MMA on Maui Returns with War on the Valley Isle

By Lisa Teichner, photos courtesy of Kiha Kaina

MMA on Maui has returned!

Eddie P.

It has been over a year since the last big MMA event was held on Maui and we have been itching for some action! Fortunately, War on the Valley Isle is coming to the War Memorial Gym on Friday, July 1, 2011.

We sat down with Kiha Kaina (KK Productions), one of the promoters for the event, to hear the details. Kaina, who is a trainer for Team 323 and part of 3 Tribes, 1 Vibe (along with I & I Training Center and Central Maui Boxing) has worked with other events such as Destiny to keep MMA events alive on Maui and to provide amateur and professional fighters a local venue to showcase their talents. Due to changes in State regulations and increasing costs, it has been a continuing battle (pun intended) to produce events without losing an obscene amount of money. One of the requirements is that all promoters must have a license. For War on the Valley Isle, Kaina has partnered with (licensed) Russell Strong of Unorthodox Industries Championship and Kawika Farm.

Check out a preview of the fight card below.

UIC IV Presents

War on the Valley Isle

Friday, July 1, 2011 at 6pm

War Memorial Gym

*FIGHT CARD

Main Event

Eddie P. (3 Tribes, 1 Vibe) vs Spencer Higa (HIBC) at 145lbs

Riley Dutro

Semi-Main Event

Jordan Kekino (KKD) vs Sean Rush (3 Tribes, 1 Vibe) at 170lbs

Riley Dutro (3 Tribes, 1 Vibe) vs Timothy Meeks (HIBC) at 135lbs

Kala Koa (KKD) vs Kapono Ige (HIBC) at Heavyweight

Kris Acang (Maui Martial Arts) vs Kumu Kapuni (Molokai Madness) at 170lbs

Justin Cook (3 tribes, 1 Vibe) vs Steve Molina (MMA Built) at 135lbs

Javin Santos (3 Tribes, 1 Vibe) vs Bobby King (MMA Built) at 160lb

Shiloh Torres Umi (Molokai Madness) vs Bone Pali (Hustle N Throw) at 145lbs

Walter Baula (KKD, Wailuku Boxing) vs Randen Abafo (Molokai Madness) at 155lbs

James Blair (Molokai Madness) vs Travis Okano (Hustle N Throw) at 135lbs

Chase Pico (Wailuku Boxing) vs Cassius Kegler (Freelance) at 145lbs

Sean Rush

Luis Pico (Hustle N Throw) vs Braddah Sagawinit (Freelance) at 135lbs

Justin Estabillo (KKD) vs PJ Enos (Freelance) at 135lbs
and…

Buge Saribay (Hustle N Throw) vs TBA

Kapena Liu (3 Tribes, 1 Vibe) vs TBA
Kawika Mattos (3 Tribes, 1 Vibe) vs TBA
Koa Corpuz (Wailuku Boxing) vs TBA
Chris Banaag (Wailuku Boxing) vs TBA

Ticket outlets and Weigh-in locations are still being finalized and you will be able to purchase tickets at the door. Ticket prices are $25 presale, $35 at the door (General Admission), $40 VIP seating presale, $50 for VIP tickets at the door.

Attention Hawaii businesses: This is a great sponsorship opportunity to not only expose your brand, product or service to hundreds of Maui fight fans but Channel 5 (K5) has already agreed to televise some of the fights post- event. Please call 808-864-5003 for sponsorship information and options.

Stay tuned to Maui Now as we will be providing exclusive and updated information on this event as it approaches.

*Fight card is subject to change without notice

Fighter Photos

Bobby King

Buge Saribay