By Sarah Lebrun
Staff Writer

Nate Lamotte, left, and Nate Kittredge spar before the mixed martial arts event got underway. (Photos by Sarah Lebrun)

The Verizon Wireless Arena hosted its first mixed martial arts event, Reality Fighting’s Invasion, on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Reality Fighting is a division of the North American Grappling Association, with 40,000 members nationwide. Until recently, Reality Fighting events have taken place in Massachusetts and New Jersey, and at one point, Rhode Island. It made its debut in New Hampshire at the JFK Coliseum June 10.

According to Kipp Kollar, president of NAGA, the organization helped the Massachusetts Boxing Commission convert to mixed martial arts so it could become a legitimate sport in the state, and it is trying to do the same thing in New Hampshire.

The event featured three of Manchester’s own fighters.

Nate Lamotte

A graduate of Manchester Memorial High School, Nate Lamotte, 22, began training in the martial arts at the age of 7 and attained the rank of brown belt. Since then, he has received training in kenpo, jiu jitsu, wrestling and boxing.

Lamotte began training in mixed martial arts with Tim and John Burgess in November 2005 and had his first fight in April.

He’s been involved in many promotions, including Reality Fighting, Combat Zone and Untamed. His mixed martial arts record is 3-1.

Jonathan Sola

Originally from New York, Jonathan Sola, 28, took an interest in taekwondo and jiu jitsu as a child, and he’s been training in Shaolin kenpo and karate for the last seven years.

He is now training with Tim and John Burgess.

“I just decided to make this dream materialize,” Sola said.

The Verizon event was his debut fight. His mixed martial arts record is 0-1.

Mark Greenwood

Newcomer Mark Greenwood, 34, has been involved with mixed martial arts for one year.

“I did kickboxing when I was younger, then I went into wrestling,” Greenwood said.

After some time off, he decided to go back to fighting and is now training with Terry Dow. He also plans on trying out for K-1, professional kickboxing, this year.

His mixed martial arts record is 0-2.

For more information about NAGA, visit www.nagafighter.com.