On Saturday, September 29, Kaua’i MMA fans were treated to an awesome display of mixed martial arts talent at Kaua’i Knockout Championships’ fifth installment, Brawl at the Hall. The show kicked off with a 170 lb. boxing match between Silas Gerardo of No Way Fight School, and Joshua Olsen, of Freelance Oahu. The two traded punches for all three rounds, with Silas ending the third with a nice flurry of punches. It wasn’t enough, as the judges gave the nod to Olsen. Some fans in attendance thought it should have been scored otherwise, but in the end, no one could argue that they both showed a lot of heart, skill, and determination.
In the 5th match of the night, Kauai’s own Dominic Abalos took on 808 Top Team’s Chaz Dunhour. After a quick exchange on the feet, Dunhour took Abalos to the mat and fell into a guillotine choke in the process. After a brief struggle to get out of the hold, Abalos threw on an arm bar to eventually win the match at 2:05 of the 1st round. In the co main event we saw two Kaua’i boy’s go at it: 135 lb. champion Sergio Hurtado fighting out of Boar’s Nest Kaua’i, and Domanic Barretto, fighting out of Kaua’i Pankration. In the start of round one, the two opponents met in the center of the cage with Sergio getting the takedown into side mount. After a couple of punches to the body, Sergio took the mount, Domanic gave up his back, and that’s all Sergio needed to end the bout. Sergio won by a rear naked choke at 1:59 of the very first round to retain the 125 lb. Amateur MMA belt. After the bout, Sergio said what he brought to the table that Domanic didn’t was “overall experience, I’ve been doing this for a long time.” He also went on to say that he was happy that Domanic stepped up to take the fight, as his last 5 or so opponents either backed out, got arrested, or injured.
In the main event, pro surfer and Kauai’s very own Dustin Barca, took on Jacob Ikaika Tampos from Waianae, Oahu. The crowd erupted when Barca entered the convention hall, clearly stating who the crowd favorite was. Early in the first round, Barca rocked Tampos with a right hand and took him to the mat, and controlled him on the ground for the 1st round. At the end of round one, Barca looked exhausted, the fresher fighter being Tampos. In round two, it appeared as if the fight might go the other way, as Tampos was landing some good clean punches and kicks. Barca responded with a nice take down, and tried to work some ground and pound to end the round. Seemingly out of nowhere, Ikaika threw on a kimura from the bottom that looked like he might end the bout, not once but twice. But unfortunately for Tampos, Barca was able to work his way out of both. In the third round the two fighters traded punches for the first couple of minutes, with Barca landing the cleaner and harder shots. Tampos was then rocked with a combination, and eventually taken down. They were stood back up after a illegal kick to a downed opponent, and Barca rocked him again, this time taking him down and taking his back. Barca worked for a rear naked choke, getting his hooks in, but couldn’t finish it before the end of round three. Dustin Barca got the nod from all three judges, winning by unanimous decision after three, five minutes rounds.
“The show went great. The crowd was awesome,” stated Kipi Akana. Akana is dedicated to making Kaua’i Knockout Championships the best mixed martial arts event for Kaua’i amateur fighters and fans alike. KKC will return to the Kaua’i Convention Hall on March 16, 2013 for KKC’s 6th installment: “UNCONQUERED.” If this event will be anything like last night’s event, you won’t want to miss it!
Story Courtesy of Kauai Correspondent Robert Fain
