The United States Muaythai Federation wishes two of our IFMA Gold Medalists, Bekah Irwin and Aaron Ortiz, the best of luck as they compete for WMC Titles at Muaythai Night Expo 2020 Dubai this Saturday in Dubai, UAE.
Irwin, a youth Muaythai prodigy hailing from Heritage Muay Thai in Texas, is a three-time Gold Medalist at the IFMA Youth World Tournament. Ortiz, an established fighter from Team Link Muay Thai in Massachusett, has been on a competitive tear the last year and most recently won Gold in the B-Class Division at the 2021 IFMA Tournament in Bangkok.
This is a prestigious opportunity for our athletes because the World Muaythai Council (WMC) is one of the oldest and largest professional Muaythai sanctioning organizations in the world. By a parliamentary decision, the organization was established in 1995, is incorporated by the Royal Thai Government, and is sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand, which is part of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism (Thailand). The Council is in charge of supervising Muaythai’s global expansion, including promoting Muaythai as a sport for young people and sportsmen.
With the support of the World Muaythai Council (WMC), the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), and the UAE Muaythai and Kickboxing Federation, the Muaythai Night Expo 2020 Dubai will take place on the 26th of February where competitors from around the world will battle. This world-class event will feature 12 fights featuring 20 fighters from 15 different international countries, with 5 title fights taking place on the Expo Dubai grounds.
Ortiz, who is making his professional debut, says, “Going from an 11-year-old kid walking into Team Link Muay Thai to now being 23 and fighting for a professional world title is incredible. I can’t wait to show the world what I’ve got!”
His USA Muaythai teammate Irwin, who was also 3-0 in GLORY Kickboxing and an active competitor in Thailand, agrees that this is a significant bout. She says, “Getting this belt is very important to me. I feel prepared, and I can’t wait to bring it home with me.”
Both Irwin and Ortiz will also compete again soon in a few weeks, at the USA Muaythai 2022 World Games Qualifier. They will compete for a spot to represent the United States at the prestigious World Games, which will be held later this year in Alabama against the world’s best athletes. Viewers can tune in this weekend via the UAM App for live-streaming of the Muaythai Night Expo.