The Passionate Fan

Lowen Tynanes set to erupt in ONE FC: Return Of Warriors MMA fight card

28 January 2013 at 7:30 am

It was last December 1, on a sultry night in Manila, when Lowen Tynanes burst on to the International Mixed-Martial Arts scene in a major way.

Fighting in a Universal Reality Combat Championship card, Tynanes was matched up with Filipino Eduard Folayang in the 155 pound lightweight division.

The 22-year old Hawaiian took command from the get-go, draping himself over Folayang's back in the first few minutes while unleashing several hard punches.

Later on in the bout he found himself face to face on top of the Baguio native, hammering him with even more vicious blows.

His left elbow gashed Folayang's temple and blood gushed out like a waterfall, splattering all over the ring.

Folayang battled back valiantly but 6:22 into the fight the contest was halted and Tynanes was declared the winner by TKO. View video of the fight here.

The result leaves him with a 4-0 professional record, although MMA site Sherdog only lists him at 2-0.

“I knew I could take him down and I landed in side control after the toss” explains Tynanes.

“I'm very confident in my ground control and no matter where we were, I was throwing bombs. I could see the fight getting drained out of him with every shot. The doctor chose to stop the fight but it was just a matter of time anyway.”

Tynanes was reportedly a last-minute replacement for the fight and was considered an underdog against Folayang, who some refer to as the Manny Pacquiao of MMA.

“Everybody writing me off definitely served as fuel for me to get motivated. I'm glad I got that fight out of the way.”

The native of Kailua Beach, Hawaii started on this path towards MMA stardom four years ago and like many athletes, picked up the game from his father, Miles.

“My dad is the whole reason why I am fighting today. He showed me that this sport isn’t all about power, talent, or strength. Practice makes you better and depending on talent takes you (only) so far. My dad shows me how this sport can really build your character and humble the person you are (sic), by the way you win, but also by the way you lose! I would describe our relationship as brothers. My pops isn’t afraid to tell me if I’m doing something wrong, always looking out for my best interests.”

History might have been made in September of 2011 when Lowen and Miles appeared on the same fight card, HEAT 19, in Nagoya, Japan.

Lowen decisioned Yoshiki Suto in an undercard then watched his Dad obliterate Henry “Sentoryu” Miller with a TKO three and a half minutes into the elder Tynanes' fight.

Afterwards Lowen was quoted as saying “By far this was the best fighting experience I will probably ever have. I cried after watching my Dad win. It's the best feeling to have fought and won on the same card as Pops."

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There will only be one Tynanes this weekend for Lowen's next challenge in ONE FC: Return of Warriors in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On Saturday he squares off against Vuyisilie “The Cheetah” Colossa, a 30-year old South African Muay Thai specialist with a 4-2 won-loss record in MMA and a 28-15 slate in kickboxing.

Folayang has beaten Colossa, so if you follow the somewhat unreliable Sporting Property of Inequality, then Tynanes will be favored against the South African.

Tynanes, a former state high school wrestling champ, will have to use all his experience and skills. Good thing his background is extensive.

“I use all aspects of MMA. I train primarily with coach Kai Kamaka at 808 Fight Factory located at Power House MMA. I also do strength and conditioning at Fitness Ranes Studio with Chris Ranes, I do my ground work/ Jiu Jitsu with coach Jason Vigil, I also go to bikram yoga for flexibility and recovery purposes, and last but not least I do stand up training with my father, and brother Miles Tynanes Jr.”

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Filipino MMA fans will also take interest in the KL card since Pinoys Honorio Banario and Eric Kelly will be duking it out for the inaugural ONE FC Featherweight Championship Belt in the main event.

In one of the undercards, another Pinoy, Rey Docyogen, will battle Japan's Shinichi Kojima in a featherweight clash.

For sure it will be a night of savagely brilliant MMA action, and Tynanes hopes to shine brightest. One thing he doesn't lack is ambition.

“I want to be world champion soon. I'm just going to continue to beat whoever they put in front of me and the rest of the world will start to sit up and take notice.”

You can watch a live streaming of this Saturday's fights at www.onefc.livesport.tv. Follow ONE FC on Twitter @ONEFCMMA.

Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333.