It’s “bombs away” for Barnard
By NICOLE KATO
Makaha native Jon Barnard will be making his MMA pro debut here in Hawaii after not having fought in the Islands for three years.
“Everyone always wanted to see me back in action here, and now they can,” he says.
On Dec. 7, he will go up against Harvey Nakamura in the 135-lbs. MMA division during Bombs Away, put on by Star Elite Cage Fighting and Man Up Stand Up, at the Waipahu FilCom (the event originally was supposed to take place at Lighthouse Outreach Center).
His return to the local fight scene will add a pro bout to his already impressive MMA resume, which means he can get a fight career started in the CFA (Championship Fighting Alliance) based out of Miami.
“I was competing in Miami (before coming home), and the CFA wanted me to fight in an (upcoming) event, but in order for me to get a fight career started for the size of the event that they have, they wanted me to get a professional MMA bout.”
While in Miami, Barnard was crowned “Best Fighter of the Night” at the World Striking Challenge where he endured a controversial loss to Greg Jackson of New Mexico. But despite his loss he received compliments from Shaquille O’Neal.
Barnard was supposed to stay and train in Miami, with Evolution MMA, but Hawaii has always been where his heart (and daughter) is.
“I found it hard to leave my daughter (Amaya, who is 19 months old),” he explains. “She’s still young, I want to enjoy this Christmas with her. That’s why I haven’t left (to train in Miami).
“She’s my motivation right now to kick it up a notch and pursue the fighter’s dream one last time.”
The drive to perform well at Bombs Away will have fans entertained throughout the match.
Barnard’s bread and butter come in the form of his stand-up game, which he says is the key to most of his victories.
“I have a real entertaining stand-up,” Barnard says. “I fight to entertain the fans. People like knock outs, they like punches.”
