All posts by FNU47

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

BOYINGTON AND HARRISON ON APRIL 11: POWER IS LEGEND

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Lewiston, Maine (February 10, 2015) – The night was June 16, 2012.  Over 3,000 fans had filled the Androscoggin Bank Colisee for New England Fights’ (NEF) “NEF III” mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  In the main event of the evening was former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion of the World Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (31-10).  Sylvia was competing for the first time ever in his home state of Maine.   Media outlets, both local and national, descended on Lewiston that night for the big event.  National cable station HDNet (now “AXS TV”) sent a full film crew and producer to cover the pro portion of the fight card for their weekly program Inside MMA.

 

Sylvia’s 12-second knockout of Randy Smith (13-15-1), however, was not the story that night.  The real story coming out of the event was the emergence of not one, but two, new stars before a national audience.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7), already holding the first-ever knockout in Maine MMA history, added to his legend with a Taekwondo spinning-hook kick that left his opponent unconscious and earned Boyington the quickest knockout in NEF at the time at 10-seconds.  Moments later, Jamie Harrison (5-1) finished his opponent with an unorthodox ground-and-pound technique dubbed “The Lobster Punch” by Inside MMA co-host Bas Rutten (28-4-1).  Both finishes were caught on camera by AXS TV, and both were seen by fight fans the world over on television and the internet.  The road to April 11, 2015, “NEF XVII,” and a showdown between Boyington and Harrison, had been paved.

 

In the months and years to come, Boyington would become the face of NEF MMA.  Leaving a trail of broken opponents in his wake, Boyington would go on to capture the vacant NEF MMA Lightweight Championship in September 2014 by defeating Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (3-4).  Weeks later, Boyington and Erickson would rematch with Boyington once again emerging victorious. Harrison had, himself, cut through Tollison Lewis (0-3) with reckless abandon just moments earlier, leading many to speculate that the time for the Boyington-Harrison showdown had finally arrived.  In the hours that followed, both sides had agreed to the fight and the stage was set for April 11, 2015 in Lewiston at “NEF XVII.”  Both athletes squared off in the cage last Saturday at “NEF XVI” to officially announce the bout which will be a five-rounder for Boyington’s Lightweight Championship.

 

“I’m feeling on top of the world,” said Boyington when reached for comment.  “The break has served its purpose and although I feel I have strengths such as a well-rounded MMA game, more professional fights, more experience with top level opponents and comfort in this arena – I know that it’s all irrelevant because the high that I’m on right now right now and the eagerness to get in the cage and have fun , along with a strict conviction with myself NOT to lose and to entertain the crowd makes me more confident than ever to get the job done.  I respect Jamie very much. He is tough and presents challenges and I’ve had my sights on him for a long time, studying him and knowing we would cross paths eventually. Lucky for me, I’m a hell of a wrestler.  I see what’s coming.  Fans, this fight is unlike anything else you will ever see.  Make sure you’re in attendance to witness what I’m about to do.  I have no problem proving the critics wrong.  Just be there and don’t blink. This is a big stage fight, I’ll prove it.”

 

“I am extremely excited to get back in the NEF cage for this huge opportunity,” remarked Harrison.  “Bruce is on a hot streak and so am I.  The title belt around my waist has been a long time coming and it will be bittersweet to do it in front of all my family, friends, and fans.  This fight will have a lot of fireworks and you will not want to look away for a second.”

 

“These are the two alpha males of the NEF roster,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “When they walk in a room, everyone knows it.  But we all know that there can only be one alpha male in the pride.  On April 11 in Lewiston, we’ll determine which is the true alpha male when these two lions collide.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onApril 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  In addition, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest.  Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

boxing, Champions TKO Boxing Gym

Great Start To The Year – Seven Wins Out Of Seven For TKO

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We may only be just forty days or so into the New Year, but Johnny Eames and the Champions TKO team are already very, very happy with the way everything is going for them in 2015. First off, they secured new premises for the famous gym and now just over two weeks into the new Boxing year have had a string of seven successes for their ever growing stable of boxers.

 

Earlier today the aforementioned Mr. Eames took a little time out from his busy schedule to talk about the excellent start to the year, for his highly talented young prospects.

 

“Yeah, what a great start to the year for the Champions TKO boys.

 

First up we had four boys out at York Hall on the 30th January, unfortunately I couldn’t get to the show because my boiler burst and my house was flooded, but I kept in touch with everyone to make sure the boys were alright.

 

First in action was Antonio Counihan and from what I heard he put in another stunning performance, stopped his opponent in the third, after dominating the fight from the start.

 

As promised he now has an eight rounder in his next fight, on the Stephen Vaughan show in Liverpool on the 20th March.

 

Then hopefully he’ll get to do something up in Birmingham for an MBC International title or similar.

