Category Archives: Amateur MMA

559 Fights, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA

559 Fights brings 50th event to Visalia

Leave a comment

VISALIA, Calif. – When 559 Fights first opened it’s cage doors to amateur mixed martial artist in 2012 the vision was simple – grow and develop local talent.

On Friday, September2 at the Visalia Convention Center the locally-grown and operated MMA promotion will host it’s 50th event.

“When Joey (Perez), Mots (Jon Motsenbocker) and I sat down and started the idea of 559 Fights, we knew that this day would come,” said 559 Fights president Jeremy Luchau. “Our goal from the beginning was not to have the biggest, brightest, fanciest, but rather to be the most consistent and give more opportunities for young, local amateurs to compete.”

Since 2012 559 Fights has hosted the California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization State Championships, Northern California Regional Championships twice and had hundreds of competitors step foot in their cage.

“559 Fights has become the most consistent MMA platform in the country which is demonstrated by the vast number of rising professional stars that developed their talent in the 559 cage,” CAMO President JT Steele said.

559 Fights has produced events in 18 different venues over the past three years and in cities all across the Central Valley from Bakersfield to Fresno.

Tickets for the 50th event can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center box office and start at just $25. For more information visit www.559fights.com

“Often times we’ve done things against the grain. We charge a much smaller ticket price than other shows throughout the country and we put together sometimes triple the events,” Luchau said. “We try our best to give these fighters and fans the best possible experience. We’ve fought in venues all over the Valley trying to promote mixed martial arts and our fighters to a variety of different communities.”

Long-time 559 Fights staple Visalia’s Jonathan DeLeon will headline the event in a Featherweight Title bout against Bakersfield’s David Mendoza. In the co-main event, Visalia’s Steven Robinson takes on Ridgecrest’s Jacobo Longoria for the Welterweight Championship.

“There’s so many great amateurs throughout the Valley that it’s been really easy to showcase these fighters, get them the exposure that they need and have them move on to the professional level,” Luchau said. “We’ve had a large number of fighters essentially graduate from amateur ranks at 559 Fights and into the pro ranks.”

559 Fights 50 will have over 10-action packed bouts.

 

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

Kazakhstan dominates World MMA Association 2016 Asian Championships

Leave a comment
 
 

