HONOLULU -- EliteXC held a press conference on Thursday to promote its June 14 event at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena. The bill marks the promotion's second trip to Hawaii in nine months and features a lightweight showdown between champion Karl James Noons (Pictures) and challenger Yves Edwards (Pictures).
Noons is no stranger to Blaisdell Arena.
A native of Hawaii, Noons first competed at the venue in 2005, scoring a technical knockout over Malik Williams at Superbrawl 39.
But his connection with the old arena goes back even further than that.
"It's kind of crazy that I'm fighting here at Blaisdell, because I was talking to my father the other day and he actually fought here 30 years ago," Noons said. "It's kind of special for me and my family and my dad; he fought here in the seventies, my mom was born and raised here, and I had my first MMA fight here at Blaisdell. And in such short time I'm already back and defending the title."
And the hometown turf isn't the only familiar aspect for Noons, who will compete on Saturday against former sparring partner Yves Edwards (Pictures).
"I'm excited to fight with KJ. We go back, [we're] good friends and we'll put on a good show for you guys. But I'm sorry I've got to take your gold, buddy," declared Edwards.
The evening's co-main feature will pit Nick Diaz (Pictures) against Mushin Corbbrey.
Diaz is looking to get another crack at Noons and the EliteXC 160-pound title, and is coming off a first-round destruction of Katsuya Inoue (Pictures) at Dream 3 on May 11.
"I don't have much to say about the fight coming. I'm glad to have an opponent and to be here fighting," stated an unusually abbreviated Diaz. "It's just great to be here on the Island fighting again."
EliteXC "Return of the King" bout order:
Opening bout (untelevised):
Kepa Madeiros vs. Carl Barton
Showtime broadcast:
Rafael Feijao vs. Wayne Cole (Pictures)
Dave Herman (Pictures) vs. Ron Waterman (Pictures)
Murilo Rua (Pictures) vs. Tony Bonello (Pictures)
Nick Diaz (Pictures) vs. Muhsin Corbbrey (Pictures)
Karl James Noons (Pictures) vs. Yves Edwards (Pictures)
Swing bout:
Russell Doane vs. Dwayne Haney (Pictures)
ProElite.com broadcasted fights:
PJ Dean (Pictures) vs. Dean Lista (Pictures)
Lolohea Mahe (Pictures) vs. Chris BernardKaleo Kwan (Pictures) vs. Mike Aina (Pictures)
Mark Oshiro (Pictures) vs. Chris Williams (Pictures)
Kala Hose (Pictures) vs. Robert McDaniel
