A couple of years ago a Muay Thai tournament was held in Thailand titled the “Five Star Fried Chicken Tournament”. Now to people with no knowledge of Muay Thai, the name of the tournament sounds like an event where Paula Deen would be an “expert” judge. However, the tournament was in fact a fighting tournament and not a fried chicken eating challenge where Adam Richman tried to exact his dominance over deep fried poultry. I bring this up because I have always found it humorous that the Muay Thai scene in Thailand always integrates their sponsor brand into just about everything, whether it be logos on shorts, names of tournaments, or even going as far as having your sponsor name as part of your ring name.
Consider this years participant in the 22nd Isuzu Cup, Noppakrit Namplatrahoymuk. His fighting surname translates into Hoy Muk Fish Sauce, which just reaches all sorts of new levels of awesomeness. Also in this years lineup is Petchasawin Seatransferry…which is far more self explanatory. Either way, I really feel that the UFC should follow suit and have their fighters take on surnames representative of their sponsors. I think all sorts of hilarity would ensue and would serve to bring in an entirely new era of sponsorship opportunities for the UFC. Imagine tuning into Fox Sports (The UFC and FOX just struck a deal making FOX and FX the new home of the UFC on TV) and watching UFC promos advertising that BJ Condomdepot was now set to face off with Grey AmbienCR for the UFC lightweight title or that Georges Rushfit was going to square off with Nick HighTimes.com for the UFC welterweight title. I really think the UFC is missing out on further investment from potential sponsors.
Anyway, the point of this entire diatribe is to announce that on August 27th, the 22nd Isuzu Tournament Cup begins in Thailand. The tournament is composed of 8 fighters in the 145-147 lb. weight class who will be divided into two groups. The winner of the tournament will receive the Isuzu Cup title belt, an Isuzu D-Max Spark Super Titanium car valued at 484,500 baht (aprox. $16,255 US), a 100,000 baht (aprox. 3,355 US) cash prize, and a spot in the 2012 Thai Fight Tournament lineup. The first runner up will receive a 500,000 baht cash prize (aprox. $16,775 US), the second runner up will receive a 300,000 baht cash prize (aprox. $10,000 US), and the fighter coming in 4th place will receive a 200,000 baht cash prize (aprox. $6,700 US).
The 2 groups for the Isuzu Cup Tournament are as follows:
Group A
Noppakrit Namplatrahoymuk
Singhmanee Kaewsamrit
Ikuysang K. Rungthannakiat
Samranchai 96 Peenang
Group B
Saksurint Kafaesai
Saenchainoi Pumphanmuang
Superbon Lookjaomaasaewaree
Petchasawin Seatransferry
The first fight of the tournament will take place on August 27th and will be
Ikuysang K. Rungthannakiat vs. Noppakrit Namplatrahoymuk
Also, the August 27th card will be the highly anticipated rubber match between Kem Sitsongpeenong and Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee. Many fans have been waiting for this match after Sudsakorn’s upset win over Kem which tied the fighters at one win a piece. This match up will decide the rivalry once and for all.
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