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Knockouts and Comebacks Steal the Show at BKFC Honolulu Debut
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship made its long-awaited debut in Hawaii, delivering a violent and unforgettable night of action in Honolulu. From quick knockouts to dramatic comeback finishes, BKFC’s first trip to Hawaii proved to be a memorable showcase of the sport’s raw intensity.
In the main event, former title challenger Doug Coltrane snapped a lengthy skid in emphatic fashion, knocking out UFC veteran Maki Pitolo in the first round. Pitolo came out aggressively, but Coltrane stayed composed and capitalized on a precise jab that shut Pitolo’s eye and ended the fight at 1:59 of Round 1. It marked Coltrane’s first win in nearly three years and a much-needed return to form.
The co-main action at light heavyweight saw Joseph Creer dominate hometown fighter Keali’i Kanekoa en route to a third-round doctor’s stoppage. Creer dropped Kanekoa early and never let up, using sharp uppercuts and a punishing jab to inflict severe damage. By the end of the third round, the swelling on Kanekoa’s face forced the ringside physician to call a halt to the bout.
One of the night’s most entertaining fights came at featherweight, where Toby Misech earned a gritty unanimous decision over veteran Charles Bennett. The bout featured multiple knockdowns and wild exchanges, with Bennett’s unorthodox style clashing against Misech’s heavy overhands in a back-and-forth war across five rounds.
At welterweight, Justin Cornell scored a second-round TKO over Zach Zane, using his range before landing a perfectly timed straight right to finish the fight. Meanwhile, Christopher Inocencio wasted no time in his lightweight bout, scoring a devastating first-round knockout of Jovan Alayon with a right uppercut after a flurry of hooks.
The Hawaiian crowd was treated to a thrilling light heavyweight battle as Namakana Pakala edged Chris Cisneros by decision in a fight that featured multiple knockdowns on both sides. Pakala ultimately secured the win with relentless pressure and timely power shots.
In another standout performance, Randy Kamaiopili Jr. overwhelmed Shiro Hitto with a barrage of knockdowns, finishing the fight early in the second round after trapping his opponent on the ropes.
The women’s lightweight division saw Hazel Naheinaena earn a technical decision win over Kat Rabellizsa in a competitive and skillful three-round contest. Both fighters showcased clean boxing fundamentals, but Naheinaena’s consistency and combinations proved to be the difference.
Other notable finishes included Maika Samson, who scored a highlight-reel TKO over Nalu Cenal—twice knocking him out of the ring with crushing overhand rights—and Nicholas Saragosa, who rebounded from a knockdown to stop Kaylan Gorospe in the second round.
One of the most dramatic moments of the night came in a lightweight clash between Jerome Macalino and Pono Enos. After being knocked down twice, Macalino staged a stunning comeback, landing a last-second overhand right to score a knockout with just six seconds remaining—an early contender for Knockout of the Year.
Rounding out the card, Joseph Calarruda dominated Fatu Tuitasi over three rounds, while Vincent Aragona made a successful debut with a 36-second TKO of Simeon Crawford.
With explosive finishes, resilient performances, and a passionate local crowd, BKFC’s Honolulu debut delivered on all fronts—cementing Hawaii as a promising new destination for the promotion’s hard-hitting brand of action.
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