It was an electrifying night at the Hilo Civic auditorium when Unorthodox Industries Championship fighting promotions put on their third event in front of a jam packed audience of over 3,200 screaming fight fans and they got what they paid for, fighters that came to fight.
In the main event it was the Just Scrap 135lbs amateur title holder and Spirit of the White Rob student Reed Akashi taking on H.I.B.C and Nova Uniao Puna academy fighter “Roothless” Daniel Friend for the vacant U.I.C 135lbs amateur title. From the opening bell you could feel the excitement in the air as these two fan favorites began to feel each other out. Both fighters came to lay leather as on multiple occasions both stayed in the pocket and exchanged punches that would have folded a lesser man; the crowd went into an uproar.
Then it happened as Friend caught Reed with a hard straight right that both cut and stunned him, forcing him to back off. Friend then threw a left leg kick that Reed tried to shoot on but the Renato Verissimo blue belt Friend sprawled and sunk in a front face guillotine choke forcing Reed to tap out with 2:41 left in the first round. The result brought everyone to their feet applauding the great performance put on by both athletes. After the fight I had a chance to talk with Daniel Friend, “Reed put on a great fight and I can’t wait to share a beer with him.” When asked what’s next his reply was “Take a few days off and its back to the gym for more hard training.”
In the co-main event it was H.I.B.C standout Riquo Abadilla taking on undefeated Hawaiian MMA fighter and U.I.C 125lbs amateur champion Keenin Cohen. Both Abadill and Cohen came into this fight with huge hype behind them. Abadilla came in with a 3-1 record and Cohen with a four fight win streak having obtained the Destiny and U.I.C 125lbs titles. It was Abadilla who initiated the first contact, tagging Cohen with a strong straight right that seemed to light a spark under Cohen. Cohen then shot on for a double leg take down eating a flying knee to his body.
Cohen however showed the composure of a professional, staying calm and securing the take down. Abadilla worked to get back to his feet and attempted a front face guillotine choke but was unable to sink it. While Abadilla was working for the submission, Cohen took Abadilla to the mat again via a single leg take down, working in a body triangle. He would eventually get the submission win via a rear naked choke with 3:10 left in the first round.
In other fights:
Pono Kuikahi defeats Micah Ige via guillotine choke (1:30) in the first round
Troyston Kagawa defeats John Rosa via decision
Miles Campbell defeats Jake Fukuda via rear naked choke (1:42) in the second round.
Ryan Tampon defeats Justin Parages via guillotine choke (0:35) in the first round.
Keola Arakaki defeats Jordan Timbal via rear naked choke (2:19) in the first round.
Shayne Nozaki defeats Jamerson Kekaualua via triangle choke (1:56) in the second round.
Jeff Oher defeats Ranson Hamilton via TKO referee stoppage (2:35) in the second round.
Casius Keglar defeats Larson Tokeshi via guillotine choke (1:56) in the first round
Keone Wilkins defeats Gary Gouveia via referee stoppage (1:21) in the first round
Yoshiaki Suzuuki defeats Jayson Kubajiri via Decision
Special Thanks to Kupono Matsumoto and Big Chris for all the help and support
