MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jason "Mayhem" Miller applied the chokehold that forced Stefan "Giant" Gamlin to tap out last night.
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Mayhem triumphant in return
Jason Miller proved last night that size doesn't matter in mixed martial arts.
"Mayhem" returned to the ring after an eight-month absence in dominating fashion, needing just 46 seconds to force Stefan "Giant" Gamlin to tap out to a chokehold in the main event of last night's Icon Sport event at Blaisdell Arena.
A crowd of around 3,500 didn't have to stand long as Miller (15-4) took Gamlin (0-3) down just 10 seconds into the fight before eventually choking out the "Giant."
"You guys have supported me through the darkest of times and the happiest times. Thank you so much and I'm looking forward to bringing the belt back to Hawaii," Miller said.
The win likely sets up a fight between Miller and Robbie Lawler for Lawler's middleweight title.
"I want Robbie Lawler's belt, baby -- take it back home to the Islands," Miller said. "Give it to the aina."
The first Icon Sport open-weight fight wasn't much of a contest, as Gamlin never had a chance to land any blows. Miller, who danced around Gamlin for the first 10 seconds, eventually shot on Gamlin, who tried to tackle Miller and stay on top. But the crafty submission specialist quickly worked his way on top of Gamlin before choking him out from the front.
With the victory, Miller has now won all seven of his fights in Hawaii and is 8-1 in his last nine fights, his only loss coming to George St. Pierre in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Promising 135-pound fighter Tyson Nam continued his quest toward a title shot by beating previously undefeated Bill Dexter by unanimous decision in an emotional fight. Nam busted open Dexter's nose early in the fight and landed a vicious right hand just prior to the bell as he easily took the first round. After an even second round, Nam peppered away at Dexter's head with quick left hands in the final round to take the decision. All three judges scored the bout 30-27.
It was an emotional victory for Nam, who took the fight just two months after the tragic death of his brother.
"I gave 110 percent just like my brother did every day," Nam said. "There's no other way."
Anthony "The Crush" Torres, a former contestant on Spike TV's "Ultimate Fighter" reality show, made a successful return to the Icon ring, defeating Jerry Hackney by TKO at 4:12 of the first round. Torres dominated the 175-pound fight before eventually working his way into the mount position and rained down heavy blows on Hackney before the referee stopped the fight. It was his first fight in nearly two years.
"I want to thank all of Hawaii for supporting me during the show, but that wasn't me," Torres said. "This is me now."
In other mixed martial arts fights last night:
HW: "The Big Easy" Ray Seraille def. Gary "Ironbear" Myers by TKO at 1:59 of the first round.
170 lbs.: Sydney Silva def. Lawrence Shorter by tapout due to a chokehold at 1:05 of the second round.
155: Kaleo Kwan def. Marshall Harvest by majority decision.
HW: Pat Collins def. Jarret Lindsey by unanimous decision.
170: Derek Stadler def. Ku Lee by tapout due to a rear naked choke at 2:07 of the first round.
190: Ron Verdadero def. Jack Richardson by unanimous decision.
135: Ikaika Silva def. Jarred Santos by tapout due to an armbar at :34 of the first round.