Nam aims to close trying year with a title

The UH student, whose brother was killed this year, fights for a belt tomorrow

Not this fast.

Not so soon.

It was only a year ago that Tyson Nam decided to give his first professional mixed martial arts fight a try. He didn't know what to expect and wasn't even considering a future in the sport.

"It all started off as a good way to get some exercise," Nam said.

ICON SPORT: UNSTOPPABLE Tomorrow, Blaisdell Arena MAIN EVENT World Welterweight Championship: Jason "Mayhem" Miller (17-4) vs. Frank Trigg (13-5) UNDERCARD North American Championship: Jay Jack (12-6) vs. Sidney Silva (5-1) Hawaii Flyweight Championship: Mark Oshiro (7-1) vs. Tyson Nam (3-0) 205: Jeremy Williams vs. Ron "Killing" Fields 160: Kyle Miyahana vs. Marshall Harvest 160: Chris Cisneros vs. David Padilla 135: Paul Gorman vs. Ikaika Silva 210: Maui Wolfgram vs. Ben "Pele" Fonoti 195: Ron Verdadero vs. Ross Hose 145: Lorenzo Moreno vs. Sadhu Bott HW: Jacob Cook vs. Chavis Victoria (kickboxing)

Now, just 10 months and three fights into his professional career, Nam (3-0) will try to finish the toughest year of his life by claiming the vacant Hawaii State Flyweight (135-pound) title against Mark Oshiro (7-1) during tomorrow night's Icon Sport: Unstoppable event at the Blaisdell Arena.

In the main event, World Middleweight Champion Jason "Mayhem" Miller (17-4) will defend his title for the first time against Frank Trigg (13-5). Sidney Silva (5-1) and Jay Jack (12-6) will also battle for the North American Welterweight Championship.

Nam exploded onto the scene of mixed martial arts in February, scoring a TKO victory over Ryan Lee in his debut. But just a month later, as he was preparing for his next fight, Nam was floored by the news that his brother, 31-year-old Jason Nam, had been shot and killed in the driveway of his own home in broad daylight.

"Ever since I was just boxing, he never missed a fight," Nam said. "He was always the one to call me and see how my training was going before my fights."

Nam already was busy as a full-time student studying kinesiology at the University of Hawaii, where he also worked part-time. But to the surprise of some, Nam returned to the ring just two months after Jason's death, and after a special video package honoring his brother was played prior to his entrance, Nam fought back his emotions to win a unanimous decision over Bill Dexter.

"Just before I walked out, I started tearing a little bit," Nam said. "It was really emotional just thinking about my first time fighting without him."

Despite the distractions, Nam remained perfect for his young career and, after another impressive victory in September, can put a satisfying end to a trying year by claiming his first title belt in a fight that most likely won't make it to the ground.

"Everyone likes to see a knockout, and we're two guys that like to stay on our feet," Nam said. "I think the styles make for an exciting fight and that's what people want to see."

Oshiro comes in the more experienced of the two -- he needed just 20 seconds to knock out his last opponent in September. Oshiro's only defeat came at the hands of Ed Newalu by decision in a three-round war last year that is considered by many the greatest fight in Icon history.

Newalu won the flyweight title in that fight, but had it stripped from him after failing to defend the belt within a year, setting up tomorrow night's fight for the vacant title.

"I just like to finish fights as soon as possible," Oshiro said. "He likes to stand and bang and I like to stand and bang, so no matter what it's going to be exciting."

In the main event, Miller will look to remain undefeated in Hawaii as he defends the belt against Trigg, who has fought in Hawaii twice this year, defeating local boy Ronald Jhun by decision in January, and losing by armbar to Carlos Condit.

"(Miller) is a little bit mentally unhinged, so you've got to watch out for him because it makes him extra scary," Trigg said.

Miller, who is just three months removed from winning the belt after tapping out Robbie Lawler, isn't satisfied with just being champion.

"This is a giant responsibility to have the belt," Miller said. "I'm not the kind of guy to wear it to Wal-Mart and go shopping.

"I don't want to look at it all the time. I've got to stay hungry."

Twelve fights are scheduled for tomorrow's show, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Blaisdell Box Office and any ticketmaster outlets and range from $35-150.