Combat Zone is just days away from their 73rd event to date. The event will take place at the Double Tree Hotel in Manchester New Hampshire. The doors will be opening up at 5:30pm and the first fight is set to start at 7pm. The event will be a hybrid event with grappling, kickboxing and mixed martial arts all in one. This might not be the exact fight order but it should be close. Please follow along below as I break down the fight card for you all. I wont be breaking down the kickboxing or amateur portion but here it is below.
GRAPPLING NO GI Ty Ham (Renzos) vs. Jaice Griggs (Triumph)
GRAPPLING NO GI Rory Connor (Connors MMA) vs. Alex West
GRAPPLING NO GI Christos Papadelos (Defensive Edge) vs. Schuyler Vaillancourt (Nostos)
GRAPPLING GI Ryan Ferguson (Nostos) vs. Shawn Melanson (Gate City)
GRAPPLING GI Rick Hawn (PMA) vs. Brett Oteri (The Lab)
125 AM KICK Ebrahim Aziz (1-2) Connors MMA vs. Cole Labonte
130 AM MMA Erin Johnson (0-0) Lauzons MMA vs. Crystal Nadeau (0-0) Boston BJJ Woburn
The first mma fight of the night will be between Erin Johnson and Crystal Nadeau at 130 lbs. Erin train with Lauzon MMA and will be making her amateur debut. Her opponent is Crystal Nadeau and she trains with Boston BJJ Woburn. She will also be making her amateur debut. Both of these women are looking to make a name for themselves in front of the Combat Zone crowd.
140 PRO MMA Chris Caterino (2-3) Gate City MMA vs. Joey Sanchez (0-3) B&F Gym
Next up is a catch weight bout between Chris Caterino and Joey Sanchez. Chris trains with Gate City MMA and comes into this fight with a 2-3 record. He has 1 win by doctor stoppage and 1 win by decision. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 2 by submission. His opponent is Joey Sanchez and he trains with B&F Gym. Joey comes into this fight with an 0-3 record with 1 by ko/tko and 2 by submission. I think this is a good match up for both fighters and should be a solid scrap.
145 PRO MMA Shaquan Moore (0-2) Fusion MMA vs. Lorran Esteves (2-0) 617 Fight Sports
Then at 145 lbs Shaquan Moore will be taking on Lorran Esteves. Shaquan trains with Fusion MMA and comes into this fight with an 0-2 record. He lost both of his fights by decision. Combat Zone will remember his match up with Jake Pilla which resulted in a no contest due to a groin shot. His opponent is Lorran Esteves and he trains with 617 Fight Sports. He comes into this fight with a 2-0 record both by submission. This should be another solid battle and I see Shaquan wanted to keep it standing and Lorran wanting to get it to the mat to work a submission.
165 PRO MMA Nick Fiore (0-0) Renzos vs. Jay Ellis (15-91) Ellis MMA
In the co main event Nick Fiore will be making his pro debut against Jay Ellis. Nick trains with Renzo Gracie NH. As an amateur he went 5-1 with 4 wins by submission and 1 by ko/tko. He should be more than ready for his pro debut. His opponent is Jay Ellis and he trains with Ellis MMA. He comes into this fight with a 15-91 record. He comes into this fight with an 18 count losing streak. Will he break that or will he suffer his 92nd loss? Find out this Friday at Combat Zone!
155 PRO MMA Brendan Marotte (5-1) PMA vs. Dan Dubuque (8-4) Golden Falcon
In the main event Brendan Marotte will be taking on Dan Dubuque in the 155 lb division. Brendan trains with PMA and comes into this fight with a 5-1 record. In the win column, he has 4 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. His one loss came by decision at Combat Zone 70. His opponent is Dan Dubuque and he trains with Golden Falcon. He comes into this fight with an 8-4 record with 2 by ko/tko and 6 by decision. For his losses, he lost 4 by decision. Now Dan just fought for Reality on January 4th and is hungry to avenge his loss. First off this fight was put together just a few weeks ago so thank you to both fighters for stepping up to the plate for us fight fans! I see this fight being a stand up war with it coming down to a decision.
There you have the complete breakdown of the Combat Zone 73 card. As you can see it should be once again a solid night of fights for all. Warchild and I plan on making the trip so we will be keeping you all abreast with the live play by play. Assuming I don't get sick again! Shoutout to Jerome Brashears for another fine job on the fight card and for keeping us up to date.