HONOLULU, HAWAII- Blaisdell Arena June 24, 2017
by Bryanna “Pink Ranger” Fissori
In a valiant attempt to up the standards of MMA in Hawaii, X1 MMA #47 did not disappoint. A full card of entertaining matches kept the Blaisdell audience engaged as well as nation and international fans watching on the live feed. This early summer show is the prelude for what’s to come for the next show on August 12th when matches won and lost on the June card serve as catalysts for bouts to come, titles to be won and fights years in the making finally coming to fruition.
Results:
Main Event
Lolohea Mahe defeated Raymond Lopez via Unanimous Decision
Pro Mma SHW 3X5 Minute Rounds
When big boys fight, there is always a good chance that whoever has the best cardio will literally be the last man standing. Round one was a lot of wall work with positions switching on the cage and not allowing space for either to throw the dangerous heavy punches expected of the big boys. Moving someone else’s mass around the cage is exhausting at any weight class, and both fighters were showing signs of fatigue by the end of round one.
The second round was very similar to the first, with both fighters jockeying for cage position.
Round three was the make-or-break and Mahe made it happen late in the round securing the takedown against the cage and landing significant punches from the half guard just in time to steal the win.
Co Main Event
Tony Lopez defeated Tipo Lafaele via Unanimous Decision
Pro Mma SHW 3X5 Minute Rounds
Lopez started the bout kicking but a slip early on put him his back and the ground and pound from Lafale nearly ended t the fight in the first minute. Lopez was able to grab the heel of Lafaele setting up for a kneebar. Though unsuccessful, it bought him the time to recover. The striking pace stayed surprisingly high for heavyweights with Lafaele landing and Lopez taking the storm. The tides changes toward the middle of the round with Lopez landing several hard blows that seems to slow Lafaele, who was then backed to the cage and met with knees and elbows that took them to the bell at the end of round one.
To start round two, Lopez came out kicking again and landed to the head of Lafaele, causing a little more blood to grace the mat, though Lafaele remained composed. Lopez was able to score the takedown half way through the round and maintain back control landing significant strikes. Once he was able to get both hooks in and flatten out Lafaele it looked like the show could be over. Lafalele recovered to his side but was quickly mounted and Lopez set up for the arm triangle. Lafalele defended and was saved by the bell.
Constant pressure from Lopez gave little room for error as Lafaele was backed to the cage for another barrage of knees. Lopez was able to pull off another takedown and maintain top control with smooth transitions and ground and pound, easily winning the third round and the unanimous decision.
Isaac Hopps defeated Daniel Friend via Unanimous Decision
Pro Mma 145lbs 3X5 Minute Rounds
Landing the takedown early in round one, Friend worked hard strikes to the body as Hopps worked to control Friends’s posture from the closed guard. Hopps used the wall to get up, opening up a large cur over the outer eyebrow of Friend I the struggle. The technical stand up trade from these two harnessed the agility of lighter fighters backed with power that seemed much heavier than their weight class.
Hooks, hooks and more hooks. These two both wanted to play in the pocket. Friend kept Hopps hanging out on the ouside of the cage, which worked wonders for the takedown setup. Hopps didn’t stay down long, though on his way up Friend landed a notable knee to the face. The second round ended with Friend in the guard of Hopps, maintaining position until the bell.
Hopps started utilizing longer punches in the third, which seemed to be finding their mark and Friend worked to acclimate to the new range. Hopps seemed to be making a conscious effort to keep his back off the cage, but still found himself caught there about half way into the round and stuck on his back for the remainder of the bout, where he landed punches from the closed guard and won the unanimous decision, which was seemingly controversial in the eyes of many fans. This would be a great rematch for X1 to host.
Kaeo Meyers defeated Paul Lopes via 1st Round KO
Pro Mma 155lbs 3X5 Minute Rounds
I’m going to be honest, even though this fight was short (approximately 25 seconds), I missed most of it because I was wiping the blood off of my laptop and arms.
Justus Faaiu defeated Paul Norman via Unanimous Decision
Pro Mma 205lbs 3X5 Minute Rounds
Norman came in looking for the takedown and was able to make it happen within the first minute of action. Transitioning into a modified backmount Norman was riding high forcing the armbar attempt as the only option he slide off the front. Though the attempt unsuccessful, Norman maintained pressure in the ensuing scramble. The remainder of the round was spent with Norman throwing punches from backmount with Faaiu defending the occasional rear naked choke threat.
Might as well stick with what works. Norman came out in the second round with the same original game plan, taking the fight to the ground. Faaiu managed to transition into Norman’s guard for a brief time before Norman stood up with the immediate intention of getting it back down. Countered with a sprawl from Faaiu, Faui was able to unleash significant ground and pound toward the end of the round, which was likely enough to make it 1 and 1 on the score cards going into the 3rd.
Having gotten a taste of dominant position, Faaui came out looking for blood in the last round. Norman held full guard while Faaui landed sttrkes to the body. After passing the guard, Faaui threw some significant elbows from side control, mounted and tried to seal the deal. Norman was obviously losing steam and struggling to defend and advance, but with less than a minute to go, Norman mustered enough in the gas tank or the sweep and a short ground and pound barrage of his own. It was not enough to take the round and Faaiu went home with the unanimous decision victory.
Under card
Federico Vento defeated Joey Vonblankenburg via Unanimous Decision
Amateur Mma 125lbs 3X3 Minute Rounds SEC Vacant Title
Namakana Pakala defeated Marcus Gamble via Unanimous Decision
Amateur Mma 205lbs 3X3 Minute Rounds SEC Vacant Title
Donovan Parrilla defeated Ioane Kim via Unanimous Decision
Amateur Mma 135lbs 3X3 Minute Rounds SEC Vacant Title
Chris Randoplh defeated Chuck Amerson via 1stRound Guillotine Choke
Amateur Mma 170lbs 3X3 Minute Rounds SEC Vacant Title
Roy Cooper defeated Titus Strickland via Split Decision
Amateur Mma 155lbs 3X3 Minute Rounds SEC Vacant Title
Joe Manuia defeated Devin Yamada via doctor stoppage (cut over eye)
Amateur Mma 135lbs 3X3 Minute Rounds
Kyle Kaahanui defeated Daylan Cummings via Arm Triangle choke 1st Round
Amateur Mma 170lbs 3X3 Minute Rounds
Lopaka Lono defeated Dane Polas via Unanimous Decision
Amateur Mma 155lbs 3X3 Minute Rounds
Mike Fowler defeated Brandon Fraser via TKO 1stRound
Amateur MMA 160lb 3 x3 Minute Rounds
Brandon Madamba defeated Taylor Mamiya via RNC in 2nd Round
MMA 135lb 3 x 3 Minute Rounds
Cyru Edayan defeated Shaun Somera v Unanimous Decision
MMA 155lb 3 x 3 Minute Rounds