Posted on: Friday, June 17, 2005

Vitale to make first title defense July 23

by Brian McInnis
Advertiser Staff Writer

Just two months after taking down Japan's Masanori Suda, Falaniko Vitale appears eager and ready to defend his new Super Brawl world title.

At a press conference at Eastside Grill yesterday, Vitale was introduced to his new opponent, Ultimate Fighting Championship's "Ruthless" Robbie Lawlor, for their upcoming Super Brawl: Icon bout at the Blaisdell Arena on July 23.

Vitale (20-3) is confident that he can build on his five-match winning streak, which culminated with his first-round flying hook that KO'd Suda in April.

Vitale hasn't lost since November of 2003.

"(Lawlor) doesn't know what's coming," said Vitale, 30. But the fighter from Waipahu also said that he "didn't see any weaknesses in (Lawlor's) fighting style," and had never fought anyone so explosive.

Lawlor (8-3), of Davenport, Iowa, meanwhile, has lost three of his past four matches after beginning his mixed martial arts career 7-0. He is proficient with wrestling techniques, but said he wouldn't try to take Vitale to the ground.

"Niko's a well-respected fighter," said Lawlor, 23, after the two met and shook hands. "He's athletic and powerful."

Lawlor added he would try to "stay close to (Vitale) and not let him use his athletic ability."

In addition to that fight, Super Brawl: Icon will feature another "semi-main event" in current Super Brawl welterweight world champion and UFC veteran Jason "Mayhem" Miller vs. Honolulu's Mark Moreno.

The upcoming bouts weren't the only things discussed at the conference.

In the wake of a recent state law that deemed unauthorized mixed martial-arts events illegal, the Super Brawl organization announced it is taking steps to distance itself from unsupervised street fighting.

According to Super Brawl president T. Jay Thompson, the company will be officially changing its name to "Icon," effective July 23.

"The name Super Brawl really hasn't fit our product correctly," said Thompson, who later elaborated that the word "brawl" didn't convey the proper message.

"We're very image conscious," he added, saying that Vitale and Lawlor were the type of people that he wanted to represent the sport.

Until the day of the fight, the event will be billed as Super Brawl: Icon. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at the Blaisdell box office or call Ticketmaster at (877) 750-4400.

Reach Brian McInnis at bmcinnis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8040.