Fabrice Delannon takes Home the Silver Belt!

Becoming a champion is no easy work but Fabrice Delannon is well on his way to becoming a two time gold belt champion. Last night on the Max Muay Thai Ultimate show Delannon became the fourth gold belt challenger as he took home the silver belt.

Delannon, from Guina, had previously beat out several notable opponents including Max Muay Thai fan favorite, Luke Bar, to take the 65 kg Gold Belt tournament last year.

Now Delannon has moved up in weight and is looking to take the 68kg Gold belt. Delannon beat out Abdoul Toure in the first qualifying bout for the silver belt. Toure was no easy mark and has a lot of international experience. Toure has taken on the likes of Buakaw Banchamek, international Muay Thai superstar, and specifically flew out from his home country of Mali to battle Delannon.

Moving up in weight wasn’t a big challenge for Delannon though. “Abdoul was a bit taller,” he said. “But it wasn’t a big difference in terms of power.”

Of course that didn’t stop Delannon from becoming fatigued after his first bout that went to decision. “I’m tired,” he said immediately after the bout. Delannon then proceeded to have an ice bath and to rehydrate with sports drinks.

The final of the silver belt tournament saw Delannon take on Numkabuan Kiatnavy. Kiatnavy looked strong in the first two rounds but Delannon made a dramatic turn around when he pierced into Kiatnavy with a long knee. The devastating blow had Kiatnavy down on the canvass convulsing in pain.

“The first fight I didn’t warm up and felt slow,” Delannon said. “Fights are never easy and these tournaments even harder.”

It wasn’t hard for the new silver belt champion to pay his respects though. Delannon immediately showed his respect to his fallen opponent and backstage it was all friends afterwards.

This was especially evident when Jaowayha Sitnayoktang came back to congratulate his future opponent. Jaowayha took the silver belt just two months ago after a close points decision win over Kriss Axelsson from Sweden.

Make sure to stay tuned in for the upcoming Gold Belt challenge in August!