WCK MuayThai results, October 23, 2021 at the Four Points by Sheraton

On Saturday, October 23, 2021, there was Dennis Warner and his trusty In Sync Productions Crew back at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in San Diego to present their latest offering, yet another thrilling WCK Muaythai Show. It has now been 30 years since Mr. Warner’s first show with many of his early prodigies going on to become International Stars with organizations like Glory Kickboxing, Strikeforce, Bellator and of course the UFC. As always a large crowd was on hand to cheer on their favorites who had come from near and far. One fighter came all the way from the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. Of course the majority came from all over the Golden State, from as far north as San Francisco and from Long Beach to Imperial Beach. 

Bout #1, an IKF AMATEUR WOMENS “MODIFIED” MUAY THAI match at 126 lbs. with 3-2 minute rounds featured the 17-year-old, Jade Picasso of Fontana, Calif., 2-0, 5’2″ tall, 126.6 lbs.,  just 17 years old, training with Joe Davidson. Her monumental task involved taking on the more experienced 24 year old Liav Cloughley of San Diego, CA, USA, 3-0, AMMA: 0-1, 5’4″ tall, who is being trained by Jhanex Alviz. For protection, the young ladies were asked to wear headgear along with shin guards.

The look of dread on the face of patrons sums up their concern for the 17-year-old’s safety.

With the majority of the offense coming from the older, more experienced Liav Cloughly (right), all three judges had no problem declaring her victorious over Jade Picasso (l).

                                                                           Later in the dressing room we see Coach Jhanex Alviz (c) and his Team Parusa                                                                                                                                                         celebrating with the victorious Liav Cloughly who now goes to 3-0.                                                                                                                                                                                      

Bout #2, an IKF AMATEUR “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI match at 147 lbs. with three 2 minute rounds had Sebastian Garcia of Spring Valley, 5’10” tall, 21-years-old, from the San Diego Combat Academy in Spring Valley where he trains with Tony Palafox, making his Muay Thai Debut against Jesse Langarica from The Yard Muay Thai in Los Angeles, Calif. The 5’7″ tall, 22-year-old Langarica appeared to have more experience and of course had to be benefitting from his training with Joe Schilling, the former Glory Kick Boxing Champion. In this match, the fighters wore headgear, shin pads plus they were allowed to strike their opponent with their elbows. As the match progressed it became evident Mr. Langarica was the more polished fighter and before long there was the veteran referee Dan Stell raising his arm in victory. That being said, some fans were scratching their heads when they heard the judges’ scores announced. Judge Cecil Peoples had Langarica winning 29-27, Judge Ruben Rowell Jr. had Langarica winning every round 30-27, and Judge Pongsan Cheunniran scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Langarica to indicate a much closer victory.

After discovering Mr. Langarica was a big fan of Nick Diaz, we just had to do some probing into his background. On Twitter we discovered Nick Diaz who is at present training for his upcoming MMA fight has been working out at Langarica’s gym and one of Mr. Langarica’s Twitter quotes stated: “We going to get him right for the comeback.” After Langarica’s dominating performance over Sebastian Garcia on Saturday night, there were additional remarks worth noting, like: “I just love to fight” Not that we’re in the business of predicting future champions, but you can bet we’ll be seeing a lot more of Mr. Langarica whether it be in the MMA or Muay Thai winner’s circle.

Bout 3, an IAMTF Women’s “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI Ranking Bout at featherweight (126 lbs.) featured the 31-year-old, 5’4″ tall Allison Ross (pre-fight record 0-1, Black Trunks) of San Diego who is being trained by Jesse Magnusen at The Boxing Club in La Jolla, Calif. In this match, Ross went down to defeat at the hands of the busier and more accurate, 26-year-old, 5’8″ tall Rachel Belmont (now 1-2) of San Diego. Belmont trains with Shaun Sheperd at his brand new facility on Mira Mesa Blvd. in Mira Mesa, San Diego, Calif. The ladies wore headgear, elbow & shin pads and the use of elbows was allowed.

