Combat Zone returns this Friday with their first show of the year at the Rockingham Park in Salem NH. Like the past few shows this is a mixed kickboxing and mixed martial arts event. It has a total of 11 fights, 5 kickboxing and 6 mma fights. There is a kickboxing title fight between Franklin Johnson and Steve Walker which is sure to be exciting. Also on the card if you couldn't tell by the poster is the pro mma fight between Nuri Shakir and Brett Oteri. The doors will be opening at 5:30pm and the first fight is set to kick off at 7pm. In a time that many fighters don't want to fight this part of the year Combat Zone has put together what should be another solid night of fighting. I am only going to break down the mma portion of the night but the fight card is found below. As a disclaimer, keep in mind this might not be the exact fight order.
185 AM KICK Connor Duffy (0-0) Espada Boxing vs. Perciles George (0-0) NEHD
185 AM KICK Lavelle Wesley (0-0) Espada Boxing vs. Matt Gordon (0-0) Burgess
155 AM KICK Freddy Bermudez (0-0) NEHD vs. Ramano Medina (0-0) Burgess
160 AM KICK Alex Dolan (0-0) FMA vs. Ray Welch (0-0) Burgess
145 AM MMA Kurt Daniels (0-3) F5 Fight Team vs. Dan Ward (0-5) Spero's MMA
The first amateur mma fight of the night is between Kurt Daniels and Dan Ward at 145 lbs. Daniels trains with F5 Fight Team and comes into this fight with an 0-3 record. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 2 by submission. His opponent is Dan Ward and he trains with Spero's MMA. Ward comes into this fight with an 0-5 record with 1 by ko/tko, 1 by submission and 3 by decision. As you can see both of the fighters are looking for their first win so you know they are gonna bring it. Which fighter will be victorious??
145 AM MMA Fernando Lopez (0-1) Team Irish vs. Brandon Marotte (0-0) Spero's MMA
Second amateur mma fight of the night is Fernando Lopez against Brandon Marotte at 145 lb weight class. Lopez trains with Team Irish and comes into this fight with an 0-1 record with one loss by decision to Jimmy Jackson. His opponent is Brandon Marotte and he trains with Spero's MMA. Brandon will be making his amateur debut. Again, two fighters who are willing to let it all go in the cage for their first win.
155 AM MMA CJ Kevlin (2-2) LRVT vs. Nick Fiore (0-0) Renzo Gracie NH
At 155 lbs CJ Kevlin will fight Nick Fiore this Friday at Combat Zone. Kevlin trains with Lakes Region Vale Tudo and comes into this fight with a 2-2 record. For his wins, he has 2 wins by way of decision and for his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. He comes into this fight riding a 2 fight win streak and is looking to add a 3rd. His opponent is Nick Fiore who trains with Renzo Gracie NH. Nick will be making his amateur debut but he has his work cut out for him against Kevlin who has 4 fights already under his belt. I think this fight will be a ground battle.
130 AM MMA James Palmer (0-1) Defensive Edge vs. Kevin Flanagan (0-0) Burgess
At a catch weight of 130 lbs James Palmer will face Kevin Flanagan. Palmer trains with Defensive Edge MMA and comes into this fight with an 0-1 record. In his first ammy fight he lost by submission against Rich Santiago, the newly crowned Cage Titans champ. His opponent is Kevin Flanagan and he trains with Burgess MMA. Flanagan will be making his mma debut but Combat Zone has seen him in Muay Thai fight against Mervin Castro in which he lost the decision. This will be the last amateur mma fight of the night and it should be a great stand up battle.
225 AM KICK TITLE Franklin Johnson (2-1) NEHD vs. Steve Walker (5-2) Hard Knocks
This fight will be the first Combat Zone kickboxing title fight! History in the making.
155 PRO MMA Devin Powell (4-1) Nostos MMA vs. Jeff Anderson (10-11) B&F Boxing
At 155 lbs Devin Powell will fight Jeff Anderson for their first pro mma fight of the night. Powell trains with Nostos MMA and comes into this fight with a 4-1 record. For his wins, he has 1 ko/tko, 2 by submission and 1 by decision. For his losses, he lost a decision to Bruce Boyington. He is riding a 2 fight win streak that he is looking to add on to. His opponent is Jeff Anderson and he trains with B&F Boxing. Jeff is a seasoned veteran with a record of 10-11. Jeff has struggled as of late with 7 straight losses going back to 2011. This should be a good fight as Jeff always comes prepared but I see Devin winning this in the first round by tko stoppage.
155 PRO MMA Nuri Shakur (18-21) Gate City vs. Brett Oteri (12-7) FAF
In the main event Nuri Shakir will take on Brett Oteri at 155 lbs for Combat Zone this Friday. Nuri has been fighting forever since 2000 and comes into this fight with an 18-21 record. He is head coach for Bucket Brigade and has wins all across the board with ko/tko, subs and decisions. He is more then ready for a battle and to show his fans what he has in his arsenal. His opponent is Brett Oteri and he trains with FAF gym. He comes into this fight with a 12-7 record with most of his wins by submission and decisions. Both fighters are veterans in the sport and fight the best of the best. They have tried to fight before in the past but it just didn't happen. Now this Friday it is going to happen and it is going to be a battle for sure.
There you have the complete breakdown of the MMA portion of Combat Zone 57 that is happening this Friday. Warchild and I will be making the trip to cover the show for you all. Combat Zone is looking to kick off where they left off and that is providing an awesome night of a variety of styles with kickboxing and mma all in one night. It has worked out well for them as the crowds always seem to have a good time and enjoy the beer, food and fights. Special thanks to Combat Zone for their dedication to the sport and for hooking us up with the latest fight cards so we can share with you all.