Chad Thomas lived up to his “Brahma Bull” nickname Friday night at Just Scrap XXII.
The Boss MMA fighter charged out of the gate for the 240-pound main event in front of a packed house at Keauokalani Gymnasium in Kona, barely getting touched by his opponent Kyle Keeney, improving his professional record to 3-1 with a second-round knockout.
“When I shake guys’ hands and see how they carry themselves, I can tell if they’re tough,” Thomas said. “At the weigh-ins, I knew Kyle was tough and could handle.”
Keeney’s chin got quite the workout Friday.
Thomas connected on nearly a dozen solid strikes in the first round and had his Texas-based opponent on the run and bleeding early. However, a dazed Keeney was able to survive the round, withstanding the punishment from Thomas.
“Toughest fighter I’ve fought,” Thomas said after the fight. “I always say, never judge a book by its cover. He had great technique and his wrestling defense was top notch. I give Kyle major credit.”
Keeney, however, was not pleased with his effort.
“I want to apologize,” Keeney said. “It was a poor performance on my end. To me it’s not about winning or losing. I feel like I put on a bad performance for the fans who pay their hard-earned money to come to these events.”
While the night belonged to Thomas, he dedicated the win to the Panaewa Alii Pop Warner football team. On Nov. 16 the team advanced to the Pop Warner Super Bowl — starting Dec. 7 in Kissimmee, Fla. — but in the wake of an alleged embezzlement scandal totaling around $100,000, the team is scrambling for funds.
“It was their night tonight,” Thomas said. “I have seen a lot of these kids grow up and I cannot event fathom what has happened. I really wanted to promote them.”
After the win, Thomas pointed to the group of kids in the stands, proudly wearing their jerseys with Panaewa printed across the chest.
“When I go to their games, you can ask them whose voice they can hear the most on the field and it’s me, and I don’t even have a son playing,” Thomas said.
In the 135-pound professional bout, Kona’s Van Oscar Penovaroff lived up to his reputation of being able to put on an outstanding show.
Penovaroff controlled the fight against Washington’s Lupe Hudgens and with every strike ignited the hometown crowd. Penovaroff felt out his opponenet, but managed to break through Hudgens’ defense and executed an armbar for the win.
In the third pro fight of the night, Maui’s Tyler Kahihikolo — formerly of Kona — submitted Donald Gonzalves via a painful, knee-straining, calf slicer submission.
“The fights were exciting and I think the Kona guys really brought it,” said Just Scrap president JD Penn. “I was happy to be back in Kona and the fans were great. This fight is the foundation. I think the momentum and motivation from this fight will take it to the next level.”
In other fights:
145-pound: Jeffery Oher vs. David Mckinney
Winner: Oher (Submission due to injury)
170-pound: Keola Limkin vs. Bryson Delostrico
Winner: Limkin (Judges decision)
150-pound: Cheyden Leialoha vs. Cameron McDaniel
Winner: Leialoha (Judges decision)
160-pound: Ronston Andrede vs. Kentzin Santos
Winner: Santos (TKO, strikes)
170-pound: Gary Simkins vs. Scotty Hao
Winner: Hao (Judges decision)
125-pound: Federico Vento IV vs. Maui Acantilado
Winner: Acantilado (TKO, strikes)
150-pound: Petey Vital vs. Kako Pacheco
Winner: Vital (Judges decision)
135-pound: Nick Das vs. Kanoa Akau
Winner: Akau (Submission, armbar)
200-pound: Tyler Manderville vs. Andrew Sanchis
Winner: Manderville (Submission due to injury)
170-pound: Kelii Kanakoa vs. Brandon Libao
Winner: Libao (Submission due to injury)
155-pound: Daniel Intlekofer vs. Kainui Meyers
Winner: Meyers (TKO, strikes)
TITLE FIGHT 155-pound: Anthony Rivera vs. Kaeo Meyers
Winner: Rivera (Judges decision)