Warriors Of The Ring
 Warriors of the Ring War Memorial Gymnasium, Wailuku, Maui September 7, 2002 By Chris Onzuka – Chris@Onzuka.com There has been only one MMA event on Maui, until now. Warriors of the Ring launched its debut event and allowed Maui MMA fans the avenue to stop reading about the events on Oahu and actually go see one live. It also provided Maui fighters a chance to get more experience. This event drew the largest crowd ever to attend a mixed martial arts event in Maui. The crowd loved the action and was treated to interviews with BJ Penn, Cabbage Correira, both of which are going to be fighting in the next UFC, Falaniko Vitale and Ron Jhun during the intermission. The event brought in a lot of fighters making their MMA debut and mixed the card with some fighters with one or two matches under their belt that have shown a lot of promise. A few of the fighters that look to be ready to take it to the next level are Bull’s Pen fighter Mark Moreno who has been knocking out his opponents as if he is going to get a bulk discount. Michael Labuanan and Tyson Coloma Nahooikaika look to have a good stand up game coupled with solid ground work to back it up. And finally, one fighter that was impressive, even in defeat, was Ed Joy [Pictured above heelhooking Tripson Kerisian]. Don’t let his team name fool you, he showed great stand up and ground skills against the larger Kerisiano. I definitely look forward to seeing Joy fight again. The large crowd proves that MMA is growing on a grassroots level on Maui. Hopefully the crowds keep getting bigger and allow these events to grow. As for me, it is always fun to fly out to Maui and see my friends on Maui and sitting next to two of the ring girls on the way to Maui didn’t hurt either (wink, wink).
Ray "King Kong" Seraile (6’3", 270lbs, Grappling Unlimited) def. Jesus Libero (6’3", 259 lbs., Wailuku Kickboxing) Mark Moreno (5’9", 175 lbs., Bulls Pen) def. George Mendoza (5’8", 163 lbs., Scalera Foundation) William Armstrong (5’5", 131 lbs., 808 Fight Factory) def. Tien Nguyen (5’5", 133 lbs., Wailuku Kickboxing) Dez Minor (6’0", 213 lbs., Kodenkan) def. Anthony Billianor (6’3", 259 lbs., Lockdown Unlimited) def. Tripston Kerisiano (5’7", 175 lbs., 808 Fight Factory) def. Ed Joy (5’8", 163 lbs., Team C.O.C.K.*) Michael Labuanan (5’7", 164 lbs., Maui Full Contact) def. Cheyenne Alesna (5’8", 169 lbs., Kodenkan) Tyson Coloma Nahooikaika (5’8", 161 lbs., Brazilian Freestyle J.J./Luis Heredia J.J.) def. Corey Goeas (5’8", 170 lbs., Kodenkan) |
| Wednesday – September 11, 2002 |
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9-11 With the one-year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks upon us, three fighters share their perspectives on the national tragedy. Idaho, Washington, Missouri — like everyone else across the country, it didn’t matter where they were — they were affected. FCF’s Mouth of NHB, a native New Yorker born and raised, also shares his thoughts. Evan Tanner, native Texan and light-heavyweight fighter Where were you when you heard the news of the attacks? What was your reaction? One year later, do you think we’re any safer? In your opinion, has the United States changed at all? Have you changed? Ivan Salaverry, Washington native and middleweight fighter Where were you when you heard the news? What did you think? Do you think we’re any safer a year later? Don’t you have family in New York? How has this country changed since then? Have you changed at all? Steve Berger, Missouri-native and welterweight fighter Where were you when you heard the news? Your reaction? Were you affected? Do you think our country is any safer now? Have things changed in our country? Did it change you? The Mouth of NHB Where were you when you heard the news of the attacks? What was your reaction? Were you affected? Have you changed? |