 

Next up on that show was Tasif Khan, boy did he shake the rust off, short and sweat, stopped his opponent in just sixty-five seconds.

 

From what I heard he put on a fantastic display, gutted I missed it but hopefully get to see him next time he’s out, which is also on the Stephen Vaughan Liverpool show in March.

 

Apparently the fight of the night was our Onder Ozgul’s, a real barnstormer Rio (TKO’s Gianluca Di Caro) said, all action and at a high pace as per usual from Onder.

 

This kid’s ready to move onto six rounders now, like his brother Siar, to be honest with you.

 

As I just said Siar did his first six rounder, again a cracking fight by all accounts, everyone’s so pleased with his performance on the night.

 

It sounds like he’s learned to judge his pace now, rather than go hammer and tongs for the whole six rounds, he paced himself nicely for the full six rounds.

 

On the following night we had Charlie Edwards, making his debut, and Tommy Martin fight for the English title at the O2.

 

Charlie, what can I say he was f**king tremendous.

 

For a kid having his professional debut, I was so impressed with his attitude and professionalism, he never wavered from what he had to do and the occasion never got to him.

 

When he got in the ring he was nice and cool, listened to every word that Brian (coach Brian O’Shaughnessy) said.

 

I told him that he didn’t have to impress, because he’s very good anyway, so no need to try and be good, as he is.

 

It was an absolutely perfect match for his first fight, not a walkover that some of the big names get, he was a very tough kid, who came to fight and really believed he could win, which played right into Charlie’s hands.

 

The kid got a systematic beating from round one to four, but that don’t take away from the kid’s own effort, because he was really trying and then Charlie caught him good with about six seconds to go and that was it.

 

It was just unbelievable, unbelievable I was just so impressed with Charlie.

 

Then we had our Tommy Martin, what can I say this kid walked into our gym two and half years ago now, just eighteen years old and I took a little gamble on him and I told his dad after his first fight, actually before the fight that I’d guarantee him ten wins and then I’ll let him off the lead, we delivered from our end, we got him ten out of ten.

 

I have to admit I was nervous going into the fight, obviously having trained his opponent, Ricky Boylan, previously so knew Ricky is a tough kid and thought he may outman Tommy, but it was totally the other way round, Tommy outmanned him to be fair.

 

Tommy slowed around the sixth round and I was worried that he had left something in the gym, but no problem he came back stronger.

 

I can honestly say I think Tommy only lost two rounds, perhaps one or two could have been shared, but that would be being kind to Ricky, that’s how much Tommy dominated the fight.

 

The scores were 99-92 and 97-93 twice, as you can see they were massively in favour of Tommy and rightly so.

 

Fair play to Ricky he never stopped coming, as we knew he would, but for me Ricky didn’t have enough movement, he was moving his head when out of range but wasn’t when he needed to.

 

Now onto our latest debutant, Mickey O’Rourke, but first I must thank all the fans that turned up for him.

 

He sold two hundred and twenty tickets but more turned up and bought tickets on the night, so probably had about two fifty turn out to support him.

 

They were great, very, very boisterous, they made it a great night for him.

 

Mickey was a bit nervous in the first round, once he got back to the corner Brian (coach Brian O’Shaughnessy) sorted him out.

 

Either way he still won the first round comfortably, the other kid made it hard for him, like holding all the time, but Mickey negated everything he tried to do.

 

Luckily the referee also was quick to break them up every time the kid grabbed Mickey, plus we got Mickey to let go with more than one shot to keep him from coming in to grab him.

 

He won the bout 40-36 but the way he boxed in the last round the other kid did well to hold on to the end.

 

In fairness the kid came up to me after the fight and said ‘Johnny sorry but if I didn’t hold him, he’d have stopped me.’

 

I’m happy with that, he was just doing his job and I think Mickey learned a lot from the fight.

 

The fans loved it, the first round as I said was a bit nervy but the next three rounds were exciting, Mickey’s going to be a crowd pleasing fighter, there’s no two ways about it, and I’m glad to be part of his journey.

 

My mate Colin sent him over to me and he’s been very well schooled at Dale Youth, which has made my job a bit easier and I look forward to his next fight on the 21st March.

 

I hope that all the fans that attended come again, as he needs all the support he can get as without ticket sales the journey stops and this kids too good for that to happen.

 

What can I say, fantastic results for all the boys and of course Champions TKO, seven out of seven, you can’t get better than that, hopefully we’ve set the trend for 2015.”

www.tkoboxinggym.com

 

boxing, Goodwin Boxing, UK Boxing

British Title Eliminator and English title head fantastic card

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Olivia Goodwin is delighted to announce that the 5thanniversary show of Goodwin Boxing will be shown live on Matchroom Fight Pass and features the best card that the Goodwin’s have assembled in celebration of five years in boxing.

