MMA
Irish challenger bids to dethrone Muay Thai king in blockbuster RWS title fight
Watch an historic night of Muay Thai live on DAZN
There are few moments more iconic in Irish combat sports than the night Conor McGregor knocked out José Aldo in 13 seconds to dethrone the seemingly untouchable UFC featherweight champion.
More than a decade later, another Irish fighter is preparing to challenge a dominant champion on one of combat sport's most revered stages.
On Friday night, Niall McGreevy heads to Bangkok's Rajadamnern Stadium with the chance to become the first Irish fighter ever to win a Rajadamnern Stadium championship. Standing in his way is reigning welterweight king Tapaokaew, who is chasing a piece of RWS Muay Thai history of his own.
Victory for Tapaokaew would see him become the first fighter in more than 60 years to record four consecutive successful Rajadamnern Stadium welterweight title defences, breaking a record held by Muay Thai legend Apidej Sit-Hirun. A win for McGreevy, meanwhile, would crown the first Irish Rajadamnern Stadium champion and deliver one of the biggest achievements in the country's Muay Thai history.
With history awaiting both men, Friday night's RWS main event is far more than a world title fight.
A title fight with history on both sides
The stakes could scarcely be higher.
Tapaokaew enters Friday night's main event looking to make the fourth successful defence of his Rajadamnern Stadium Welterweight Championship.
Should he have his hand raised once again, the Thai star will become the fighter with the most consecutive successful welterweight title defences in Rajadamnern Stadium history, surpassing a record set more than 60 years ago by legendary Muay Thai icon Apidej Sit-Hirun.
Across the ring, however, stands a challenger with his own place in the history books within touching distance.
Victory for McGreevy would make him the first Irish fighter ever to capture the prestigious Rajadamnern Stadium championship belt — a landmark achievement not only for the 29-year-old, but for Irish Muay Thai as a whole.
Whatever happens in Bangkok, history will be made.
Who is Niall McGreevy?
McGreevy arrives in Thailand in the finest form of his career.
Since making his RWS debut last year, the Irishman has won all three of his fights inside the promotion, while suffering just one defeat across his last 16 bouts overall.
His credentials extend beyond RWS, too.
McGreevy currently holds the WBC Muaythai World Welterweight Championship, underlining why many believe he has all the tools needed to dethrone one of the sport's most dominant champions.
Physically, he presents a challenge unlike any Tapaokaew has faced before.
Standing 189cm tall, McGreevy will be the tallest opponent of the champion's career, bringing a height and reach advantage that could prove crucial over five rounds.
Who is Tapaokaew?
If McGreevy is the rising challenger, Tapaokaew is the established king.
The champion has won nine of his 10 RWS contests and enters Friday night's defence riding a four-fight winning streak.
His relentless pressure has become one of the defining features of the welterweight division.
In fact, no fighter has landed more knees in RWS welterweight competition, with Tapaokaew accumulating an astonishing total of 740 throughout his time in the promotion.
Friday night's bout therefore represents more than another title defence.
It is an opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the greatest welterweights ever to compete inside Rajadamnern Stadium.
A stacked RWS card
While the main event understandably dominates the headlines, Friday's card offers plenty more international talent.
Irish interest begins earlier in the evening when Tadhg Gannon takes on Changsuek Petchyindee Academy, while Morocco's Hamza Sabri faces Pheuthai Siriluck Muay Thai.
Kirill Khomutov meets Erdem Dincer in another intriguing contest before Scotland's Rhona Walker takes on Rungratree Rongrean Ratchawinit Bangkaew in the final bout of the evening.
Fight time and how to watch RWS live on DAZN
RWS takes place on Friday, July 11, from the iconic Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fans globally can catch all the action from the thrilling night of Muay Thai live and for free on DAZN (excluding Indonesia, Russia and Thailand.
To watch:
- Download the DAZN app or visit DAZN.com.
- Sign in or create a DAZN account.
- Select RWS from the live schedule.
- Enjoy one of the biggest nights on the Muay Thai calendar live and on demand.
DAZN is available across smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles and web browsers, making it easy to watch wherever you are.
