East Coast Fighting Championship returns this Friday at the Lowell Memorial in Lowell Massachusetts. They have been working around the clock to get fighters matched back up after many injuries happening, but it is indeed happening. ECFC has just shared with us the updated fight card and it features 7 fights total in which 2 of them are professional. Tickets are on sale starting at just $40 here and let me tell you they are 7 solid match ups. Joe Cloutier is finally having a fight after a few shows of having opponents back out and also Joey Gomez is taking on Jeremy Pender! The Lowell Memorial feels very much like the Plymouth Memorial except I believe it is slightly bigger capacity. Let me break down the fight card for you...
125lbs AM Nick Iaciofano (2-0 USMMA) vs. Damian Batista
The first fight is between Nick Iaciofano and Damian Batista at 125lbs. Nick trains with US MMA and has a perfect 2-0 record. He won his first battle by ko/tko and fought at the last ECFC and won by submission against Sam Micale in Round 1. He will be looking to leave the cage with his perfect record intact but Damian Batista stands in his way. I was not able to find any information on Damian Batista but I think he is making his amateur debut. Either way it is a great way to kick off a night of mma fighting.
260lbs AM Terrance Jean-Jaques (1-0 Smitty's Wrestling Barn) vs. Phil Kelly (Redline)
Next up the heavyweights go at it! Terrance Jean-Jaques takes on Phil Kelly. Terrance has a 1-0 record and trains with Smitty's Wrestling Barn. T-Bone fought his only fight at NHFL 1 against Phil Kelly and won by decision. He used his background of wrestling and controlled the fight in a 3 round battle. Kelly was very frustrated and was eager to jump into a rematch. Kelly trains with Redline and now has a 1-1 record. He has a decision victory over Andrew Paredes at a previous Victory show. I expect this fight to be much like the first one, a solid wrestling battle.
145lbs AM Chris Violette (2-1 Burgess MMA) vs. Billy Keenan (4-1 Redline)
Then Chris Violette challenges Billy Keenan at 145lbs. Chris Violette trains with Burgess MMA in NH and has a 2-1 record. He has one submission victory and one decision victory so far in his amateur career. His only loss came by decision to Jeff Perez at a previous Cage Titans show. I have seen some of his fights and he controlled the rounds against Danny Abad but it was a very high paced action packed fight. His opponent Billy Keenan fights out of Redline. He comes into this fight with a 4-1 record. He has 2 ko/tko and 2 split decision victories. His only loss came by decision to Dan Dubuque at Cage Titans 18. This fight has fight of the night written all over it. This is going to be a fast paced fight and I for one can't wait.
155lb AM Brian Cosco (1-1 Brazilian Top Team) vs. Robert Moser (Redline 0-1)
At 155lbs Brian Cosco will face Robert Moser this Friday. Brian has a 1-1 record and trains with Brazilian Top Team MMA. His sole victory came by submission against Ted Washburn at GFL 10. In his last fight he lost a decision at CZ 49 against James Squires. He is looking to get back to his winning ways. His opponent Robert Moser trains out of Redline and has a 0-1 record. He lost his only ammy fight at the last ECFC show against Ryan Dibartolomeo by decision. This is another close match up and I think this one is going to come down to a decision.
170lbs AM Connor Barry (3-1 Doomsday MMA) vs. Reggie LaPorte (AMM Boxing Fights 0-0)
Then at 170lbs Connor Barry squares off against Reggie LaPorte. Connor trains with Doomsday MMA and has a 3-1 record. He has 1 sub and 2 ko/tko victories so far in his amateur career. In his last fight he defeated Sam McCue and he overpowered him with a barrage of punches and he never looked better. His only loss came to Carlos Correia by decision at a previous WNXFA event. His opponent Reggie LaPorte trains with AMM Boxing Fights and will be making his amateur debut. I think this fight is going to be a real treat for the fans as I expect both fighters will want to strike it out. Grab your popcorn for this fight folks!
135lbs PRO Joey Gomez (Triumph 4-0) vs. Jeremy Pender (10-9 Team Vision)
For the first pro fight of the night Joey Gomez takes on Jeremy Pender at 135lbs. Joey fights out of Triumph in NH and has a perfect 4-0 record. He has all first round tko/ko stoppages and none of them were easy fights at all. Every fight he leaves the crowd roaring at his exciting finishes. After many opponent changes he now will be facing Jeremy Pender. Pender trains with Team Vision and has a 10-9 record. He has 1 KO/tko and 9 subs so far in his pro career. For his losses he has 5 by ko/tko, 1 sub and 3 by decision. Pender will most likely want to get this fight to the ground if he can and try to work a submission. Gomez's keys to victory will be keep it standing and just use his fists the same way he has been!
170lbs PRO Joe Cloutier (3-0 Quietman-Doomsday) vs Mike Hurlburt (Triumph 2-3)
The last fight of the night is the return of Joe Cloutier to the cage against Mike Hurlburt at 170lbs. Cloutier trains with Quietman/ Doomsday MMA and has a 3-0 record. He has 3 submission victories so far in his pro career and they all were in the first round. This is his toughest fight to date and he is up for the challenge. Hurlburt fights out of Triumph and has a 2-3 record. He lost his first 3 fights of career by submissions and since then has two straight victories. His first win was by guillotine against Ryan Cowette up at NEF. He then fought in ECFC in a rematch against undefeated Nick Drummond and he won that by guilliotine. Now he is going to be in another main event and you will all see why. I highly doubt this one will come down to a decision fight fans!
There you have the complete breakdown of the entire show that is taking place in Lowell Mass this Friday courtesy of East Coast Fighting Championship. Special thanks to the ECFC team for hooking us up with an up to date fight card. Keep your head up BG, the second show is almost underway! Warchild and I will be making the trip to cover the show for you all so stay right here for the live play by play and all the happenings. I will try to keep Warchild in check so he takes pics of the fighters and not just pics of the beautiful ring girls all evening. You know how we do it by now and if you don't then pay attention!