 

Aptly called “ULTIMATE GLORY” Joint top of the bill is a British Welterweight title eliminator between Larry “The Natural” Ekundayo (8-0) and Dale Evans (9-1 with 2 draws). Ekundayo is one of the most talented boxers in Britain. After winning Prizefighter in 2012 Larry only had one professional bout in the 18 months afterwards. After teaming up with Ben Gray from World Class Athletes as his Commercial adviser and Steve Goodwin (Promoter/Manager) Ekundayo had two bouts culminating in winning the International Masters title at York Hall in October 2014.

 

Ekundayo is one of the most avoided fighters around so full credit to Dale Evans for stepping up to the plate, Evans has lost only 1 from 12 bout and that was in Prizefighter in January 2013 to Glenn Foot. Evans has beaten the likes of Sam Eggington and Eric Ochieng so will come into this fight with a real belief that he can win this and move onto the British title scene.

 

Co top of the bill is the English Super-Middleweight title between Lee “Banjo” Markham (14-1) and Jahmaine Smyle (11-4 2 draws). Markham has stopped 7 inside the distance and Smyle 4. This is a real 50/50 fight that could easily be one of the fights of the year.

 

The third major title fight on the show features “The Pexican” Johnny Garton (13-1) defending his Southern Area Welterweight strap against fellow Londoner Nathan Weiss (10-4 with 2 draws). Garton won the title with an exciting 8thround stoppage of Adam Battle in December 2013 whilst Weiss will hoping it is third time lucky as he has had two previous losing attempts for the Southern Area title.

 

Another fight which will be making headlines will be former professional footballer’s Leon McKenzie (undefeated in 6) first 10 round title fight when he takes on Croatian Ivan Stupalo (10-9) for the International Masters Super-Middleweight title). There has been substantial national press and radio interest in this bout with many from the sporting world attending to see what they hope will be Leon’s big night.

 

Someone never in a dull fight in “Smokin” Joe Mullender (7-1) and he fights for the International Masters Middleweight title when he takes on Gyorgy Varga from  Hungary.        .

 

Before the BIG FIVE there are some exciting talents returning to the ring and some future stars at the beginning of their careers.

 

Former English Flyweight Champion Ashley Sexton makes his return to the ring after 2 years out. Ash has now signed with the Goodwin’s and will be keen to get his career back on track.

 

Former decorated amateur star featherweight Josh Kennedy was devastating in his first bout when he blew away an opponent in 40 seconds who had previously lost only once in 8 fights. Kennedy has his second pro contest.

 

Tilbury’s Matt McCarthy is aiming for a crack at an area title later this year and has an 8 round contest against the tough Stanislav Nenkov from Bulgaria.

 

Jose “The Look” Lopes is described by his trainer Don Charles as the next David Haye. He is 2 from 2 so far and has his third contest.

 

The show will feature the eagerly awaited debut of flyweight Prince Patel. Patel had an excellent amateur career despite his style being more suited to the pro’s. He will be aiming to make a massive statement as he believes he is a future World Champion.

 

In the December show “The General” Aji Sharif suffered his first professional loss at the hands of Imantas Davidatis when he was stopped in the 2nd round. The week after the fight Sharif told his manager Steve Goodwin that he wanted nothing other than an immediate rematch and with Goodwin fulfilling Aji’s wishes it is on but don’t blink!!!!!!!

 

Another eagerly anticipated debut is for Heavyweight “Superman” Louie Darling. Louie won all 35 bouts as an unlicensed fighter winning 31 inside the distance. He has a massive fan base and will be desperate to impress everyone at York Hall and prove he will be a real contender in the future of the heavyweight division.

 

There is also a battle of the undefeated Ashley Hill (2-0) takes on Michael Waldron (1-0) in what will be an exciting tear up.

 

Cruiserweight Adam “Shrek” Hart has amazing power and demonstrated that in his debut. His second opponent Marko Rupcic will need to be on his guard.

 

Former three time Southern Area title challenger Kris Agyei-Dua has a 6 round contest whilst aiming for a fourth crack at the title in 2015.

 

This is without doubt one of the best shows the Goodwin’s have ever promoted and is befitting of the five year celebration.

 

All VIP and Ringside tickets have been sold out and only a limited amount of standard £35 tickets remain which are available from any of the boxers or onwww.iboxingtickets.com

Fight Network, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling

FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Feb. 9-15, 2015)

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ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK:  Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, boxing, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.

 

Below find highlights of this week’s programming:

Monday, Feb. 9

 

2:00 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 45 – Featuring Phillipe Nover vs. Mike Santiago and Frankie Perez vs. Adam Townsend from June 14, 2013 in Atlantic City.

 

5:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.

 

6:00 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m-by-12m arena with three levels.

