|
|
Category Archives: Amateur MMA
HISTORY TO BE MADE APRIL 11 WITH FIRST PRO WOMEN’S FIGHT IN MAINE
Lewiston, Maine (February 25, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event. Earlier today, the company announced the addition of a professional female strawweight bout to the fight card. Kaline “The Dark Angel” Medeiros (3-4) has signed to face Calie “The Honey Badger” Cutler (3-0) at a fight weight of 115-pounds. It will be the first professional women’s fight in Maine since the state legislature legalized the sport of MMA in 2009.
“It’s really sad that it’s taken this long,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “We’re huge fans of women’s MMA in NEF. We’ve tried numerous times to put pro women’s fights together, but they’ve always fallen through. History will finally be made on April 11 and, once again, NEF is at the forefront. We hope the fans will come out and support this fight, support women’s MMA. This is a very proud moment for everyone involved. It is a step in the right direction for MMA in Maine.”
This will not be the first time Kaline Medeiros has made history in the cage. In 2013, Medeiros fought in, and won, the first-ever women’s MMA bout to be contested in Rhode Island. Fighting out of Fall River, Massachusetts, Medeiros is a native of Brazil and has been training in MMA since 2008. Having faced top female competitors since arriving in the professional ranks, such as Invicta FC veterans Peggy Morgan (3-2) and Stephanie Eggink (4-2), who she knocked out in just seven-seconds, Medeiros certainly has the experience and pedigree to get to the next level in the sport.
“It’s a pleasure to invite all my fans for my upcoming fighting onApril 11,” said Medeiros. “NEF is bringing me to be the first ever professional female fighter stepping in the cage, it’s an honor for me. Thanks NEF for the recognition, and I can’t wait to bring an exciting fight for the fans.”
Michigan’s Calie Cutler has raised a lot of eyebrows since making her MMA debut in 2012. Cutler amassed an impressive 7-1 record as an amateur prior to turning pro. She has finished all three of her opponents as a professional, including a second-round submission victory over Nikki Duncan (0-1) last weekend on a fight card in Michigan. Cutler will look to continue her undefeated streak as a professional on her path towards the big leagues of the sport when she meets Kaline Medeiros on April 11 in Lewiston.
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place on April 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.
FIGHTING PASTOR RETURNS TO MMA CAGE IN LEWISTON ON APRIL 11
Lewiston, Maine (February 13, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event. Earlier today, the company announced the addition of a professional middleweight bout to the fight card. Ryan “The Junkyard Dog” Cowette 2-2 will take on John Daniels (0-2) at a fight weight of 185-pounds.
Cowette is the owner and head coach of MMA Athletix gym located in Bath, Maine. He is a veteran of the NEF MMA cage, having contested all four of his professional bouts for the promotion. Cowette rides a two-fight win streak into “NEF XVII,” having vanquished Dave Claroni (0-2) and Jesse Erickson (3-4) in the previous 18-months. April 11 will be Cowette’s return to the cage after more than a year’s absence. During that time, he has concentrated on operating his school, training his fighters, and building his ministry through Victory Church in Bath. Cowette is currently the only professional fighting pastor in America. He says that he will be looking to finish Daniels on April 11 in Lewiston.
“I like fighting,” said Cowette. “I like the journey of a fight camp, being pushed, and the lessons learned. I also miss the opportunity of having a good finish. I will be looking to finish this fight. When I started Victory Church I found it hard to balance spiritual training and training for the cage. At 185 I feel that I can find my spot. Thanks to NEF for calling me back to the cage. ”
John Daniels is not a stranger to the NEF MMA cage. Currently signed to a multi-fight contract with the promotion, Daniels lost to Jesse Erickson last spring at “NEF XIII.” He will look to avenge that loss on April 11. A six year veteran of MMA, and a former high school wrestling champion in Connecticut, Daniels currently trains out of Rock City MMA in Rockland, Maine. He predicts a tough battle at “NEF XVII.”
