The winner of the X1 World Events & MMA Hawaii giveaway to X1 HEROES this Saturday at the Blaisdell is:

NICOLE N JEREMY

Big Mahalo to everyone who participated we'll be giving away MMA Hawaii T-Shirts in the coming weeks so make sure to check our site for more info! 

We hope to see everyone this Saturday at the Balisdell!

WHAT: X1 WORLD EVENTS PRESENTS HEROES
WHEN: SEPTEMBER 11, 2010
WHERE: BLAISDELL ARENA

Tickets Available at: Neal Blaisdell Box Office, All Ticketmaster Locations including Walmart Stores and Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000, Sports Gear Windward Mall

By Martin Han - MMA Hawaii

What defines a hero?  The journey?  The pain?  The glory?  The fame? 

When X-1 announced HEROES, it was fitting to have Hawaii's best of the best, former Icon Sports Middleweight Champion Kala Kolohe and current X1 World Events Middleweight Champion Falaniko Vitale, battle it out for the GLORY of the X-1 World Middleweight Championship.

As I sit here watching these two iconic figures answer questions at Dave & Busters, I can't help but think who will hold the title as "HERO"?  Both fighters will leave it all on the line this Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena to find who's the top middleweight champion. 

WHAT: X1 WORLD EVENTS PRESENTS HEROES
WHEN: SEPTEMBER 11, 2010
WHERE: BLAISDELL ARENA

Tickets Available at:  Neal Blaisdell Box Office, All Ticketmaster Locations including Walmart Stores and Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000, Sports Gear Windward Mall

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YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TWO (2) EVENT TICKETS FOR X1 HEROES

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
 

1. Become a fan on our MMAHAWAII Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/MMA-HAWAII/132060773710 ), and repost this message on our wall (If you're already a fan just repost this message)

2. FOLLOW us on twitter http://www.twitter.com/mmahawaii and then Retweet the following on Twitter:"@MMAHAWAII Enter to win TWO (2) EVENT TICKETS FOR X1 HEROS!

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, September 08, 2010 at 12pm. We will select a random winner on Wednesday after the X1 World Events Press Conference!

Tickets Available at:  Neal Blaisdell Box Office, All Ticketmaster Locations including Walmart Stores and Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000, Sports Gear Windward Mall

Check out their store for the latest Jewlery and Watches by Affliction, Ed Hardey and Tapout!  More info at wwwsilverrhinohawaii.com - Special Thanks to Silver Rhino Hawaii!

As an attorney and county executive, I am faced with many stressful and complex situations, not unlike those who are involved in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).   

Ironically, it is not in the law library, courtroom or executive staff meetings that have enable me to persevere through these situations.  In fact, some of my best ideas and thoughts have developed while I was working out in the gym at 5:30am every weekday morning!

I have always been involved in athletics, from activities through the Police Activities League (PAL) to powerlifting competitions as a young adult.   While I have always welcomed competition, I actually enjoyed the preparation aspect of the competition more than the competition itself.

When I retired from competitive powerlifting, I continued to train at least 3-5 times a week and continue to do so.   In addition to keeping fit physically, I train for my mental and spiritual well-being as well.

Those who know me well will tell you that there are 2 things that no matter how busy I am, I will always find time for, first, my family is my highest priority and I will always set aside time in my day to be with my family and second, I am always find time for my workouts.

With each year, the demands of life continue to grow, but I will always make time for my workouts every weekday morning, I just need to wake up earlier and earlier to squeeze them in my schedule.

With respect to MMA, I, like many others, am an admirer of this sport and the diversity and discipline that is involved with the training of its athletes.   I also proud of that fact that so many local boys have developed into world class MMA competitors and champions.

As a candidate for the Honolulu City Council in District 2 , funding and advocating for physical fitness and recreational programs for our keiki will be one of my highest priorities as I am a firm believer in the necessity of providing our youth with activities that not only improves their fitness but also imposes mental discipline and the value respect for their peers, parents, elders and community in their well-being as well.

In closing, I invite you to visit my website at Martin4CityCouncil.com for additional information on my qualifications and philosophies and wish you all the best in your own personal and physical endeavors.


ERNIE MARTIN
Candidate, Honolulu City Council

By: Billy Hull - Fighting Words (Star Advertiser)

BOSTON » It's not the belt he's fighting for -- he's got eight of them tucked away in a closet at home.

It's not a legacy he's training every day for -- that's something he realizes others will decide.

B.J. Penn's fight with Frankie Edgar in the main event of UFC 118 on Saturday night boils down to the same principles he had growing up in Hilo.

Every scrap was a chance to prove you're the best. When you lose, the only thing to do was wake up the next day and not let it happen again.

"Me and my friends would always get into scraps and I'd always say, 'I'm not the best, but I'm hard to beat,' " Penn said.

"I really feel that about myself. I might not be the best every day of the week, but if you catch me on the wrong day, I'm going to show you something you've never seen before."

Edgar caught Penn on the right day back in April, earning a disputed unanimous decision victory that included one judge scoring the fight all five rounds for Edgar.

