Just Scrap - Robert's Big Fight

This past weekend my brother Robert was billed to fight at the BJ Penn sponsored "Just Scrap" amateur MMA event in Hilo on the Big Island.  My Dad and I flew down to the Big Island to support and watch my brother give or take a beating.

The flight to Hilo my Dad claims was a NDE.  About 8 minutes out of Honolulu our planes engines seem to cut out, or at least power way down.  As soon as the engines go quiet, the plane makes a hard banking turn to the right, back towards Honolulu, and we start dropping altitude, fast.  A moment later the pilot gets on the intercom and informs us that there is a mechanical problem with the plane and we need to head back to Honolulu, but it's nothing we should be worried about.  Yeah right!  The pilot makes a beeline back to HNL.  The pilot doesn't take the normal approach out over the west side of O`ahu before circling back to HNL.  Nope, we head straight for the airport and make a sharp right hand turn just in time to land, very fast, at HNL.  Waiting for us on the tarmac are three firetrucks, light blazing!  We taxi for about 20 minutes, before a jetway is freed up.  Once at the terminal, we're informed that we are taking another plane to Hilo.  I notice the pilot doesn't come with us on our new plane.

Our "problem" plane on the left, and the new bird on the right.

The second flight to Hilo was uneventful, odds were greatly stacked against us of another inflight problem, that was comforting. But it meant we were 2 hours behind schedule...ugh.

we went straight to the Sangha Center (Hilo Civic). They had it all decked out for some MMA "action".

Robert and Dad

Robert wasn't scheduled until after intermission.  So that meant having to watch eight fights before Robert stepped into the caged ring.

There were some interesting fights, and plenty of interesting spectators.

Notice the huge knot over the guys eye.

Male muffin top.

Dad watching the action.

Nicky, waiting to get drunk...or more drunk.

After intermission, Robert's big fight was up!

Robert did pretty good, but in the end lost in a judges decision after going to an extended third round.

Was a good fight. Both got beaten up pretty good. Thought Rob was going to win, but that's the way she goes...

Watch the video here:

First Round:


Third Round:


Another video (low quality) of the whole fight:


Rest of the pictures: