Four time Amateur Heavyweight Champion Paea Paongo is quickly becoming one of Hawaii’s most talked about and sought after Fighter’s.Having accumulated a total of four Different MMA Titles with a near spotless record of 16-3,and an Amateur Boxing career over 10 years long, it’s no secret way. Paea who also goes by the nickname “The Deaf Tongan” really has absolutely no hearing, and in MMA that is one of your main tools once that cage door slams shut. Being born without hearing in Tonga was certainly no picnic, as Paea told Mmaabsolute.com, but as the old saying goes “what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger” really stands true for this man. We had a chance to interview Paea and his Wife Maile, this past week.

 

MMAABSOLUTE: How old where you when you first decided to become a Fighter?

PAEA: I was 18 years old when I first started Boxing. I was living in San Francisco with my Uncle Siua Lolohea, and he took me to my first Boxing Training Class.

 

MMAABSOLUTE: What made you decide to turn it into a Career?

PAEA: Well when I first started Boxing, my dream was to go to the Olympics, and win a Gold Medal. I knew I was good because I won an 8 man  Heavyweight Amateur  Tournament, but out of no way my Boxing Coach Moved away and didn’t say a word. Once he left I stopped Boxing because he was the only man that I could communicate with.

 

MMAABSOLUTE: Talk about the road that you took to become a MMA Fighter here in Hawaii

PAEA: It was really hard in Tonga, even though we were raised in the Church, kids still mocked me. They gave me a hard time and beat me up. My parents made the decision to move us to California because of the better education for disabled youth. While in California I learned how to sign and communicate. After a while I started fighting a lot and even joined a gang. When that happened my parents though that it might be better for us to move to Maui where I graduated from Lahinaluna High School.

 

MMAABSOLUTE: Do you have any fight’s coming up. What’s next for you?

PAEA: Yea, I’m fighting Doug Hiu in a rematch on October 15th at the Waikiki Shell, at Up-N-Up’s  Stand Alone Event. He got injured in our last fight, so this one should be a great fight.

 

MMAABSOLUTE: Is there anyone in Hawaii, or anywhere for that matter, that you would like to fight.

PAEA: I’m not wanting to fight anyone specific, just whoever the Promoters & my Coaches put in front of me, but I want to turn Pro soon and start to make some money for me and my family.

 

MMAABSOLUTE: Thank you for your time Paea. Is there anything that you would like to say in closing. Any shout outs or thank you’s.

PAEA: Most of all I would like to thank my Wife,For all of her patience,hard work,and 100% support. She saved my life and changed me for the better. To my Parents who sent me to America and got me my education. I would like to thank my best friend and blood sister, Penelope who beat me up and made me such a good fighter, and for her love, support, & help in everything in my life. Also my Coaches Joel Kim,& Kava Leti. Coach/Manger Kimo Masaki for all of his hard work, and who always works me hard. I wanted to thank my good friend Joshua Beal who always helps, and supports me at the Deaf program. Also Mmaabsolute.com for doing this interview with me. I would also like to thank my whole family here in Hawaii & in Tonga, and all of my fans who come out to support me and watch me fight,Malo Aupito, mahalo nui loa, and thank you very much. Ofa atu & Love & Aloha from Paea.