 

6:30 p.m. ET – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features and a look back at the past.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

 

7:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion Live: The Hague 2014 – Professional kickboxing featuring Mohammed Jaraya vs. Mohamed Galaoui for the Enfusion welterweight title from Apr. 5, 2015 in Holland.

 

Tuesday, Feb. 10

 

12:30 p.m. ET – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S. professional and amateur MMA events.

 

7:00 & 7:30 p.m. ET – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

 

8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Havoc Fighting Championship 5 – Featuring Ryan Machan vs. Richie Whitson and Andrew Buckland vs. Advin Olic from May 2, 2014 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – BAMMA USA: Badbeat 9 – Featuring Mikey Gomez vs. Ronald Lebreton Jr. and Ernest Chavez vs,. Jorge Valdez from May 31, 2013 in Commerce, CA.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 11

 

6:00 p.m. ET – Best of Cage Rage – Featuring classic fights from the UK-based Cage Rage organization with Anderson Silva, Antonio Silva, Victor Belfort, Paul Daley and others.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now. MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

7:30 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA – Compilations of international MMA fights from ONE FC, UCMMA, KSW, WFC, FFC, BAMMA, EFC Africa and more.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 65 – Featuring John Maguire vs. Saul Rogers from Mar. 1, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.

 

11:30 p.m. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.

 

Thursday, Feb. 12

 

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 32 – Featuring Zelig Galesic vs. Linton Vassell from Feb. 2, 2013 in London.

 

6:00 p.m. ET – Championship Fighting Alliance – Professional MMA from Florida featuring Josh Sampo, Mike Kyle, John Howard, Sean McCorkle, Luis Palomino and others.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion Season 3 – Fighters from 18 different countries compete in the 85 kg MAX category in Ohrid, Macedonia as they live and train together in their quest for a kickboxing title.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, featur4es and inside analysis on the fight game.

 

10:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion #24: Lazaar vs. Venneste – Featuring Ismael Lazaar vs. Thomas Vanneste for the Enfusion heavyweight world title from Feb. 2, 2015 in Eindhovem Netherlands.

 

Friday, Feb. 13

 

12:00 a.m. ET – It’s Showtime Special – The world’s premier kickboxing organization featuring Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef and Giorgio Petrosyan.

 

2:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

 

4:00 a.m. ET – Best of DEEP – Featuring class fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gegard Mousasi.

 

5:00 a.m. ET – Best of Jewel – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA league, Jewels.

 

6 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge – Professional MMA from Europe featuring top rising prospects and international stars.

 

7:00 p.m. ET — Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

7:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, featur4es and inside analysis on the fight game.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Frank Shamrock – Sit-down interview with MMA pioneer Frank Shamrock.

 

9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 28: Fighters’ Den – Featuring Karol Bedorf vs. Rolles Gracie for the KSW heavyweight title from Oct. 4, 2014 in Szczecin, Poland.

 

Saturday, Feb. 14

 

1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: World Grand Prix Romania 2013 – The heavyweight kickboxing tournament featuring Frank Munoz, Nikolaj Falin, Sebastian Ciobanu and Vladimir Toktasinov from May 18, 2013 in Craiova, Romania.

 

4:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m-by-12m arena with three levels.

 

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Yan Pellerin from TKJO 26 and Todd Gouwenberg vs. Martin Desilets from TKO 27.

 

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Tyson Griffin vs. Urijah Faber from Gladiator Challenge 42.

 

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest, hosted by UFC veterans Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen.

 

4:00 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 65 – Featuring Brendan Barrett vs. Miodrag Petkovic and Frankie Perez vs., Rafael Machado from Sept. 20, 2013 in Atlantic City.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Final Fight Championship 14 MMA: Krusic vs. Racic – MMA action featuring Lemmy Krusic vs. Antun Racic from Oct. 3, 2014 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

 

11:00 p.m. ET — Final Fight Championship 14 Kickboxing: Petje vs. Mikelic– Kickboxing action featuring Samo Petje vs. Teo Mikelic and Mirko Vorkapic vs. Kevin Hessling from Oct. 3, 2014 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

 

Sunday, Feb. 15

 

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of ADCC – Featuring compilations of the greatest grappling matches ever held, featuring Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Eddie Bravo, Fabricio Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Ronaldo Souza and Royler Gracie.

 

11:00 a.m. ET – Elite Muay Thai: Thailand vs. Challenger – The biggest Muay Thai series in the world, featuring premium international stand-up fighters taking on the renowned Thai National Team.

 

Information:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

 
boxing, Fight Network

FIGHT NETWORK BOXING   PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Feb. 9-15, 2015)

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ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK:  Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.

 

Below find highlights of this week’s programming:

 

Monday, Feb. 9

 

11:00 p.m. ET — InterBox Classics: Klitschko vs. Jefferson – Featuring WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko vs. Derrick Jefferson from Mar. 24, 2001 in Munich, Germany.