Rachel Belmont (blue headgear) appeared to have an answer or counter for every one of Allison Ross‘ moves. Her three punch combinations plus high kicks to the head led to an impressive one-sided victory.

After her victory, Rachel Belmont shares her good fortune with her dedicated coaches from the newly opened Pacific Roots Muay Thai Gym in Mira Mesa. The smile on gym owner Shaun Sheperd’s face (r) sums up the team’s sentiments. Fellow coach Adrian Morilla is equally happy but appears more subdued in his praise.

Bout 4, an IKF AMATEUR “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI match at 168 lbs. with 3 x 2 minute rounds featured the lightning fast Julian Hicks of San Diego, Calif., the 6’1″ tall, 22-year-old who is trained by Carl Gebhardt at Steel MMA & Fitness in Tierrasanta, San Diego, Calif. Hicks was making his Muay Thai debut against Nicholes “Wally” Moses of Los Angeles, who was also making his debut. The 5’11” tall, 32-years-old Moses is trained by Joe Schilling at the The Yard Muay Thai in Los Angeles. For this contest, it was required that the men wear headgear, elbow & shin pads and during the contest they were allowed to use elbows. As it turns out, Moses, shown being attended to by the fight doctor after their battle took quite a beating from Hicks who was on target with most everything he threw to secure the TKO victory which came at o.49 of Round 2.

Bout #5, an IAMTF WOMEN’S Featherweight (126 lbs.) Ranking Bout employed “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI which had Megan Washam from San Francisco in the green trunks with gold trim coming away with a onesided victory over the over-matched Marianne Re from Las Vegas (right) who was wearing the black trunks with maroon trim. With her rather onesided victory, Washam moved up to 4-0 while Marianne Re (right) dropped to 1-5. The 5’8″ tall, 26-year-old Washam trains with the legendary Saekson Janjira while the 30-year-old, 5’5″ tall Re trains with Renzo Aspirra and Sean Concepcion.

After putting on an amazing no-letup performance, we see veteran Referee/Judge Dan Stell raising Megan Washam’s arm in victory. 

Bout #6, an IKF AMATEUR “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI bout at 130 lbs./3 x 2 minute rounds featured Dante Patron (left) of Spring Valley, Calif. (1-1), 5’8″ tall, 29-years-old, who trains at Switch Muay Thai taking on Rawand Mohammad of San Diego, record 2-3-1. The 24-year-old Mohammad stands 5’7″ tall and is trained by former Muay Thai standout John Vargas at his gym in National City. These young men wore headgear, elbow & shin pads with elbows being allowed. As expected their bout turned out to be a thriller and a tough one to score. In the end, it was Patron securing the victory after landing more of the lethal blows and kicks.

In Bout #7, an IKF AMATEUR “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI bout at 153.6 lbs./with 3 x 2 minute rounds they featured Brian Tyler (Chula Vista, Calif., record now 6-5, 5’10” tall who is trained by Jessie Magusen of The Boxing Club versus Eric Jung (Los Angeles, Calif., 8-7, Amateur Boxing 0-1, 5’11” tall, 28-years-old who is trained by Joe Schilling. These young men did not wear headgear or shin guards and elbows were allowed with elbow pads.

Bout #8. an IKF AMATEUR “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI bout at 135 lbs. was a 5 ROUND PROMOTIONAL TITLE bout featuring Dane Turney of San Diego, Calif., 5’9″ tall is trained by Carl Gebhardt at Steel MMA. His opponent was Jeremy Sanchez of Costa Mesa, Calif., 13-5, 5’10” tall, trained by Tyler Wombles at the Hyper Fight Club. These young men did not wear HEADGEAR, elbows were allowed, with elbow pads but no shin pads.

Bout #9 was an IKF AMATEUR “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI bout at 165 lbs. with 3 x 2 minute rounds featuring Perris Thompson of Imperial Beach, Calif. making his debut. He stands 5’11” tall, born 7-8-03, he is trained by Victor Beltran. His opponent was Wyatt Heihn of Costa Mesa, Calif. who was also making his debut. Heihn who is 6’2″ tall, and born on 10-24-01, is trained by Bryce Krause. Headgear, Elbow Pads & Shin Guards were worn. Elbows were allowed. 

