Lewiston, Maine (Lub peb hlis ntuj 9, 2016) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF), America lub xov tooj-ib regional sib ntaus qib, yuav tuav nws tom ntej no kev tshwm sim, “NEF 22: TAG NRHO txoj kev ua tau NTAWM NO” rau Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 23, 2016 nyob rau Androscoggin txhab nyiaj Colisée nyob rau hauv Lewiston, Maine. The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight contest to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” sib ntaus card. Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (0-0) will make his professional debut against tough veteran “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey(3-5) ntawm ib tug sib ntaus luj ntawm 145-phaus.
Aaron Lacey leaves behind a legacy of victory in the amateur ranks. He put together an impressive record of 6-1 since his debut in the fall of 2012. Lacey capped off his amateur stint by winning the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Championship last November, handing Caleb Horner (4-1) the first loss of his career in the process. Lacey is currently the number-one ranked amateur featherweight in the northeast. He is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine, thiab nyob rau April 23rd Lacey will make his professional debut alongside training partner, and NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion, Josh Harvey (0-0). Lacey will vacate the amateur featherweight title to enter the professional division. NEF executives are expected to make an announcement on the status of that championship in the very near future.
“I am super excited to finally be making my pro debut come April,” said Lacey. “This is a goal I have had for a long time and something I have always been working towards. Derek Shorey is a very tough challenge as a debut fight. He has a tremendous skill set and a ton of experience. As far as vacating my belt, I had always viewed capturing the title as the capstone to my amateur career. In the moment, it was an incredible feeling and it is something I will always be proud of. Part of what has made me successful is that I always keep looking forward for my next big challenge and my coaches along with myself believe that those challenges are within the professional ranks.”
After getting off to a 3-2 start in his professional career, Derek Shorey is looking to bounce back from a three-fight skid. Last September, Shorey scored a career-defining, highlight-reel knockout of Tollison Lewis (0-5), but would go on to taste defeat in his next three matchups. A 1998 Class-C Maine state wrestling champion for Foxcroft Academy, Shorey is the founder and head coach of the Shatterproof Combat Club based out of Dexter, Maine. He served his country in the United States Navy for four years of active duty and did a tour of Iraq with SEABEE Battalion NMCB 27. Shorey is hoping to find his rhythm in the cage against Lacey at “NEF 22.”
“Aaron is an incredibly tough, resilient fighter,” noted Shorey. “He keeps coming at you, solid technique. Nothing but respect for him and his skills. Hais tias, I’ve been growing rapidly under new instruction, but have been unable to find my rhythm in the cage. I feel that Aaron will bring his steady, solid pace and be met by my speed and power. I’m excited to welcome him into the professional ranks.”
Tshiab hais Fights 'tom ntej no cov kev tshwm sim, "NEF 22: TAG NRHO txoj kev ua tau NTAWM NO,"Yuav siv sij hawm qhov chaw Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 23, 2016 nyob rau Androscoggin txhab nyiaj Colisée nyob rau hauv Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 thiab yog muag tam sim no nyob www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm hu rau Colisée chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm 207.783.2009 x 525. Yog xav paub ntxiv nyob rau hauv cov kev tshwm sim thiab kev sib ntaus card tshiab, thov mus saib cov qib lub website ntawm www.NewEnglandFights.com. Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, koj yuav saib NEF yeeb yaj duab ntawm www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, ua raws li lawv nyob rau Twitternefights thiab koom nrog cov nom Facebook pab pawg neeg "New England Fights."