Toughman Hawaii’s Next Generation season finale is slated for Saturday, Sept. 23 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
“This will be the state’s biggest ever youth combat sports event,” Toughman Hawaii Next Generation promoter Walter Carvalho said.
Title fights include: Hilo’s Skylar Alvarado vs. Maui’s Capone Sundberg — Hilo’s Gemar Alvarado vs. O‘ahu’s Caleb Tioganco — Hilo’s Keeyan Flores vs. AJ Deluna of San Jose, Calif. — Hilo’s Uriyah Elaban vs. Savon Barnard od Wai‘anae, O‘ahu — as well as the main event.
The main event will feature two 17-year-old fighters who have fought for Team USA at the Youth MMA World Championships — Eric ‘Frosty’ Cortez and Adrian Lee.
Hailing from Mililani, O‘ahu, Lee is a six-time world champion and returning toughman competitor. Lee is also a four-time national youth MMA champion and was the 2023 HHSAA wrestling 160 lbs. state champion.
Lee will take on Cortez, who is an IMMAF World silver medalist and member of Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, Calif — which was founded by UFC’s Urijah Faber, who will attend the tournament.
Cortez was the champion of the 160 lbs. class at the 2023 World of Wrestling Reno Worlds, and a champion at the 2022 Youth MMA nationals in Temecula, Calif.
Lee and Cortez will compete at 165 pounds for the International Pankration World Title.
“These are two of the most decorated fighters in the sport,” Carvalho said. “You won’t wanna miss this one. The show is gonna be spectacular. Five divisional titles are on the line.”
A number of mainland competitors will travel to compete — including 10 youth fighters from pro MMA fighter Isaiah Hill’s Training center in San Jose, Calif.
More than 75 spectators from the mainland will be here to watch their kids take on Hawaii Fighters.
From Las Vegas Nevada Maximo ‘El Gallito’ Kyle — son of former UFC fighter Mike Kyle — returns to Hilo to put on a show.
“This kid is a very talented athlete,” Carvalho said “It’s gonna be amazing.All of the top fighters from around the state will be here to represent Hawaii and take a shot at divisional spot in this spectacular event.”
Nineteen total fights are on the card.
“Toughman Hawaii Next Generation Tournament of Champions is the next big thing,” Carvalho said, “come check it out.”
