EVENT - Elite XC: ShoXC's Elite Challenger Series

On Friday, March 21st, Malaipet MTA will return to ShoXC's Elite Challenger Series to face his toughest opponent to date in Thomas "Wildman" Denny. Malaipet, the Thailand native, now fighting out of Upland, California has won his last three bouts. The popular, very charismatic Malaipet will be making his MMA main event debut in a fight that will headline a five-bout ShoXC telecast on SHOWTIME premium television that begins at 11pm ET/PT. Taking place at the Chumash Casino and Resort in Santa Ynez, California, it will be the fifth ShoXC Elite Challenger Series event.

In his debut for EliteXC's showcase for up-and-coming fighters "ShoXC", Malaipet showcased his amazing striking skills as he decimated the Hawaiian fighter Kaleo Kwan en route to winning a three-round standup war by unanimous decision back in October of 2007.

Malaipet, a Muay Thai Lumpinee champion, whose given name is Monkhon WiWasuk, was born in a jungle region of Thailand and grew up living in a wooden hut on his family's rice and potato farm with his mother, father, four brothers and sister. With no electricity, the family relied on their pet elephant for an alarm clock.

Malaipet's family was dealt a tragic blow when his mother passed away when he was only six years of age. The land and farm, which had come from his mother's side of the family, reverted back to that side of the family. Malaipet's father rented a smaller plot of land and began planting, but their standard of living reduced drastically.

To help earn money for their family, Malaipet began Muay Thai fighting. At the age of eight, he earned about a dollar to fight in a small Muay Thai show at a temple near his hometown of Gajapuri.

At the age of 11, he moved to Bangkok where he experienced modern civilization for the first time and immersed himself in Thai boxing. From the age of 12-15, he had no contact with his family. "I was homesick, hungry and cried a lot", Malaipet said. But he stuck with his aspirations to be a fighter, and the decision has paid off for him.

When Malaipet came to the US in 2001 he didn't speak any English, but quickly learned the language by reading childrens' books. He would go on to teach Muay Thai at Combative Arts Academy in Beverly Hills and currently teaches at Team Diamond martial arts in Upland. "I started watching MMA when I got to the US and liked what I saw," he said. "I am still learning but I think I have what it takes to make it in MMA."

Thomas Denny was born in Huntington Beach but fights out of Hesperia, California and has won three out of his last four fights. The 5' 10" former King of the Cage champion recently signed with EliteXC and has fought the likes of Joe Stevenson, Duane Ludwig, and Yves Edwards. A colorful fighter, known for his wild hair styles, Denny specializes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wresting, and Muay Thai kickboxing. Denny says "he likes to bring the pain, make his opponent suffer."

Look for Denny to attempt to take down Malaipet, something Kwan failed to do until the final round. "Malaipet is untested on the ground, and I'm going to test him," Denny said.

With a ten bout fight card (five televised on SHOWTIME and five non-televised), this fifth ShoXC event should be a good one.

- ShoXC FIGHT CARD -

Malaipet vs. Thomas Denny

Marlon Matias vs. Conor Huen

Cristiane Cyborg vs. Jennifer Case

Shane DelRosario vs. Analu Brash

Mark Oshiro vs. Chris Cariaso

- NON TELEVISED BOUTS -

Karen Darabedyn vs. TBA

Devin Howard vs. Mark Kempthorne

Amadeo Viola vs. Jason Williams

Luke Riddering vs. TBA
Kenny Johnson vs. TBA