By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
The menu for the fight entertainment business is growing larger by the minute with Triple Threat Fights set to debut a mixed martial arts show, featuring a pair of pro bouts and the all-popular $10 ticket.
For those who enjoy MMA’s action of ground-and-pound, submissions and bear hugs on the canvas, the two other promotions are BJPenn.com’s Just Scrap and Russell Strong’s Unorthodox Industries Championship.
Both have passed on holding MMA events in Hilo recently while trying to find a new market on Maui. Just Scrap held a fight on the Valley Isle on May 4 and UIC’s last event there was in March, opening the door to Triple Threat Fights.
The owners are Neri Moevao, a family counselor in Puna, and brothers Brandon and Randy Eachus, who work for the fashion website woogiewoo.com and Costco, respectively. Randy Eachus also runs the triplethreatfights.com website.
According to Moevao, Triple Threat Fights has been around a long time and is connected to a few big names, such as Ken Shamrock, Ben Hardy and Lavar Johnson from the UFC, and local fighters like Mike Aina and Ross Ebanez.
“We started 10 years ago as a sponsoring company, providing shirts, clothing and money for MMA fighters,” Moevao said. “We’ve worked with Ken Shamrock productions and have taken fighters from Hawaii to different shows to get them exposure.
“There are a lot of guys having a hard time here and we’ve tried to help them out. Sometimes we take care of their gym fees and travel.”
Just Scrap’s last Hilo event was in January, with $20 tickets, and drew less than 1,500 fans. UIC’s last show was in February at $10 a ticket and packed the house. There was not an empty spot anywhere at Hilo Civic that night.
Moevao understands the old price ticket theory, which is give a dog a steak bone, and man’s best friend will refuse to eat dog food.
“Our ticket sales are not bad. People are purchasing tickets through our website, and we’re letting some clubs do fundraisers,” he said. “Every ticket they sell it makes a dollar for their club. It’s our way of giving back. We want the community to get involved. It’s like my work. We want to honor the shows here charging $10.
“I grew up here. I’ve sponsored fighters and know a lot of fighters. Some were my students at Hilo High. It’s nice to see them making better choices in life and having more goals to work toward.”
In a pair of pro title bouts, Daniel Friend will battle Maui’s Rilley Dutro for the 135-pound bantamweight belt, and Kona’s Van Oscar Penovaroff will fight Maui’s Eddie Perrells for the 145 featherweight belt.
In an amateur title fight, Kawika “Tips” Martin will take on Pat Torres for the 155 lightweight championship.
“It’s going to be some action with both Daniel and Rilley coming to throw down,” Moevao said. “They’ll go for broke. Everybody will enjoy that. Oscar and Eddie, that’s another battle, too. They’re in the top of their class for them. They’ve been trying to get something going. We’re very fortunate to provide a stage for them. Somebody will get knocked out or tapped out. That’s what’s going to happen in that fight.
“The amateur title fight will blow the roof off, too. Torres is one of the top ranked amateur boxers in the state. That’s going to be an interesting one to see.”
Ashton “One Whack Medivac” Castro and Petey Vital are two fighters on the card testing their endurance after competing on the Toughman Hawaii kickboxing show on Saturday. Castro won by decision and Vital lost by decision.
Hilo’s latest MMA promotion not only gives the amateur guys like Castro and Vital a chance to build their resumes, but maybe a steppingstone to move on to bigger and better things.
“We do work through Ken Shamrock,” Moevao said. “Some of the winners will face bigger names from our California connection on our Sept. 15 show.”
Mixed martial arts
Who: Triple Threat Fights
When: 6 p.m. Saturday; doors open at 5 p.m.
Where: Edith Kanaka’ole Multipurpose Stadium
Key fights: Daniel Friend vs. Rilley Dutro, pro bantamweight title; Van Oscar Penovaroff vs. Eddie Perrells, pro featherweight title; Kawika Martin vs. Pat Torres, lightweight title; Petey Vital vs. Kevin Silva
Tickets: $10 presale, $15 at door; CD Wizard, Hawaii International Family Fitness Center, Hilo Fight Co., Monsta MMA or triplethreatfights.com