MONTE CARLO, Monaco (August 12, 2016)- Kazakhstan dominated the recent second annual World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) Asian Championships, capturing top honors in five of seven  weight classes, at the Hwasoon Culture and Sports Center in the Republic of South Korea.
Individual Kazak winners were bantamweight Azama Markabayev, featherweight Ismail Geroyev, welterweight Goyti Dazaev, light heavyweight Eerkinbek Injel and heavyweight Mohmad Sulimanov. The other 2016 individual champions areKyrgyzstan lightweight Ilias Chyngyzbek Uulu and Uzbekistan middleweightNursulton Ruziboev.
Individual team competition was held in accordance with the “Official Rules of Mixed Martial Arts Competition, subject to WMMAA approval. Including revisions, additions and clarifications of certain clauses.  Matches were held in accordance with the Olympic system including two third-places in each of the seven weight divisions.
Following Kazakhstan in the final team standings were, in order, South Korea and Kyrgyzstan.  See below:
Final Team Standings
               1st       2nd      3rd      4th        5th       6th       7th       8th        Total 
Kazakhstan     5          2          0          0          0          0          0          0            66
South Korea    0          1          7          0          2          0          0          0            58
Kyrgyzstan      1          3          2          0          0          1          0          0            49
Uzbekistan      1          0          3          0          1          0          0          0            32
Tajikistan          0          1          1          0          1          1          0          0            21
 China               0          0          1          0          2          1          1          0            19
Team scoring was awarded by the maximum amount of points scored by individual team members on the following basis:  1st – 10, 2nd – 8, 3rd – 6, 4th – 5, 5th – 4, 6th – 3, 7th – 2, 8th – 1
2016 WMMAA ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIAL RESULTS
Click here to view the action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAYR04B4Dvc
BANTAMWEIGHTS (134 ½ LBS. / -61.2 KG):
1. Azama Markabayev (Kazakhstan)
2. Alimarden Abdykaarov (Kyrgyzstan)
3. Lee Jongkwan (South Korea)
3. Rustam Magdiev (Uzbekistan)
FEATHERWEIGHTS (145 LBS. / -65.8 KG):
1. Ismail Geroyev (Kazakhstan)
2. Alisher Garibshoev (Tajikistan)
3. Kim Jongkwan (South Korea)
3. Yang Jihwan (South Korea)
LIGHTWEIGHTS (154 ½ LBS. / -70.3 KG):
1. Ilisas Chyngyzbek Uulu (Kyrgyzstan)
2. Neimat Asadov (Kazakhstan)
3. Alihon Khasanov (Uzbekistan)
3. Jang Ikhwan (South Korea)
WELTERWEIGHTS (169 ½ LBS. / -77.1 KG):
1. Goyti Dazaev (Kazakhstan)
2. Mavlonzhon Balataev (Kyrgyzstan)
3. Im Jin Yong (South Korea)
3. Jiang Tao (China)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS (185 LBS. / -84.0 KG):
1. Nursulton Ruziboev (Uzbekistan)
2. Baurzhan Kuanyshbayev (Kazakhstan)
3. Tologon Rakhmanberdi Uulu (Kyrgyzstan)
3. Kim Yi Sak (South Korea)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (205 LBS. / -93.0 KG):
1. Erkinbek Injel (Kazakhstan)
2. Kwak Yun Sub (South Korea)
3. Dilovar Nasyrov (Tajikistan)
3. Daniiar Zarylbek Uulu (Kyrgyzstan)
HEAVYWEIGHTS (+205 LBS. / +93.0 KG):
1. Mohmad Sulimanov (Kazakhstan)
2. Maksat Musabaev (Kyrgyzstan)
3. Amin Ergashev (Uzbekistan)
4. Kim Changhee (South Korea)
All individual first-place winners were awarded special championship belts and medals, second and third-place finishers received a medal and certificate. Teams that finished among the top three in the final standings were awarded cups and certificates.
Schedule of Major 2016 MMA Events
Sept. 14-16 – European MMA Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia
Oct. 7-9 – Inaugural Pan-American Championships in Santiago, Chile
Oct. 20-21 – MMM Championships in Saint Petersburg, Russia
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @theWMMAA
Instagram: @worldmmaa
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

IT WILL BE CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION ON SEPTEMBER 10 IN LEWISTON

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (August 9, 2016) – In a rare occurrence, two champions from two different weight divisions will square off onSeptember 10, 2016 when New England Fights presents “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” in Lewiston.  Reigning NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Champion Johnny Crafts (4-0) will come up in weight to challenge Caleb Hall (7-3) for Hall’s NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title.

 

Caleb Hall was a two-time Maine state champion wrestling for Dirigo High School in Dixfield.  He would go on to wrestle for Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, as well as the University of Southern Maine.  At “NEF 22” this past spring, Hall captured the vacant featherweight title by submitting Erik Nelson (2-3) in the second round.  In the upcoming bout with Crafts, Hall will be looking to not only retain his title, but to also gain a measure of revenge against Crafts who defeated Hall’s teammate Henry Clark (3-2) last fall.

 

“Johnny’s making a big mistake coming up in weight trying to take my belt,” said Hall.  “I will avenge my teammate, Henry Clark, and put him away early.”

 

Johnny Crafts is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).  As mentioned, Crafts defeated Henry Clark of the Choi Institute last fall to claim the amateur bantamweight title.  On September 10, Crafts hopes to make history by becoming the first competitor to simultaneously hold two championships in two different weight divisions.