 

Tuesday, Feb. 10

 

6:00 p.m. ET – KOTV Boxing Classics – Reliving memorable boxing fights from the past two decades.

 

8:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

 

Thursday, Feb. 12

 

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

 

11:30 p.m. ET – KOTV Boxing Weekly – Covering all of the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the Sweet Science.

 

Friday, Feb. 13

 

5:30 p.m. ET — KOTV Boxing Weekly – Covering all of the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the Sweet Science.

 

7:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis on the fight game.

 

Saturday, Feb. 14

 

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis on the fight game.

 

Sunday, Feb. 15

 

7:30 p.m. ET – KOTV Boxing Weekly – Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the Sweet Science.

 

8:00 p.m. ET– Ultimate Classic Boxing: Joseph vs. Savage – Featuring middleweight Charley Joseph vs. Milo Savage from Apr. 25, 1956 in New Orleans.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – WBC Silver Cruiserweight Championship: Branco vs. Haapoja– Featuring Silvio Branco vs. Juho Haapoja for the vacant WBC Silver cruiserweight title from July 6, 2013 in Lazio, Italy.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – Banner: Best of the Decade – Featuring Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo I to unify the WBC and WBO lightweight titles from May 7, 2005 in Las Vegas.

 

Information:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

NEF XVI RECAP: KING RETAINS; WOOD DETHRONED; YOUNG’S MMA GOES 8-1

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Tyler King after retaining the Heavyweight Title on Saturday night

Lewiston, Maine (February 9, 2015) –New England Fights’ (NEF) latest mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event “NEF XVI,” took place Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  With temperatures dropping to below zero, and the threat of a snowstorm looming over the area, more than 2,500 fight fans braved the elements to pack the state’s most venerable fight venue.  The crowd was treated to a total of 24 action-packed fights, including four professional bouts, two of which were for NEF MMA title belts.

 

The main event of the evening saw Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (17-9) unseat Ray “All Business” Wood (5-1) to become the new NEF MMA Featherweight Champion.  The loss spoiled what was expected to be a triumphant return home for Wood.  The native of Bucksport, Maine had moved to South Carolina in 2014 to pursue his goal of competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).  Morrison was considered Wood’s toughest challenge to date, having himself competed on the national stage in Bellator and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).  Still, Wood was recognized as the favorite going into the bout Saturday night.  Morrison was dominant for most of the fight, out-wrestling Wood before submitting him with a guillotine choke in the fifth round to capture the belt.

 

The loss was also the sole blemish on what was otherwise a perfect night for Young’s MMA.  The Bangor, Maine-based team had won their previous eight bouts over the course of the evening, an amazing feat considering that the Young’s corners were often running back and forth from the cage to the locker room to prepare their fighters for bouts that were mere moments apart from each other.  Of particular note, the opening fight of the card featured Josh Harvey (3-1) of Young’s tearing through top-ten-ranked amateur featherweight Caleb Hall (5-2) with a technical knockout (TKO) victory a mere 36-seconds into the first round. Later, Young’s newest team member, Carl Langston (4-7), got his first win ever on Maine soil with a decision over Sheldon Bang (1-2) in a rematch of a bout Langston had lost at “NEF XIII” last year.

 

Marcus Davis’s Team Irish went 2-0 on the night with Ricky Dexter(2-0) picking up the second win of his amateur career and Rick Matthews (1-1) getting his first victory.  44-year old Matthews won a decision over Emmett Huber (0-1) while Dexter scored a big knockout on Cory Trial (0-1) in the second-round, sending Trial to a nearby hospital in the process.

 

Highlight-reel knockouts were par for the course at “NEF XVI.” Among them, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Nah-Shon “The Rock-n-Rolla” Burrell (11-5) had already bloodied Ryan Hodge(6-10) before knocking him out in the first round of their professional middleweight contest.  The most-talked-about knockout of the evening, however, went to Caleb Farrington (2-0) of Team New England United (NEU) who dropped Brandon “The Enigma” Russell (0-1) with a single right hand just 8-seconds into the first round.  The knockout broke the all-time record of 11-seconds previously set by Buck “Knuckles” Pineau (7-4) in April 2012.

 

More history was made at “NEF XVI” when a father and not one, but two of his sons competed on the same MMA card.  Following losses by his sons, Sheldon and Steve Bang (3-3), Dr. Steve Bang(1-0), a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), entered the NEF MMA cage to a loud ovation from the crowd.  The bariatric surgeon wasted little time in going to work on his opponent, Matthew Hanning (0-1), taking him down and pounding out a victory via referee-stoppage.

