SALEM, NH- (March 30, 2015) In keeping ahead of the curve while always remaining a step ahead of the competition, Combat Zone MMA LLC will be the first regional promotion to add kickboxing professional and amateur matches to its line-up of mixed martial arts fights on event cards. The change takes effect for the upcoming CZ 53 “No Way Out” card on April 24 at Rockingham Park.
“Combat Zone is evolving and we’re excited about it,” said Calvin Kattar, who with his brother Jamison Kattar, co-owns the longest running mixed martial arts promotion in New England. “Kickboxing is exciting and it’s something people want to see it. Its appeal is growing, and we’re going to be part of that.”
Major national fight promotions like Bellator have added kickboxing recently, and Combat Zone will be in step. The addition gives fight fans the opportunity to experience more variety at the Combat Zone events, and it will give regional kickboxers the chance to compete close to home in front of sizeable and enthusiastic crowds.
“All of these guys have been driving to New York as that’s the only place you can get a kick-boxing or Muay Thai fight,” said Kattar. “There are some really good fights that can be put on locally and I’m trying to give fighters an opportunity in front of the Combat Zone crowd. This is a win-win situation.”
The addition of kickboxing also presents an excellent opportunity for MMA fighters coming off an injury or coming back from a layoff to work on the stand-up part of their game without having to incorporate all of the more complicated aspects of MMA.
“They can get back into the cage and break some ice while shaking off the ring rust,” Kattar said. “At the same time, we can open the doors for fighters from a lot more of the local gyms who before didn’t have the opportunity to be involved. We’re getting excellent feedback and results and I’m really excited about it.”
The New Hampshire Boxing Commission and Combat Zone officials are in the process of finalizing the new rules for kickboxing.
“Being the first to do it in New Hampshire is exciting. The commissioners have been very helpful. We’ve put together the best fair-minded rules that we could have. They’re good rules we have in place and it should all work out well for everyone,” said Kattar.
The CZ 53 card, put together by kickboxing matchmaker and professional fighter Nick Drummond and MMA matchmaker Ryan Fennelly, will feature at least 14 bouts. At present, there will be six amateur and one pro kickboxing fights, four amateur MMA fights including two between female foes, one pro MMA fight, and two amateur title fights.
The main event will feature Dave Spero (5-2) from Plaistow, NH vs. Lloyd Fernandes (3-1) for the lightweight MMA amateur belt, and the pro MMA fight marks North Andover, MA native Peter San Antonio’s return from New York vs. Wayne Alquist (1-1). San Antonio (1-0) won his pro debut in CZ 51 and the bout was a finalist for CZ’s 2014 Fight of the Year.
“Adding kickboxing makes sense. I’m getting great feedback and we’re looking forward to putting on even better shows this year,” said Kattar.
For more information, to view the current card of MMA and kickboxing fights, or to purchase tickets for the upcoming event on Friday, April 24 at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH, visit: www.czmma.com. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Jamison Kattar at 978-361-6772.