 

“I’m honestly just excited to get in there and have a brutal, fun fight,” said Crafts. “It’s going to be a guaranteed war versus Caleb. It’s less focus on cutting weight at 145 for me and more on the training camp. I’m going to be the most technical and strong I have ever been for this fight.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.  Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

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

LAWTON GETS NEW OPPONENT ON BANGOR FIGHT CARD

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (July 30, 2016) – Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-2) has a new opponent this Friday night in Bangor at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.”  Lawton’s original opponent, Mike Hansen (4-4), pulled out of the middleweight contest with an injury just days before the start of fight week.  NEF officials scoured the country for someone to step up on a mere week’s notice and face the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Lawton.  Not an easy task, to say the least.  NEF matchmaker Matt Peterson was able to secure a replacement opponent in the form of David “Redneck” Mundell (5-1) of Dunedin, Florida.

Mundell is a purple belt fighting out of Gracie Clearwater.  His only loss as a professional came in his last fight this past spring.  In fact, Mundell had not lost a single round in any of his previous five professional fights to that point.  He is the reigning Florida State Professional MMA Welterweight Champion.  Mundell held several titles in the amateur ranks before turning pro.

While most competitors would shy away from the prospect of facing a black belt on a week’s notice in front of UFC President Dana White, Mundell approaches the fight with a workmanlike outlook.

“It’s just another day at the office,” said Mundell when reached for comment.

“I am excited to still be a part of the show and thankful Dave Mundell was willing to step up on short notice to take the fight,” said Lawton.  “He is a well-rounded fighter, and I am expecting to put on one of the best fights of the night as always!”

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight”  takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor,  Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

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 andwww.flocombat.com, 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, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, UFC

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR TOP MAINE LIGHTWEIGHTS

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (July 29, 2016) – Devin Powell was enjoying an evening off from his demanding life as a mixed martial arts instructor and fighter.

He was surrounded by food that probably isn’t on his normal training menu. There were celebratory beverages to fit the loud music and party atmosphere at Xfinity Center, the outdoor concert venue in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

Somehow, Powell heard his phone ring, or felt it vibrate in his pocket. The impending conversation altered his day-after plans considerably.

Powell accepted a return engagement with Jon Lemke at “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight,” to be held Friday, August 5 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

“I found out my good friend Jesse Erickson got hurt,” Powell said, “and they asked me to fill in. I said ‘of course.’ Anybody representing UFC, never mind Dana White, if you ever have a chance to fight in front of them, it’s something you want to do if you’re able. It should be a nice, intimate setting.”

Powell (7-1) is the NEF lightweight champion, having secured the strap with a technical knockout of Erickson at “NEF 22: All Roads Lead Here” in April. Lemke (5-5) lost to previous champion Bruce Boyington in a bid for that belt.

The fight will take place five pounds above the lightweight limit at a catch weight of 160.

“It’s a huge opportunity,” said Lemke, who lives in neighboring Brewer. “I’m very grateful. I’m looking forward to fighting in front of probably the most influential person in MMA.”

Their bout is one of eight professional skirmishes to be showcased in front of White, a native of nearby Hermon, and cohorts Din Thomas and Matt Serra. The trio travels the country in pursuit of undiscovered MMA talent in a reality show that is broadcast on White’s YouTube page as well as the UFC Fight Pass subscription-based streamed video service.

Neither man is known to shy away from the spotlight. Lemke stopped Erickson at Bellator 93 in Lewiston two years ago. Powell pushed his winning streak to five with a split-decision triumph June 17 over Tommy Marcellino on the World Series of Fighting stage at Foxwoods.

“I know they’re probably here to watch the guys in the main event,” Powell said of White and his entourage, “but I plan to put on a show that they won’t be able to sleep on. With my fighting style, very aggressive and unorthodox, I believe I definitely will get their attention. This sport is a lot about getting the right opportunity and taking advantage of it.”

When asked if he perceived any edge because Powell took the fight on three weeks’ notice, Lemke politely pointed out that he only began preparing for Erickson two weeks prior to that.

Lemke lost to Josh LaBerge on June 10.