“I am excited to be fighting for New England Fights and their fans,” stated Daniels. “They put on the best events. I am fighting Ryan Cowette. He is a great fighter. I have a lot of respect for him. This will be my toughest fight to date. I am looking to push the pace and stay in his face the whole fight. This will be a battle.”
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.
RUBBER MATCH WILL FEATURE THE RETURN OF POPULAR ATHLETE
Lewiston, Maine (February 12, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event. Earlier today, the company announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the fight card. “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (1-1) will meet the returning John “First Class” Raio (2-6) in a “rubber match” at a fight weight of 150-pounds.
Shorey won the last meeting between the two at “NEF XIV” last September via first-round submission. He gained revenge for a submission loss suffered at the hands of Raio when the pair had fought as amateurs two years earlier. The “NEF XIV” bout was promoted as a retirement match for Raio who had decided to step away from active competition to focus on his family and gym First Class MMA in Topsham, Maine. Raio says that he has now found the balance in his life to return to the NEF MMA cage.
“I retired from fighting last September because I wanted to spend more time with my family,” said Raio. “They were really supportive during my career and I owed it to them. I have found a balance with my new job at BIW. I am able to train, spend time with my family and operate my gym each day. I love MMA and never stopped training. I was not happy with the way my last fight ended and when the opportunity to compete against Derek Shorey again presented itself, I couldn’t turn it down. The idea to fight Derek came from a post on FB that Ben Raven made on Matt Denning’s page a few months ago. Derek seemed interested in a rubber match. After getting support from my family, I contacted Matt Petersen and he matched us up.”
The two previous bouts between Shorey and Raio had been agreed to at the featherweight limit of 145-pounds. Shorey feels he will have an advantage due to the 150-pound catchweight where he will have to cut very little or even no weight at all.
“I’m excited to fight John again,” exclaimed Shorey. “There’s almost no weight to cut for a fight at 150, so I’ll be fighting him at full strength, and ultimately as the best version of myself that I’ve ever known. I’m very confident that I will be in the best shape of my life, and due to recent personal events, I think I’m a little colder now than I’ve ever been. Training at Young’s MMA in Bangor as often as I can, being a single parent now, will also drastically improve my game, in every aspect of the sport. John is a really good wrestler and a lot stronger than me, but no one has ever seen what I know I’m capable of, and I plan to change that.”
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.
WELTERWEIGHT MATCHUP HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF “FIGHT OF THE YEAR”
Lewiston, Maine (February 11, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event. The fight card, aptly titled “NEF XVII,” will feature a high-level professional welterweight contest between Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) and Dennis Olson (12-7).
“This is the kind of fight we love to make in NEF,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “It’s two exciting fighters who come with 100% each and every time they step into that cage. Neither of them could have a boring fight if they tried. Both of these athletes bring a rare intensity to their training regimens and fighting styles. When we look back at the end of 2015, I expect this fight to be in the discussion for ‘Fight of the Year.'”
Lawton, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt out of Augusta, Maine, recently signed a long-term promotional contract with NEF. He has been a regular in the NEF cage for three years, four of five of his professional bouts having been for the promotion. Lawton’s sole loss came to Darrius Heyliger (5-2) when the cage-side physician stopped the bout due to a cut. He had been beating Heyliger soundly up until that point.
Lawton would go on to win his next three in a row, becoming known for his late fight finishes of opponents. He currently owns and operates Team Lawton Martial Arts – a Team New England United (NEU) affiliate based in Farmingdale, Maine. With the Androscoggin Bank Colisee being just down the road from his base of operations, Lawton feels that he will have the home field advantage over Olson in their April 11 bout.
“I hope the fans are as excited as I am about me getting back in the cage,” said Lawton. “I plan to make this a breakout year for myself and Team Lawton-NEU. I am ready to take this step up in competition against Olson. We are both very durable and I am expecting fireworks for this fight, but NEF is my home – this guy is coming to my home, my fans’ home. When we step in that cage, it will be more than me in that cage – it will be an entire arena against him. All my preparation will be thanks to my training partners, coaches, students and my wife and son, and NEF for all the opportunities they have given me.”
