MIXED MARTIAL ARTS in Hawaii took a hit last month when national fight promotion EliteXC announced it was shutting down after less than two years in business, but several alternatives exist for those who enjoy watching the action.

    Loyal fans already know the connection between EliteXC and ICON Sport, the local promotion purchased by parent company Pro Elite last year. According to Sherdog.com, former owner T. Jay Thompson said he wanted to regain the rights to the ICON name.

That process could take months, however, and there's no indication Thompson will try to relaunch as Superbrawl, another name he used to promote fights. In order to fill the void, other promoters have introduced events at venues other than Blaisdell Arena.

Last weekend, Destiny Entertainment held “;Pier Fighter 1”; at Aloha Tower. This weekend, three events compete for fans' attention.

Start at 4 p.m. Friday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, when the Ultimate Fighting Championship hosts a rally with president Dana White, welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and lightweight champ BJ Penn. Fiji and J. Boog will perform, and the first 2,000 people will get a free T-shirt.

Then, you've got to make a decision: Head to the Waipahu FilCom Center for “;Man Up and Stand Up,”; starting at 6:30 p.m., or head to the O Lounge for X-1 Events' “;Fight Club Meets Nightclub”; at 7:30 p.m. Another option is “;Anger Management”; on Wednesday at Cirque Hawaii, thanks to Mastermind Entertainment and X-1 ...

RESTAURANT ROW should be cracking this weekend, as two new nightclubs finish settling in after weeks of testing and tweaking.

Although it appeared open to the general public last weekend, Oceans 808 will be ready to accommodate the 23-and-over crowd by the time you read this column.

Across Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Bonsai Japanese Restaurant + Lounge will officially launch two new weekly parties to go along with “;The Tanuki Lounge”; on Tuesdays. Kurious Productions will host “;Geisha House”; on Fridays, while Furious Styles and Profound Entertainment team up for “;Shine”; on Saturdays ...

CONCERT NEWS: Former Hawaii resident Paul Ogata is back home after visiting Hong Kong. Tickets are on sale now for his Dec. 10 show at Pipeline Cafe ... BAMP Project will start 2009 on the right foot with MSTRKRFT at NextDoor on Jan. 3. Tickets are available now at www.groovetickets.com ... And NOFX arrives with The Expendables in tow for an all-ages show at Pipeline on Jan. 17; doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets go on sale Saturday via www.hnlnow.com ...

WEEKEND PICKS: Justin Young is back in town after touring with Colbie Caillat. He'll play at Senor Frog's on Friday, starting at 9 p.m. Cover is $10 ... On Saturday, head to Hawaiian Hut for “;Hawaii's Queens of Reggae and Soul,”; a breast cancer benefit party that starts at 8:30 p.m. Paula Fuga, Kimie Miner and Anuhea Jenkins headline, with opening sets by Dubkonscious and Super Dub 5 Saturday marks the start of “;Selloff Saturdays”; at King Street Cafe with DJ Shango spinning until 2 a.m. and no cover all night ...

MORE SATURDAY PICKS: “;Glitch and Glamour”; kicks off at 9 p.m. at the Loft, with DJs EPROM and Lotus Drops arriving from San Francisco to spin alongside DJs Rhythmstar, Joulz and live visuals by N.I.M.H.; a Shakti Dance Movement performance and “;Bassline Couture Fashion Show”; are also planned ... Strut Productions hosts “;Style Lab: Purple”; at Lotus. This monthly is hosted by Sean D and features fashion shows, a performance by Dorian Wright and DJs Sonic and Technique until 4 a.m. ... Local urban artist Newkon hosts “;Newkon Goes Postal”; at Prototype from 5 to 9 p.m. Black book battles and giveaways are scheduled, and limited-edition “;Postal”; T-shirts will be on sale ...

PRE-THANKSGIVING PICKS: “;Keep A Breast Hawaii”; will take place at Waimea Falls Park from 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, with pro surfers, skaters and snowboarders putting themselves on the auction block to benefit the Keep A Breast Foundation and the Rell Sunn Educational Fund. Live performances by Kings of Spade and Sheriff Brown are planned. Call 628-0097 ... Back in town, stick around at Pipeline after Wednesday's Hoobastank concert for the “;Beach 5 Beach Party Bash”; with Natural Vibrations, Rebel Souljahz and Three Plus joining Beach 5 and special guests ... And even teens have something to do—the first all-ages “;Suga Suga Super Glow Bowl”; is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Leeward Bowl ...