Fighter's from Courtenay's Knockout Martial Arts and Fitness went 3-0 at Hurricane Fight League 5 in Victoria on Jan. 28.
“Although we were away from, home it didn't feel like it as we had over 40 supporters there to cheer us on,” said Scott Judson, one of the gym's owners and member of Team Knockout.
Judson took on Courtenay's Bronson Petterson, now fighting out of Campbell River. Judson used heavy kicks to Petterson's leg and head to do damage in this fight.
Only 10 seconds into the first round, Judson landed a vicious head kick which sent his opponent to the canvas. Peterson kept going though, only to be staggered by another head kick later in the round. Judson took a good hit in the second round, resulting in a good size cut above his left eye, but the doctor let the fight continue. In the end, Judson won by majority decision.
In an exciting women's Muay Thai match, Knockout Fighter Shelley Strachan took on Susanne Douma of Victoria's Island MMA. Using a variety of kicks to the leg, body and head, Strachan punished her opponent.
In the third round, Strachan landed a rare and exciting spinning hook kick to her opponent's face. After three rounds the fight went to the judges score cards, giving Strachan the win by unanimous decision. “It was a very convincing win for Miss Shelley," said Judson.
In his first fight, Knockout's Nick Waite, 16, took on Cody Sahlstrom, 20, also fighting out of Island MMA.
“Waite was not intimidated at all,” said Judson. “He came out aggressive from the start. It was too much for Sahlstrom to handle, and that continued for three rounds.”
In the third round, Waite poured on strong punch combinations and the referee ended the fight, giving Sahlstrom a standing eight-count. The decision went to the judges scorecards, and Waite won by unanimous decision.
"What a great night for Team Knockout.” Judson said. “From fighters to trainers to supporters, we are a Muay Thai family."
– Knockout Martial Arts and Fitness