Category Archives: Amateur MMA

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA

TRASH TALK BEGINS AROUND FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (February 12, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 22, 2016at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a featherweight contest to the amateur portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Bantamweight Champion Johnny Crafts (4-0) will move up in weight to face Taylor Costantino (2-1) at 145-pounds.

 

Crafts was successful last Saturday in his attempt to capture the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Title.  He took out Henry Clark (3-2) in the third round of their bout in Lewiston.  Crafts is a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) brown belt out of Team New England United (NEU).  He also cross-trains with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston.

 

“I’m excited to step up to 145 to fight Taylor,” said Crafts of the upcoming matchup with Costantino.  “I will be very strong at that weight seeing as I cut pretty extensively to make 135.  It will allow me to focus on different areas this camp instead of putting a lot of my energy into cutting weight.”

 

Costantino is himself coming off a big win last Saturday at “NEF 21.”  It took him a mere 25-seconds to down Frank Johanson (0-1), a training partner of Crafts at CMBJJ, in the first round.  Costantino is clear that he is coming to fight on April 23, and he does not plan on engaging in a  grappling contest with Crafts.

 

“Respect to him for coming up in weight,” said Costantino of Crafts.  “He’s a glorified pajama warrior that has never been punched in the face with any type of authority. He will clinch quickly and look for the takedown. He’ll realize real quick that he has never fought or trained with anybody like me.”

 

Crafts and Costantino are not strangers to one another.  Several years ago, the two met in a jiu-jitsu tournament with Crafts coming out on top.

 

“Taylor and I have competed before in a sport jiu-jitsu tournament,” recalled Crafts.  “Taylor says I am a glorified pajama warrior who has never been punched in the face, but if I recall correctly, I submitted him without my ‘pajamas’ no-gi in that tournament pretty quickly. I train with a lot of very talented and tough fighters daily who punch me in the face very hard. People say the same thing about me not getting punched – well, I have had four fights and they just haven’t had the chance to. Anyone who has trained with high-level fighters will tell you that gi jiu-jitsu only makes you more of a technical fighter.  If he doesn’t believe that, that is fine – he will feel it on April 23rd.”

 

“Johnny did submit me when I first moved to Maine,” Costantino admitted.  “Legit submission, and his pure grappling is definitely high level.  My grappling is MMA based, not slow jitsu.  It’s grimy, grueling and punishing. Pure grappling, I would worry about his game.  But it’s a fight, sport jiu-jitsu means next to nothing to me.

 

“I wish I could say people will get to see my whole game, but I can’t guarantee that. Johnny will feel my power and look to go to his comfort zone. I will break him, you will see quit in his eyes.”

 

“After Taylor won in impressive fashion at NEF 21, he immediately screamed at me while still inside the cage that he wanted a black belt for his next challenge,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “Well, he’s getting a brown belt in Johnny Crafts who, by all accounts, is due to receive his black belt any day, is a perfect 4-0 in the cage and is the current NEF amateur bantamweight champion. This fight is dripping with drama and will define a future top contender for the featherweight title in NEF’s stacked 145-pound division.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOYINGTON RETAINS, THREE NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (February 7, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its most recent event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The Colisée was a packed house for the promotion’s second hybrid mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing event.  Fight fans were treated to a marathon evening of nonstop action featuring 26 bouts in total.

 

In the MMA main event of the evening, in what can only be described as a “thriller,” Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (13-8) defeated Jon Lemke (5-4) via split decision to retain the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title.  Boyington and Lemke battled back-and-forth for five brutal rounds in what many in attendance were calling one of the best fights in NEF history.

 

In the boxing headliner, Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (11-1) handed Tollison Lewis the first loss of his professional boxing career (2-1) with a second-round stoppage via technical knockout (TKO).

 

On the amateur MMA portion of the card, three inaugural champions were crowned.  Ryan Glover (3-1) took home the light heavyweight title after defeating Mike Williams (1-1), while Johnny Crafts (4-0) captured the bantamweight strap and Ricky Dexter (5-2) won the welterweight championship.

