Combat Zone 36: Smashing on the Rock

PRESS RELEASE FROM PROMOTER (WWW.COMBATZONEMMA.COM)

SALEM, NH — Calvin “The Boston Finisher” Kattar, one of the most talented and charismatic cage fighters in the Northeast, headlines the main event of Combat Zone 36 when thrilling mixed martial arts(MMA) action returns to Rockingham Park with a packed card of 16 evenly matched professional and amateur bouts.

Kattar, the NABC title belt holder who hails from Methuen, MA and is a student at UMass-Lowell, puts his impressive 10-2-0 record as a pro at stake when he takes on the undefeated Luiz Rodrigues (4-0-0) of Somerville, MA in a 155-lb. contest that promises to be as intense as it is competitive. Rodrigues, who racked up an 8-3-0 record as an amateur, fights for Sityodtong while Kattar now trains with Wai Kru in Boston.

Kattar, who is undefeated while competing under the Combat Zone banner, has a huge following among local MMA fans and he is sure to have plenty of local and vocal support when he fights again in his backyard. Before joining forces with Wai Kru, Kattar trained with former world champion boxer Mickey Ward in Lowell, MA. Ward is the subject of the biography “Irish Thunder” and the current smash Hollywood movie “The Fighter” tells his life story.

In the co-main event, it will be a battle between two New Hampshire fighters who have made a name for themselves in the 170-lb. division. Nate LaMotte (9-5-0) from Manchester and Team Burgess takes on the more experienced Nuri Shakir (15-16-0) out of Nashua and the Bucket Brigade. LaMotte, who wrestled at Plymouth State University, has won three of his last four fights.

Another combatant on the card who is sure to garner plenty of interest is Will “The Brown Bomber” Santiago. Out of Lawrence, MA and fighting for America Top Team, Santiago is experiencing a meteoric rise in MMA and has never lost a pro or amateur bout. Not only is he 1-1-0 as a pro after a 3-0-0 amateur career, but it's the way he has won all four of his battles that impresses. Santiago will take on Chris “The Madman” Madden, who trains with Guy Chase MMA and last won a WCF match this past summer. They will match up at 185 pounds.

The fights begin at 8:00 PM in the Sports Club at Rockingham Park and doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $120, $90, $75, $50, and $40 and are available by calling 978-360-3846 or by visiting www.czmma.com. Rock 101 FM personality Scorch returns as the ringmaster.

The weigh-in will be held on Thursday, January 27th beginning at 5:00 PM, also in the Sports Club at the racetrack, and the event is open to the public. The weigh-in presents an excellent opportunity for fans to meet their favorite fighters and get autographs and photos.

- Written by Lynn Snierson of Combat Zone