Bout #10, an IKF AMATEUR “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI bout/180 lbs./3 x 2 minute rounds featured Dustin Lopez (El Cajon, Calif., record 1-0, 6’2″ tall, 25 years old, who is trained locally by James Gregory going up against the 5’9″ tall Edson Perez of Carlsbad, Calif., record 1-3, who is trained by Andy Scott.                               Headgear, Elbow Pads & Shin Guards were worn and elbows were allowed. 

Bout #11, an IKF AMATEUR “FULL RULES” MUAY THAI bout featured the 5’10” tall, 34-year-old Marcus Masahiro Morishige of San Diego by way of Hawaii who trains at that Pacific Roots Muay Thai gym in Mira Mesa. With his victory over the 5’8″ tall, 23-year-old Miguel Hernandez, now 0-1, Morishige goes to 2-0, while the 5’8″ tall, 23-year-old Hernandez, who trains with Jhanex Alviz, making his Muaythai Debut, goes to 0-1. 

         Headgear, Elbow Pads & Shin Guards worn. Elbows allowed

Bout #13, an IKF Amateur “Full Rules” Muay Thai bout featured the amazing comeback performed by the 22-year-old rookie Robert Cesena from Switch Muay Thai, Spring Valley. Here he is having his arm raised by referee Marc Reyes after being in, no doubt the come-from-behind “Bout of the Night.” 

After the drubbing the rookie Robert Cesena took in round one, you had to figure there was no one in their right mind who was thinking Cesena would be going the distance against the tough Jetrick-Jan Gelacio. The same Gelacio who trains with Jesse Magnusen at the San Diego Boxing Club in La Jolla. After that drubbing in round one, you had to figure the referee was keeping a close eye on this contest. Plus the talk in the crowd, “This one won’t last that long.” It was more likely the patrons were thinking, ‘When do you suppose his corner will be throwing in the towel?’ 

That old axiom of “a show’s promoter saves the best for last” might not be coming true on this night. After that first Round, you had to figure Gelacio, already ahead one round to none on the scorecards may have felt, ‘How can I possibly lose?’ The cheers from his backers: “You’re doing great! Keep doing what you’re doing!” By all accounts, there was Gelacio safely ahead one round to none. The “in-between-round message” from Gelacio’s corner was likely: “You got this sucker right where you want him.”

Au contraire, the then, more focused Cesena got up from his stool with a renewed sense of purpose or as if he had just learned someone he knew had placed a very large wager on him to win. He just couldn’t let his backers down. At that point, he just had to win this second round to have any chance. And within a very short time, it appeared he had done just that.

Entering the third and final round, the now smiling Cesena remained focus. “If I could win the second round than I know I can win this final round.” His opponent, Gelacio, was likely trying to figure out what was happening. “I did so well in that first round.” Had he forgotten? He was now caught up in this whirlwind of disbelief. The favorite had now become the doubter.

The above photo taken after Robert Cesena’s come from behind victory over Jetrick-Jan Gelacio (right) can’t possibly tell you the whole story. Suffice it to say, the forever smiling Mr. Cesena (left) just wouldn’t give up. He maintained his focus in this extremely tough, come from behind victory. And now, it’s likely Jetrick-Jan Gelacio won’t rest easy until some recompense has been made.

It was the way Robert Cesena won his match that had his coaches euphoric, gushing with                                                                                                                                                               pride. After opening their new gym only a short while ago, the owner Andy Murad (right)                                                                                                                                                             was once again fully invested with his illustrius staff and recalling what it’s like to be a winner.

Show after show, there’s always more than just a handful of these exciting Muay Thai bouts. WCK Muay Thai, which began in 1989 has now been thriving for 30 years to the point of becoming the oldest, continuously run martial arts program on the air in the US. For those of you who do watch WCK Muay Thai on Thursday night at home, let it be known this franchise has now developed quite a following each Thursday at 11 pm. & 12 am. (PST) on CHANNEL 693. Continued success!