 

NEF also announced that its next event would take place on April 23, 2016, once again at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

Brandon Berry def. Tollison Lewis via TKO, round 2

Evincii Dixon def. Antonio Chaves Fernandez via unanimous decision

Crowsneck Boutin fought Joel Bishop to a unanimous draw

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Bruce Boyington def. Jon Lemke via split decision (Boyington retains lightweight title)

Josh Lange def. Derek Shorey via rear-naked choke, round 1

Zach Elkins def. Mike Hansen via guillotine, round 1

CJ Ewer def. Zenon Herrera via ankle lock submission, round 1

Alex Henry def. Andrew Tripp via KO, round 1

Brandon Warne def. Norman Fox via guillotine, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Ryan Glover def. Mike Williams via armbar, round 2 (Glover wins light heavyweight title)

Ricky Dexter def. Caleb Farrington via TKO, round 1 (Dexter wins welterweight title)

Johnny Crafts def. Henry Clark via TKO, round 3 (Crafts wins bantamweight title)

Rafael Velado def. Mike Peitersen via split decision

Erin Lamonte def. Randi Beth Boyington via rear-naked choke, round 1

Erik Nelson def. Julio Martinez via unanimous decision

Matt Glover def. Gravin Guillen via TKO, round 1

Taylor Costantino def. Frank Johanson via TKO, round 1

Brendan Battles def. Dave Smith via TKO, round 1

Ras Hylton def. Zak Bergeron via TKO, round 1

Adam Nielsen def. Ruben Redman via TKO, round 1

Dustin Shorey def. Juan Meneses via TKO, round 1

Tom Burgess def. Caleb Swoveland via unanimous decision

Chad Murillo def. Tony Agust via split decision

Jake Denham def. Justin Witham via verbal submission, round 2

Richmond Pierce Wiegman def. Clifford Redman via TKO, round 2

Caleb Costello def. David Thompson via KO, round 1

 

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS TO HOLD WEIGH-INS THIS FRIDAY AT LEWISTON RAMADA

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Lewiston, Maine (February 3, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” this Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced that it would hold the event weigh-in this Friday, February 5, 2016, at 2:00 pm EST at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center.  The Ramada is located at 490 Pleasant Street in Lewiston, Maine.

 

Weigh-ins are open to the public and free to attend.  All of the fighters competing on Saturday night will be at the weigh-in, including MMA headliners Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) and Jon Lemke (5-3), as well as boxing main event participants Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (10-1) and Tollison Lewis (2-0).  Fans and press are encouraged to attend.  For those unable to make it to the Ramada on Friday, weigh-ins will be streamed live on the NEF Youtube page at www.Youtube.com/nefmma.

 

The “NEF 21” fight card:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

149 POUNDS: Tollison Lewis vs. Brandon Berry

147 POUNDS: Evincii Dixon vs. Antonio Chaves Fernandez

175 POUNDS: Crowsneck Boutin vs. Joel Bishop

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155 POUND TITLE: Jon Lemke vs. Bruce Boyington (c)

145 POUNDS: Derek Shorey vs. Josh Lange

185 POUNDS: Zach Elkins vs. Mike Hansen

155 POUNDS: Zenon Herrera vs. CJ Ewer

170 POUNDS: Andrew Tripp vs. Alex Henry

125 POUNDS: Norman Fox vs. Brandon Warne

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

205 POUND TITLE: Mike Williams vs. Ryan Glover

170 POUND TITLE: Ricky Dexter vs. Caleb Farrington

135 POUND TITLE: Henry Clark vs. Johnny Crafts

145 POUNDS: Rafael Velado vs. Mike Peitersen

120 POUNDS: Erin Lamonte vs. Randi Beth Boyington

140 POUNDS: Erik Nelson vs. Julio Martinez

265 POUNDS: Gravin Guillen vs. Matt Glover

155 POUNDS: Frank Johanson vs. Taylor Costantino

265 POUNDS: Brendan Battles vs. Dave Smith

230 POUNDS: Zak Bergeron vs. Ras Hylton

170 POUNDS: Adam Nielsen vs. Ruben Redman

155 POUNDS: Dustin Shorey vs. Juan Meneses

160 POUNDS: Caleb Swoveland vs. Tom Burgess

155 POUNDS: Tony Agust vs. Chad Murillo

125 POUNDS: Justin Witham vs. Jake Denham

140 POUNDS: Clifford Redman vs. Richmond Pierce Wiegman

135 POUNDS: David Thompson vs. Caleb Costello

 

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes place this Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Bell time is 7:00 PM EST.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA

GLOVER AND WILLIAMS TO FACE OFF FOR NEF GOLD

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Lewiston, Maine (February 1, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” this Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed martial arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur light heavyweight championship bout to the card. Ryan Glover (2-1) will face Mike Williams (1-0) for the inaugural NEF amateur 205-pound title.

