LIHUE — The fighters have weighed in and most are set for the big show. Kauai Cage Match 16: Showdown on the Southshore, presented by Ainofea Productions and RK Sports, takes place tonight at the Southside Sports Center in Koloa.
LIHUE — The fighters have weighed in and most are set for the big show.
Kauai Cage Match 16: Showdown on the Southshore, presented by Ainofea Productions and RK Sports, takes place tonight at the Southside Sports Center in Koloa.
“They can expect a lot of intensity and a lot of fire,” said Vance Pascua, Ainofea President and CEO. “A lot of them are first-time fighters. They’re going to give it their all.
“They’re amateurs. They don’t have anything to fight for but their pride,” he continued. “It’s all about doing what they want, and doing it in front of their friends and families. So, you’ll see a lot of fireworks. It will be fun.”
The fighters weighed in Friday afternoon at the Kukui Grove Center in Lihue.
Fifteen bouts are scheduled for tonight’s show. Of the 30 combatants slated on the card, 26 represent Kauai, Pascua said.
“It’s going to have action from beginning to end,” Pascua said. “There’s so much Kauai fighters. You have a lot support just having them out there — from their families and friends. It’s going to be packed.”
The night’s main event is a 145-pound pro mixed-martial arts bout and features Wailua fighter Fatu Tuitasi.
“I feel good. I’m ready for some action,” Tuitasi said shortly after he weighed in. “I haven’t fought in six, seven years. I’ve been training one year now boxing. … The opportunity came up, and I’m really excited.”
Tuitasi’s opponent in the headliner is Matt Lascola, a Pittsburgh, Pa. native who now resides on Oahu.
“I feel good. It was an easy cut, Lascola said. “(I worked on) a lot on my striking and my takedowns. I know the guy I’m fighting is a stand-up guy. So, I’m planning on taking it to the ground.”
Pascua said of his main event: “Both of them, they have a lot of amateur bouts under their belts. Now, they’re pros. Now, they’re stepping up to the big leagues.”
The co-main event pits together Timmy Teves, of Kapahi, versus California native Stan Redick.
“I’m feeling solid. This is the best camp I’ve had yet,” Teves said. “Been through a tough camp, and I cannot see myself letting this fight slide off of weight shortage. I’m ready. I feel ready.”
The co-main event was a scheduled 155-pound fight for a belt, but Redick weighed in at 168 pounds. The bout is now set for 160 pounds and Redick has until 9 a.m. today to make weight.
Redick admitted he took the fight on short-notice and had difficulty cutting weight, but expects to have cut the weight by this morning and will be set for the show.
“It’s been a tough weight cut. The weight keeps going back up unfortunately,” Redick said. “I don’t know if it’s a thyroid issue or not, but we’re on diuretics. At this point, we’re doing the best we can to get down. If I can get to 160, he’ll fight. If not, it’s a scrap.”
Only a handful of the fighters didn’t make weight on Friday. But for the most part, “Everything is a go,” Pascua said.
“Usually the protocol is they have an hour to cut after they weigh in. If it’s an amateur bout, they both decide after the fact,” Pacua said. “If they don’t make the weight, if they want to fight at different weights, they’ll let it fight. If it’s a pro fight, if it’s for a belt, we’re a little bit more strict.”
He added the event is a homecoming of sorts for him as he is a Koloa native.
“This is my sixteenth show, but I’ve never done it on the south shore,” Pascua said.
