ASC signs hot prospect Calvin Kattar for 9/11 MMA show

Posted on | July 14, 2009 | No Comments

Lamotte-Gordon headline July 31 debut show at Icenter in Salem, New Hampshire

SALEM, New Hampshire (July 14, 2009) – Fledging mixed-martial-arts promotional company, American Steel Cagefighting’s (ASC), has signed one of the top MMA prospects on the East Coast, lightweight sensation Calvin Kattar, to fight on ASC’s September 11th show at the Icenter in Salem, New Hampshire.

The 21-year-old Kattar (6-1), from Methuen (MA), will attend ASC inaugural pro show, headlined by Manchester welterweight Nate “The Future” Lamotte against Doug “Flash” Gordon, July 31 at the Icenter.

“I’m looking forward to putting on a great show 9/11,” Katar said. “(ASC co-promoter) Sal (LoNano) is a veteran and I know that show is special to him and a lot of other people. So far, everything has been great with ASC. I’m going to see all the action live on July 31. I know everyone has big expectations. They (ASC) have the right idea; Sal came over from boxing, (matchmaker) Gary Marino knows MMA, and (co-promoter) Dave (Garofalo) is a very successful businessman. I’m excited about fighting on the 9/11 show. We’ll see how it goes and take it from there as far as other fights. They’re all good guys and I’m excited to be part of it. I can honestly tell you that they have already taken better care of me than other promoters who’ve put on shows around here.”

Kattar, who now lives in Andover, was a wrestling star at Methuen High. He took a break from college after one semester and realized he missed the competition he had from wrestling. After watching his sister’s friend, Dave George, in an MMA fight, Calvin immediately decided that he wanted to be an MMA fighter and did so. Now based out of Premier Martial Arts in Derry (NH), Kattar made his pro MMA debut after only six months of training, and now the sky appears to be the limit for this popular fighter.

Despite his strong wrestling background, Calvin would prefer to stay on his feet and strike. “I remember feeling after a loss in high school that, if I could have punched my opponent in the face,” Kattar explained, “I would have won. This sport allows me to do that. I prefer to fight on my feet, but I’ve gone to the ground twice, and won by both times by submission.”

Kattar is a natural athlete who has the potential to become an MMA version of boxer “Irish” Micky Ward, who LoNano successfully managed for several years, especially in his Merrimack Valley home base. “I really think we might have a new Micky Ward here,” LoNano remarked. “I see a lot of Micky – his heart, dedication to training and determination – in Calvin. He is the top fighter, MMA or boxing, in the Merrimack Valley area, arguably the best MMA prospect in New England, possibly on the entire East Coast. He can really put on a show. Having him in the main event on our Sept. 11th show is huge for our new company. ASC will show him how we treat fighters and we hope that after his Sept. 11 fight, he’ll sign with us for a series of fights. Calvin Kattar has the whole package to go to the top of the MMA world.”

“Gary Marino is our matchmaker,” Garofalo noted. “It’s his job to scout and recruit talent in New England. He and Sal getting Calvin to sign with us was a grand slam. We’re all very excited about him headlining our September 11th show. I’ve been an MMA fan since UFC1 and I believe Calvin’s going to be a star.”

IFL veteran Lamotte (10-4-0) headlines the July 31st 10-fight card versus Gordon (9-7-0). The co-main event pits unbeaten New York lightweight Pat Audinwood (7-0-0) versus former Cage Fury Fighting champion, “Mr. Big” Al Buck (6-7-0).

UFC pioneer Patrick Smith (16-13-0) makes his New England debut against a fellow UFC veteran, super heavyweight Kevin “The Shamnan” Jordan (11-8-0), in the Super Fight.

Also scheduled to throw-down on the exciting ASC card is middleweight Lamont “The Philly Bad Ass” Lister (6-7-0) vs. Randy “The Savage” Rowe (2-6-0), Worcester featherweight Evan Parker (1-0-0) vs. TBA, lightweight Damien “The Omen” Trites (2-3-0) vs. Joe “The Boneyard Pitbull” Dechaves (3-1-0); lightweight Brian Danner (1-1-0) vs. Chris Foster (3-0-0), welterweight Carlos Nieves (3-6-0) vs. Ryan “The Lion” Schieding (3-1-0); Boston welterweight Nick Drummond (2-0-0) vs. Manchester’s pro debuting Adam “Lone Wolf” McQuaid and Al Germain Sterling faces Ibrahiem Tody, of Allston (MA), in a 145-pound amateur match.

All fights are scheduled for three, three-minute rounds; fighters and fights are subject to change. Tickets, priced at $50.00, $75.00, and $100.00, are available to purchase at Stateline Ticket Agency in Salem (NH) and all Two Guys Smoke Shop stores in Salem, Nashua and Seabrook (NH), as well as by calling toll free 888.224.4272 or going on line to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com.

Doors open at 6 PM, first fight at 8 PM. Go to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com for additional information.

American Steel Cage Fighting

ASC is co-owned by David Garofalo and Sal LoNano. Garofalo is the proprietor of Two Guys Smoke Shop, in Salem (NH), one of the world’s highest volume independently owned cigar retailer. LoNano, who managed professional boxers “Irish” Micky Ward and former world light welterweight champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, owns S & L Boxing, which has promoted numerous nationally televised pro boxing shows. Gary Marino is the ASC matchmaker.

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