Chris West doesn't get to fight very often, so when he does, he cherishes every second.

"I have other priorities in my life, my family and my job being up there at the top," said West, who resides in Palolo. "But fighting is my hobby, something else that I love to do. When I get a chance to get in the ring, I make sure to make the most of it because opportunities don't come around often for a guy like me."

West will take on California's Scott Lighty in one of the tri-main events of the Stand Up Martial Arts card tomorrow at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

The card will feature 12 bouts, and all will follow kickboxing rules. Unlike mixed martial arts bouts, no takedowns or grappling will be allowed.

West, 35, is a relative newcomer to the sport, but has found success. He has a professional record of 5-1, although those six fights have been spread over six years.

"My background is wrestling, and then I got into jiu-jitsu after college," he said. "But about five or six years ago, I got the bug for kickboxing and that's what I train for now."

He trains six to seven days a week at Hawai'i Martial Arts Center (HMC) in Kalihi.

Haru Shimanishi, the president and founder of HMC, said West has been able to flourish as an "older" fighter because "he has a good comprehension of the technique."

"I wish he started when he was 16 or 17, because he is such a good athlete," Shimanishi said. "But it's not just that. He's very humble and he always wants to learn. Every day, he tries to make himself better."

West's ring experience is limited because of his other priorities. For one, he and his wife, Nicole, have a 7-month-old daughter, Caelan.

"If my wife told me I had to stop training, I would," West said. "But she understands that this is something I love to do."

West also loves coaching youth wrestlers. He has been an assistant coach for the Kamehameha Schools for the past eight years. Last season, he was the associate coach for the varsity program.

"During the four months of the season when I'm coaching the kids, I don't accept any fights," West said. "But the kids know that I fight, and I think that helps. I run with them, train with them whenever I can, and I think they respect that."

At the same time, West said he feels some added pressure when he does accept a professional bout.

"I want them to be proud of their coach, so yeah, I always feel like I have to do well," West said. "But they also know that I only fight against top guys, so they're smart enough to know that I'm not going to win every time. It's like I always tell them when they wrestle, 'Do your best and leave it all out on the mat. That way, win or lose, you can walk away proud.' "

West will definitely be tested tomorrow.

Lighty is 24-8-2, and he reached the final of a K-1 tournament in Las Vegas last year. The K-1 organization features the best kickboxers in the world.

"I'm the clear underdog," West said. "But that's what makes this so exciting for me."

Hawai'i fighters Ronald Jhun and Kaleo Kwan will also be featured on the card.

Jhun will face Jack Thames of Las Vegas and Kwan will take on Ryan Roy of California in the other main event bouts.

TOMORROW'S CARD

140 pounds: Nui Wheeler vs. Devin Damo. 145: Clint Kailii vs. Keo Doane. 135: Chris Willems vs. Isiah Ganaban. 147: Sadhu Bott vs. Lorenzo Moreno. 155: Randy Rivera vs. Makoa Hanaike. 170: Koa Ramos vs. Spencer White. 160: Kimo "Ku" Lee vs. Ikaika Choy-Fu. 175: Jay Carter vs. Luke Riddering. 160: Harris Sarmiento vs. James Martinez. 162: Kaleo Kwan vs. Ryan Roy. 225: Chris West vs. Scott Lighty. 170: Ronald Jhun vs. Jack Thames.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.