X-1: Sims Stops Kimo; Vitale Wins at 205
James Meinhardt Oct 7, 2006
HONOLULU, Oct. 6 — Discord surrounded Friday’s X-1 World Events’
main event between Kimo
Leopoldo (Pictures) and Wes Sims (Pictures). This may not come as a surprise,
as both fighters have had their fair share of controversy in the
recent past, but what occurred Friday night was a little
different.
Both fighters looked to be in good shape as they circled in the opening seconds of the bout. Leopoldo shot in for a double-leg takedown and after some struggle against the ropes, managed to get Sims to the canvas.
The Hawaiian worked from Sims’ guard by throwing down punches, but
an apparent injury incurred while landing the takedown started a
heavy stream of blood from the Leopoldo’s nose. The amount of blood
was enough to cause the referee to pause the fight and bring in the
doctor.
After both men were cleaned up and blood flow temporarily stopped, the fight was restarted on the ground. It wasn’t long after that that blood again began pouring from Kimo’s face, and the referee was forced to separate the heavyweights once again. This time it appeared that the fight was over, as Leopoldo went to Sims’ corner and shook hands with him and his corner.
The fighters once again circled in the ring. Kimo made a valiant effort, scoring a takedown and working to gain back-control before nearly finishing Sims with a rear-naked choke. But the much larger Sims was able to shake Kimo off and rain down blows from the guard.
Sims connected solidly, knocking the mouthpiece from Kimo’s teeth. The referee stopped the bout for the third and final time at 3:21 of the first round, giving the win to Sims. The stoppage appeared to be as much for Kimo’s bleeding as it was for the punches landed by Sims.
In the co-main event, local favorite Falaniko Vitale (Pictures) debuted in the light heavyweight division. Vitale, who had lost his last three fights, appeared to be hungry as he scored a big single-leg takedown off a flying knee attempt from his opponent, Timothy Williams.
Vitale worked from half-guard and eventually moved his way into a reverse mount, from which he attempted to secure an ankle lock before moving into side-control. With seconds left on the clock, Vitale let loose with a series of elbows that left Williams unconscious and bleeding at 4:48 of the first round.
In earlier action, Hawaiian Mark Moreno (Pictures) suffered a unanimous decision loss to Adam Lynn (Pictures).
Alex Stiebling (Pictures) got back on the winning track, out-pointing Augie Padeken.
Local heavyweight favorites Scott Junk (Pictures) and Eric Pele (Pictures) both scored wins via decision.
Up-and-comer Steve Byrnes (Pictures) was impressive once again, scoring his sixth straight win via submission by trapping Joshua Ferreira in a dangerous looking omoplata/choke, ending the fight at 2:22 into the first round.
Ed Newalu (Pictures) and Dave Moreno put on an entertaining fight as well, with Newalu getting the judges’ nod after three rounds.
Team Punishment fighter Justin McCully made his return to the ring after having only fought once in the last six years. McCully looked impressive, needing only 2:20 to choke out Derek Thornton with a rear-naked choke.
Both fighters looked to be in good shape as they circled in the opening seconds of the bout. Leopoldo shot in for a double-leg takedown and after some struggle against the ropes, managed to get Sims to the canvas.
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After both men were cleaned up and blood flow temporarily stopped, the fight was restarted on the ground. It wasn’t long after that that blood again began pouring from Kimo’s face, and the referee was forced to separate the heavyweights once again. This time it appeared that the fight was over, as Leopoldo went to Sims’ corner and shook hands with him and his corner.
Over 3,000 fans attending the event at the Neil S. Blaisdell Arena
expressed their confusion and disappointment, but the fight was on
once again. Sims, who had already started taking his gloves off,
appeared aggravated but more than willing to continue.
The fighters once again circled in the ring. Kimo made a valiant effort, scoring a takedown and working to gain back-control before nearly finishing Sims with a rear-naked choke. But the much larger Sims was able to shake Kimo off and rain down blows from the guard.
Sims connected solidly, knocking the mouthpiece from Kimo’s teeth. The referee stopped the bout for the third and final time at 3:21 of the first round, giving the win to Sims. The stoppage appeared to be as much for Kimo’s bleeding as it was for the punches landed by Sims.
In the co-main event, local favorite Falaniko Vitale (Pictures) debuted in the light heavyweight division. Vitale, who had lost his last three fights, appeared to be hungry as he scored a big single-leg takedown off a flying knee attempt from his opponent, Timothy Williams.
Vitale worked from half-guard and eventually moved his way into a reverse mount, from which he attempted to secure an ankle lock before moving into side-control. With seconds left on the clock, Vitale let loose with a series of elbows that left Williams unconscious and bleeding at 4:48 of the first round.
In earlier action, Hawaiian Mark Moreno (Pictures) suffered a unanimous decision loss to Adam Lynn (Pictures).
Alex Stiebling (Pictures) got back on the winning track, out-pointing Augie Padeken.
Local heavyweight favorites Scott Junk (Pictures) and Eric Pele (Pictures) both scored wins via decision.
Up-and-comer Steve Byrnes (Pictures) was impressive once again, scoring his sixth straight win via submission by trapping Joshua Ferreira in a dangerous looking omoplata/choke, ending the fight at 2:22 into the first round.
Ed Newalu (Pictures) and Dave Moreno put on an entertaining fight as well, with Newalu getting the judges’ nod after three rounds.
Team Punishment fighter Justin McCully made his return to the ring after having only fought once in the last six years. McCully looked impressive, needing only 2:20 to choke out Derek Thornton with a rear-naked choke.