 

Prior to competing in MMA, Ryan Glover was a standout dual sport athlete at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine. A state champion wrestler, Glover made his biggest mark on the football field where he was named the “Football Player of the Year” by the Lewiston Sun Journal in 2010.

 

Last year, Glover faced Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (3-1) for the NEF amateur heavyweight championship. Glover lost a close decision in an exciting, hard-hitting physical contest. Now, faster and more agile at a lower weight, Glover has his sights set on finally achieving NEF gold.

 

“The weight cut has not been fun, but has gone easier than expected,” stated Glover, when asked about his cut down to 205-pounds. “I feel a lot better as I approach 205 and I think I’ll like fighting at this weight. It’s going to be bittersweet to hold the belt at 205. I lost a close slugfest last June simply because I didn’t stick to our game plan. I dropped the ball that night and you can rest assured that’s not going to happen again. I hope Williams has been training as hard as I have, because, if so, it’s going to be a fight that no one wants to miss. I’ll see you February 6th and don’t be late—this is a show worth traveling 1000 miles for.”

 

Mike Williams took a collective gasp out of the Androscoggin Bank Colisee when he came out guns blazing in his debut at “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” last November. Williams, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) blue belt and member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Auburn, blasted fellow newcomer Joe Krech (0-1) out of the gate before securing a fight-ending armbar in a spectacular 26-seconds into the first round. The dizzying debut was enough to earn the impressive young Williams a shot at NEF gold.

 

“This fight is just another step and he’s in the way,” stated Williams flatly when asked for comment.

 

“This is another Easter egg of a fight on a star-studded card that is destined to deliver for the whole night,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “When I look at this fight and the skill sets that both Ryan and Mike bring to the cage, I get goose bumps. Both are athletic, aggressive, young and hungry guys that want to turn heads when they compete—and will stop at nothing to win. Based on what I’ve witnessed in their fights so far, I don’t see an ounce of quit in either fighter. I can’t wait to watch the way this one goes down on Saturday.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes place Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

PROFESSIONAL WELTERWEIGHT MMA BOUT ADDED TO NEF 21 CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (January 14, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional welterweight MMA bout to the fight card. Andrew Tripp (1-0) has signed to face Alex Henry (0-0) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.

Prior to competing in MMA, Andrew Tripp won two state championships wrestling for Massabesic High School in Waterboro, Maine. Currently a member of Team Irish, Tripp will appear in the NEF MMA cage for the first time since May 2013 when he fought at “NEF VII.” He is credited with winning the first fight in the promotion’s history over Tollison Lewis at “NEF I.” After putting together a stellar amateur record of 9-1, and holding the northeast region’s top amateur welterweight ranking, Tripp made his successful professional debut last fall. On February 6, he will be looking for his fifth win in a row.

“I am very excited,” said Tripp. “I’ve missed all the NEF fans and I’ve brought them a newer, better-rounded Tripp to watch in that cage. Alex Henry has never faced an opponent as game as me. I love the kid’s style – no dance, just fight – but he’s going to have to deal with me in that cage on February 6th, and I am going to make sure he won’t be up for the task. I’ll be surprised if we get through the first round.”

Alex Henry has yet to taste defeat in the MMA cage. He has amassed a perfect record of 6-0 since beginning his amateur career in 2013. Henry will make his professional debut at “NEF 21.” He is a member of New York State’s Team Bombsquad, a camp that has produced past NEF MMA headliners like Darrius Heyliger (4-3) and former NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion and Titan Fighting Championship Featherweight Champion Des “Predator” Green (15-5). Henry has won all three of his most recent bouts via first-round stoppage.

“Andrew and Alex have a combined 16-1 overall record between their amateur and professional careers,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “One of these two power punchers will be leaving the Colisee with their first professional loss on February 6th. This is a pick ’em fight and a dream addition to an already stellar card.”

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes place Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”

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.

amateur boxing, amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF TO OPEN 2016 WITH SPECTACULAR FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (January 6, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the full fight card for the event which will be the fight promotion’s first of 2016.

 

A pair of professional boxing bouts will be featured on the main card of the evening.  Joel “Baby Bull” Bishop (0-0-1) returns to action after more than a year’s absence to face MMA regular Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) in a light-heavyweight four-round bout.  Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (10-1) will attempt to make it three wins in a row when he steps in the ring to face undefeated Tollison Lewis (2-0) in a six-round, non-title, super-welterweight contest.  Both Berry and Lewis are coming off wins in the boxing ring at “NEF XX” this past November.