 

NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighter veteran Tyler King (8-2) successfully defended the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title in the co-main event of the night, defeating Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-3).  King stormed into the arena with a determined fire in his eyes.  Mid-way through the first round, King took Blackburn down to the mat and worked a Kimura submission, forcing Blackburn to tap-out.  During his post-fight victory interview in the cage, King called out a slew of heavyweights and light-heavyweights including local names like Eric Bedard (6-5), as well as national stars such as Bellator’s Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (14-4).

 

Two bouts were announced for NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” scheduled for April 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. NEF MMA Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(10-7) faced-off in the cage with Jamie Harrison (5-1) for an interview.  Boyington will defend his title at “NEF XVII” against number-one-contender Harrison in the main event.  Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) and Bellator veteran Dennis Olson (12-7) were also brought into the cage for an interview.  The two exciting welterweights will square off at “NEF XVII” in a bout many local observers feel could end up being a contender for “Fight of the Year” in the region.

 

The full results of “NEF XVI” in Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

145*TITLE Anthony Morrison def. Ray Wood (c) via guillotine, round 5 (Morrison wins title)

265*TITLE Tyler King (c) def. Terry Blackburn via Kimura, round 1 (King retains)

185 Nah-Shon Burrell def. Ryan Hodge via TKO, round 1

265 Mike Hansen def. Artie Mullen via TKO, round 1

 

 

AMATEUR

 

CATCH Aaron Lacey def. Nick Spencer via tap to rear-naked choke, round 3

CATCH Dustin Veinott def. Dave Brown via tap to armbar, round 1

145 Mike Peitersen def. Henry Clark via KO, round 3

180 Caleb Farrington def. Brandon Russell via KO, round 1

155 Ricky Dexter def. Cory Trial via KO, round 2

155 Dr. Steve Bang def. Matthew Hanning via TKO, round 1

  1. HWT Gravin Guillen def. Mladen Holman via unanimous decision

CATCH Fred Lear def. Bryant Orick via TKO, round 2

185 Frank Dellasala def. Heath Hanson via TKO, round 1

155 Jason Lachance def. Steve Bang via unanimous decision

265 Billy Leahy def. Brandon Lessard via unanimous decision

185 Nick Shea def. Jacob Cameron via TKO, round 1

CATCH Rob Kiah def. Clifford Redman via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

135 Johnny Crafts def. Mike Crespo via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

CATCH Jimmy Jackson def. Kris Welch via bulldog submission, round 2

205 Chris Perry def. Ruben Redman via unanimous decision

265 Ryan Glover def. Michael Freeman via TKO, round 1

140 Carl Langston def. Sheldon Bang via unanimous decision

155 Rick Matthews def. Emmett Huber via split decision

145 Josh Harvey def. Caleb Hall via TKO, round 1

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onApril 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  In addition, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest.  Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

boxing

SHS Boxing Management signs Undefeated Cuban Olympian Heavyweight Robert Alfonso

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(L-R) Manager Si Stern, Cuban Olympian
Robert Alfonso and trainer Orlando Cuellar

 

MIAMI (Feb. 9, 2015) – Former Cuban Olympian Robert Alfonso has signed a managerial contract with Si Stern‘s SHS Boxing Management. The 28-year-old heavyweight prospect, who is undefeated in four professional fights, lives in Miami where he is trained by veteran Orlando Cuellar.

 

“I’m very happy and proud to be working with Si and Orlando,” Alfonso recently aid between training sessions. “I’m optimistic about my future and plan to take advantage of this great opportunity to achieve my goal of becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I haven’t had a good manager and trainer to get me going in the right direction until now.”

 

The 6′ 5″, 235-pound Alfonso is a hidden jewel who is continuing his native country’s proud heavyweight tradition, established by the late Teofilo Stevenson and carried on by Felix Savon. Alfonso’s classic style reminds some of Hall of Fame-bound Riddick Bowe.

 

A decorated amateur boxer, Alfonso reached the semifinals of the 2004 World Junior Championships, later becoming Cuba’s No. 1 super heavyweight by defeating Michel Lopez Nunez in the 2007 and 2008 Cuban National Boxing Championships.

 

At the prestigious Pan American Games in Rio, Alfonso captured a gold medal by beating Brazilian Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, 4-0, in the semifinals and Colombian Oscar Rivas, 8-4, in the championship final. Norgueira went on to become a mixed- martial-arts star in the UFC and PRIDE, while Rivas, a Colombian Olympian who now lives in Canada, is a 15-0 (10 KOs) heavyweight in the pro ranks.

 

Alfonso won a decision over United States Olympic super heavyweight Michael Hunter, Jr., 9-1, to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.

 

“As most people in boxing know,” Stern commented, “I’ve been involved in the sport for quite a while and have seen a number of good young fighters.  It’s rare to sign a management contract with someone like Robert Alfonso.  He’s in perfect heavyweight shape his background as an amateur in Cuba is remarkable. Although he’s undefeated as a pro, he needs a first-class trainer like Orlando, who has trained champions like Glen Johnson and Orlando raves about Robert’s future. I truly believe he has all the tools and heart to get to the top of the heavyweight division very quickly. I feel great about his future.”

