Seguccio on Hessel

      BJ Penn and company organized their second MMA event in their hometown of Hilo, Hawaii. The first event was tremendously successful and proved that the big island of Hawaii has tons of MMA fans and great fighters. The event introduced a new, larger 29-foot cage and had fighter interviews before their entrances. Jay Dee (JD) Penn, who was the coordinator of the event (and BJ’s brother) promises that each show will get bigger and better than the last. This card was filled with local talent from Oahu, Maui and Hawaii, in addition to bringing in two Rage in the Cage champions, a UFC veteran and a few other US mainland fighters. On hand for the event were Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell, Don "The Predator" Frye, Egan Inoue and Roland Sarria. BJ Penn’s Nova Uniao team came out strong and successful with Ross Ebanez being a very promising fighter at 170lbs. The women’s match showed the crowd how much heart and leather that ladies can bring to the table. Two tough Brazilians who live on Oahu also made successful debuts. The main event pitted two fighters that were beaten by local boy, Cabbage Correira, but definitely had him in trouble numerous times in their fight with Cabbage. Cabbage is rumored to be on the card of the next UFC, but this fight looked like a qualifier to see whether Kauai Kupihea or Travis Wiuff should be Cabbage’s next opponent in Hawaii. A smaller Wiuff and a larger Kupihea than the last time both fighters fought in Hawaii showed up. Wiuff was much less aggressive and it cost him when Kupihea was able to defend all but a couple take down attempts by Wiuff. And when Wiuff got Kupihea down, he scrambled and got back to his feet again. While Wiuff was trying to adjust his game plan, Kauai planted a punch that dropped Wiuff and ended the event with a KO. The next Rumble on the Rock is tentatively scheduled for August 9, 2003.

DeFranco triangles Perkins

140lbs
Kekoakaika "Koa Boy" Fonseca (Nova Uniao, 5’8") def. William Armstrong (808 Fight Factory, 5’11")
Submission via rear naked choke at 4:10 into round1.

130lbs
Emery Seguccio (Shin Bu Kan, 5’0") def. Molly Hessel (808 Fight Factory, 5’4")
Unanimous decision [(20-18), (20-18), (20-18)] after 2 rounds.

155lbs
Johnny Sampaio (Eastside/Nova Uniao/HMC), 5’8") def. Jerome Kekumu (Hard Knocks, 5’6")
Submission via rear naked choke at 34 into round1.

170lbs
Sydney Silva (Brazilian Freestyle JJ/HMC) def. Bryson Monterde (Hard Knocks, 5’11")
Submission via arm bar at 55 into round1.

260lbs
Vai Togia (Hard Knocks, 6’2") def. Anthony Billianor (Lockdown, 6’3")
Unanimous decision [(20-18), (20-18), (20-18)] after 2 rounds.

140lbs
Antonio Banuelos (Pit Fight Team, 5’3") def. Jim Kikuchi (808 Fight Factory, 5’8")
Unanimous decision [(20-18), (20-18), (20-18)] after 2 rounds.

155lbs
Santino DeFranco (Brausa, 5’11") def. Jamaal Perkins (808 Fight Factory, 5’7")
Submission via triangle at 1:05 into round1.

170lbs
Ross Ebanez (Nova Uniao, 5’9") def. Jason "Rukus" Walker (Universal Rough Housing, 5’7")
TKO via referee stoppage at 1:54 into round1.

180lbs
Mark Moreno (Bull’s Pen) def. Rich Moss (Brausa)
TKO due to doctor stoppage due to cut at 1:49 into round1.

205lbs
Edwin Dewees (Brausa, 6’1") def. Augie Padekan (Hard Knocks, 6’0")
Submission via rear naked choke at 2:13 into round1.

170lbs
Renato "Charuto" Verissimo (Nova Uniao) def. Shannon "The Canon" Rich (Buell Fighting Systems, 5’9")
Submission due to strikes at 3:09 into round1.