Honolulu, HI (USA): The top Hawaiian fight promotion, X-1 World Events, today announced the full fight card for its next incredible event, entitled “HEROES.” This exciting fight card will feature a main event of X-1 World Middleweight Champion Falaniko Vitale putting his belt on the line against devastating KO artist Kala “Kolohe” Hose. Also taking place at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena that night will be the much-anticipated second round of the X-1 World Light Heavyweight title tournament, as the pairings have been set. Russia’s Vitaly Shemetov (7-7), coming off a brutal KO victory over Japanese MMA pioneer Shungo Oyama, will battle Hawaii’s own Poai Suganuma (10-3). Also coming off a big KO win is South Korea’s Sang Soo Lee (14-9), who will lock horns with California’s Roy Boughton (4-0), an undefeated submission specialist. “HEROES” will also showcase two anticipated world title fights, as both the featherweight and bantamweight belts will be up for grabs.
Tickets for this incredible event are on sale now at the Blaisdell Box Office, as well as all Wal-Mart, Kailua Sports Gear outlets, and on Tickemaster.com, or by calling (800) 745-3000. Prices are $200.00 for 1st row/cageside seats, $150.00 for 2nd row seats, $100.00 for floor seats, $50.00 for the risers/lodges, and $35.00 for the upper bowl. Tickets for all military, law enforcement, fire department, and EMT’s are available with ID at the Blaisdell Box Office for $10 off of the $50 and $35 seats, and $25 off the $200 floor seats, $150 2nd row seats, and $100 floor seats.
Falaniko Vitale (27-9, fifteen submissions) is one of the most respected Hawaiian combatants fighting today. An experienced athlete who recently celebrated ten years as a professional fighter, Vitale proudly represents the 808 Fight Factory, one of the toughest fight gyms on the Islands, and has fought for some of the most well-known promotions in the world. Fans of King of the Cage, Rage in the Cage, SuperBrawl, Icon Sport, the IFL, StrikeForce, and the UFC have all seen his skill set exhibited. In his most recent bout, he defended his coveted X-1 strap against former UFC competitor Kalib Starnes, finishing his controversial opponent via submission in the process. Niko, as he is known, has taken on top names in the sport, including “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler, former StrikeForce Middleweight title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Miller, MMA pioneer Jeremy Horn, StrikeForce/UFC veteran Trevor Prangley, and UFC fighter Frank Trigg. He has beaten notable fighters such as UFC vet Aaron Riley, former UFC Middleweight Champion Dave Menne, UFC middleweight contender Yushin Okami, and the aforementioned Lindland.
Kala “Kolohe” Hose (7-3, seven KO/TKOs) is known for his devastating knockout power, and has garnered a reputation as one of the toughest Island fighters today. He claimed the ICON Middleweight title in August of 2008 with an exciting TKO victory over current UFC fighter Phil Baroni that was lauded by Island fight fans for its great action. Also a veteran of Superbrawl and EliteXC, Hose will look to add the X-1 Middleweight belt to his list of accomplishments. During his career, he’s faced UFC veterans such as Baroni, “Mayhem” Miller, and Reese Andy. He will face what is probably the toughest opponent of his career in Vitale.
In addition, the second round of the heralded X-1 World Light Heavyweight tourney will commence at this event, as former EliteXC headliner and Hawaii native Poai Suganuma (10-3) will match up with “The Dancing Russian” Vitaly Shemetov (7-7), who brutalized respected veteran Shungo Oyama in the first round of the tournament en route to a KO victory. Suganuma, for his part, defeated Greg Schmitt via unanimous decision on his way to advancing. The other semifinal matchup will feature Gracie-trained submission specialist Roy Boughton (4-0, four submissions), who tapped out Adam Akau with a first round guillotine choke to garner a place in the second round of the tournament, as he faces extremely tough South Korean SpiritMC veteran Sang Soo Lee (14-9). Lee knocked out Daniel Madrid with a beautiful right hand in order to move on in the tourney. Also featured will be a 145 lb. World Championship bout between Ricky Wallace and four-time Strikeforce veteran Alvin Cacdac, as well as a 135 lb. World Championship fight between Bryson Hanson and Russell Doane.
“I am very excited about this incredible card. Having two great Island fighters like Niko and Kolohe fight for the belt, along with the second round of the tournament, and throwing in two other title matches…what a card!” exclaimed Mike Miller, Owner/Promoter of X-1 World Events. “It’s going to be an amazing night of fights.”
The full fight card is as follows:
Main Event: 185 lb. World MMA Championship:
Falaniko Vitale vs. Kala “Kolohe” Hose
Light Heavyweight MMA Championship tournament (second round):
Poai Suganuma (Hawaii) vs. Vitaly Shemetov (Russia)
Sang Soo Lee (S. Korea) vs. Roy Boughton (California)
145 lb. World MMA Championship:
Ricky Wallace vs. Alvin Cacdac
135 lb. World MMA Championship:
Bryson Hanson vs. Russell Doane
155 lbs. – Max “Lil’ Evil” Halloway vs. Duke Saragosa
135 lbs. – Raquel Paaluhi vs. Colleen Schnider
135 lbs. – Eddie Perrell vs. Mark Tajon (State Title Match)
170 lbs. – Anthony Torres vs. Thomas Sedeno
145 lbs. – Dustin Kimura vs. Chris Williams
185 lbs. – Collin Mansanas vs. Caleb Price
135 lbs. – Van Shiroma vs. Timothy Meeks
About X-1 World Events
Founded in 2004 by Mike Miller, X-1 World Events is a world-class mixed martial arts (MMA) promotional company based in Honolulu, HI. Locally-owned and operated, X-1 delivers exciting live arena-based entertainment events to fight fans all over the islands. The events feature some of the MMA world’s most talented fighters, including UFC, Pride, and Abu-Dhabi veterans such as former UFC champions Dan “The Beast” Severn and Ricco Rodriguez, UFC veterans Jeff Monson, Kimo Leopoldo, Chad “The Grinder” Reiner, “Sugar” Shane Nelson, Brandon Wolff, Wes “The Project” Sims, Ronald “The Machine Gun” Juhn, Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, and Falaniko Vitale, as well as Pride veterans Chris Brennan and Ron “H2O-Man” Waterman. X-1 World Events can be found online at http://www.x1events.com/