“I only had a couple extra weeks to prepare. I was still training, but that’s all. I was in pretty good shape but not in fight shape,” Lemke said. “It’s one of those things where they ask you and you’re like, ‘Oh, man, I really want to do this, but.’ It’s just too big an opportunity not to. It’s not necessarily ideal, but as a fighter, absolutely you’re looking for that challenge, and Devin is one of the best guys in the game around here.”

He learned that first-hand, and in resounding fashion, when the two fighters previously clashed on May 10, 2014. Powell prevailed via choke-out in only 23 seconds.

That setting was Lemke’s comeback fight after his abrupt withdrawal from a title match against John Ortolani eight months earlier.

“It didn’t go very well last time. There were a lot of distractions and different circumstances for me leading up to that fight. I had to pull out of a title fight before that, which you never want to do. Three-quarters of the battle for me was just getting back in the cage,” Lemke said.

“I’m a completely different fighter now,” he added. “I think I’ve progressed everywhere, not just with my skills but with the approach I take. I’ve had quite a few fights and I’ve learned from both the wins and the losses. You always learn. Sometimes you learn the hard way.”

Lemke and Powell each enter the cage for the fourth time in less than a year. That activity is the reason neither man feels uneasy about accepting such a stern challenge after an abbreviated training camp.

In Powell’s case, fighting is simply a natural extension of his everyday life as owner and head instructor at Nostos MMA in Somersworth, N.H.

“I’m grateful for everything I have. I have a 4-year-old daughter and she likes to come to the academy and train jiu-jitsu,” Powell said. “I have a pretty amazing life. I only have to teach, train and fight. A lot of people don’t get more than a couple hours with their kids every night. We sacrifice a lot for this sport. People only see the 15 minutes of hell. They don’t see everything else.”

Powell is pleased to represent NEF for only the third time in his blossoming career.

“NEF is one of the biggest promotions in the country. They make superstars out of guys from Maine,” Powell said. “I fought for World Series of Fighting, and I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking them, but it was a much smaller show. NEF has a huge following, and now you see them going places like Cape Cod and Bangor, and that can only grow it even more. They do it right, and I’m glad to be able to step in there for them.”

Lemke faces the added pressure of fighting in front of not only White but his hometown fans from the Bangor area.

Many of them are not accustomed to the four-hour round trip for his encounters in Lewiston.

“A fight is still just a fight, and the next fight is the biggest fight regardless. You never know who could be there watching or what could happen as a result,” Lemke said, suggesting that he is more concerned with his opponent. “Devin is a phenomenal fighter. He has a great skill set. He’s highly touted and he has a great record to back it up. It’s definitely the challenge of a lifetime for me. He’s also a great guy outside the cage. I get along with him well. I think we respect each other.”

Powell confirmed those suspicions, although he reiterated that his objective is nothing less than another decisive victory.

“He’s a good guy. I don’t have to go to that deep, dark place. I understand that my job is to hurt someone so badly that the referee has to step in to save his life. It’s a beautiful, violent sport. I respect anyone who has the courage to get in there with the same goals as me,” Powell said. “I’m expecting a brouhaha with Lemke. He’s aggressive. He comes to fight. I like to do the same things. The first fight was short-lived. If I’m able to repeat that, I’m sure Dana White will be happy.”

“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

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 and www.flocombat.com, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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

YOUNG’S MMA HAS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE ON AUGUST 5 IN BANGOR

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (July 28, 2016) – The dedicated delegation from Young’s MMA of Bangor usually relish their reputation as road warriors in New England Fights.

Lewiston is long established as the hub city for the organization, drawing competitors and spectators from both directions on the Maine Turnpike. Fighters and fans from the Penobscot River valley find that staying engaged for those fight cards four or five times a year requires greater commitment than most.

For only the second time in its history, the regional promotion will bring its cage to the Queen City. “NEF Presents: Dana White Lookin’ for a Fight” is slated for Friday, August 5 at Cross Insurance Center.

Young’s, the gym located just a few blocks away at 127 Hammond Street, will celebrate by showcasing one of its fighters in four of the eight scheduled professional bouts. Battle-tested Ryan Sanders and relative newcomers Aaron Lacey, Josh Harvey and CJ Ewer all are poised to take their best shot with the support of a raucous, partisan crowd.

