Vitale takes world title
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i has a new superstar in mixed martial arts and a new Super Brawl world champion.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Waipahu's Falaniko Vitale earned those titles with a spectacular first-round knockout of Japan's Masanori Suda in the main event of Super Brawl 39 last night.
"It's the best feeling in the world," Falaniko Vitale said of his victory.
A crowd of around 6,000 at the Blaisdell Center Arena erupted into a deafening standing ovation after the bout was stopped, and about 50 friends and family members of Vitale stormed the ring to raise him triumphantly on their shoulders.
"It's the best feeling in the world," said Vitale, 30. "I know a lot of people thought I couldn't win this fight, but I never stopped working. I think I proved a lot tonight."
Vitale improved to 20-3 and won the Super Brawl world championship at 185 pounds. Suda, who defeated Hawai'i's Egan Inoue for the title in 2003, dropped to 21-9-3 with his first loss since 2001.
Vitale won the fight with a flying right hand hook that landed square on the side of Suda's head. Suda dropped to canvas and the referee stepped in to signal the knockout, 4 minutes, 9 seconds into the first round. The bout was scheduled for three five-minute rounds.
"I faked my kick and while I was flying in the air, I threw the punch," Vitale said. "As soon as I saw him go down, I saw his eyes roll back and I knew it was over."
Both fighters struggled to gain control early in the round.
Eugene Tanner ð The Honolulu Advertiser
"I could tell he was trying to take me to the ground and I didn't let him do it," Vitale said.
"I faked my kick and while I was flying in the air, I threw the punch," Falaniko Vitale, right, said of his bout-winning move against Masanori Suda.
Officials from some of Japan's top mixed martial arts organizations were in attendance to watch the bout, and Vitale is now in contention for a lucrative contract to fight in Japan.
"Most important, Niko brought the Super Brawl championship back to Hawai'i, and you can see how much that meant to the fans here," said Super Brawl director T. Jay Thompson. "And as far as his career goes, the sky's the limit now."
Other bouts
155 pounds: Kultar Gill (Canada) def. Harris Sarmiento (Hawai'i) by choke submission 2:15 into third round. 145: Jim Kikuchi (Hawai'i) def. Justin Mercado (Hawai'i) by majority decision. 170: Mark Moreno (Hawai'i) def. Kevin Barber (Alaska) by knockout, 4:03 into first round. 175: Bryson Kamaka (Hawai'i) def. Allan Ulit (Hawai'i) by unanimous decision. 135: Mark Oshiro (Hawai'i) def. Harvey Nakamoto (Hawai'i) by unanimous decision. 170: K.J. Noons (California) def. Malik Williams (Hawai'i) by technical knockout, 2:33 into first round. 135: Albert Manners (Hawai'i) def. Ryan Lee (Hawai'i) by unanimous decision. 205: Reese Andy (Washington) def. Kala Kolohe Hose (Hawai'i) by unanimous decision. 135: Tyson Nam (Hawai'i) def. Jumar Dumalao (Hawai'i) by technical knockout, 1:19 into first round.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