The debate left UFC president Dana White no choice but to make an immediate rematch to determine whether Edgar's victory was legit or a fluke.

"The last (fight) was razor thin," the soft-spoken champion said. "Definitely gives me much more respect (to finish Penn). I expect a tough fight and to get that finish would be great."

To do that, he'll have to beat the most successful lightweight fighter ever, whose motivation level will be at an all-time high.

Penn's focus and dedication have been questioned multiple times, but recent history suggests losing is his biggest motivator.

Following his title loss to former welterweight champion Matt Hughes, he came back to destroy Jens Pulver. After he was dominated by Georges St-Pierre, Penn put on a clinic in takedown defense, earning an eventual submission victory over Kenny Florian.

He's 4-1 all-time in fights coming after a loss.

"Besides everybody knowing (you lost) and you don't want to talk to anybody, what hurts is when you're sitting there and Dana is saying, 'We're going to announce something in a month that is going to blow your socks off' and you're like, 'He's going to announce something, and I'm not at the forefront?'

"When Dana guys are doing all these big plans, I want to be involved."

Penn's 10-year relationship with White has taken more twists and turns than an M. Night Shyamalan movie.

Penn left the company as its champion following a contract dispute, only to come back years later after fighting in Hawaii and Japan.

The two made amends, but following the recent release of Penn's book "Why I Fight," the two aren't on speaking terms again as White has taken offense to comments made in the book regarding him and the UFC's business practices.

"I don't want to say anything bad about (Dave) Weintraub (the author), but things were written that I would never say," Penn said. "It's sad to say, Dana is really bummed about it. I've tried to amend the situation and put everything back together, but it's going to take some time."

To White's credit, he didn't let personal animosity get in the way of the fight that made the most sense.

"Never let those things get in the way of business," he said yesterday.

The business at hand is a title fight that doubles as a chance to avenge a loss.

For the 31-year-old Penn, who will compete in his 11th world title fight, the latter is just as important, if not more.

"After I beat Frankie Edgar, I know it's UFC policy that I have to take the belt ... but I don't want to be labeled a champion.

"I just want to be labeled a fighter."

Hayley Pieper, a bright and beautiful little girl, was born on January 10, 2007, with a hole in her heart. Surgery to repair the VSD should've been conducted 3 years ago, when Hayley was 1. However, being so blessed with strength, and love from her family, the doctors felt Hayley was doing great and that surgery was not necessary at that time. Up until 3 months ago, the world of security for the Pieper family came crashing down.  They were informed of Hayley's present need for medical attention and the urgency to undergo open heart surgery. 

Hayley will be undergoing surgery on August 30, 2010. Part of the procedure includes the stopping of Hayley's heart and temporary life support during her surgery process of 4 - 5 hours.   

To show our love and support to Brandon Peiper, one of Hawaii's 808 Top Team fighters, and his beautiful family, we have volunteered to assist them with fundraising efforts in anyway possible...Starting with helping to spread the word of their 1st "Have a Heart Fundraiser" event happening this Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 3pm in their hometown, Waianae, at Pilila'au park. 

Please see the flyer for detailed information!  Any and all other donations are welcome! Please contact Brandon Pieper at 277.1136 or his wife, Raelyn Pieper at 627.2778 if you have further questions or would like to assist!

By Sonny Velez - MMA Hawaii

Galaxy MMA held their press conference for their "Bad Blood" event scheduled for August 6, 2010 at the Blaisdell Center, today at Kanpai Sport's Bar and Grill, Honolulu Hawaii.

Those in attendance were fighters, Jose Salgado (Roy Nelson’s Gym; The Country Club), Chris Yee (Team Quest), Ian McCall (Team Oyama MMA), and his opponent in the 135 pound weight division,  Tyson Nam (Team Quest). Due to unforeseen flight scheduling, the remainder of the fighters were unable to attend.  Mark Pang, the owner of Fighter's Corner, hosted the event and was apologetic for the absentees and passed the word along that Harris Sarmiento (808 Top Team)was sorry that he was unable to attend the press conference.

The floor was open to questions in which each fighter was given the opportunity to answer the public. One of the questions posed to Ian McCall, "Do you feel that the lengthy lay off from being in the ring will affect you in this Friday's match up against Tyson  Nam?", his response," Even after a long lay off, I feel that I am more than prepared for whatever Tyson has for me." Weigh in's are scheduled to be on Thursday, August 5th at 4:00pm, also at Kanpai Sports Bar and Grill.  Fighters to look out in this event are Dwain Pasion (Team CAT) and Brandon Pieper (808 Top Team)  This Friday's fight card should prove to be an exciting event with the buzz on the so-called trilogy match of Dirty Curty (Team Submit)VS. Brennan Kamaka (808 Top Team).


This Saturday, August 7th, X-1 will team up with Destiny MMA to present their next event, “Showdown at Waipahu 3.”

UFC vet and Hawaiian fighting favorite Ronald “The Machine Gun” Jhun will make his return to MMA as he battles Michael Winkelspecht in the main event.