FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (March 11, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus. The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the card. Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (6-2) is scheduled to meet “Yours Truly” Chris Herd (2-3) at a fight weight of 145 pounds.
It will have been 19 months since the last time Aaron Lacey stepped in the NEF cage as a competitor. Lacey defeated veteran Jon Lemke (7-9) in the main event of “NEF 35” in September 2018. He has not fought since due to an injury suffered later that fall. A former NEF Amateur Featherweight Champion, Lacey started his professional career a perfect 4-0 before going 2-2 in his last four bouts. He will look to make his comeback a successful one on April 18. Lacey represents Young’s MMA based in nearby Bangor, Maine.
“I’m so super excited to be getting back into my happy place,” exclaimed Aaron Lacey. “Matt (Peterson, NEF co-owner and matchmaker) worked really hard to get me a fight on this card, and I am beyond grateful! April 18th ‘Relentless’ returns!”
Lacey’s opponent, Chris Herd, will make the 1,000-mile trip from his home in Wilmington, North Carolina for the fight. Herd had a stellar amateur career, going 5-0 with four knockouts and one submission and capturing a regional championship along the way. Both of his wins as a professional have been first-round finishes with one a technical knockout and the other a submission. Herd currently represents Brunson’s MMA & Fitness based in Wilmington, North Carolina.
“No man can touch me without my permission,” said Herd when reached for comment. “This fight will go where I want it, and I will finish it at will.”
New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets are on sale now at www.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.