LIHU‘E — For the first time on a Kaua‘i fight card, two brothers will step into the cage together for two of the most anticipated fights at Ainofea’s Mayhem at the Mansion event Saturday. Tyson and Nalu Hawelu will be ready
LIHU‘E — For the first time on a Kaua‘i fight card, two brothers will step into the cage together for two of the most anticipated fights at Ainofea’s Mayhem at the Mansion event Saturday.
Tyson and Nalu Hawelu will be ready to show Kaua‘i just how much martial arts talent runs in their bloodline, according to a news release.
Tyson, 25, affectionately known as “Spanky” to his teammates and close friends, is a former County of Kaua‘i lifeguard.
Training at New Breed Kaua‘i since he was 17 years old, Tyson is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has an amateur fight record of four wins and two losses. He is currently the Kaua‘i Knockout Championship belt holder for the 145 pound amateur belt and a King of the Cage veteran in Las Vegas. Tyson just recently moved to O‘ahu and is now primarily training at Fitness Ranes alongside other fighters, such as UFC veteran Chris Leben.
Nalu, 27, a Transportation Security Administration agent at Lihu‘e Airport, is the older of the two and the newest to Kaua‘i’s fight scene. Fighting at 155 pounds, Nalu made his debut last March in Ainofea’s Warpath to Mayhem event at Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
He defeated his opponent Paul DeSoto of Hawaiian MMA via rear naked choke submission in the first round. It was a quick victory for the older Hawelu, who is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt.
In separate interviews with the brothers last week at their academy in Kapa‘a, both had similar things to say when it came to how they are preparing for their upcoming fight, but had very opposite reactions about fighting on the same card as their sibling.
Tyson says he “chose to fight at home because the crowd and support I have. Training on O‘ahu is good. But it’s hard to find a place to train that fits my work schedule. I go to Fitness Ranes and it has stepped my game up a lot. It got me in shape cause I was fat, but since I started training there it made me more stronger, faster, more explosive. I don’t really know much about my opponent. I’m going to try to do what I always do and finish as fast as I can.”
Nalu said he tries to keep a balanced training schedule.
“I feel more comfortable for this fight cause I know what to expect more,” Nalu says. “This training camp has been going good so far, been doing more explosive workouts. My game plan is to not lose (laughs). I try to keep my training balanced. I want to be prepared for everything, for all situations … because you never know what your opponent is gonna bring. I’m prepared for anything.”
Tyson said he feels his brother should do well.
“I rather him not (fight on the same card) because I have to be focused for myself and now I gotta worry about him, too,” Tyson said. “But he should do good … so I’m not that worried right now. He looks pretty good. His first fight got me pumped up, but I felt more nervous for him when I actually fight for some reason. Even though he’s my older brother, I still beat him up (laughs).”
Nalu said fighting his brother has been one of his goals.
“It’s something that I have always wanted to do, to be on the same card as my brother,” Nalu says. “Watching him fight inspired me to start fighting. And it’s a privilege to fight on the same card as him.”
Despite their differences in personalities, the Hawelu boys have one thing in common — their explosive fight style combined with technical finesse. Both intend to bring fireworks to the Kilohana stage come Feb. 16.
Tickets are selling out fast and are available at Kaua‘i Harley in Puhi; Deli and Bread at Kukui Grove Center; Buddha Boutique in Lihu‘e; Wongs in Hanapepe; and Peek a Bootique next to Kaua‘i Toyota.
