FARLEY, IOWA — Local fighter Jamie Howard is scheduled to make his professional mixed martial arts debut April 17 at Pinnacle Combat 32, taking place at Milestone Event Center in Farley, Iowa.

Howard, 35, is a 2003 graduate from Durand, Illinois, and has five black belts. He was a star wrestler in high school and trains with No Joke Martial Arts out of Loves Park, Illinois. 

Howard is 6-2 in amateur fights dating back to 2010, with all six wins coming via submission. 

Jeff Jepson, Howard’s opponent, is 5-2 professionally, and is ranked No. 3 in Iowa’s Flyweight division based on Tapology’s regional rankings.

The two will battle for up to three five-minute rounds.