Johnavan Vistante doesn’t expect his second fight at the Blaisdell Arena to last much longer than his first.
Vistante will face Charles "Kid Khaos" Bennett in the main event of DestinyMMA’s first card at the Blaisdell Arena tonight.
Vistante, whose only other fight at the Blaisdell lasted 10 seconds as an amateur when his opponent broke his leg, will compete in one of three world title fights headlining the event titled "Na Koa."
DESTINYMMA: NA KOA
Today, Blaisdell Arena
» Undercard: 3 p.m.
» Main card: 6 p.m.
Featuring
» Lightweight title: Johnavan Vistante (3-2) vs. Charles Bennett (26-26)
» Featherweight title: Dustin Kimura vs. Damaso Pereira
» 135-pound women’s title: Raquel Pa’aluhi vs. Raquel Pennington
» Plus: Four other pro fights and 27 amateur fights
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"Fighting at the Blaisdell means you’ve made it somewhere because of your talent," Vistante said. "This is like the pinnacle of my career so far and is a chance to take the next step."
The other two world title fights feature Dustin Kimura against Brazilian Damaso Pereira for the featherweight title and Raquel Pa‘aluhi squaring off against Raquel Pennington in the first DestinyMMA women’s title fight at 135 pounds.
Vistante, who was eliminated in the round of 32 in the "Ultimate Fighter" reality show earlier this year, quit his day job to train full-time for this fight.
"To get to the next level, you have to make sacrifices," he said. "I have a family with my girlfriend and my two children, but you’ve got to sacrifice and train twice a day so that I can make it to the big time."
Vistante is 3-2 as a pro and will fight a PRIDE and King of the Cage veteran in Bennett (26-26), who owns a knockout over former Big Island resident and EliteXC world champion KJ Noons.
Bennett has competed in PRIDE against the likes of Takanori Gomi and Tatsuya Kawajiri and has also fought former WEC champion Urijah Faber.
Now 32 years old, Bennett has won just twice in his last 10 fights and will compete in his fourth bout in the last five months.
"He’s been in the sport for a while and has that experience, but when you get in there, it comes down to who wants it more," Vistante said. "You put two guys in there with the same styles and it’s going to be a war, but I’m definitely going to destroy him."
Vistante turned pro at 19 and has not lost a pro bout in Hawaii. He suffered a decision loss in Australia in November 2010 and is coming off a first-round submission at the hands of Luiz Firmino in Florida in June.
Firmino has fought in both PRIDE and DREAM in Japan.
"It’s all a part of getting that experience and getting better," said Vistante, who trains in both Hawaii and Florida with Evolution MMA. "Now I’m focused on going out there and knocking (Bennett) out."
Saturday’s card will feature 34 fights, including 27 amateur bouts beginning at 3 p.m. The main card, featuring seven pro fights, is scheduled to begin around 6 p.m.
Current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, will be in attendance to cheer on three of his students fighting on the card.