 

Alfonso’s professional career has been relatively slow to develop because he is a free agent who didn’t defect to the United States until 2011. He made his pro debut December 7, 2012, winning a four-round decision over Robert Murray in Kissimmee. Alfonso has won all four of his pro fights, including his first six-round bout a year in his last action to previously unbeaten Zakki Scott (4-0) in Maryland.

 

Cuba-native Cuellar, perhaps best known for training world champions Glen Johnson and Luis DeValle, has also trained fellow countrymen of his and Alfonso’s such as YourkisGamboa, Juan Carlos Gomez and Yan Barthelemy, in addition to his current unbeaten world light heavyweight contender Yunieski Gonzalez. 

“Robert was a highly decorated Cuban amateur who won gold medals at several tournaments and he was an Olympian,” Cuellar said. “He is a physical specimen at 6′ 5″, 235 pounds. I train my fighters to drop and stop their opponents and we’re working hard so he can do that in his fights. Robert trains hard and is smart. I’m very high on him.”

 

SHS Management’s boxing clients also include three-time, two-division world champion Randall “KO King” Bailey, heavyweight Sherman “Tank” Williams, middleweight Marcus “Arillius” Upshaw and welterweight Damian “Devo” Frias.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

M-1 Challenge middleweight title fight Vasilevsky-Emeev rematch To headline M-1 Challenge 56 April 10 in Moscow, Russia

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Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 56

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky vs. Ramasan Emeev II

M-1 Challenge Middleweight Championship

Friday, April 10, 2015  *  Moscow, Russia

WATCH LIVE ON M1GLOBAL.TV

Yyacheslav Vasilevsky celebrates his M-1 Challenge middleweight title-winning performance over Ramasan Emeev last September

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Feb. 9, 2015) – M-1 Global has announced a much-anticipated rematch between M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky and challenger Ramasan Emeev to headline M-1 Challenge 56, Friday, April 10 in Moscow, Russia. 

In the original showdown between these two tough middleweights, Vasilevsky took the coveted title belt from Emeev this past September 7 in St. Petersburg at M-1 Challenge 51: Fightspirit, by way of a fourth-round stoppage from punches.

 

The 5,000-plus fans in attendance, as well as millions of television viewers, thoroughly enjoyed all of the action from the opening bell until the end at the 4:34 mark of the fourth round.

 

A Vasilevsky-Emeev rematch was a natural from the moment their first fight ended. The 26-year-old Vasilevsky (26-2-0, 10 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), who trains at Sambo 70, has won his last 10 fights and 16 of his last 17. He will be making his first M-1 Challenge middleweight title defense against Emeev in April. Vyacheslav, fighting out Russia, is unbeaten in eight M-1 Global-promoted shows, including three M-1 Challenge events.

Emeev (11-3-0, 2 KO/TKO, 5 SUB), 27, lives and trains in Makhachkala, Russia. He captured the vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title April 9, 2012, registering a knockout (strikes) of Mario Miranda (14-4-0) in the third round at M-1 Challenge 38. Emeev, who successfully defended his title five months later via a five-round decision in a rematch with Miranda, hasn’t fought since losing to Vasilevsky.

 

M-1 Challenge 56 will be streamed live in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional fights to be announced

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 56 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, on Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

Information

www.mixfight.ruwww.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

www.M-1Global.com

 

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1Global

@VFinkelchtein

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244
boxing

Emmanuel Rodriguez will defend his WBO Latino belt against former world title contender, Luis Hinojosa in Hatillo, PR

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On Saturday, February 21, M/V Power Promotions and Fresh Boxing will be presenting the boxing event billed as ‘Rodriguez vs. Hinojosa’, which will take place at the Francisco ‘Pancho ‘Deida’ Coliseum of Hatillo , Puerto Rico starting at 7:00 pm.

In the featured bout, WBO Latino bantamweight title holder, Emmanuel Rodriguez ( 10-0, 6 KO’s ) of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, will defend his title against battle tested former world title contender, and current rated #10 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), Luis Hinojosa (26-8, 16 KO’s) of the Dominican Republic in a 10-round scheduled clash.

At the beginning of his professional boxing career, 28-year-old Hinojosa only had one win in eight bouts. His seventh loss was against current world champion, Juan Carlos Payano in 2010. Since then, the rejuvenated Hinojosa made a 25-fight winning streak. During that path, he was crowned as the WBA Fedecaribe champion and later on, he captured the WBA Fedelatin belt.

