Vitale Submits Hose, Retains X-1 Title
James Meinhardt Sep 12, 2010
HONOLULU -- X-1 world middleweight champion Falaniko
Vitale successfully defended his title in the X-1 “Heroes”
headliner on Saturday at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, as he
submitted Kala Hose in
the fourth round with an Ezekiel choke. The end came 2:26 into
round four.
The 36-year old Vitale dominated the first frame, as he secured an early takedown, quickly moved to mount and methodically dished out punishment in the form of right and left hands. However, Hose, a former Icon Sport middleweight champ, rallied in the second and third rounds. The Waianae fighter, known for his heavy hands, pushed the pace and dealt damage along the fence, but Vitale was never out of the fight.
“I knew I was losing the second and third rounds, so I had to try
to take him down, which I eventually did,” Vitale said. “I knew he
wasn’t going to give up, so I tried to do something to finish the
fight.”
After ducking under a wild punch from Hose and scoring a double-leg takedown, Vitale worked the same choke he used to submit “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 semi-finalist Kalib Starnes in March.
The event also featured the semi-final round of a tournament to crown a new light heavyweight champion. EliteXC veteran Po’ai Suganuma advanced to the final, as he floored Vitalius Shemetov with an overhand right that landed flush to the side of the Russian fighter’s head. Suganuma followed with a flurry of hammerfists to seal the deal, earning the stoppage just 68 seconds into opening round.
On the other side of the light heavyweight bracket, Korea’s Sang Soo Lee defeated Cesar Gracie protege Roy Boughton via unanimous decision. With the victory, Lee will face Suganuma for the vacant X-1 205-pound crown on Nov. 6.
Meanwhile, Ricky Wallace pushed his winning streak to six fights and captured the promotion’s 145-pound title, as he submitted Strikeforce veteran Alvin Cacdac with a rear-naked choke at 4:40 of the third round in an action-packed fight. The unbeaten Russell Doane also left the arena with some championship gold, as he submitted bantamweight titleholder Bryson Hansen with a triangle choke 2:59 into the first round.
Finally, Olympia Jiu-Jitsu fighter Sarah D’Alelio submitted top Hawaiian female prospect Raquel Pa’aluhi. D’Alelio, who remained perfect in four professional appearances, caught Pa’aluhi in a nasty armbar from which she could not escape. “The Monster” held onto the submission through numerous escape attempts and nearly let it go at one point when she thought Pa’aluhi had tapped. The Hawaiian eventually succumbed to the hold 2:13 into the first round.
Other Bouts
Max Halloway def. Duke Saragosa -- Unanimous Decision
Mark Tajon def. Eddie Perrells -- Submission (Armbar) 3:22 R1
Dustin Kimura def. Chris Willems -- Submission (Triangle Choke) 2:55 R1
Collin Mansanas def. Caleb Price -- Split Decision
Timothy Meeks def. Van Shiroma -- Unanimous Decision
The 36-year old Vitale dominated the first frame, as he secured an early takedown, quickly moved to mount and methodically dished out punishment in the form of right and left hands. However, Hose, a former Icon Sport middleweight champ, rallied in the second and third rounds. The Waianae fighter, known for his heavy hands, pushed the pace and dealt damage along the fence, but Vitale was never out of the fight.
Advertisement
After ducking under a wild punch from Hose and scoring a double-leg takedown, Vitale worked the same choke he used to submit “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 semi-finalist Kalib Starnes in March.
“I choke everybody with the Ezekiel, you know; I love that move,”
Vitale said. “I pretty much catch everybody in the gym, even top
guys, too. I use that move with everybody, so, you know, I’m going
to go with my bread and butter.”
The event also featured the semi-final round of a tournament to crown a new light heavyweight champion. EliteXC veteran Po’ai Suganuma advanced to the final, as he floored Vitalius Shemetov with an overhand right that landed flush to the side of the Russian fighter’s head. Suganuma followed with a flurry of hammerfists to seal the deal, earning the stoppage just 68 seconds into opening round.
On the other side of the light heavyweight bracket, Korea’s Sang Soo Lee defeated Cesar Gracie protege Roy Boughton via unanimous decision. With the victory, Lee will face Suganuma for the vacant X-1 205-pound crown on Nov. 6.
Meanwhile, Ricky Wallace pushed his winning streak to six fights and captured the promotion’s 145-pound title, as he submitted Strikeforce veteran Alvin Cacdac with a rear-naked choke at 4:40 of the third round in an action-packed fight. The unbeaten Russell Doane also left the arena with some championship gold, as he submitted bantamweight titleholder Bryson Hansen with a triangle choke 2:59 into the first round.
Finally, Olympia Jiu-Jitsu fighter Sarah D’Alelio submitted top Hawaiian female prospect Raquel Pa’aluhi. D’Alelio, who remained perfect in four professional appearances, caught Pa’aluhi in a nasty armbar from which she could not escape. “The Monster” held onto the submission through numerous escape attempts and nearly let it go at one point when she thought Pa’aluhi had tapped. The Hawaiian eventually succumbed to the hold 2:13 into the first round.
Other Bouts
Max Halloway def. Duke Saragosa -- Unanimous Decision
Mark Tajon def. Eddie Perrells -- Submission (Armbar) 3:22 R1
Dustin Kimura def. Chris Willems -- Submission (Triangle Choke) 2:55 R1
Collin Mansanas def. Caleb Price -- Split Decision
Timothy Meeks def. Van Shiroma -- Unanimous Decision
Related Articles
