Tag Archives: HITEC

Legend 2 Fight Night, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong

By ken | Published June 28, 2010

faceoff of MMA fighters Matt Cain and Bae Myung Ho

Last week was all about Legend Fighting Championship, Hong Kong’s first professional mixed martial arts competition, leading up to Fight Night last Thursday June 24th at HITEC’s Star Hall in Kowloon Bay. Earlier in the week, I had the opportunity meet with some of the fighters who were still getting over jetlag and cutting weight. Among them were new and returning fighters that were in good spirits and overall were really nice dudes.

Last January, Legend 1 had the tall task of becoming the first MMA production in HK. This time around, I felt Legend 2 raised the bar even higher for fight promotion in Hong Kong, drawing what I thought was the biggest, most excited and most MMA-savvy crowd I’ve seen here. The fights did not disappoint either – showcasing brutal knockout power, advanced grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, paired with fair officiating and judging. As a huge fan of MMA anticipating big things for the sport in HK, I’m very excited =) And oh yeah, did I mention Legend 3 in September?

Here are shots of the excitement from the Legend 2 fight card.

Vivek Mahbubani aka HK’s Bruce Buffer
Vivek Mahbubani announces the start of Legend 2 in Hong Kong

Takuma flattens Wang Zhen for a rear naked choke
Japanese Takuma Wakabayashi attempts a rear naked choke on China's Wang Zhen

Jo Nam Jin eats a headkick from Kevin Belingon
Korean Jo Nam Jin eats a headkick from Filipino Kevin Belingon

China’s Zhang Tiequan guillotine submission over Daniel Digby, 0:30 in Round 1
China's Zhang Tiequan guillotine submission over Daniel Digby

Rob Hill lands a superman punch on the chin of Kwon A Sol
Australian Rob Hill lands a superman punch on the chin of Korean Kwon A Sol

Taiwanese Justin Lee shocks the Hong Kong crowd with a first round KO of Kenny Yeung
Taiwanese Justin Lee first round knockout of Kenny Yeung of Hong Kong

Adrian Pang knees Yu Woo Sung on his way to the lightweight belt
Australian Adrian Pang knees Korean Yu Woo Sung

Posted in MMA, photoshoot | Also tagged events, HK, hong kong, Legend 2, Legend Fighting Championship, MMA, photography, photoshoot Leave a comment

Legend Fighting Championship 1: Fight Night

By ken | Published January 13, 2010

Last Monday on January 11, after covering the weigh-ins and taking some website profile photos, I was fortunate enough to cover the inaugural Legend Fighting Championship in Hong Kong’s Star Hall at HITEC in Kowloon Bay. I had actually been there a few times before to shoot some other fighting events, a comedy show and a wedding. Quite a versatile venue.

To be honest, I genuinely would’ve really enjoyed putting down the camera and just being a fan in the stands. But shooting a sport that I have grown to absolutely love in what I considered to be a historical event for HK was way too good to pass up. So when the night began the pressure was on. I claimed my ringside corner and my client took his seat at the judges table behind me (with clear view of my camera LCD display the whole night, yikes).

Overall production was great. Music that matched the brand, dramatic walk-ins (can never go wrong with a smoke machine), great announcer, a few knockouts etc. so there was plenty for me to shoot and it was incredibly fun. Despite that it was physically draining as the event lasted about 4 hours, and I had to worry about blocking fans’ view of the ring all while trying to keep my focus points locked on through my viewfinder. Simultaneously, I was importing CF cards and generating previews on the laptop because I knew I’d have to get some media shots to the PR guys immediately afterwards. I got water (well, maybe some spit too since it came from a fighter’s mouth) sprayed accidentally on my face, and blood nearly got on my camera, but I consider that part of the fun =)

Special thanks to Ralph Berrett for his great shooting MMA tips. He’s got a great podcast that I hope comes back online soon. Here are some of my favorite shots from the night.

The multi-talented Vivek Mahbubani

Jo Nam Jin checks the clock

Matt Cain gets the heel hook

Kenny Yeung entering the ring

Khuukhenkhuu Amartuvshin near rear-naked choke before the end of the round

Bae Myung Ho walks in then proceeds to ground and pound

Zhao Zilong wins by referee stoppage

Nam Yui Chul vs. Adrian Pang: don’t leave it in the hands of the judges

Posted in MMA, photoshoot | Also tagged events, HK, hong kong, Legend Fighting Championship, MMA, photography, photoshoot 2 Comments

Legend Fighting Championship 1: Weigh-ins

By ken | Published January 11, 2010

Tonight I’ll be headed back to HITEC in Kowloon Bay to photograph Hong Kong’s first mixed-martial arts event ever, Legend Fighting Championship. As a huge MMA fan having followed the UFC from my days back in the states, I’m super excited for the sport to takeoff in HK.

Yesterday the weigh-ins took place at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Tsim Sha Tsui. The event was not without its share of weight-cutting drama and crazy mean square-offs. Adrian Pang actually raised his arms in victory while staring down his opponent. Thats some bad blood right there!

Here are some shots from the profile shot sessions and the weigh-ins itself.

Posted in events, MMA, photoshoot | Also tagged HK, hong kong, Legend, MMA, TST, UFC 2 Comments

TakeOut Comedy Jam 2009

By ken | Published January 11, 2010

Just before Christmas, Jami Gong of TakeOut Comedy invited me to cover the FIRST TakeOut Comedy Jam at HITEC in Kowloon Bay. The show featured only Chinese comedians doing western-style stand-up, yet another ingredient in Jami’s incredible vision for Hong Kong’s growing comedy scene. The venue was awesome for this kind of show, and the crowd was great as all the comedians performed exceptionally well. Like, my Cantonese is pretty crap but I was still laughing as I was shooting. Congrats to all the guys at TOC for an awesome show!

Backstage