Low blow kick ends main event
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
A low blow is not exactly the best way to make a first impression.
But that's how the main event of the Galaxy MMA: Worlds Collide mixed martial arts card ended last night at the Blaisdell Center Arena.
The main event between Kailua's Scott Junk and Brazil's Fabiano Scherner was ruled a no-contest after Scherner landed an unintentional low blow on Junk in the opening seconds of the bout.
"I take the blame," Scherner said. "It wasn't on purpose at all. I don't play dirty game, never."
Junk and Scherner were circling each other around the cage looking for an angle when Scherner landed the kick to Junk's cup.
Junk stayed on the ground for several minutes before the doctors ruled that he could not continue.
Galaxy MMA president Mark Pang said he would try to reschedule the heavyweight bout. Last night was Galaxy MMA's first professional card.
The co-main event played out as advertised, with bantamweights Tyson Nam and Keola Silva engaging in an action-packed, three-round bout.
Silva won a majority decision in the 135-pound bout, earning the nod on two of the three judges' cards.
Silva, who is from Waialua, scored numerous takedowns throughout the bout. Nam, who is from Wahiawā, scored points with his strikes, and dropped Silva with a punch in the second round.
Silva improved to 2-0, while Nam dropped to 8-3.
In other professional bouts on the card: Eldon "Sale" Sproat of Moloka'i made a spectacular debut with a first-round TKO victory over R.J. Richter of Las Vegas.
The quarterfinals of a lightweight (155 pounds) tournament were also completed last night. The four winners were Kristopher Kyle of Waipahu, Steve Gable of San Diego, Calif., Harris Sarmiento of Waipahu and Jose Salgado of Las Vegas.
Salgado was awarded a forfeit victory after his opponent failed to make the 155-pound weight limit.
The semifinals will be completed at the next Galaxy MMA event, which is scheduled for August. Kyle will face Gable in one semifinal, and Sarmiento will face Salgado in the other.
FINAL RESULTS
Professional bouts
Heavyweight: Scott Junk vs. Fabiano Scherner, no contest. 135: Keola Silva def. Tyson Nam via majority decision. 170: Preston "Bruski" Louis def. Brennan Kamaka via armbar submission, 0:23 into first round. 185: Eldon "Sale" Sproat def. R.J. Richter via TKO strikes, 2:14 into first round.
Lightweight (155 pounds) tournament quarterfinals: Kristopher Kyle def. Jenzen Espanto via choke submission, 3:32 into first round; Steve Gable def. Clay Lewis Jr. via choke submission, 2:59 into first round; Harris Sarmiento def. Chris Yee via unanimous decision; Jose Salgado def. Kyle Ka'ahanui via forfeit (Ka'ahanui failed to make weight).
Amateur bouts
205: Zack Pang def. Kimo Sanders via choke submission, 2:22 into first round. 170: Evan Lowther def. Markus Kindblad via KO kick, 0:18 into first round. 160: Ryan Clay def. Chris Templo via unanimous decision.