808 Battleground making changes in 2012

808 Battleground announced today that beginning January 2012, they will become 808 Battleground “Tournament Fighting”. Their new slogan “No Short Cuts To Being The Best”.

808 Battleground has come up with a tournament style of competition which is similar to what Bellator Fighting has been doing for years. Amateur fighters who are selected for the tournament receive incentives to keep training, while the pro fighters receive a bump in pay as they advance.

Theres no favoritism, anyone who has their eyes on becoming Hawaii’s best will have to earn the title by winning the tournament and then taking the belt from the current champion. Dedicated fighters will stay committed while others will drop out. This is the business, and thats why there will be alternate matches, just in case a fighter can not advance, said 808 Battleground.

This is what Hawaii needs, the fighters have something to look forward to every month. And to make the promotion more exciting, there will be super fights (non title fights) for our current champions to keep them active. Win or lose in a super fight, the Champion will still defend his title.

Every promotion, big or small plays a major role in a fighters career. We support the other promotions just as much as they support us. We decided to take this approach to give fighters a different look, and help them achieve their goals.

Tournaments are goal driven, so he or she knows that the road ahead is not going to be straight, there’s going to be a few hills and mountains in the way and a few sharp curves that might stall them. In the end, it will be worth the journey, this is what fighters do, this is who they are, said 808 Battleground.

The tournament kicks off on January 20, 2012 and continues on throughout the year, each weight division will be covered. We have also been told that there will be other exciting news in 2012 for 808 Battleground and we just have to wait and see. Stay tuned for more on the tournament.

Kendall Grove to fight Ikuhisa Minowa

Proelite is putting together another great line up for there next Hawaii card. Former Pride FC,Dream,& UFC fighter Ikuhisa “the Punk” Minowa and will take on Local MMA Super Star, Kendall “Da Spida” Grove. This fight was talked about at ProElite’s first show back in August 27, 2011 but for whatever reason it didn’t happen and Grove ended up submitting Former UFC fighter Joe Riggs in the first round. Now Grove will try to make it 2-0 since being let go of the UFC. Minowa who’s record stands at an impressive 51-32-8 has been on a roll himself with a four fight win strick, and will be making his first US appearance. No word yet if this will be a one fight deal or if ProElite has signed the hard hitting Minowa, but one thing is for certain the people who will be in attendance for this fight will without a doubt get there money’s worth. Both fighter’s have been in the cage with top level opponents and is will respected. They both have great striking skill’s and a ground game that could submit even the most seasoned vet. It every will might come down to who strikes first, but with Grove having the home field advantage my money is on him to win.

Island Heat (Nov 18, 2011)

1. Stu def Braddah Kaowili – KB 135lb
2. Mike Ulibase def William Brightmon – KB 155lb
3. Alvin Big Sexy def E.T. – Pan >250lb
4. Gino def George Felix- Pan 165lb
5. Maka Mahuka def Mana Walker – Pan Heavy Weight
6. James Kealoha def Nozack – Pan Heavy Weight
7. Bubba def Rico- Pan Heavy Weight
8. Kekai B. def Bradly S. – Pan
9. Jon “the chozen 1” def Burnet – Pan
10. Jonah Vistante def Joseph jenks – KB Mid Weight
11. Lena Cook def Shaunte Jenks- KB
12. Deborey Vistante def Kuulei Estabilio – 135lb KB Title Match

Toughman Hawaii (Nov 5, 2011)

170- Chris Cisneros def Ben Santiago KO r2
HW- Ronnie Carvalho def John Rosa decision
155- Dave Motta def Anthony Pagan decision
HW- Chris Barnard def Gary Gouveia decision
155- Louis Pauole def. Richard Barnard, by first-round surrender.
* Vee Vickers def. Kuulei Estabilio, decision.
* Jon Barnard def. Jason Irning, decision.
* Jacob Smith def. Alvin Kanehailua, first-round knockout, :08.
* Elswood Noeam def. Clayton Nohara, decision.
* Ashley Pruett def. Jaydelynn Mariano, decision.
* Quinten Vea def. Daniel Jayne, first-round TKO, 1:25.
* Jim Bobek def. Tyler Leopoldino, second-round TKO, 1:03.
* Debory Vistante def. Leia Wong, first-round referee stoppage, 1:11.
* Matt Majamay def. Cody Guillermo, decision.
* Ikaika Rodrigues def. Travis Lerma, first-round TKO, :16.