“That’s the most exciting part for me, being from Brewer. I went to Brewer High School,” Lacey said. “It was definitely a huge, huge draw for me, seeing it in person. I went to the fights when NEF came to Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion (July 12, 2013) and all I could think is, ‘Man, I want to do this.’ This has been a goal of mine for a long time.”

Sanders (10-7) will battle Derrick Kennington (11-7) in a clash of wily lightweights that will be on the featured attractions on the docket.

His three stablemates each emerged victorious in their only previous pro bout. Lacey will lock up with John Santos (3-3) of Derry, N.H., in a featherweight fight. Harvey has an appointment at featherweight. Ewer, who won an amateur bout at the outdoor concert venue in Bangor, will be tested by Ruben Redman (0-1) in a welterweight scrap.

Even with numerous friends in attendance, the four men know it is the presence of UFC president White, who grew up in nearby Hermon, which could have career-changing ramifications.

“It’s a great opportunity. It’s awesome to know that someone like that is going to be in the building on fight night,” Sanders said. “But for me it’s just another fight. I don’t want to get caught up in all that. Just let it unfold.”

White and cohorts Din Thomas and Matt Serra travel the country in pursuit of undiscovered MMA talent in a reality show that is broadcast on White’s YouTube page as well as the UFC Fight Pass subscription-based streamed video service.

Yes, the entrepreneur’s Maine connections are well-documented. White also previously brought UFC Fight Night 47 to Bangor. Young’s talent pool suspects that the latest event is more than just a case of White throwing a bone to his home base, however.

“I’m grateful that he’s bringing it here. I’m sure he’s watched film from NEF in his spare time. He must see something in NEF that he likes in order to be doing this,” Harvey said. “It doesn’t make me more nervous. I’m excited for it. I’m going to try to put that all aside and focus on the task at hand.”

Under the tutelage of co-owners Chris Young and Ernie Fitch, roughly five or six professionals and a dozen amateurs cycle through the gym in any given training camp.

“Four of us fighting, it just shows we’re the best gym in the area. Three of us are undefeated. We’re producing studs. People see that and want to train with the best guys they can,” Sanders said. “We definitely push each other. You have guys who kick your ass every day. We want the best for each other. That’s why we’re here.”

Harvey expects the numbers and commitment to grow after White’s visit. He has been training at Young’s for three years. The cage side seat at the waterfront inspired him to step up his own training regimen. It’s a built-in advantage, Harvey noted, that has belonged almost exclusively to Lewiston until now.

“That’s what gets most people started. They go and see the fights and they want to try it,” Harvey said. “That’s why you see places like Central Maine BJJ (Lewiston) and First Class MMA (Topsham) growing so much. The fights are right there in their backyard.”

Lacey characterizes Young’s as “a gym full of killers.”

The statistics underscore Lacey’s point. The three pros with unblemished records all won their debut in two minutes or less.

“Ryan has only gone to a decision I think one time in his career. He’s a finisher. Josh won his fight by submission in the first round. CJ is super strong,” Lacey said. “They challenge me to be the best I can be every day. They keep me focused not just in the gym but in the game of life outside the cage.”

Although he is facing an opponent with significantly greater experience, Lacey expects a helpful adrenaline rush from having so many familiar faces at his back.

“It is different. I fought I think seven times in Lewiston between amateur fights and my pro debut,” he said. “This gives me a chance to be in my comfort zone. And a lot of my fans can’t make it down there. By the time you figure in the travel, the price of the tickets, maybe staying overnight, they just can’t do it.”

Harvey agreed, pointing out that it’s the initial fight for which he hasn’t needed to pack a suitcase.

“This will be the first time I’ve slept in my own bed the night before a fight. I think it’s a huge advantage,” Harvey said. “Some people might think with more of your fans there that there’s more pressure, but I think it just builds you up.”

