AFL Rising Stars Event Results

AFL Muay Thai Promotions

July 15th, AFL’s Rising Stars event featured another night of action packed Muay Thai matches.

Following a sold out inaugural event in April, AFL made its way back. Familiar faces and new hungry talent stacked the card again at the Banquet Hall, in Long Island City.

Proving Grounds Alumni included Giovanni Petrillo, Phoebe Liang, and Jason Melendez. With Jason Melendez stopping his opponent with a highlight reel worthy finish in the opening round. Operations Director, Kit Yeung notes:

“The next day, you saw guys trying to land that kick in class; it doesn’t get better than that”

A crowd pleaser and a showman, we’re eager to see what the “Chef” has in store next.

Replays of selected fights can be found on AFL YouTube.

In the best way to summarize a great night of fights, the simple words from event sponsor Mirjana Sadeghi of Midtown Dental Design Group

“I love our Muay Thai Community”

Next event, AFL’s Act 3 will be September 30th. We are excited to bring another action packed event taking place at the 5-star Banquet Hall, in Long Island City. The event will be sanctioned by New York State Athletic Commission through GAMMA North America.

If you are interested in participating on our show or becoming a sponsor, please send an email to info@aflpromotions.com

Full Results below:

Sanjay Chaudhary, Sitan Gym defeats Giovanni Petrillo via Unanimous decision

Kurt Bell, Kings Willy B defeats Rob Padilla via Unanimous decision

Dillon Bray, Pharoah’s defeats Matt Boblet via Unanimous decision

David Sleziak, Renzo Gracie's defeats Rajonie Hammond via Unanimous decision

Jason Melendez, Bucctown MMA defeats Issac Kim via TKO

Phoebe Liang, Hinds Combat defeats Katrina Zacharias via Split Decision

Aaron Anane-Agyei, Pharoah’s defeats Cody Dunn

Katie Bergin , Lil Bomb Yes Boxing, defeats Taylor Bell via Unanimous decision

Javier Valera, Sitan Gym defeats Charles Rubino via Unanimous decision

Jesse Borogad, Diamond heart defeats Elmer Recinos

Brandon Drehers, Pharaohs defeats Zachary Brashear

Jason Melendez, Bucctown MMA

Photo: Jeffery Chu

Katie Bergin , Lil Bomb Yes Boxing, defeats Taylor Bell via Unanimous decision

Photo: Jeffery Chu

Giovanni “The Fox” Petrillo: This is what I want to do...I finally found ‘my thing’

Interview by: Chris DeFilippo

The 18 year old Muay Thai practitioner from Lodi, New Jersey has found his calling and wants to “take it all the way.”

AFL: Gio, you had a real back and forth fight at AFL: Proving grounds. What do you think about your performance?

Gio: I definitely think my fight was the most competitive. I understand the decision totally, but I think I was moving him back and controlling the ring. In the clinch I was taking some big shots so I understand, but I’m not mad at all about how the fight played out. The real takeaway for me was I had so much fun. I took a lot of big knees in that fight and I feel like that would have tested a lot of people, like are you going to quit or are you about this? I learned that this is what I want to do. I have what it takes to do it, for not quitting in that fight making the adjustments towards the end.

AFL: What adjustments would you make, if any, from your first fight?

Gio: I should have let my hands go a lot more. I need to be less nervous and more aggressive. Just relax and do what I do. But even though I lost the last one, I looked at my coaches after and told them I had the best time. All smiles.

AFL: Where do you think you are with your development as a fighter?

Gio: I think you have to work on everything at all times. When I like to throw, it’s what’s there. I definitely have my stuff that I like, but I’m not a one trick pony, if I see something’s open, I’m gonna throw that, and if I want to throw something that’s not open, I’m going to work on a way to create that opening so I can throw the shot I want.

AFL: Who are your favorite fighters?

Gio: My favorite fighter is Liam Harrison, I'm a little bit of a fanboy. Everytime I see him do a technique I’m like alright, I need to try that. I think you're definitely going to see Liam Harrison in me Friday night.

AFL: How would you describe your time so far with the AFL?

Gio: I'm really thankful for the AFL. They do a great job with keeping in touch with us and promoting us. I’ve seen other promotions, they are so disorganized and it stresses out fighters. The night of the first fight, even with the delay, the AFL was so professional. I just want to keep competing and hopefully one day, be one of the first AFL champs.

AFL: What are your thoughts leading up to AFL: Rising Stars?

Gio: I'm very excited, sometimes I can't sleep. It’s all I think about.

AFL: What did you learn about yourself in your first fight and where do you see yourself going forward?

Gio:I learned that this is what I want to do. I want to take it all the way. I'm one of those people who isn’t good at a lot of things. For a while, I was trying to find the thing that I was going to be good at. I guess I finally found my thing.

AFL: Most importantly - Favorite food, Movie, Book, Band?

Gio: Braciole, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Berserk by Kentaro Miura, System of a Down

“The Fox” makes his return this Friday, July 15, 2022, taking on Sanjay Chaudharyat at AFL: Rising Stars, live from the 5 Star Banquet Hall in Queens, New York. Tickets are selling out fast, follow the link HERE, and we can’t wait to see you this Friday night!

Interview by: Chris DeFilippo

Photo by: Jeff Chu

Former-Fighters step in to sponsor AFL July 15th Event

New York, New York: Pre-professional Muay Thai League, AFL’s “RISING STARS” taking place July 15th 2022. Tickets on Sales now.

The organization is proud to announce Eye D Vision and Midtown Dental Group as event sponsors for July 15th RISING STARS

In no surprise both sponsor proprietors train in Martial Arts and have formerly competed in Muay Thai themselves.

“We always talk about Muay Thai, and combat sports to be a community. Both Vincent Hui at Eye D Vision and Mirjana Sadeghi at Midtown Dental Group demonstrate how true that is

says CEO, Kit Yeung

Eye D Vision and Midtown Dental Group join the roster of corporate sponsors including returning contributors Aki Medical, RSNLT Fightwear and SouthPaw Stitches.

“This is what AFL is about. In the end we all want the sport, the fighters, to succeed. Martial Arts might be an individual pursuit, but whether it's your friends, coaches or your gym, we know it’s the people around you that keep you going”

- Managing Director, Justin Kwan

A message to all participants, contributors, and attendees. Thank you

Ft. our returning sponsor RSLNT (Promo Code: AFL for 15% OFF)