Earlier today, Myrtle Beach, SC fighter Steven Banks added the WBC Super Heavyweight International Muay Thai Championship to his ever increasing collection of hardware. Banks (15-0 in kickboxing) used elbows to knockout Brazilian fighter Eduardo Maiorino (33-11 in kickboxing and a former K-1 Brazil champion) in the 2nd round. This championship bout was one of the main fights on a major WBC Muay Thai event held earlier today in Haikou, China.  Banks, a native of Morganton, NC that currently lives and trains out of Myrtle Beach, SC capped off what was a stellar year for him in kickboxing. Being a 6'5 260 pound undefeated American kickboxer, one would think that the K-1 organization would be booking Steven for one of their events in early 2011. Thanks to the efforts of Steven, trainer Maurice Travis and his team at Fitness Edge in Myrtle Beach, the Carolinas can now claim a world ranked heavyweight kickboxer. Congratulations to Steven on a great win.

South Carolina pro welterweight fighter Derrick "DK" Kennington (6-2) scored a big win last night on the road in Lawsonburg, Indiana. Kennington scored an impressive first round victory via armbar submission against Bellator veteran Chad Hinton (6-3). Hinton is a fighter from Ohio that earlier this year went to the 3rd round against UFC veteran Roger Huerta in a nationally televised fight. This was a nice win for Derrick and congratulations go out to he and his team from MMA For Real.

Last Saturday night at Buffalo Bill's Casino in Primm, Nevada, local heavyweight Steve Banks claimed the WBC Super Heavyweight National Muay Thai Championship. Banks (14-0 kickboxing; 6-5 MMA) defeated K-1 veteran and former U.S. Air Force boxing champion Rick Cheek (22-4) by knockout in the second round. Banks, a native of Morganton, NC that currently lives and trains out of Myrtle Beach, SC could fight once more before year's end, possibly in China. At 6'5 and over 260 pounds, Steve is a formidable opponent for anyone inside the ring. Under trainer Maurice Travis he has emerged as a legit Muay Thai fighter practitoner. Congratulations to Steve on a great win.

Carolina Fight Promotions held an action packed event last evening at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There were four pro fights in addition to several amateur bouts. Here are some of the results: The main event showcased middleweight Nissen Osterneck 's (8-3) second round submission victory (RNC) over Roger "The Leprechaun" Carroll (8-5). In lightweight action, Jon Owens (8-2) defeated Brandon Brown (2-5) via submission (triangle choke) in the second round. In welterweight action, undefeated prospect Will Estes (3-0) upset Derrick "D.K." Kennington via knockout in the second round. And in lightweight action, lightweight Chris Cain (1-0) made a successful pro debut against Rusty Haun (0-1).

Carolina Fight Promotions brings professional and amateur MMA back to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center next Saturday, July 24^th in Myrtle Beach, SC. CFP matchmaker Jeremy Owens had this to say about CFP's recent ventures into Myrtle Beach: "It's a great market and fanbase down there. The sport's popularity has grown tremendously in that area. The local population really supports MMA and, during the summer months, the tourists do as well." CFP always puts on an exciting event with entertaining fights and good production quality that makes for an enjoyable experience for all the fans in attendance. The headliner for this card will feature South Carolina pro fighter and WEC/UFC veteran Nissen Osterneck (7-3 and MMA For Real's # 1 ranked pro middleweight) taking on North Carolina pro fighter Roger "The Leprechaun" Carroll (8-4 and MMA For Real's # 2 ranked pro middleweight) for the CFP middleweight championship. "We've got two of the region's top ranked middleweights headlining this event so it should be a really good show for the fans," stated Owens. Also, Derrick Kennington (5-1 and MMA For Real's # 3 ranked pro welterweight) challenges undefeated prospect Will Estes (2-0). Other fights on the card will feature Jon Owens (7-2 and MMA For Real's # 2 ranked pro featherweight) stepping up to the lightweight division to take on Brandon Brown (2-4) and the pro debuts of amateur standouts Chris Cain and Rusty Haun. This is a good opportunity to watch some of the top pro and amateur talent in the Carolinas and to see a great night of fights. Tickets are going fast and are available via the CFP website, http://carolinafightpromotions.com/nextevent.shtml. The lineup for this card is as follows:

Professional fights:

185 lbs.- Nissen Osterneck (7-3) vs. Roger Carroll (8-4)  (for the CFP middleweight championship)

155 lbs.- Jon Owens (7-2) vs. Brandon Brown (2-4)

170 lbs.- Derrick Kennington (5-1) vs. Will Estes (2-0)

140 lbs.- Chris Cain (0-0 Pro; 7-2 Am) vs. Rusty Haun (0-0 Pro; 2-0 Am)

More after the jump:

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina pro heavyweight fighter Steven Banks (6-4 record and currently the # 2 ranked pro heavyweight in MMA For Real's Carolinas fighter rankings) travels to Columbus, Ohio to compete on this Saturday's ROUND 5 card. This will be a battle of two large heavyweights as Steven is 6'5" 265 pounds and his opponent, Jason Riley (8-3), is 6'6" 245 pounds. Steven is coming off of a decision loss to Mike "300" Hayes (12-3-1) at last month's Bellator event in Florida. This is an important fight for Steven and we wish him the best on Saturday night.

Michael Kirkham, 30 years old, from Gaston, SC died this morning as a result of a head injury during his MMA event at USC Aiken Saturday. He was pronounced dead this morning at Aiken Regional Medical Center.

Kirkham was transported to Aiken Regional Medical Center after he was struck several times in the head. He was unresponsive when transported and never regained consciousness. He died of a brain hemorrhage.

This was Kirkham's first professional match. He had fought in MMA events 6 times previously as an amateur

Kirkham's fight took place at the "Confrontation at the Convocation" event, promoted by Dash Entertainment and King MMA. Kirkham, nicknamed "Tree", was notable for being 6' 9" and fighting in the lightweight division. This is the second known death in American MMA, following Sam Vasquez's passing in November 2007.

Our condolences go out to Kirkham's family.

UPDATE: Video of Kirkham fighting D'Juan Owens in an amateur match back in April.

(via icunvme2005)

Congratulations go out to South Carolina middleweight fighter Josh "The Juggernaut" Eagans (5-1) for defeating Aaron "Tex" Johnson (6-3) by decision last night in Douglas, Georgia. Josh was ranked as the # 3 pro middleweight in the Carolinas by MMA For Real during our most recent round of rankings. Eagans showed once again why he's one of the top young MMA talents in the Carolinas. Congrats, Josh!