Mixed martial artists return to the ring tonight for Kauai Cage Match VII at Hanapepe Stadium.

There are 15 bouts scheduled — 12 MMA and three kickboxing. Nine of the fighters will be representing Kaua‘i clubs. Yesterday, at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center’s center stage, the fighters stripped down for the official weigh-in.

“When people ask me which match is the best one, which one to look for, I tell them to throw a dart and which ever one it hits, that’s the one,” said Vance Pascua, promoter and co-sponsor of the event. “That’s how good all the matches are. Every one of them is good.”

One of the matches features Pauly Kuwamura, representing Kauai Technical Institute’s Relson Gracie Kaua‘i group. He is slated in the 135-pound weight class and pit against Bryson Hanson of the Mixed Martial Arts Development Academy on O‘ahu.

Isaac Josiah of Kaua‘i’s Quiksilva group will take on Zack Rapal of the Fighters Union for the 145-pound Amateur Kickboxing title.

Jon Barnard of God’s Army from Wai‘anae will take on Kaua‘i’s Sergio Hurtado.

Pascua has been working on these matches for some time now and said he was extremely pleased with how the matches were being received this year.

“I think because there was a longer waiting period between matches — it wasn’t one match and then another match — that the anticipation factor was there. People were anticipating this match because the other one was so long ago,” Pascua said.

With the sport becoming increasingly popular, Pascua said there wasn’t just an increase in sales, there was an increase in sponsorship.

“The community has really come out to help,” he said. “I think we have twice as many sponsors than last year.”

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(Source: Lanaly Cabalo, Kauai Garden Island News)

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