Story By: King Eddie

ProElite put on their first show under the new owners (Status Media Group), and they chose Honolulu as the battlefield. This was a great opportunity for the fight fans of the islands to see big show talent, but an even better opportunity for the local scrappers to shine. As expected, they did just that. With punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and heart by the truckload, our local fighters stole the show. In the first bout of the night, Chad Thomas and last minute replacement Joey Palemia started things with a bang. Both fighters towered over the fans as they marched their way to the cage. Thomas from Penn Training and Fitness, and Palemia from team Up N Up, showed how athletic the big boys can be. They slugged and tussled thier way through three rounds of action before Palemia took the win via decision. Amazing start to a fantastic night.

In bout number two, Brent Schermerhorn of Chris Leben's Fight School, went head to head with newcomer, Jesse Lundgren. Both fighters packed a punch and were looking to end the other ones night early. Though Jesse had great movement and potential in his striking, he was caught in the first round by a big bomb from Schermerhorn that sent him to the mat. From there he looked to defend but was blasted with a big shot that sent him out. Another exciting fight by two local fighters, and a solid statement by Shermerhorn.

In the third bout of the eventing, pro surfer and Kauai boy, Dustin Barca, met local Oahu fighter and hot prospect Reno Remigio in a war that showed the heart and warrior spirit that Hawaii fighters hold. Dustin came out strong, throwing everything AND the kitched sink. Barca used cage control and decisive movements in order to throw kicks and punches in bunches. Remigio took all that was given and battled through a tough first round. The second round came on strong when Remigio caught Barca with a hard shot and leveled the playing field. Fighting through a busted nose, swollen eye and cut under the other, Remigio forged a comeback to be remembered. The war continued all the way though the second with Remigio picking shots and putting up fight that forced Dustin to step in and trade. Both fighters battled with every ounce of fight in their body and when the bell sounded to end the second round, the crowd was left in a stir. Due to an eye that was completely closed, Reno could not continue due to doctor stoppage. AMAZING WAR, and hopefully a rematch to come. Dustin takes the victory, but there were no losers in this fight.

The seemingly unstoppable "Moloka'i Cowboy" Sale Sproat, and Pro Debut fighter, Kaleo Gambill stepped up next to make the fans go crazy. Sale known for his heavy hands and ability to finish strong, started strong against the Penn Training and Fitness fighter Gambill. Bombs were blasted by both in thrilling exchanges that sent the crowd up to their feet and screams to the top of their lungs. Kaleo Gambill was dropped with hard shots but managed to find his way to his feet and throw some heavy leather of his own. Sale then found an opportunity to trip Gambill and did so with a thunderous thud, but followed up with an illegal elbow that resulted in a stand up. As soon as the action restarded, Gambill came for the knockout. He dropped Sale with a hard left hand and as soon as Sproat was on the ground, he dropped his hammer fist with bad intentions. Though Sale fought valiently, the ref inevitably stepped in and called an end to the contest. War for the ages!

Raquel Pa'aluhi went to war in the fight of the night with Olympic Silver Medalist, Sara McMann. The two have strong wrestling and hands like bricks, and they showed the crowd more than a fight, it was an absolute event in itself. Raquel, though taken down several times, managed to work a ground defense and counter with strikes from the bottom. She escaped and mounted an ofense full of submission attempts that almost landed a triangle choke. Though McMann had a strong wrestling pedigree, Pa'aluhi managed to force her into a dogfight. The two fighters took the fight wherever it could go and the fans didn't stop cheering for even a second. Though McMann scored the Submission victory, Pa'aluhi was said to be McMann's "toughest fight yet". Raquel showed the world not only what women can do in MMA, but what Hawaii fighters bring to the table. War on the feet and War on the floor.

Former UH football standout, Jake Heun, had an extremely exciting fight with AKA prospect Mark Ellis. When heavyweights clash, there is always a wow factor and Jake showed it from the bell. He attacked Ellis and handed him some hard strikes from the go. Ellis, however, is a former NCAA wrestling National Champion, which directed Heun in to some troublesome situations. But the UH Warrior took everything with a never say die spirit. He attacked on all fronts and made it a fight for all to enjoy. He attakced from his back, reversed postitions, rained punches down like a monsoon, and even shucked off a few takedowns. Heun, at one point, almost sealed the deal with a DEEP kimura that looked to be inches from finishing the fight, before Ellis found a way out. Though the bout ended via submission by Ellis, Heun has to feel a swell of pride for putting on such a fantastic showing so early in his career.

Reagan Penn then took on Paul Gardiner. Penn, who was making his pro debut, has been hyped so highly because of his reputatioin in the gym while training with and coaching his brother BJ. But when the cage door closed and the pressure was on, Reagan did not disappoint. Gardiner shot in almost immediately and Penn found his way to his back. No matter what move Gardiner made, Reagan was steps ahead, it appeared. When the end came to the fight via Rear Naked Choke, the Blaisdell errupted with cheers. A triumphant debut for Reagan Penn, and another force in MMA from the islands, and the Penn family.

In the Main event of the evening, local fighter, TUF winner, and UFC veteran, Kendall Grove rematched his first loss, Joe Riggs. In their frist meeting, Riggs ended Kendalls night with a KO, but on this night it was "Da Spyder" who took the show home. He squeezed Riggs to a tap with a Guillotine choke within the first minute of the first round. His monumental homecoming was victory, and Hawaii was elated. What a fitting end to a defining night of fights. The local fighters stole the show, win or lose. Congratulations to all who competed. MMA Hawaii and the local fans, as always, are more proud than can  be expressed. Thank you for what you do in the interest of our entertainment.