Koa Combat "Eha" went down Saturday night, November 17th at Green River Community College. Polynesian dancers and a live Polynesian band warmed up the cage before the fights and during intermission. The fights themselves were exciting and well-matched, culminating in the 185 lb Main Event between Alfonso Gonzales (NW Elite) and Skyler Castillo (House of Stone) for the KOA Middleweight TItle. Gonzales stayed calm against the aggressive and fast-footed Castillo, staying just out of range and kicking Castillo's lead leg enough to slow the fight from the speed of a pair of 125lbers to the more sedate pace of that of 145 pounders. Once Gonzales worked out how to cut off the cage on Castillo, he began to sling leather and dropped Castillo to the canvas with a heavy punch. Gonzales dove in, hammering his downed opponent and forcing the referee to jump in to put a stop to the fight at 1:38 of round one.

Fight of the Night hands down went to Salem Njoku and Ben Townsend in their 155lb matchup. Both talented and explosive fighters, the fight heated up quickly and showed it was going to be a great battle. Setting a fast pace, Njoku circled around the outside of the cage, rifling off kicks and punches, never staying in one place long enough for Townsend to land. Townsend stayed aggressive on the nimble-footed Njoku, pressing in for a takedown. Njoku sprawled hard, legs all the way behind him, body heavy on Townsend, but Townsend powered through on the shoot and was able to drive Njoku over and take side control. As they scrambled on the ground, Townsend inched Njoku across the mat to his own corner, while Njoku worked to get guard and keep Townsend broken down. The ref stood them up with 30 seconds left in the round so Njoku could land a couple more leg kicks before Townsend took him down again.

Round two started with Townsend shooting in right away to put the fight back on the canvas where Njoku stalled him with the break down until he could kick Townsend off and regain their feet into an immediate knee exchange. Both landed a heavy knee to the other's liver before sprawling out and bouncing back up. While Njoku circled and picked away at his opponent, Townsend looked for an opening for his heavy right hand, but instead eating a body kick. Townsend continued to press forward and took Njoku down and passed to mount. Townsend had to work hard to posture up and strike, but the blows were heavy enough to have Njoku leave his arm exposed for a Townsend armbar attempt. As Townsend battled to extend the arm, time ran out in the second.

Njoku began the third with a good combo, but Townsend had worked out the range and slipped through a huge right hand to snap Njoku's head back and stun him. Pressing hard and putting Njoku on the cage wall, they clinched and Townsend drove knees into Njoku's body and legs. Njoku got a high crotch and massive slam just to have Townsend push free with his legs and popped back up. Townsend shot in and got Njoku down, but Njoku rolled through it putting them right back on their feet. Njoku threw a head kick just as Townsend dove in and snagged Njoku's legs out from under him. They stalled out on the ground and were stood back up with 45 seconds left in the fight. Neither showing any fatigue, they duked it out until the bell sounded. While one judge scored it a draw, the other two judges had the fight at 29-28 in favor of Njoku.

Submission of the Night came in an impressive 145 lb bout between Colton Vaughn and Ryan Hung. Vaughn used his height advantage on the feet, throwing good combos and landing some solid right crosses. Hung went in for the takedown, but Vaughn defended well, then surprised his opponent with a clinch trip takedown of his own. Hung locked down and worked from half to full guard. Vaughn finally managed to post up and rain down punches on Hung, who tried to answer strike for strike from his back. In top position, Vaughn's blows were heavier and he continued to swing away until the bell sounded.

Hung came into the second aggressive and looking to land kicks. Vaughn slowed the pace a bit and timed out Hung's movements, blasting a straight right as Hung stepped in. Stunned, Hung was pressed hard by Vaughn who wanted the finish. Unable to escape on the feet, Hung changed levels and took Vaughn down, landing in guard. It was Vaughn's turn to lock down, as Hung did his best to land body strikes. Catching one, Vaughn pinned it and spun into an armbar. Hung rolled free, but found his leg trapped by Vaughn. Slipping around to Vaughn's side they scrambled until Hung flattened Vaughn onto his back and secured a side choke. Refusing to tap, Vaughn fought back until he went out at 2:22 of round 2.

Knock out of the Night was one that isn't seen often, but never fails to impress. In a 170 lb title fight, Esteban Wani and Zac Conn had the speed of the lighter weights and the strength of the heavier weight classes. The much shorter Wani was the one who set the pace and was firing off un-answered strikes at the beginning of the first round, while Conn tried to find his range while circling backward.

Knowing he was getting nowhere, Conn began to walk Wani down, working out the distance and landing leather. As Conn dialed in the accuracy and range of the strikes, he backed Wani to the cage and unleashed. Wani hung in, swinging back, but as the number of rapid fire blows increased, the cumulative effect began to build and show in his face until his brain shut off and Wani dropped unconscious to the canvas at 1:22 of round one.

In the KOA 145 lb Championship, Brock Eastman fired off a couple initial high kicks on Paul "NutShot" DeVeglio that DeVeglio blocked.

From there, it was all DeVeglio who got Eastman against the cage and unleashed a barrage of knees and punches that forced the ref to stop the bout at just 38 seconds into the contest.

Showing that 13 year olds can scrap every bit as well as adults, Tony Gonzales and Nainoa Dung warred for the youth title belt. A dangerous striker, Dung circled well and landed good punches and kicks as Gonzales worked the takedowns. On the ground, Gonzales had trouble maneuvering Dung around, and couldn't work his way to a striking position.

In the second, Gonzales would shell up and wade in for takedowns as Dung punished him with straight punches. Dung was able to get a takedown of his own, only to have Gonzales roll through and take mount. Dung reversed, and stood himself up and out of Gonzales' rubber guard. Gonzales grabbed Dung's ankle and kicked him off balance and went for the ankle lock. Dung defended until the bell.

Round three showed good clinch work from both fighters, Dung with nice inside boxing and Gonzales with solid knees. Dung was able to turn one of Gonzales' takedowns to his advantage by working into a good reversal position, taking top and unloading a barrage of pain onto Gonzales head and face.

KOA Combat is headed by Jay Javellana and Lyrlene Javallena who also own and operate Venom Fight Skinz. More info at venomfightskinz.com.