Fight Club: A Night of Destiny’s Fury
The Big Boys & MMA Hawaii Expo, presented by 2 ½ Flip Productions, HPELive, and MMA Hawaii, that happened this past Father’s Day weekend at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall featured more than just a bikini contest, body building competition, bully dog specialty show, lingerie fashion show and motorcycles and cars … it also featured some of the most ambitious fighters in the 808.
While the pups and rides were amazing sights to behold, Destiny’s Fury III MMA event on Saturday was the highlight of my weekend. (Oh, and the other highlight was seeing UFC fighters Travis “Hapa” Browne and Rashad Evans.)
Kailin Curran vs. J.J. Aldrich
Destiny has a new 125 lbs. Women’s MMA Amateur titleholder in J.J. Aldrich of Team Bad Girlz in Colorado. She defeated Kailin Curran of Animal House Gym by rear-naked choke at the end of round one. Curran posted on her Facebook the day after saying that she knows that bringing in a loss helps one become a winner – and she plans to continue pursuing that path.
Lowen Tynanes vs. Louis Pauole – Lightweight MMA Title Match
Lowen Tynanes of 808 Fight Factory is the new Destiny Lightweight MMA titleholder after defeating Louis Pauole of BOSS MMA on the Big Island by TKO (punches) at 2:54 of round three. I don’t think I’ve seen a fighter with more fire in his eyes, and Tynanes definitely brought fury to the cage. Round one consisted mostly of ground game, but rounds two and three were all standup and had the crowd on its feet.
Tony “The Tiger” Rodriguez vs. Jon “Untameable” Barnard – 155 lbs. Kickboxing Title Match
The bout between freelance fighter Tony “The Tiger” Rodriguez and Jon “Untameable” Barnard not only gave fans the most for their money, but it also won the Tulsi Gabbard-sponsored “Fight of the Night.” Good energy from both fighters during all five 2-minute rounds had the audience breathless from screaming by the end. Right around the middle of round four, I was asking myself, “Do these guys even get tired?” … but it didn’t seem like they were going to let a little fatigue stand in their way. Along with his win against Barnard by unanimous decision, Rodriguez also took home with him the title of “Outstanding Fighter of the Night.”
Kevin Aguigui vs. Neale Johnson – 190 lbs. Middleweight MMA Title Match
There wasn’t any lack of energy during the fight between Kevin Aguigui and Neale Johnson either. Johnson of SOMMA (South Oahu MMA) landed the first kick of round one, but Aguigui (Animal House Gym) was quick to answer with jabs of his own. If one struck, the other answered. However, during round two Johnson landed a kick to Aguigui’s knee that made ref Kevin Yoshida stop the bout at 2:26.
Cody Santos vs. Jai Troche – 145 lbs. MMA
It seems that Jai Troche (UKA) knew he wanted a submission going in to his match against Cody Santos (Bull’s Pen). On his second take down in round one, Troche was able to get Santos into a guillotine choke at 48 seconds. This win also earned the recognition of “Submission of the Night.”
Bryanna Fissori vs. Lavida Givan – 135 lbs. Women’s MMA
Hawaii went head to head with Colorado during the 135 lbs. women’s MMA bout that pit Bryanna Fissori of SOMMA against Lavida Givan of Team Bad Girlz. This match gave a whole new meaning to the term “chick fight.” Fissori was able to land punches early in round one, but it was during round two that she found her rhythm. After Givan hit the mat in the middle of round two, Fissori saw a chance to capitalize on her opponent and took control of the rest of the round. Fissori defeated Givan by unanimous decision.
Cody Andrade vs. Brady Spiridigliozzi – 170 lbs. MMA
Like I said before, everyone loves a little blood in the cage, and the bout between Cody Andrade of SOMMA and Brady Spiridigliozzi of UFS (Chris Leben’s Ultimate Fight School) had me on the edge of my seat. Round two was the winner for me, as ref Kevin Yoshida had to call a time out so Spiridigliozzi could wipe the blood from his eye. But he came back with a vengeance, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off the rest of the match. While both fighters put it all out there, Andrade came out victorious by unanimous decision.
Dan Miffin vs. David Galindo – 170 lbs. Pankration
Everybody loves a little pankration (and a little blood) now and then, and I’m no different. The bout between Dan Miffin and David Galindo was by far the best pankration match of the event (in my opinion, of course). The match was supposed to consist of two 3-minute rounds. I say “supposed to” because the first two rounds were so good that the scores came out to a draw. While Miffin (HMC) had the reach advantage, Galindo proved to be a scrapper. Miffin ended up winning the bout by unanimous decision.
For more information on the Big Boys & MMA Hawaii Expo visit mmahawaii.com, and for more information on Destiny Entertainment, LLC visit facebook.com/destinymma808.
RESULTS
135 lbs. Women’s American Kickboxing
Lenna Cook def. Wander Werner by unanimous decision
135 lbs. American Kickboxing
Charles Naone vs. Stu Jones by split decision
145 lbs. Mad Skillz
Cameron Hayashi vs. Eric Clarke unanimous decision
Xtreme Grappling
Jason Bray def. Jon Ferrell by rear-naked choke
Xtreme Grappling
Drake Fujimoto and Zach Close draw
135 lbs. Pankration
Jordan Timbal def. Dallas Cabe by unanimous decision
185 lbs. Pankration
Dwain Uyeda vs. Curtis “Dirty Curty” Pedro by guillotine choke at 2:09 of round 1
170 lbs. Pankration
Marlon Calventas vs. Juan Berdon, Jr. by unanimous decision
170 lbs. Pankration
Dan Miffin def. David Galindo by unanimous decision
145 lbs. Kickboxing
Nui Wheeler def. Jason Recamara by split decision
145 lbs. Pankration
Daniel Joseph def. Randy Kamaiolili by majority decision
125 lbs. MMA
Geremy Martyn def. Cameron Tani-Kiyokane by rear-naked choke at 2:33 of round 1
170 lbs. MMA
Cody Andrade def. Brady Spiridigiglozzi by unanimous decision
160 lbs. MMA
Colin “Intensity” Mackenzie def. Micah Ige by rear-naked choke at :45 of round two
135 lbs. Women’s MMA
Bryanna Fissori def. Lavida Givan by unanimous decision
155 lbs. MMA
Hiro Ito def. Dustin Akiyama by Kimura lock at 1:35 of round two
145 lbs.
Josh Coleon def. Robert Catley by majority decision
145 lbs. MMA
Jai Troche def. Cody Santos by guillotine choke at :48 of round one
170 lbs. MMA
Markus Kindblad def. Bear Baily by unanimous decision
170 lbs. Kickboxing
Ben “The King” Santiago def. Makana Fronda by unanimous decision
190 lbs. Middleweight MMA Title
Neale Johnson def. Kevin Aguigui by ref stoppage at 2:26 of round two
155 lbs. Kickboxing Title
Tony “The Tiger” Rodriguez def. Jon “Untameable” Barnard by split decision
Lightweight MMA Title
Lowen Tynanes def. Louis Pauole by TKO (punches) at 2:54 of round three
125 lbs. Women’s MMA Amateur Title
J.J. Aldrich def. Kailin Curran by rear-naked choke in round one
