Changes to Card for Combat Zone MMA

By Lynne Snierson

Moultonboro, New Hampshire police officer and world Brazilian Ju-Jitsu champion Jimmy Quinlan will now put his undefeated professional MMA record on the line against seasoned veteran Jerry "The Puching Bag" Spiegal in the main event of "Frenzy at The Rock" on Friday night.

In the other late change to the action-packed card at presented by Combat Zone MMA on Friday, September 7, Anthony Loycano (0-1-0), who fights for Team Pitbull in Atkinson, NH, takes on another exciting, up-and-coming fighter in Walter Cotitio Smith (0-1-0) from Team Triumph MMA in Nashua, NH.

Quinlan (2-0-0), who is also the assistant wrestling coach at Methuen (MA) High School just across the border from the racetrack, will step up from the middleweight ranks to fight in the light heavyweight division against Spiegal, who was a late replacement after Billy Shannon (1-1-0) had to scratch out of Combat Zone 42 due to a medical problem.

Quinlan decided to give MMA a try after working the corner for his friend, Chuck O'Neil, when O'Neil was a finalist in the UFC's "The Ultimate Fighter" two years ago. He was already an outstanding wrestler who had excelled at Bridgewater State University and had earned a collection of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu world championship belts between 2009 and 2011. Spiegal (18-36-1), a 10-year veteran of the cage, brings a two-fight win streak into the match.

In the other professional fight on the card that includes 13 amateur bouts, Loycano and Cotitio Smith, who fought last time as a bantamweight, will square off at 145 pounds. Smith had an unblemished record of 3-0-0 as an amateur but lost a unanimous decision in Combat Zone 40 at The Rock.

Another Triumph MMA fighter to keep an eye on is Vovka "KGB" Clay (3-0-0), who will fight Mike Burke (5-2-0) from Lakes Region Valley Tudo at 155 pounds in one of the marquis amateur match-ups.

"Clay is ranked #4 at 155 pounds and Mike Burke is ranked #4 at 170 pounds," said John Fain, the driving force at Team Triumph MMA. "Clay has won all three of his fights by submission and he is an up-and-comer. After this fight, I expect he'll be ranked number one because there is nobody better at his weight."

Tickets for the event are $120 for the ringside row, $90, $75, $50 and $40 and parking at Rockingham Park, where full food and beverage service is available, is free. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at www.czmma.com or by calling promoter David George at 978-360-3846.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the first fight is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in the Sports Club at the racetrack. The weight-in, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Thursday, September 6 and begins at 6 p.m. in the same venue.