The UTMA promotion is set to crown another Muay Thai champion this April. In a highly anticipated 63.5 kg title bout, two international specialists will go head-to-head: Ahavat Gordon, representing Israel, and Saksri Superlek, arriving from Thailand.
This matchup adds another championship layer to the UTMA 18 card, which takes place on April 18 at the Žalgiris Arena in Kaunas. The event will be headlined by a 95 kg kickboxing showdown between Sergejus Maslobojevas and Ignas Pauliukevičius.
Ahavat Gordon is no stranger to the Lithuanian audience, having consistently impressed fans and drawing significant support from his dedicated Israeli following. Gordon made his UTMA debut last year at UTMA 15, where he secured a dominant stoppage victory over Nauris Bartoška.
The 19 year old muay thai specialist returned to Kaunas earlier this year for UTMA 17, once again finishing his opponent, Turkey’s Ali Koyuncu, before the final bell. Following the success of his previous appearances, Gordon will once again compete under Muay Thai rules wearing MMA gloves at UTMA 18.
However, this title fight represents the toughest challenge of Gordon’s UTMA career to date. He will face 25-year-old Saksri, a protégé of the legendary Muay Thai fighter Superlek. Training out of the renowned “MC Superlek Muay Thai” gym, Saksri brings a wealth of experience to the ring. He is a multi-time stadium champion in Thailand and holds a 1-1 record in the world-renowned ONE Championship promotion.
Both fighters share similar physical statures and compete in the same weight class. Gordon himself has acknowledged in several interviews that Saksri could be the most formidable opponent he has ever faced.
UTMA 18 will also feature another high-stakes title bout: the inaugural 67 kg Muay Thai championship defense. Defending champion Vitas Karosas will look to retain his belt against the challenging Turkish striker Cengiz Lale.
In total, the UTMA 18 event will showcase three five-round battles, two of which are for championship titles.
Tickets are selling fast at kakava.lt, and the live PPV broadcast will be available for purchase at UTMA.lt.
