By Ken Yates
Special to Fight Hub TV
One Slap Entertainment in association with X-1 World Events and Westbrook Productions put on a night of MMA action in beautiful Kailua-Kona, Hawaii at Kekuaokalani Gym. In the main event it was Konas’ own Van Oscar Penovaroff coming off of a brutal first round knock out victory over California born David Barrios.
Saturday night Penovaroff took on Spencer Higa from H.I.B.C in Hilo. Both Penovaroff and Higa were expecting to fight different opponents, but there was a change in the line up two days prior to the event making it possible for these two stand up fighters to meet. From the second the bell rang everyone in attendance was on the edge of their seats. Higa looked good, circling his opponent, throwing punches that were both crisp and precise. Penovaroff on the other hand waited patiently counter punching with deadly accuracy.
Then it happened.
Penovaroff caught Higa with an over hand right and a followed up with a left that dropped him in the middle of the ring. The fight was halted at 1:23 of the first round.
In the co-main event Chris Cisneros from Hawaiian MMA was matched up against 808 Fight Factory’s James Stanford. Cisneros, who is also 808 Battlegrounds one hundred and seventy pound Champion is one of Hawaii’s top up and coming fighters who has been tearing though the competition like a man on a mission; This fight was no different.
Although both Stanford and Cisneros showed moments of brilliance it was Cisneros who got the win via Arm Bar in 4:22 in the first round. We ran into Chris after his win and asked what he credits his victory, “My Coaches and training partners, Big Island Gracie Ju-Jitsu, Chris Smith, Rudy Valentino, Coach Arden and the guys at Hawaiian MMA.” When asked how he felt about his performance Chris said, “I was a little surprised when he saw how big Stanford was but you know I trained hard, believed in myself and know what I can do. So I went out and just did it.”
Also fighting on the card was Joey Gomes from B.J. Penn’s Academy taking on Kaeo Meyers from Kona Boxing Club. Gomes, being a relatively new fighter on the Hawaii MMA scene looked very impressive going against a tough fighter like Meyers. he surprised many by getting the win by first round tap via a arm bar. With a great coaching staff at B.J.Penn’s Academy Gomes future is looking bright.
Undercard results:
Kawehi Linksy def. Mana Meyers by corner stoppage
Blaine Wagoner def. Austin Taufa in R2 via ref stoppage (2:59)
Shane Nozaki def. Bulla Desilva in R2 via arm bar (1:21)
Keola Arikaki def. Carado Martin by majority decision
Elward Niau def. Marcus Winkler in R1 via KO
Kieran Rosa def. Maka Benadicto in R1 via TKO (1:07)
Special thanks to Sheldon Haili and Russell Strong