Dennis Olson is one of the most-respected, and feared, athletes in the history of the New England MMA scene. He is a product of John Fain’s Team Triumph in Nashua, NH, and was, at one time, the kingpin of the region’s welterweight division. Olson is a two-fight veteran of the Bellator cage and has spent over a decade competing in MMA. His list of opponents reads like a “who’s who” of New England welterweights over the years, including a notable win over UFC veteran and Dolce Diet namesake Mike Dolce (4-9). Olson will undoubtedly look to avenge past losses by his Triumph teammates John Ortolani (7-9) and Cody Anderson (1-2) at the hands of Lawton.
“April 11, 2015, I climb into the cage for the 22nd time, Lawton for the sixth,” said Olson. “I respect every one of my opponents’ ability to throw a punch or snag a choke. However, with the level of competition that I have seen leads me to believe that there is nothing Lawton can use to surprise me or catch me off guard. Knowing this information leaves me with only one option. I have to take advantage of absolutely every second I have in order to prepare myself to prove that information as fact. I am going to do my best to take every ounce of heart and soul from you. I’m going to make you want to give up, make you want to die. I’m going to do my best to dismantle you piece by piece. To prove to you and I and everyone else that I am your alpha. I am above you, you cannot and will not defeat me.”
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.”
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.
BOYINGTON AND HARRISON ON APRIL 11: POWER IS LEGEND
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.”
NEF XVI RECAP: KING RETAINS; WOOD DETHRONED; YOUNG’S MMA GOES 8-1
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
- 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.
NEF ANNOUNCES MMA RESULTS FROM LEWISTON, MAINE
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
- 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.
MAINE’S NEWEST FIGHT TEAM MAKING NOISE IN THE MMA CAGE
Lewiston, Maine (February 3, 2015) –New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, presents its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event this Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card, titled “NEF XVI,” will feature two members of Maine’s newest fight team, Ruthless MMA & Boxing, in amateur bouts.
Ruthless MMA & Boxing was founded in 2014 by veteran fighter Josh Parker (4-8). Parker has a long history in the NEF MMA cage, having competed seven times for the fight promotion between February 2012 and November 2013. More recently, Parker has remained out of the MMA cage to focus on his career as a professional boxer, as well as building his gym.
Parker opened the gym in Benton, Maine as a way of giving back to the fight community. He sees Ruthless MMA & Boxing as a means to introduce young athletes from the area to the burgeoning world of combat sports and provide them with opportunities to compete. That includes his own sons.
“I’ve been thinking about starting my own gym for a while now,” said Parker. “My first fight was almost ten years ago when my son was three. Now he’s 13 and ready to start his own fight career, and I just had another son. I knew it was time to build my boys a place where they can train whenever they want to. This is a fight family.”
Parker introduced his first protégé, Alex Johnson (1-1), in the fall of 2014. Johnson is coming off a win over Rick Matthews (0-1) in a brutal, back-and-forth slugfest at “NEF XV” this past November. The bout was considered by many to be the “Fight of the Night” of that card.
Corey Trial (0-0), another of Parker’s prospects, hopes to continue the success brought to Ruthless MMA & Boxing by his teammate Alex Johnson. Trial makes his NEF MMA debut this Saturday night in Lewiston when he meets Ricky Dexter (1-0) of Team Irish in a lightweight contest.
“I’ve always dreamed of being able to punch someone in the face and not go to jail for it,” Trial stated. “Now that I have that opportunity, you better believe someone’s getting hurt.”
“Our style is simple, we like to stand and bang,” Parker elaborated. “When we spar, we like to see who can hit the hardest. Mike Tyson said it best ‘everybody’s got a plan- until they get hit.’ We want to give the fans exciting fights. We’re looking for knockouts.
“The guys at Ruthless come from all walks of life- whether it was street fighting or cage fighting they all came with experience throwing fists. They each approached me after hearing I was building a gym. Our values are simple- when you come in you leave your ego at the door. When you’re a part of the Ruthless team, you’re expected to carry yourself as a professional- sportsmanship and respect are a must.”
