guillermo the conqueror: Philadelphia resident wins 247 Fighting championships first-ever amateur muay thai title fight

Kiserian Spence, left, and Guillermo Caro-Marchand, right, await the decision to be read following their five-round amateur welterweight Muay Thai championship fight Saturday at Sunny Days Arena. Josh Rizzo/Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges

"I love coming out here, testing my luck against really good guys in different scenarios. Going to other people’s places and messing up their plans is part of the adventure."
-Guillermo Caro-Marchand

NORTH VERSAILLES TWP - The chapters in Guillermo Caro-Marchand’s Muay Thai book are getting longer and more varied. Caro-Marchand made history Saturday night by winning the first-ever Muay Thai championship bout held by 247 Fighting Championships during the MMA Saturday night at the Venue 4 at Sunny Days Arena.

Caro-Marchand, who lives in Philadelphia, beat Pittsburgh resident Kiserian Spence by split decision 49-46, 46-49, 48-47 to win the inaguaral amateur welterweight crown.

“I love Pittsburgh,” Caro-Marchand said. “It’s another story in the list of stories that we got. Thailand, Mexico, Puerto Rico, add Pittsburgh to the list.”

The 25-year-old fighter also isn’t planning to let the championship belt sit on a shelf somewhere in his home and collect dust. Caro-Marchand said he’s willing to make the trek across the Commonwealth to defend his crown.

“Get me another guy from Pittsburgh,” Caro-Marchand said. “Fly me a guy in from anywhere, get me an international guy. We’re ready to rock and I’m willing to defend this title anytime.”

Spence drew a raucous crowd

Spence, who fell to 9-2, lost to Caro-Marchand (14-8) for the second time. The two men also fought in the WKA U.S. National Championship Open Division semifinals in 2025.

This time around, Spence, who is a Chatham graduate, drew a large support section. Situated in the balcony looking down on the cage, Spence’s supporters brought plenty of volume, including a few who were leaning over the railing and pounding hard on the metal.

“I’m so blessed, man,” Spence said. “I don’t do this for me. I do this for everybody who thinks they can’t be more than they are.”

Spence, who earned a degree in Creative Writing, said he keeps a journal where he writes 200 words a day. He’s on day 1,117.

“I write at the end of the day,” Spence said. “Today’s is going to be about the fight, the experience and putting on for the city.”

Rock that body

Spence answered his supporters' call for action with a thudding body kick. It produced redness on the left side of Caro-Marchand’s body in the first round.

“It wasn’t really hurting me,” Caro-Marchand said. “I guess my skin color doesn’t necessarily help that. It doesn’t really hurt me, but I knew he was a smart guy and he was going to switch it up.”

Spence mixed up his kicks and hoped the accumulation would wear down Caro-Marchand. During the fight, Spence varied his kicks between all three levels.

​“I thought it was bad enough,” Spence said. “I thought it was going to lead to a victory. I’m pretty disappointed with the result, but it is what it is. I’m just going to go back to the gym and reassess.”

Splitting the guard

Caro-Marchand was able to produce a few standout moments in the third and fourth rounds that may have swung the judges. In the third round, Spence attempted to press Caro-Marchand against the cage.

Caro-Marchand was able to counter and connect cleanly with Spence’s chin.

“We were in the gym working on a guy that was going to move forward,” Caro-Marchand said. “We would have to go around his guard and maneuver that way. I like to press forward and walk a little bit more straight. I want to be heavy and more of a bully when I fight, but you can’t do that with these guys because we didn’t want to catch a headkick.”

Spence did land the headkick in the fourth round. However, Caro-Marchand was able to respond with a leg kick that swept Spence off his feet and another combination with his hands that got through.

A different experienceSpence came out from his corner early before the fifth round, riling up his supporters. It was a nice moment for Spence, who felt he had improved since their first meeting.

“I don’t think it’s close,” Spence said. “I’m an entirely different fighter. I think if he wants to fight me again, we’re going to have to elevate one another.”

Caro-Marchand would likely be up for the challenge. The man loves fighting. He loves being in any environment you could think of.

A trilogy fight wouldn’t be out of the question.

​“I’m a fighter at heart,” Caro-Marchand said. “I love coming out here, testing my luck against really good guys in different scenarios. Going to other people’s places and messing up their plans is part of the adventure.”

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.