 

The professional portion of the MMA card will be headlined by the long-awaited meeting between Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) and Jon Lemke (5-3).  Dubbed “The Battle for Bangor,” with both men living and training in the Bangor, Maine area, Boyington’s NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title will be on the line.  Number-one contender Lemke will be looking to capture the first championship of his MMA career.

 

The co-main event of the evening on the professional MMA card will see local Lewiston-Auburn favorite Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (6-4) taking on Devin Powell (4-1) in a lightweight matchup.  Powell returns to the NEF cage for the first time since May 2014, while Erickson will be looking for his fourth consecutive win in Lewiston.

 

A total of three title fights will headline the amateur MMA side of the card.  Young’s MMA standout Josh Harvey (5-1) defends his lightweight title against Florida’s Andrew “Ling-Ling” Tamayo (8-1).  Caleb Farrington (3-0) andRicky Dexter (4-2) will decide the first-ever NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion, while Henry Clark (3-1) and Johnny Crafts (3-0) meet to determine the inaugural amateur bantamweight titleholder.

 

In addition, Erin Lamonte (5-0) and Randi Beth Boyington (1-2) are scheduled to face off in a women’s MMA bout.  It will be a rematch of a contest won by Lamonte at “NEF XX.”  Boyington’s supporters in the audience felt that the referee stopped the bout prematurely as Boyington was about to break out of, or had already broken out of, Lamonte’s armbar submission.  After much back and forth among their respective supporters on social media, the rematch is expected to settle the issue once and for all.

 

The full “NEF 21” fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

148 Brandon Berry 10-1 (West Forks) vs Tollison Lewis 2-0 (CMBJJ)

175 Joel Bishop 0-0-1 vs Crowsneck Boutin 0-0 (Choi Institute)

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington (c) 12-8 (Young’s MMA/Boyington’s TKD) vs Jon Lemke 5-3 (Team Irish)

185 Mike Hansen 3-2 (Berserkers MMA) vs Zach Elkins 0-1 (First Coast Full Contact)

155 Zenon Herrera 0-2 (Independent) vs CJ Ewer 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

155 Jesse Erickson 6-4 (CMBJJ) vs Devin Powell 4-1 (Nostos)

145 Derek Shorey 3-3 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Josh Lange 3-2 (Bombsquad)

125 Brandon Warne 0-1 (Bombsquad) vs Norman Fox 0-0 (MMA Athletix)

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

170*TITLE Caleb Farrington 3-0 (Lawton’s/NEU) vs Ricky Dexter 4-2 (Team Irish)

155*TITLE Josh Harvey (c) 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Andrew Tamayo 8-1 (F2 Arena)

135*TITLE Henry Clark 3-1 (Choi Institute) vs John Crafts 3-0 (Team NEU)

265 Dave Smith 2-0 (Berserkers MMA) vs Brendon Battles 1-0 (Gracie Fitness)

265 Gravin Guillen 2-4 (Independent) vs Matt Glover 0-0 (Berserkers MMA)

210 Ryan Glover 2-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Mike Williams 1-0 (CMBJJ)

205 Matt McFarland 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Zak Bergeron 0-0 (CMBJJ)

170 Adam Nielsen 3-0 (Team Irish) vs Ruben Redman 1-4 (Team Mass Effect)

155 Ken Dunn 0-3 (Maine Kyokushin Karate) vs Frank Johanson 0-0 (CMBJJ)

155 Chad Murillo 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Tony Agust 0-0

145 Rafael Velado 2-0 (First Class MMA) vs Mike Pietersen 3-0 (Young’s MMA)

140 Erik Nelson 1-2 (CMBJJ) vs Julio Martinez 0-1 (Gracie Fitness)

135 David Thompson 1-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Caleb Costello 2-4 (Team Irish)

135 Richmond Pierce Wiegman 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Clifford Redman 0-3 (Mass Effect)

125 Brent Ouellette 0-1 (CMBJJ) vs John Parker 0-2 (Team Nitemare)

125 Justin Witham 1-3 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Jake Denham 0-0 (Team Lawton/NEU)

120 Erin LaMonte 5-0 (Gracie Fitness) vs Randi Beth Boyington 1-2 (Boyington’s TKD/Young’s MMA)

265 Ras Hylton 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs TBD

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”

 

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.

amateur boxing, Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

SIZE AND POWER MEET TECHNIQUE IN NEF 21 BOXING MAIN EVENT

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Lewiston, Maine (January 5, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the professional boxing portion of the “NEF 21” fight card.  Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (10-1) will take on the undefeated Tollison Lewis (2-0) in a super welterweight contest scheduled for six rounds.

