The main event of the Icon Sport: Unstoppable mixed martial arts card between champion Jason "Mayhem" Miller and challenger Frank Trigg is undoubtedly drawing the main interest.

But two other bouts on tonight's card also have mixed martial arts fans buzzing with anticipation.

In one semi-main event, Sidney Silva of Hawai'i will face Jay Jack of Maine for the vacant North American championship in the welterweight (170 pounds) division.

In the other semi-main event, Hawai'i fighters Tyson Nam and Mark Oshiro will battle for the vacant state championship in the flyweight (135 pounds) division.

"The whole world is waiting to see Mayhem fight Trigg, so to be on the same card is a big thing," Silva said.

Silva won the state welterweight championship on the last Icon Sport show in September. On that same card, Jack earned an impressive victory to set up a match with Silva.

Both are considered experts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, although Silva is a brown belt and Jack is a black belt.

"Theoretically, a black belt has more skills than a brown belt," Silva said. "But this is not going to be a jiu-jitsu match. This is a MMA match. You have to bring so many other things into the ring."

Silva was raised in Brazil, but moved to Hawai'i in 1999. He has a professional record of 5-1, and all five of his victories have come via opponent submission.

Jack is 12-6, and nine of his victories have come via opponent submission.

"This is my home now, and I made so many friends here," said Silva, 34. "I feel like I'm representing Hawai'i when I fight now."

Silva made news headlines a year ago when he used his martial arts skills to subdue a burglar in his home.

"That was a crazy experience for me, and people still like to talk about it," he said. "I think the guy went to jail — I don't know how long — but I'm happy it's over."

While most of the Blaisdell Arena crowd will be cheering for Silva, it should be split for the Nam-Oshiro bout.

Nam is a former kickboxer who has found immediate success in mixed martial arts. He is 3-0 since joining the Icon Sport organization in February.

"I know he's a tough fighter; he deserves his shot," Oshiro said.

In truth, Oshiro has been waiting much longer. He lost a thrilling state championship bout by decision to Ed Newalu in July of 2005. Oshiro is 7-1, and that was the only loss of his career.

Two subsequent rematches were postponed — once because Oshiro's father passed away, and then because Newalu had an injury.

Newalu has since been stripped of the title for business-related reasons by Icon Sport officials.

"I've been wanting this for a long time," Oshiro said. "But I have to look at it as just another fight."

Although Nam and Oshiro are the smallest fighters on tonight's card, it could be the most exciting bout.

"I pretty much see it being a stand-up war," Oshiro said.

TONIGHT'S CARD

185 pounds (Icon Sport world championship): Jason "Mayhem Miller vs. Frank Trigg. 170 (North American championship): Sidney Silva vs. Jay Jack. 135 (Hawai'i championship): Tyson Nam vs. Mark Oshiro. 205: Jeremy Williams vs. Ron Fields. 160: Kyle Miyahana vs. Marshall Harvest. 160: Chris Cisneros vs. David Padilla. 135: Paul Gorman vs. Ikaika Silva. 210: Maui Wolfgram vs. Ben Fonoti. 145: Vinny Delos Santos vs. TBA. 195: Ron Verdadero vs. Ross Hose. 145: Lorenzo Moreno vs. Sadhu Bott. Heavyweight: Jacob Cook vs. Chavis Victoria.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.