Twenty-six fighters in 13 bouts are on the fight card for tonight’s Garden Isle Mixed Martial Arts Cage Match No. 4 at Hanapepe Stadium. But not after going through a Kaua‘i-style weigh-in ceremony yesterday at a packed Kuku‘i Grove Center
Twenty-six fighters in 13 bouts are on the fight card for tonight’s Garden Isle Mixed Martial Arts Cage Match No. 4 at Hanapepe Stadium.
But not after going through a Kaua‘i-style weigh-in ceremony yesterday at a packed Kuku‘i Grove Center Stage area.
“It went pretty smooth,” event organizer Vance Pascua said. “We only had one fighter who needs to lose some weight before his fight, but still he’s only about three pounds too heavy. It shouldn’t be a problem at all.”
While Pascua manned the mic, Quicksilva Boxing Club’s Davin Nobriga handled the weigh-ins, just like last year, but this event’s proceedings added another bathroom-style scale.
“All the fighters are amazed by the support of the people of Kaua‘i,” Pascua said. “It’s a really nice feeling.”
Pascua said per capita, the Garden Isle MMA matches have become the biggest in the state.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I can’t believe it’s grown this big.”
Las Vegas Fight Club’s Robert Otani arrived on the island with a few pounds to lose, but a quick trip to the Kaua‘i Athletic Club’s sauna solved the problem.
“My eating habits changed a little, but that happens sometimes,” Otani said.
Kalaheo’s Gabe Legacy, a fight manager in Las Vegas, joined Otani and UFC fighter Tony Fryklund, a coach and co-owner of Las Vegas Fight Club.
Fryklund and fellow UFC fighter Kendall Grove, a Baldwin High School graduate were on hand for an autograph session.
“There are good fights in Hawai‘i,” Grove said. “We have that kill or be killed instinct, do or die type of deal. I can’t wait to see (tonight’s) fights.”
Fryklund, who trains with and coaches Otani, made a bold prediction about Otani’s match against Kaua‘i’s Lebeau Lagmay.
“He’s (Otani) better than some UFC fighters,” he said. “If Robert does what he’s capable of doing, it should be a short fight.”
Tickets for the event are nearly sold out and Pascua said to just show up at the gate to purchase a ticket.
Gates for the matches open at 5 p.m. The fights should begin around 6 p.m.
“The fighters are all weighed-in and now let’s just head into the ring,” Pascua said.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