 

“This is a classic battle of size and strength against technique,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “In one corner you have a polished boxer with a solid amateur background in the form of Brandon Berry, and he will be fighting in a heavier weight class in this bout.  In the other corner you have a powerful brawler with an MMA background in the form of Tollison Lewis, and he has fought most of his career at 155 and 170-pounds.  You can’t script a better contrast in styles for a bout like this.  Just about anything could happen.  It’s anyone’s fight.  It’s going to be wild in the Colisee when this one goes off.”

 

Berry is coming off what many consider to be the defining win of his still-young professional career over gritty Mexican veteran Roberto Valenzuela (73-70-2) last November at “NEF XX.”  Despite suffering a bad cut above his eye early in the fight, Berry maintained his composure and looked sharp on his way to a unanimous decision victory in the first eight-round fight of his career.  The West Forks, Maine native was a 2013 Northern New England Golden Gloves champion as an amateur.  The fight with Lewis is expected to be the last Berry will compete in above his usual 140-pound junior welterweight division.

 

“It’s great to be getting back in action inside the ring so soon, especially after suffering such a nasty cut over my eye from my last fight in November,” said Berry.  “Thank you NEF for putting yet another very tough opponent in front of me.  Tollison is a class act in and out of the ring, and I think our styles will make a crowd pleasing bout.  I remember being undefeated still and I know how important keeping the ‘0’ on the record is.  Tollison is a big, strong athlete and I’m sure he will be more than prepared.  Both him and I understand competition, and will most likely be friends after this event.  I’m glad to be sharing this main event fight with him, and may the best man win!”

 

Tollison Lewis’s foray into the boxing world was unplanned.  In October 2014, just 24-hours prior to the start of the first “NEF Boxing” event, Lewis stepped in to face boxing veteran John Webster (8-7-1) after Webster’s previous opponent fell out.  NEF executives, familiar with Lewis’s striking prowess in his MMA bouts, asked Lewis to take the fight at the last minute and Lewis did not hesitate to oblige.  He went on to bully Webster for four rounds, (including knocking Webster out of the ring onto the timekeeper’s table), scoring a unanimous decision victory.  This past November, in yet another dominant performance in the NEF boxing ring, Lewis stopped Zenon Herrera (0-1) with a third-round TKO.  A win over a boxer of Berry’s caliber, no doubt, would propel Lewis to the next level in the sport.  Lewis is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston where he trains under boxing coach Scott Frost.

 

“Brandon is a tough guy and a good boxer,” said Lewis.  “I’m expecting a war.  I’ll be bringing everything I got, and I know he will too, but I’m planning on staying undefeated.  I’m not going to run my mouth.  I have a lot of respect for Berry, but fans do not want to miss this.  This fight will be a war and steal the night.  Thank you NEF and Brandon, let’s do it man!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”

 

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.

Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

FLYWEIGHT SCRAP PROMISES EXCITEMENT AT NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (December 17, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional flyweight bout to the “NEF 21” fight card.  “Sleepy” Norman Fox (0-0) will make his pro debut against Brandon Warne (0-1) at a fight weight of 125-pounds.

 

Fox put together an impressive 4-2 record as an amateur, starting his career in the NEF cage in the summer of 2013.  He won his first four in the NEF cage, all via stoppage prior to losing his bid to become NEF MMA Amateur Flyweight Champion to Dustin Veinott (4-4) last June.  The back-and-forth battle with Veinott ended in a split decision, and it has been nominated for “2015 NEF Fight of the Year.”  Later in 2015, Fox and teammate Jason Lachance (2-3) purchased the MMA Athletix gym in Bath, Maine from their former coach, Ryan Cowette (2-3).  The upcoming bout with Warne will be the first of a multi-fight developmental deal Fox signed recently with NEF.

 

“Brandon and I seem like a pretty even match up,” said Fox.  “Expect a fast-paced fight that could end at any moment.”

