In their busiest year to date X1 World Events showed why they continue to be Hawaii’s number one event. They put all of their titles on the line and crowned some new and exciting world champions, brought back pro boxing, they also introduced new venue’s like The Cirque and Palolo Hongwanji as well as added new features to their events like a concert, replacing the chairs with tables at the Blaisdell and the amazing aerialists of The Cirque Hawaii entertaining the fans between matches.

To highlight the year we will start off with the “Champions” event at the Blaisdell Arena. Maui product Lolohea Mahe continued his dominance of the HW division with a huge win over Des Miner.

Featherweight Champion Eddie Yagin defended his title with a three wound war against Big Island’s Dirty Dave Moreno. Mia St. John made her appearance in Hawaii short and sweet with a brutal KO win at just 44 seconds of the first round and Ron Waterman defeated Maui boy Analu Brash for the HW Title.

UFC veteran Chad Reiner defeated Mark Moreno for the second time earning him the X1 Welterweight Title. Falaniko Vitale fought two very tough opponents from Washington and Alaska to earn himself the X1 Middleweight Title.

In February it was back to their roots when Fight Club met Night Club. Here Icon’s Steven Saito and Tasi Edwards made themselves known with dominating performances.

Cheyenne Padeken stopped boxer Smokey Brown, when on a previous fight card Brown had KO’d Kelly Padeken. Also this was the event that brought back Heavyweight fighter Vilitonu Fonokalafi. In April X1 helped Niko Vitale with his first promotion at the Dole Cannery.

In May it was back to the Blaisdell with “Legends.” Maui standout Brandon Visher defeated a very skilled Lorenzo Moreno while Mike Pedro earned a huge upset win over Bantamweight Champion Kana Hyatt. Jiu Jitsu practitioner Dylan Clay made his return to Oahu with a big win over veteran fighter Ronald Jhun.

The veteran Kolo Koka defeated Micheal Brightmon, expect the rematch in 2009. Alaska Native Ritchie Whitson came out of no where to defeat Ray Cooper and earn himself the Lightweight Title.

Welterweight Champion Chad Reiner couldn’t hold on to his title after a five round war with Brandon Wolff. Also making his return to the ring after nearly a five year lay off, Egan Inoue returned with a dominating performance over submission artist Hans Marrero.

In July X1 put together a huge event on the Waianae side to celebrate the 4th of July. An estimated 20,000+ crowd enjoyed rides, food booths, live entertainment and a large fireworks display to make it safe and memorable night.

Just two weeks later X1 gave back to all their amateur fighters with an all amateur event at the Blaisdell Arena. This event featured a grappling tournament, 50+ bouts mma and kickboxing mixed as well 13+ Amateur Titles up for grabs.

In September X1 World Events decided to take a step back and create some new names to add to their Blaisdell shows for 2009. In the Temple of Boom I we saw the return of Pro Boxing with Amateur standouts Mike Balasi, Jeffery Pelen Jr and Isaac Arasato taking to the ring. Team MMAD showcased their talent with dominating middleweight newcomer Brad Tavares stopping Josh Ferreira and Justin Mercado making his return with a stoppage over Colin Mackenzie. Vilitonu Fonokalafi settled his rivalry with kickboxer Chris Barnard when he stopped him early on with vicious leg kicks.

At the Temple of Boom II in October it was redemption time, Kana Hyatt defended his 135lb title against Maui’s Mike Pedro. Featherweight standout Brandon Visher evened the score for Maui with his win over Reuben del Rosario. Isaiah Cobb-Adams made his return to the ring with a quick submission win over Colin Mackenzie. Pro Boxing continued with Richard Barnard losing a decision to Mike Balasi and Isaac Arasato defeating Neil Sabagghi.

On Halloween night X1 arranged a free event for the Waipahu community at the Champions Center in Waipahu. Tiger Muay Thai fighter’s Dan Holley, Sean Harris, Reggie Fernandez and Nate Molina opened the night with two exhibition Muay Thai bouts. Team 94 Block put two of their fighters to the test, James Tivao and Sonny Hunt, cousin of K1 fighter Mark Hunt defeated their opponents by vicious KO’s. Heavyweight newcomer OJ Uiliata stopped his opponent early in round 1. Peni Taufaao and Richard
Barnard wowed the crowd with their exhibition bout.

In November X1 ended their year with another set of back to back events. First it was the Olounge where newcomer Thaddeus Malbreaux and Brysen Hansen had the crowd on their feet with a back and forth war, Hansen taking home the decision but almost getting himself knocked out in the last seconds of the fight. Icon fighter Dustin Kimura continued his winning streak by defeating the heavy handed Elijah Manners. In Pro Boxing, Kickboxing standouts Ryan Lee, Peni Taufaao and Harris Sarmiento put themselves up to the challenge. Lee was stopped by a relentless body attack, the trademark of Isaac Arasato, Taufaao stopped his opponent in round 1 while Sarmiento’s bout went the distance. Sarmiento’s opponent was two weight classes smaller then him making the fight an exhibition.

The final event took place 5 days later at The Cirque Hawaii. Aerialists took to the air between bouts leaving the crowd speechless; the event was followed by an Official X1 after party where fight fans partied til 4am.

Look forward to a huge 2009 where Eddie Yagin and Brandon Wolff are expected to defend their titles against some very tough opponents. Also look out for the fighters who fought in the September, October and November shows to make their appearance on the larger stage. Tyson Nam, Scott Junk, Ron Waterman are also expected to enter the ring.

X1 2008 AWARDS:
Fight of the Year (non-title)
140lbs Brysen Hansen def Thaddeus Malbreaux

Fight of the Year (title)
170lbs Brandon Wolff def Chad Reiner

Upset of the Year
155lbs Ritchie Whitson def Ray Cooper

KO/TKO of the Year
185lbs Egan Inoue def Hans Marrero

Sub of the Year
135lbs Mike Pedro def Kana Hyatt

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