Kimo in an interview after the fight rated a couple of local mixed martial artists who came to the ring as “Double AA” fighters.
“A few fighters can go to higher level,” he said.
All it takes for them to get to the higher level is eight months of training.
Different local MMA promoters on Saipan he said can also put together a team that will fight in off-island events.
Charleston “The Predator” Aiken, for one, can already step into UFC shows he said. Aiken won via decision in the main event against Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial.
Aside from being a good opportunity for the local fighters to bring up their career, MMA events Kimo said is also a great place for the promoters to find one.
He said that if the MMA teams here on Saipan keep bringing their respective fighters together in such an event like the Predator or Prey, there’s going to be a bigger chance for more Pacific island fighters to be included in the UFC family.
The island itself he said is a best training place and he could tell from the last weekend’s fight that the training of local fighters here is good.
The Predator or Prey he said have featured great fighters. Everybody showed a big heart to win and to last the fight. They also showed great composure, and there was no attitude (problem).
Only thing that he observed is that many of the fighters lacked “finishing holds.”
The heavyweight fight he said was so exciting that you could feel the hits right from outside the ring.
He said Aiken’s composure impressed him.
Fitial he said needs to work out on ground fight.