Bryant Orick (3-5) is another Ruthless team member scheduled to make his NEF MMA debut this Saturday night. It will not, however, be his first time in the cage. Orick, a native of Ohio now living in Clinton, Maine, has competed in the sport for five years. He is a veteran of eight bouts, fighting in the Buckeye State, Kansas and Indiana, to name a few states. Orick hopes to find a home and success in NEF alongside his Ruthless MMA & Boxing teammates. At “NEF XVI” this weekend, Orick will have his work cut out for him with undefeated Fred Lear (2-0) of Young’s MMA.
“I’m coming out to make a name for myself at NEF,” said Orick. “I am well-rounded and going to put on a show. I train hard every day, have a great coach and teammates. Nothing will surprise me in my upcoming bout.”
” Being a coach has taught me to slow it down and bring it back to the basics,” Parker stated. “Fighting really is pretty simple, knock the other guy out and you win. I demand 100% from my fighters, and I give them 100% back. Fighting is not a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.”
Ruthless MMA & Boxing is located in Benton, Maine. You can learn more about the team at their Facebook page “Ruthless MMA & Boxing.”
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVI,” takes place this Saturday, February 7, 2015, with an all-star lineup of fights scheduled. Ray “All Business” Wood (5-0) returns that night to defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and WEC veteran Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (16-9). NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighter veteran Tyler King (7-2) puts the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title on the line against Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-2). In the feature bout of the evening, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Nah-Shon Burrell (10-5) makes his NEF MMA debut against Ryan Hodge (6-9). Tickets 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.”
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.
NEF RE-SIGNS JAROD LAWTON TO MULTI-FIGHT DEAL
Lewiston, Maine (February 2, 2015) –New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, announced earlier today that the company had re-signed Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) to a multi-fight contract. While the exact terms of the deal were not released, NEF executives confirmed that the contract would be long-term over a course of years.
“I am very excited to continue to be a part of the NEF organization,” stated Lawton when reached for comment. “They have been a great supporter of my development in MMA and have done a great job building a sustainable platform for local fighters to grow and improve. I am very excited about the upcoming year with them and guarantee some great performances.”
“Jarod Lawton is one of the hottest prospects on the regional MMA (mixed-martial-arts) scene right now,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “He’s a big, strong, athletic BJJ Black Belt with very solid standup skills. We have no doubt that Jarod has next-level potential and this deal will give him the opportunities he needs to get there.”
Lawton, 30, holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) under Alexey Cruz, a 5th degree BJJ Black Belt under Ricardo de La Riva. Lawton is the owner and operator of Team Lawton Martial Arts – a Team New England United (NEU) affiliate located in Farmingdale, Maine. Lawton has won his last three MMA fights in a row in the NEF MMA cage. NEF executives anticipate that Lawton will have the first fight of his new contract this spring.
While Lawton’s greatest accomplishments have come on the grappling mats and the MMA cage, he proved his versatility in combat sports this past fall on the very first NEF Boxing event in Lewiston, Maine. Lawton, in a double pro boxing debut, fought experienced amateur boxer Joel Bishop (0-0-1) to a majority draw on the judges’ scorecards. It was a fight, however, that many in attendance felt Lawton clearly won. NEF executives confirmed that the new agreement with Lawton would guarantee him both MMA and boxing fights with the promotion.
“All around, Jarod Lawton is just a great, great athlete,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “Matt (Peterson) and I knew it three years ago. We’re very proud to have him back on our roster for many fights to come.”
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVI,” takes place on February 7, 2015with an all-star lineup of fights scheduled. Ray “All Business” Wood (5-0) returns that night to defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and WEC veteran Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (16-9). NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighterveteran Tyler King (7-2) puts the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title on the line against Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-2). In the feature bout of the evening, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteranNah-Shon Burrell (10-5) makes his NEF MMA debut against Ryan Hodge (6-9). Tickets 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.