Ever since his spectacular knockout of Japan's Masanori Suda in April, Vitale has become a recognized figure in shopping malls and restaurants.

"A lot of people, strangers, still come up to me and talk about how amazed they were with that fight," Vitale said. "It's been a blessing for me and my family."

But Vitale is still not satisfied.

That's why he will defend his Super Brawl middleweight (185 pounds) world championship against Iowa's Robbie Lawler tomorrow at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

Vitale and Lawler will be featured in the main event of a 12-bout card titled Super Brawl: Icon. Nine of the bouts, including the main event, will follow mixed martial arts rules; three will follow kickboxing rules.

"I can't just fight any guy off the street," said Vitale, a Waipahu High graduate who now resides in 'Ewa. "If I want to make a name for myself in this sport, I have to fight the top guys."

Lawler qualifies as a top contender.

For starters, he trains at the Miletich Martial Arts Academy in Iowa. It is considered one of the most respected schools in America, and has produced several world champions.

As recently as 2003, Lawler was considered a world title contender in the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship. He started his career 7-0, but has lost three of his last four bouts and is no longer under contract with the UFC.

"This is a big fight for me as far as the competition," said Lawler, 23. "It's as important for me as any fight I've had."

Lawler figures a victory over Vitale could put him back into the larger organizations like UFC.

Vitale, 30, is hoping for the same thing.

After his victory over Suda, Vitale had preliminary talks with officials from Pride — one of the top organizations in Japan.

"If I went into Pride, I would have to start at the bottom and work my way up the ladder," Vitale said. "That's still something I might look into, but I feel like this is my opportunity now. I'm not getting any younger and as the champion in (Super Brawl) I get to compete against the best and hopefully open some eyes."

Vitale is 20-3, and none of his victories was more impressive than his last one. He knocked out Suda in the first round with a flying punch that has been replayed in television commercials hundreds of times since.

Lawler has seen the video, and said of Vitale: "He's impressive. He's a good athlete, so I'm expecting it to be a good fight."

But Lawler has knockout power of his own. He became a crowd favorite in the UFC because six of his eight victories were by knockout.

"I've seen him knock guys out with both hands, and on top of that, he's a good wrestler," Vitale said. "Of all the fights I've had, this one could be the toughest because he can do so many things."

A near-capacity crowd is expected at the Blaisdell, but Lawler said he will not be phased by the pro-Vitale fans. One of Lawler's UFC bouts in Las Vegas last year drew more than 11,000 fans.

"I don't hear the crowd anyway because I'm always so focused," he said. "A fight's a fight no matter where it is."

TOMORROW'S CARD

185 pounds: Falaniko Vitale vs. Robbie Lawler for Super Brawl world middleweight championship.

170: Jason Miller vs. Mark Moreno for Super Brawl world welterweight championship.

135: Ed Kelii Newalu vs. Mark Oshiro for Hawai'i state flyweight championship.

162 1/2: Kolo Koka vs. Tyler Jackson. 160: Bryson Kamaka vs. K.J. Noons. 185: Kimo Woelfel vs. Nick Ring. 185: Trevor Garrett vs. Reese Andy. 205: Corey Daniels vs. Kala Kolohe Hose.

135 (kickboxing rules): Tyson Nam vs. Mike DeJesus. 160 (kickboxing rules): Stoka Solla vs. Ikaika Choy Fu. 175 (kickboxing rules): Ben Rodriguez vs. Kalani Ing.