This is the 29th of a 50-part series documenting the history and the current state of MMA for each of the 50 states in the United States of America. You can find the rest of the series to date here. Each part will chronicle the history of MMA as well as several notable fighters and camps in each state. This is the history of New Hampshire MMA. Be sure to check out the previous edition, Nevada.
History of New Hampshire MMA
New Hampshire, the ninth state to join the Union, does not instantly come to mind when you think of monumental moments in the world of MMA. The state, along with the whole of New England, has several regional promotions with dedicated, die-hard fans.
New Hampshire Athletic Commission
The New Hampshire Boxing and Wrestling Commission is the sanctioning body for combat sports in the state. The 42nd rank state as far as population, New Hampshire has a commission of three members. The governor and council select each commissioner who each serve a three-year term. The commission can never have less than two members and must have a chairman-treasurer.
Interesting Boxing Sanction
The Norwich Bulletin of Norwich, Connecticut released covered a boxer by the name of Ian Cannon. Cannon may not be your typical boxer has he is wheelchair bound from spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy. According to the August 2018 article, Cannon is set to face an opponent un-yet announced at the Manchester (N.H) Armory. It is very difficult for Cannon to prepare in sanctioned bouts for his International Boxing Association and World Boxing Council unification title bout set for 2019.
The New Hampshire Boxing and Wrestling Commission, however, is one of the very few states that sanctions wheelchair boxing. Cannon is also working on his goal of making wheelchair boxing apart of the Paralympics. He wants to erase the stereotype that disabled people cannot compete in combat sports.
Organizations and Fighters In/From New Hampshire
The state of New Hampshire has yet to host any major organizational MMA events. The most possible landing spot, should a major organization make a visit to the state, would probably be the SNHU Arena in Manchester. The arena seats over 11,000 for basketball games and concerts.
Combat Zone MMA
One of the great Northeast organizations, Combat Zone MMA, makes its home in New Hampshire. One of the longest running promotions in New England, Combat Zone began shows in 2003 and is set to host Combat Zone 67 on September 21, 2018. Combat Zone 67 card is set to be headlined by featherweights Brendon Marotte and Robert Best. The current owner of the organization is UFC featherweight Calvin Kattar. Kattar has competed nine times for Combat Zone and his last three bouts have all been under the UFC banner.
Multitude of MMA Gyms
According to Tapology, the site lists at least 25 gyms in the state. Burgess MMA, Gracie Barra New Hampshire, Nostos MMA, and Renzo Gracie New Hampshire are just a few on the list. One of those fighters, Ramano Medina, represents Burgess MMA. Medina recently submitted Mohammad Al Kinani at Combat Zone 66 in the second round to win the lightweight amateur title. The state has many young talented fighters coming up through the New England organizations. It will be a matter of time before New Hampshire will have their “claim to fame” in the world of MMA.
Part 30 of the series will be the state of New Jersey. Stay tuned to MMASucka for the whole series and all of the breaking news in the world of MMA.