 

Brandon Warne is a member of Team Bombsquad based out of Ithaca, New York.  He excelled in the amateur ranks of the sport, amassing a record of 5-1 with three finishes.  Warne made his professional MMA debut this past October in Rhode Island in a losing effort to David Baxter (2-0).  He comes to Maine looking for his first win as a pro against Fox.

 

“It’s an honor to be coming to Maine and put on a show at what I love in front of the NEF crowd,” said Warne.  “Plus, it’ll be my parents first time back in Maine since their honeymoon.  As for the fight, I’m not much for trash talking.  Fighters fight and that’s I’m coming to do!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, WMMAA

Three World Champions Capture top honors in 2015 Russian MMA Super Cup

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Living legend and WMMAA Honorary President Fedor Emelianenko served as color commentator for the broadcast of the recent 2015 Russian MMA Super Cup
CHELYABINSK, Russia (December 16, 2015) — Fresh off of their winning performances at last month’s 2015 World MMA Championships in Prague, a trio of individual winners from championship Team Russia also captured top honors at the recent 2015 Russian Super Cup, sanctioned by the World Mix Martial Arts Association (WMMAA), in Chelyabinsk, Russia
Bantamweight Bakhachali Bakhachaliev, middleweight Gamzat Khiramagomedov and light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev were the three World champions who were also victorious at the 2015 Russian MMA Super Cup.
Internationally renowned “Big” John McCarthy served as referee.
Below find a breakdown of official results from each weight class with video links to corresponding matches:
2015 Russian MMA Super Cup
Bantamweights Championship (-61.2 kg, 135 lbs.)
Bakhachali Bakhachaliev WDEC3 Armen Gulyan
Featherweight Championship (-65.8 kg, 145 lbs.)
Nabi Ashurlaev WDEC3 Mansur Vitaev
Lightweight Championship (-70.3 kg, 154 lbs.)
Artur Zainukov WDEC3 Kamil Magomedov
Welterweight Championship (-77.1 kg, 170 lbs.)
Alibeg Rasulov WDEC3 Ramazan Kuramagomedov
Middleweight Championship (-84 kg, 185 lbs.)
Gamzat Khiramagomedov WDEC3 Ramazan Gamzatov
Light Heavyweight Championship (-93 kg, 205 lbs.)
Magomed Ankalaev WTKO1 Nadyr Bulkadarov
Heavyweight Championship (+205 lbs.)
Amirkhan Isagadzhiev WTKO1 Georgy Sakaev
 
Information
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT ADDED TO NEF 21 FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (December 16, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional middleweight bout to the “NEF 21” fight card.  Michael “The Mustache” Hansen (3-2) has signed to meet Zach “The Torch” Elkins (0-1) at a fight weight of 185-pounds.

 

Hansen is the head coach and founding member of Berserkers MMA based out of Rumford, Maine.  He won a state championship as a heavyweight wrestler for Mountain Valley High School (MVHS) in 2004.  Hansen began his MMA career shortly after his high school graduation, but put that career on hold to serve in United States Army as a combat engineer.  In early 2015, Hansen returned to the cage as a member of the NEF MMA roster.  He put together a record of 2-1 in his first year back, including a win over the “2014 Fighter of the Year” Crowsneck Boutin (1-2).  The fight with Elkins will be Hansen’s first foray into the middleweight division after having competed in the heavyweight and light-heavyweight ranks previously.

 

“Zach is a good fighter with a lot of experience in the cage,” said Hansen over his upcoming opponent.  “He’s probably looking to come up here and leave with his first pro win. It won’t be that easy, and he will have to earn it, ’cause I intend to send him back to Florida with another loss.”

 

Zach Elkins is no stranger to the NEF fans.  A member of Team Riot in Orange Park, Florida, Elkins appeared previously for the fight promotion headlining the amateur portion of the “NEF XIII” fight card in the spring of 2014.  That evening, Elkins made short work of the northeast’s then-top ranked amateur middleweight Buck Pineau (1-2), scoring a first-round TKO.  Elkins was ranked nationally as an amateur, and he held the ISCF Florida State Middleweight Championship for over a year.  He lost his professional debut in the fall of 2014, and now Elkins is looking to pick up the first win of his pro career.

 

“I want to thank Matt and Nick (Peterson and DiSalvo, NEF owners) both for having me back on their show in February,” said Elkins when reached for comment. “I will be ready to put on another exciting fight for the fans in Maine and bringing home another ‘W’ for my team in Florida, Riot MMA.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”