Msanga KUMASULIDWA: Lewiston, Maine (November 30, 2017) - New England Kumenyana (NEF) umabwerera kwa Lewiston paLoweruka, February 3, 2018 ndi losakanizika karate-luso lotsatira chochitika Kukwezeleza nkhondo a, “NEF 32: Super Loweruka.” Poyambirira lero, NEF announced the addition of an amateur middleweight bout to the card. Josh Jones (2-2) ndi uchitike kukumana Mark Gardner (1-0) pa nkhondo kulemera 185-mapaundi.
Josh Jones’ rise to the top of the NEF middleweight division in 2017 was nothing short of meteoric. A former basketball star at Erskine Academy in South China, Maine and draftee of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Developmental League, Jones has honed his craft in the martial arts at First Class MMA of Brunswick. It took him a mere 24-seconds combined to knock out his first two opponents this past year. Jones’ four-second knockout of Anthony Spires (0-3) went viral worldwide and was featured on major websites like Bleacher Report. After back-to-back losses to finish the year, Jones is looking to rebound with a win to open 2018.
“I am very honored and blessed to have the opportunity to compete against Mark,” said Jones. “Mark has shown to be an awesome competitor. I look forward to the challenge on February 3rd. As an MMA fighter and competitor, it is always a privilege to step into the cage and perform under the lights for New England Fights.”
Mark Gardner made his debut in the NEF cage earlier this month in Portland. Gardner faced another up-and-coming middleweight in the form of Carlton Charles (1-1). Last summer, it was Charles who handed Josh Jones his first loss. Gardner impressed many in attendance with his gutsy performance against Charles. He had an answer for everything Charles threw at him early in the fight, dispatching Charles in the second round by technical knockout. For those who have followed Maine combat sports for some time, Gardner’s toughness comes as no surprise. His gritty, workmanlike style has been the hallmark of his team, the Academy of MMA in Portland, for many years.
“I’m excited to get back in the cage for my next fight,” declared Gardner. “I learned a lot from my first fight and have been working on my technique. I can’t say much about my opponent, I don’t really know anything about him – I just fight who my coach tells me to fight.”
NEF otsatira losakanizika karate-luso chochitika, “NEF 32: Super Loweruka,” adzaona kampani kupanga ulendo wake wobwerera ku Androscoggin Bank Colisee mu Lewiston, Maine. The event is scheduled to take place on Loweruka, February 3, 2018. Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.com.