Two of the world’s best female warriors will square off for the prestigious Female WMC World Title belt for the first time in the Middle East at Lebanon’s biggest show, Phoenix 2.
Muay Thai World, European and Swedish Champion Isa Tidblad Keskikangas from Sweden will face Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Antonina Shevchenko from Kyrgystan when the two fly to Beirut this April.
As an amateur, Antonina has fought more than 300 times between Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Boxing, and Sanda. Recognized as Master of Sport in Muay Thai and Taekwondo, Antonina is a 7-time Muay Thai champ and 3 times World IFMA Muay Thai Champion with a 38-1 kickboxing/Muay Thai record. For the few who don’t know, Antonina is sister to World Champion fighter Valentina Shevchenko, top ranked fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s premier women’s division. The two Shevchenko’s are super close, and they’ve trained together since they were little kids. To this day, Valentina always credits her older sibling, Antonina, at the end of each of her fights.
Her opponent, Isa Tidblad Keskikangas is probably one of the biggest female Muay Thai standouts in Europe. The 26 year old is reigning IFMA European Muay Thai Champion and and IFMA World Muay Thai Champion (75Kg). Keskikangas also earned silver at the IFMA Muay Thai Royal World Cup (67kg) before suffering an elbow cut that cost here the fight. The Swede will be definitely looking to rebound from her loss and claim the Female WMC World Title belt when she faces Shevchenko in Beirut.
Phoenix 2 takes place Saturday, April 29 at Nouhad Nawfal Stadium in Zouk, Lebanon. The first Phoenix event was aired on LBCI TV channel, but the broadcast partner for Phoenix 2 has not been officially confirmed.
The night will be topped by a momentous display when one of the best ever Muay Thai fighters in the world today and “living legend” Saenchai faces French/Moroccan smashing machine Azize Hlali.
Stay tuned to ArabsMMA.com as we bring you the latest and unique coverage for this second installment of Phoenix Championship.