In August 2014, the Dominican veteran went to Venezuela for the biggest fight of his career against localist, Yonfrez Parejo for the interim WBA World bantamweight title. Parejo defeated Hinojosa by TKO in the eleventh round in a close and exciting fight.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel ‘The Sensational’ Rodríguez, rated #9 by the WBO, and current WBO Latino Champion, scored an impressive first round KO victory over the two-time US National Champion, Miguel ‘No Fear’ Cartagena last October, 2014. Another notable victory for Rodríguez was in December 2013, against the very tough former world title contender, David Quijano, who lost by a wide unanimous decision.

The co-featured bout will be a duel of unbeaten lightweights between Juvenal ‘Gringo’ Ramos (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Morovis, and Miguel Canino (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Dorado in a 6 round bout.

In what is expected to be another exciting fight, Jesus ‘Chiquito’ Soler (6-1, 3 KO’s) and Gustavo Ortiz (1-2) will face off for the third time to determine the winner of their trilogy. In their first brawl, Soler won by unanimous decision, but in the second one, Ortiz won by split decision in a war from beginning to end. Soler-Ortiz is scheduled for six rounds in the flyweight division.

The two-time National Champion, Miguel Alejandro Cruz ( 6-0, 5 KO’s ) from Aguada, Puerto Rico will be making his first appearance as a pro-boxer in front of his fans in Puerto Rico against William Lorenzo ( 3-18, 1 KO’s ) in a six round welterweight bout.

In four-round bouts, lightweight debutant, Nestor Bravo ( 0-0 ) vs. Nestor Ortiz (0-2), Adalberto ‘Adan’ Zorrilla (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Felix Perez ( 0-0 ) at the super bantaweight division. At junior welterweight, Emmanuel Class (2-1, 2 KO’s) vs. Leonel Hernandez ( 0-0 ) and Bryan Pino ( 0-0 ) vs. Luis Soto (0-3). Pedro Marquez ( 0-0 ) vs. Joseph Santos (0-8) at featherweights, Alexis Padin (4-1, 4 KO’s) vs. Luis Cuascut (0-10-2) at super featherweights.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

NEF ANNOUNCES MMA RESULTS FROM LEWISTON, MAINE

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Lewiston, Maine (February 8, 2015) –New England Fights’ (NEF) latest mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event “NEF XVI,” took place Saturday night at the Ramada Conference Center in Lewiston, Maine.  A crowd of more than 2,500 was on-hand to witness the promotion’s first event of 2015.

 

In the main event of the evening, Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (17-9) shocked the crowd by defeating hometown heroRay “All Business” Wood (5-1) to capture the NEF MMA Featherweight Title.  In the co-main event, Tyler King (8-2) defeated Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-3) via submission to retain the NEF Heavyweight Title.

 

In addition, NEF announced two fights for its next event, “NEF XVII,” scheduled for April 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  On that night, NEF MMA Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend his title against the challenge of Jamie Harrison (5-1) in the main event.  Also on the card that evening will be Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) in a professional welterweight contest against Dennis Olson (12-7).

 

The full results of “NEF XVI” in Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

145*TITLE Anthony Morrison def. Ray Wood (c) via guillotine, round 5 (Morrison wins title)

265*TITLE Tyler King (c) def. Terry Blackburn via Kimura, round 1 (King retains)

185 Nah-Shon Burrell def. Ryan Hodge via TKO, round 1

265 Mike Hansen def. Artie Mullen via TKO, round 1

 

 

AMATEUR

 

CATCH Aaron Lacey def. Nick Spencer via tap to rear-naked choke, round 3

CATCH Dustin Veinott def. Dave Brown via tap to armbar, round 1

145 Mike Peitersen def. Henry Clark via KO, round 3

180 Caleb Farrington def. Brandon Russell via KO, round 1

155 Ricky Dexter def. Cory Trial via KO, round 2

155 Dr. Steve Bang def. Matthew Hanning via TKO, round 1

  1. HWT Gravin Guillen def. Mladen Holman via unanimous decision

CATCH Fred Lear def. Bryant Orick via TKO, round 2

185 Frank Dellasala def. Heath Hanson via TKO, round 1

155 Jason Lachance def. Steve Bang via unanimous decision

265 Billy Leahy def. Brandon Lessard via unanimous decision

185 Nick Shea def. Jacob Cameron via TKO, round 1

CATCH Rob Kiah def. Clifford Redman via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

135 Johnny Crafts def. Mike Crespo via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

CATCH Jimmy Jackson def. Kris Welch via bulldog submission, round 2

205 Chris Perry def. Ruben Redman via unanimous decision

265 Ryan Glover def. Michael Freeman via TKO, round 1

140 Carl Langston def. Sheldon Bang via unanimous decision

155 Rick Matthews def. Emmett Huber via split decision

145 Josh Harvey def. Caleb Hall via TKO, round 1

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onApril 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  In addition, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest.  Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.