The Thrill of Victory
MMA fans flock to Port Hueneme for Muay Thai competition
By Michael Lopez 07/12/2012
Photo by: Michael Lopez, Brooks Institute
Coda Taylor in purple shorts lands a right roundhouse kick to his opponent, Isaac Molina. Coda won by split decision.
The Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme was jampacked with fighters from all over California last weekend for the Beach Bash Muay Thai Xtreme competition presented by UMC SportsNet. Many locals participated as well as fighters from San Francisco and elsewhere. Jonathan Puu, a local favorite, fought his heart out in three impressive rounds to come up short on the decision by the judges. It was a huge event that brought locals from all over the county, filling the venue from front to back to witness split decisions, hard fighting and, unfortunately, a dislocated elbow from one of the fighters who had to go to the hospital and lost with a TKO. There will be more fights coming up soon featuring local athletes — amateur and pro alike.
Story and photos by Michael Lopez, Brooks Institute
A fighter celebrates after the referee stops the fight.
Megan Nazareno reacts to her win against Marie Cho after three rounds of hard fighting.
Jonathan Puu (red trunks) launches a series of combinations against his opponent, Oscar Sanchez, in a gut-wrenching fight that went all the way to the score cards. Puu lost the fight by unanimous decision.