai Dee were also represented by Darek Ziomek and Megan Judkins.
Darek took on Luke Horton in this super featherweight pro am contest.
Ziomek came forward first putting pressure on Horton in the initial exchanges before being swept by Horton. Both fighters landing a few shots and Ziomek mixing up his leg and body kicks well. Horton seemed to be looking to load his shots trying to land something big. Then with just 16 secs left in the first round Horton landed a huge left head kick dropping Ziomek. This looked like it might be over but Zimoek managed to get back up just in time to hear the bell.
Round 2, Horton charged out trowing punches trying to capitalise on his knock down at the ned of the previous round. Ziomek weathered the initial storm and managed to land some knees and nice elbows in the clinch before the ref separated them. Again Horton came forward, piling on the pressure, swinging some big shots, before a beautifully timed low kick from Zimoek dropped him. Straight back up Horton once again engaged with big punches, but Zimonek fired back with four brutal low leg kicks, dropping Horton who was visibly hurt, and making it impossible for him to stand or carry on, giving the victory to Ziomek.
Darek put in a great performance and showed great heart to come back from being dropped at the end of the 1st round and stopping his opponent in the 2nd.
Great work Darek, and congratulations on a strong stoppage!
Megan Judkins took on Rosie Hernandez in this flyweight N class fight with elbows
This was a close run fight, but after three rounds of back and forth involving lots of clinching Hernandez took the decision.
Commiserations to Megan who took this fight at just 3 weeks notice after coming back from a serious injury and surgery. What a warrior! On to the next one Megan, we look forward to seeing you go again with a full fight camp.