Vitale leaves X-1 after beating Clay
Falaniko Vitale backed Dylan Clay with a straight right before putting him out with a right uppercut on Saturday night.
Falaniko Vitale made quick work of Dylan Clay on Saturday night in the main event of X-1 World Events’ "Champions III" MMA card, then quickly made a surprising announcement.
Vitale told the Blaisdell Arena crowd he would relinquish the X-1 185-pound middleweight title he had just retained. The reason: He’s getting too old to train for bouts that are scheduled for five, 5-minute rounds.
Vitale, 37, landed a picture-perfect right uppercut to Clay’s jaw, which ended Saturday night’s bout at 2:04 of the first round.
"I was planning to use the uppercut if he gave me the opportunity," Vitale said. "He gave me the opportunity and I took it."
Clay, 32, took a glancing left to the head and bent over slightly, which put him in ideal position for Vitale’s uppercut.
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» Max Holloway (Makaha) def. Harris Sarmiento (Kaneohe), split decision » Ricky Wallace (Hawaii Kai) def. Eben Kaneshiro (Portland, Ore.), KO, second round » Van Oscar Penovaroff (Kailua, Kona) def. Thomas Matias (Waianae), TAP, first round » Sale Sproat (Molokai) def. Collin Mansanas (Kaneohe), KO, first round » Dustin Kimura (Honolulu) def. Kurrent Cockett (Lahaina, Maui), TAP, first round » Zane Kamaka (Waianae) def. Jordan Kekino (Maui), TAP, first round » Raquel Paaluhi (Waianae) def. Nicole Johnson (Nevada), KO, third round » Lolohea Mahe (Maui) def. Puka Bell (Hilo), KO, first round » Will Shutt (Iowa) def. Steven Saito (North Shore), split decision » Paea Paogo def. Kala Koa, TKO, second round
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"Never saw it coming. Never even saw it coming," Clay said.
It was Vitale’s fourth defense of the X-1 middleweight title.
As far as relinquishing the belt, Vitale later said: "It’s for personal reasons. Preparing for five 5-minute rounds is tough. Three 5-minute rounds is better for me."
Coincidentally, Vitale signed a deal with Bellator Fighting Championships in late January. He’s scheduled to fight Hector Lombard in a non-title matchup at Bellator 44 on May 14 in Atlantic City, N.J. Bellator’s bouts are scheduled for three 5-minute rounds.
Vitale (29-9, 16 submissions, 9 KOs) said he wasn’t obligated to give up the X-1 title while fighting for Bellator. But the Waipahu native also left open the possibility of returning to the local promotion.
"I’m willing to come back to X-1 anytime," Vitale said.
On Saturday night, Clay, of Durango, Colo., started off landing kicks with both feet primarily to Vitale’s lower body.
"He’s a tough guy," Vitale said. "His kicks were busting me up."
Vitale chose to stand and punch. He landed a few blows before nailing Clay (8-3) with the show stopper.
Clay, the X-1 170-pound welterweight champion, was flat on his back for a while before being placed on a stool. He said it was the first knockout loss of his career.
"Normally I get punched at 170 and I can take the shots," Clay said. "He’s a powerful guy."
