History in Nebraska: Dynasty Combat Sports’ Ring Rivals Brings the State’s First Sanctioned Muay Thai Event — Live Friday on MMA Futures

Date: Friday, Sept. 19 • Venue: Liberty First Credit Union Arena (Ralston, NE) • Start: 6:30 PM CT

Nebraska is about to check a new box in combat sports. This Friday, Dynasty Combat Sports presents Ring Rivals—the first sanctioned Muay Thai event in Nebraska—streaming live and exclusively on MMA Futures (replay included, Roku supported). It’s a milestone night that blends Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Bare Knuckle Boxing, and Boxing into one card, signaling just how fast the sport is expanding across the state.

Why this night matters

For years, Nebraska fans have shown up for big moments—none bigger than local legend Terence “Bud” Crawford putting Omaha on boxing’s world map and inspiring a new generation to lace up. Ring Rivals builds on that momentum: adding fully sanctioned Muay Thai to the mix and giving homegrown athletes another path to develop, compete, and shine in front of their community.

Fighters and coaches across the state have been asking for this stage. As veteran striker Danny Lightner put it while ramping up for this card, he focused on disciplined, technical work and was “ecstatic to be fighting on the first sanctioned Muay Thai event in Nebraska.” That excitement runs through the entire lineup.

Main Event: Thien Truong vs. Willie “The RainMaker” Henderson III (Muay Thai)

A perfect showcase for the new era. Thien Truong brings forward pressure and power—“pretty heavy hands… most of my wins are knockouts… mostly boxing-oriented when it’s time to fight.” Across from him, 2023 USA IKF Welterweight champion Willie Henderson III blends Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Karate, and Soviet boxing with a simple goal: hit without being hit. It’s pressure vs. precision with bragging rights on a historic Nebraska night.

Featured Bouts & Nebraska Storylines

• Pro Boxing: Melanie Timko (3–0) continues a late-career surge after 20+ amateur fights, meeting Laddy Mejia. Timko’s Omaha roots and steady climb embody the state’s blue-collar fight scene.
• Bare Knuckle Boxing: Ashton Caniglia vs. Michael “The American Hillbilly” Eddlemon (pro debut). Expect grit and pace—exactly what Nebraska crowds love.
• Muay Thai Returns: Mason Teeters vs. David Stephenson. Teeters honors the teachings of the late Kurt Podany; his comeback reflects the community’s deep coaching lineage.
• Kickboxing: Rudy Longoria vs. Tye Merrill. Longoria started Taekwondo at age 3 and recently earned his 6th-degree black belt; Friday is a showcase of lifelong dedication meeting a bigger stage.
• Technical Clinic: Danny Lightner vs. Alex DuBray Jr. — Lightner’s composed, low-kick-heavy Muay Thai vs. DuBray’s evolving striker’s toolkit.
• Coaching Tree on Display: Cormac Doyle (Team Doyle coach; southpaw, elbow-friendly Muay Thai) vs. Ben Bohling (late-start grinder bringing dad-strength and determination).

Nebraska’s next chapter in four beats

1. Sanctioned Muay Thai arrives: new rule set, new opportunities, same Nebraska toughness.
2. Multiple disciplines, one stage: Boxing, Kickboxing, BKB, and Muay Thai under a single banner accelerates development for local fighters.
3. From Bud to the next wave: Crawford’s success normalized big-fight nights here. Now, more athletes and gyms see a path—without leaving home.
4. Platform power: Streaming on MMA Futures means fighters get seen, fans get access, and the scene keeps growing.

How to Watch

Catch Ring Rivals live on MMA Futures. A single $20/month subscription gets you Friday’s entire card, Ascendancy FC on Saturday, plus our on-demand library. Stream on web, mobile, or the MMA Futures Roku channel. Cancel anytime.

Subscribe & Watch Friday

Projected Card (Subject to Change)

• MUAY THAI (Main): Thien Truong vs. Willie Henderson III
• PRO BOXING: Melanie Timko vs. Laddy Mejia
• BARE KNUCKLE BOXING: Ashton Caniglia vs. Michael Eddlemon
• BOXING: Jesus Munoz vs. Lloyd Chase II
• MUAY THAI: Mason Teeters vs. David Stephenson
• KICKBOXING: Rudy Longoria vs. Tye Merrill
• MUAY THAI: Danny Lightner vs. Alex DuBray Jr.
• KICKBOXING: Deion Meyer vs. Nicholas Bilancini
• MUAY THAI: Amir Rasulov vs. Arturo Zapata
• MUAY THAI: Dalton Ariza vs. Kafele Mensah
• KICKBOXING: Titus Humbert vs. Josh Shea
• MUAY THAI: Noah Clark vs. Caleb Schaller
• MUAY THAI: Jenna Cunningham vs. Yesenia Turcios
• MUAY THAI: Caleb Carter vs. Jacob Mass
• MUAY THAI: Lukas Wood vs. Trey McDougald
• MUAY THAI: Cormac Doyle vs. Ben Bohling

About MMA Futures

MMA Futures is a digital media company and combat-sports platform dedicated to discovering and showcasing the next generation of fighters through professional production, livestreaming, and storytelling. Watch live events, fighter interviews, and highlights on MMA Futures and our Roku channel.