[CZ MMA Press Release]
SALEM, NH (February 16, 2017)— Brendan Marotte will make his first Amateur Featherweight title defense when he climbs into the cage with Taylor Costantino in the main event of Combat Zone 61 as New England’s longest running MMA promotion returns with a superb card of pro and amateur action on Saturday, April 15.
Combat Zone 61, which was postponed from February 18 due to renovations at the Downtown Radisson in Manchester, will rock the venue that became its new home for the promotion’s last show. Combat Zone 60, which was held at the hotel for the first time since the early days of the promotion, was a smashing success and saw Lewis Corapi survive an intense war of attrition that ended with a razor thin unanimous 29-28 decision over Vovka “KGB” Clay in the main event.
Hampstead, NH native Marotte (5-1) took the belt away from the highly-regarded Danny Abad, who fights for powerhouse Jackson Wink in New Mexico, with a unanimous decision victory in Combat Zone 59 in August. Costantino (3-2), representing Team Irish in Maine, faces the toughest test of his career.
In the co-main event, seasoned veteran Nuri “The Shark” Shakir takes on the undefeated come backer Joe “The Real Deal” Cloutier in a battle between the pro fighters.
The Boston-based Cloutier, who is 4-0 as a pro and went 5-2 as an amateur after dropping his first two amateur matches, brings his nine-fight win streak into the cage as he comes back from a layoff of almost 2 ½ years. Shakir (18-21), a New England MMA legend who hails from North Andover, MA and owns Gate City Gym in Nashua, NH where he is also the head coach, looks to add another notch on his gun belt in his 40th professional fight.
The under card promises to be equally exciting with highly-competitive and evenly-matched bouts, and it is still being put together by Combat Zone matchmaker Ryan Fennelly.
“This show will be one that fight fans from across the region will not want to miss. It is definitely worth waiting for,” said Calvin Kattar, Combat Zone’s co-owner. “Our fans and the fighters really loved the event at the Radisson for our last show and all of the feedback was wonderful. We’re building upon all of the many positives in that experience, and CZ 61 will be even bigger and better.”
Doors will open at 5 PM on April 15 and the first fight will be at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $120, $90, $60, $50 and $40 and are available for purchase on the web site (www.czmma.com) or by calling co-promoter Jamison Kattar at 978-361-6772. There are group rates for parties of 10 or more.
Parking is available in downtown Manchester or in the Radisson’s garage and the hotel, which is located at 700 Elm Street, offers a special room rate for Combat Zone fans who wish to stay in the city.