[CZ Press Release]
Combat Zone undefeated amateur featherweight champion Jake “The Gorilla” Pilla (Billerica, Mass.) will defend his title against challenger Danny Abad (Watertown, N.Y.) on January 30th in the main event of CZ 52 at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH.
“The Gorilla” (4-0) won the CZ featherweight title in CZ 48 in April, where he only needed 43 seconds to choke Paulo Alves De Sousa unconscious. Most recently, Pilla successfully defended his title against James Squires at CZ 50, winning again via rear naked choke 1:42 into the first round. Pilla’s previous two victories finished in similar fashion, where he won viaTKO against Jordan Yantin, and via rear-naked choke against Nick Toressi in the first round. None of Pilla’s fights have gone past the two-minute mark, with Pilla needing less than a minute in three of his four contests. The champ will be representing both Wai Kru and Team Havoc in his title defense against Abad.
Danny Abad (2-3) climbs into the cage after a bout between Pilla and No. 1 ranked Matt Tullos fizzled due to weight cut issues. At CZ 51, Abad was on the negative side of a unanimous decision for Lloyd Fernandes. After starting his amateur career 0-2, Abad managed two consecutive victories at CZ 47 and 48. At CZ 47, Abad pulled off a second round rear naked choke victory against David Sousa, which preceded his first round arm lock submission victory against Dan Lynch at CZ48. Danny Abad represents Chainsaw Army of
Watertown, N.Y.
CZ 52 features an all-amateur card with three amateur title fights, including Pilla vs. Abad, and the introduction of a welterweight championship between Nick Alley and JT Harold.
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