The first Shin Do Kumaté Bouts Were held at the Pinellas Expo Center in Saint Petersburg Florida on Saturday, 7/20/02. This was the first Professional Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts event that the Florida State Boxing Commission (http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/profiles/4045/) has ever sanctioned outside of boxing show in Florida history. So Master Mehrdad and Shin Do Kumaté and his vision for Muay Thai was to be the first to get this on the map.

The Shin Do Kumaté' Bouts were created by Master Mehrdad Khan Moayedi, the founder, creator, & owner of the World Shin Do Kumaté Association” (http://www.mastermehrdad.com). Also based out of Saint Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida, this exclusive Martial Arts Dojang was established in 1992.

Master Moayedi is originally from Persia. He is President of Kong Shin Bup Hapkido and a Disciple of Tae Keuk Do Grand Master Inn Shuk Pak as a 6th Dan Black Belt. He is also a 4th generation of Persian Kushti Kaj (self-defense and grappling art) from Sari, Iran.

Master Moayedi has devoted 40 years of study and active participation in these traditional martial art systems. In addition, he is an active fighter in full contact fights. He has been selected three times for the K1 competition.

1. The night started with an amateur fight between Amanda Calderon from Miami, Fl and Dawn Montague from Bradenton, FL. Amanda is 14 years old and has 10 years experience in American Kenpo & Goju Ryu as a junior Black Belt. She has been a student of Master Mehrdad’s for just under one year and specializes in Shaolin Kung Fu. She fought at 5’2, 128 lbs. Her record includes 1996, 1997, and 1998 FBBA State Champion for her fighting division.

Dawn who comes to the ring from Hollobaugh Karate in Bradenton, Fl is 25 years of age, 5’3, 122 lbs and has been training in Kickboxing for approximately 7 months with an amateur record of 1-0-1. She is a mother of one.

The first two rounds of this fight were dominated by Calderon who knocked Montague down 3 times with straight kicks to the chest. Montague however came on strong in the third round with several quick combinations which brought the final score to a draw.

2. The second match of the evening was between Larry Jarrett and Travis Crawford. Mr. Jarrett is 30 years old and came to the Kumaté from the Mike Hollobaugh Thai Boxing School in Bradenton, FL. He weighed in at 160 lbs, 5’10, with a record of 39-9.

His opponent, Travis Crawford, came to the Kumaté from Bob Robare’s Diamond Dutchman Muay Thai gym in Orlando, FL. He fought at 6’, 163lbs, and 28 years of age.

This was a fast moving bout with both fighters landing many kicks and punches. Jarret however was the more aggressive fighter and demonstrated excellent blocking techniques. These skills were what resulted in Jarrett’s the win by decision.

3. The third bout featured James Routson against Michael Shoffener. Rouston, also from Bob Robare’s Diamond Dutchman Muay Thai gym in Orlando Florida fought at 173 lbs. His record is 2 wins and one loss – both wins from KO’s. Shoeffener, who drove to Florida from his home in Mexico for the fight weighed in at 180 lbs. His record is 2-1 and he has fought in Tiger’s World of Martial Arts under Amateur Muay Thai rules. He specializes in Thai Boxing/Shoot Fighting.

Shoffener came out aggressively and was working Rouston over well, although Rouston blocked most of the incoming blows and kicks. When Shoffener started to get slightly winded, Routson took advantage and delivered 6 devastating knees to Softener’s head, the first one opening a 3-inch gash on his forehead that ultimately ended the fight with a technical knockout in the first round.

4. The fourth bout was between Joel Collins verses Eric “The Hurricane” Marshall. Collins is from Las Vegas, NE. and is 145 lbs and 19 years old. He holds a Blue Sash in Shaolin Kung Fu from the World Shin Do Kumaté' Association under Master Moayedi, and has fought in Tiger’s World of Martial Arts under Amateur Muay Thai rules. Marshall came to the fight from Bradenton, Florida, where he trains under Master Mike Hollobaugh’s school.

Both fighters were very aggressive in the first round of this fight, with Collins delivering the more powerful and effective hits. Two minutes into the round however, Marshall delivered a strong left hook which rocked Collins back, causing him to twist his foot – breaking it and damaging one of his tendons to give Marshall the win by TKO.

5. The fifth and most exciting bout of the evening was between Kedric Umaa and Dekin “The Dragon”. Kedric fights out of Miami Florida where he trains at the Unified Martial Arts Academy under Dwight Woods, specializing in Thai Kickboxing. In his three years of experience he has amassed a record of 4-1-0. He weighed in at 170 Lbs.

Dekin holds a green belt in Hapkido from Master Mehrdad’s Shin Do Kumaté Association in Saint Petersburg, Fl. He fought at 28 years of age and 175 Lbs.

Although this was Dekin’s first professional fight, he was by far the most challenging opponent of the evening. His natural abilities showed against Umaa’s much more experienced style. While Umaa was able to land several knees to Dekin’s face, Dekin countered several of Umaa’s kicks with takedowns. Umaa showed visible frustration with Dekin’s abilities and resorted to verbal taunts for which the judge warned him to stop.

This bout went the full four rounds, with the close decision going to Umaa.

6. The sixth and final round was between Stefan ButinBik and Kirk Bovell. ButinBik is from Holland and fought at 135 Lbs and 32 years of age. His record was 2-1 with his last fight being an under card match in Dan Severin’s “Caged Combat” fight. He trained at Maeng Ho gym in Breda Holland in Maui Thai. His amateur record was an impressive 61 wins, 7 losses. Bovell came from Barbados to fight at 138Lbs and 24 years old. His training experience is 7 years in Muay Thai, 3 years in Jun Fan Gung Fu Fighting, with an amateur record 6W-2L-1D, 2 TKO's and a professional record of 2W-0L-0D both wins by TKO.

This fight was very evenly matched with both fighters landing many kicks and blows. ButinBik landed a pounding spinning back kick to Bovell’s midsection in the first round to set the pace for the remainder of the fight. Bovell returned the favor with several hard roundhouse punches landing to ButinBik head.

Although Bovell won the fight by a decision after four rounds, ButinBik was able to raise a massive welt on Bovell’s left thigh that would have taken a lesser man out of the ring.