Kauai Cage 3 results
Update: I just added the rest of the fight results
The Kauai Cage 3 event was the biggest mixed martial arts event ever on Kauai. The event was also the first MMA event held outdoors and fortunately the island had a brief respite from the pounding rains so people could enjoy the show.
The first fight of the night was a kickboxing match between Mark Pereria ( Puhi Disciples) and Raymond Tran ( Bulls Pen-Oahu). Mark set the pace by pressing Tran, landing a few nice leg kicks and hooks to the head. The pace slowed in the later rounds but Mark had gained enough points early in the fight to hang on for the win.
The next fight between Chris Moler ( Puhi Disciples) and Keoni Bryant ( Jus Rush- Kailua, Oahu) did not last long. Chris was obviously overmatched against Keoni. Keoni wasted no time catching Moler with a high kick which floored the young fighter. Chris showed a lot of guts getting up from the high kick only to meet a right cross that ended the fight. It should be noted that Keoni was switched with Tran at the last minute due to a weight issue. Keoni has a lot more experience and I personally think this fight shouldn't have happened.
Keoni Bigno ( Freelance) -vs- Marcus Moreno ( Bulls Pen) was a surprising fight to me. Marcus is known for his punching power. Keoni came out with a sort of Kyoshukin Karate stance and didn't bother tucking his chin. Turns out you don't need to protect your chin if it's made out of iron. Keoni outworked his more experienced opponent and landed more, albeit less powerful strikes. Mark landed a few bombs right on Keoni's chin and Keoni would respond with a grin. Keoni would rank up points and seemed to fade less than Mark, Mark got the judges decision however due to his harder and cleaner strikes. I was still impressed with Keoni's chin and fighting spirit. He did not let himself get intimidated by the more experienced and bigger fighter and left it all in the ring.
Brandon Wong ( Puhi Disciples) -vs- Giovanni Lagmay ( KTI ). This was another kick boxing match and Lagmay had the heavier hand (and kicks) overall seemed bigger and stronger than Wong. Brandon would throw a flurry of punches occasionally but didn't seem to be able to get inside effectively on Giovanni who looked to stand back and catch the shorter fighter coming in. Brandon fought valiantly but in the end Giovanni proved to be too powerful for him to mount an effective attack and Lagmay was the winner.
Westin Victorino ( Puhi Disciples) -vs- Frank Robello ( Advance Kenpo-Oahu) was the best kickboxing match of the night. Westin brought an intensity that Frank could not match. He constantly pressed the undefeated Robello all over the ring throwing some brutal leg kicks that left red welts on Robello's legs early. The leg kicks were starting to both Robello then Victorino went high and caught Robello flush in the face with a high kick that sent him to the canvass. Robello answered the bell but was soon on the ground again in the second round and the ref called the fight after Robello was unable to continue due to his leg. Westin showed a lot of explosiveness and power, he could be a diamond in the rough.
AJ Smith ( Kodenkan- Waimanalo) -vs- Jeff Quinlan ( Shamrock Academy, CA) was another interesting fight. AJ came in with a physique that you normally don't associate with a fighter. Never the less he brought his A game and managed to get a few takedowns and controlled the action well for most of the fight. In the final round AJ's conditioning failed him and Quinlan finished him off with strikes on the ground.
Tesai Seamster ( Ka-Mole) -vs- Robert Chong ( Kodenkan- Waimanalo) was an MMA match in which Tesai used his college wrestling skills to takedown his opponent almost at will. Tesai treated the fans to the best slams of the night lifting Chong high before planting him in the canvass. Chong to his credit never stopped working and was able to get to his feet several times but Tesai's takedowns negated any striking offense he tried to mount.
Lebeau Lagmay ( KTI ) -vs- Jack Richardson ( Bulls Pen-Oahu). Lebeau is fast becoming a fan favorite on Kauai and seemed to channel the energy from the crowd. He pushed the pace against his opponent and landed some nice leg kicks and punches before he set up and landed a huge high kick that caught Richardson flush on the face. Ricardson was able to shake off any affects from the kick and worked a takedown. On the ground Lebeau was able to effectively tie up his opponent and took very little damage. After a stand up due to lack of action Lebeau pulled of a takedown of his own and quickly mounted his opponent and finished him off with some pretty good strikes.
Pono Panaganan ( KTI ) -vs- Derek Stadler ( Bulls Pen-Oahu). From the bell Stadler bull rushed Panaganan and pushed him to the fence where his takdown attempts were stopped cold by Pono who managed to get a takedown of his own. Panaganan for the rest of the round stood over Stadler for much of the round landing some effective kicks and punches. Stadler was unable to answer the bell due to a broken nose.
Peter Placidio (Bulls Pen) by TKO rd. 3 over Kimo Mundon (Freelance) Kimo Mundon who was a last minute replacement stepped up in spite of having limited time to prepare. He came out with his normal high intensity and the fight was actually pretty close for most of the fight. Kimo seemed to be doing better on the ground but Peter seemed to be the stronger and more athletic fighter. In the 3rd round Kimo seemed to fatigue and was unable to get a takedown. Peter sprawled out and threw a flurry of hard punches that forced a TKO.
Bryson Kamaka (808 FF) by split decision over Eddie Ferriera (Maui Full Contact). Bryson has a lot of fighting experience and seemed to have improved a lot since he first started fighting. His strikes were sharper and his takedown defense has improved a lot. He was able to foil all of Eddie's takedown attempts and got the better of the exchanges to win a split decision.
Jarrett Lindsey (Bulls Pen) by guillotine rd. 1 over Gary Alianic (Freelance)
Ronald Moniz (Maui Full Contact) by decision over Kaimi Bermoy (Freelance)
Kyle Sukehira ( Kamole) -vs- Lorenzo Moreno ( Bulls Pen-Oahu). This was a good test for both fighters. Moreno is a physical specimen as he is all arms, is very strong, explosive, and has real KO power. The match started with Kyle circling his opponent and closing the distance and working his clinch. Moreno defended the clinch well but was eventually dragged down by Sukehira. Moreno has able to tie up Sukehira and avoided taking major damage and got a standup from the ref due to lack of action. Sukehira surprised Moreno by unloading so effective striking of his own; catching Moreno with some leg kicks, a right hook and a viscous knee that had Moreno checking himself for bleeding. Moreno decided to play Sukehira's game and got a takedown of his own. Kyle went for an armbar but the bell rang ending the round. The next round Kyle mixed up his offense and got a takedown and worked a kimura arm lock, Kyle didn't have the leverage to finish the move however as he was against the cage. He started to land some effective striking and when Moreno turned his back Kyle was able to finish him with a rear naked choke forcing the young prodigy to tap out.
Eben Kaneshiro( Kamole) -vs- Joe Pearson ( Team Miletich-Iowa). Eben is a skilled fighter but he also showed his flair for firing up the crowd and his suave nature by talking to the ring girls before entering the ring. Joe Pearson look huge compared to Kaneshiro but Eben was able to slip his punches and got him to the ground fast. Joe showed some surprisingly good ground skills as he worked in a triangle and armbar that forced Eben to defend earnestly. After finally solving the riddle of Pearson's long legs Eben decided to just pound away which ended the fight. Eben then showed his appreciation to the fans by climbing the cage and flashing a shaka.
I will get the rest of the fight descriptions as well as the official results and times ASAP.