Hawaii’s Kailin Curran made a successful pro debut with a key win tonight in Pacific Xtreme Combat’s first female fight in Mangilao, Guam. Curran earned a Unanimous Decision victory over Invicta FC veteran Kaiyana Rain in the historic PXC 36 co-main event, which was contested at 115 pounds.

Curran nearly finished Rain twice in the opening round, but Rain weathered the storm and worked for a series of submissions as the fight progressed. Ultimately, Curran’s striking and top control on the mat proved to be enough to earn her an impressive decision victory on all three judges’ scorecards.

Curran (1-0-0) opened the fight with kicks and she caught one from her opponent. Rain (0-2-0) punched free of the clinch with overhand rights, but she slipped and Curran took advantage by working from top position. She appeared to stun Rain with a powerbomb slam and landed big punches from the top. Rain recovered and got back to her feet, but Curran dropped her with another right and moved to mount on the ground. Curran continued to score with punches from the top and she avoided a heel hook attempt. Rain tried for an armbar and a triangle choke. Curran eventually broke free and moved to side control, then reached back for a toe hold as time expired.

Curran once again threw kicks early in round two and Rain answered with punches. Curran attempted a head kick soon after, but Rain caught it and took her down. She worked for an armbar from side control. Curran swept into top position, but Rain maintained her grip and Curran was forced to defend as Rain switched between armbars and triangle chokes. After a scramble, Curran landed an elbow and passed to side control. She moved to the scarf hold position and landed numerous right hands late in the round.

In the final round, Curran avoided spinning backfists from Rain and landed quick kicks to the lead leg and body. Both fighters scored with right hands and Curran countered another spinning backfist with a head kick. A one-two from Curran backed Rain up and time was called for the cageside doctor to check on Rain’s bloody nose. Action resumed and Rain mixed up her strikes with punches and leg kicks. She snapped Curran’s head back with a stiff jab and the fighters traded big punches against the cage. Rain secured a Thai clinch and landed a nice knee, and Curran replied with short right hands and knees of her own before the final bell.

All three judges scored the fight for Curran, who was competing for the first time since her final amateur bout this past June. The 21-year-old earned finishes in all four of her amateur victories prior to turning pro. Despite the setback in tonight’s fight, Rain put on a very game performance in the final ten minutes and PXC’s first female fight received a considerable amount of applause from those in attendance.

Winner: Kailin Curran by Unanimous Decision after three rounds. She improves to 1-0-0.

(Photo Credit: Pacific Xtreme Combat)