“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

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 and www.flocombat.com, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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

GLOVER VACATES; A NEW LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED AT NEF 25

Leave a comment

It was a bitterly cold night in Lewiston last February when Ryan Glover (3-1) won the New England Fights (NEF) mixed-martial-arts (MMA) amateur light-heavyweight title.  The months to come would see Glover accept a new job that would take him up and down the East Coast.  With little time to train to defend the title, and in the interest of doing right by the division, Glover recently made the difficult decision to relinquish the championship.

 

NEF executives were quick to act.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced that Victor Irwin (2-0) would meet Nick Shea (2-0) to fill the vacancy.  The two undefeated athletes are scheduled to face-off to determine a new light-heavyweight champion at “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” onSeptember 10, 2016 in Lewiston.

 

Irwin was a standout wrestler at Brewer High School in Brewer, Maine at 195-pounds where he was a Class-A state champion.  His love for the sport is so strong that when Irwin attended Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) and learned the school did not have a wrestling program, he created one himself.  As a college freshman in 2014 Irwin went to Nationals and achieved All-American status.  He currently trains out of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

“I’ve thought a lot about this fight and I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter what I say,” said Irwin, “it matters what I do, and come September 10thyou’re gonna see some serious doing.”

 

2015 was a great start to the MMA career of Nick Shea.  In February of that year, he won his debut fight over the much more experienced Jacob Cameron (1-5) via first-round technical knockout.  Later in the year, Shea would go on to defeat Ruben Redman (0-1) by decision in a hard-fought contest.  It would earn Shea a nomination for the “Rookie of the Year” in the 2015 NEF Year-End Awards.  On September 10 in Lewiston, Shea will attempt to become the first member of the First Class MMA fight team to capture gold in the NEF cage.

 

“It’s an honor to fight someone from Young’s MMA,” said Shea.  “I believe this will be my biggest test in the cage to date.  I’m grateful and excited to compete for the amateur light heavyweight title.  Victor and I will put on an exciting fight on Saturday, September 10th!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.  Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

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

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS FROM LEWISTON

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (June 18, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) held the fight promotion’s latest event, “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND” on Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event featured a full slate of professional boxing, amateur mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional MMA bouts.  Nearly 2,000 packed the hallowed halls where Muhammad Ali once defended the heavyweight championship of the world against Sonny Liston.  A special video tribute was presented honoring Ali prior to the beginning of the event.

 

For the second time since April, Brandon Berry (11-2-1) and James Lester(11-9-1) went the distance.  This time, unlike the last bout which was scored a draw, there was a winner.  Lester is travelling back to his hometown of Detroit, Michigan the new Northeast Junior Welterweight Boxing Champion after winning a unanimous decision.

 

Alex Walker (1-1) and Nicole Burgess (0-1) kept alive the tradition of women’s fights stealing the show at NEF events.  The two athletes battled back and forth in what can only be described as a “thriller” before a deafening crowd.  Walker picked up the first win of her MMA career via an armbar submission in the third round.

 

Fans who missed the event, or who were at the Colisée and want to relive it, can watch the archived copy of the show by signing up for a FloPRO account at  www.FloCombat.com.

 

The  results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

James Lester def. Brandon Berry via unanimous decision

Russell Lamour def. Roberto Valenzuela via KO, round 1

Vinnie Carita def. Francisco Mireles via KO, round 2

Casey Kramlich def. Zenon Herrera via TKO, round 3

Steve Collins, Jr. def. Jose Humberto Corral via unanimous decision

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Jesse Erickson def. Amos Collins via KO, round 1

Brandon Bushaw def. Matt Denning via Kimura, round 3

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Dustin Veinott def. Ryan Burgess via triangle choke, round 2

Mike Bezanson def. Shawn Bang via KO, round 1

Derek Daley def. Johel Stephenson via TKO, round 1

Justin Witham def. Conner Murphy via rear-naked choke, round 3

Skyler Bang def. Eddie DeRoche via rear-naked choke, round 1

Steve Bang, Jr. def. Dom Cofone via guillotine, round 1

Alex Walker def. Nicole Burgess via armbar, round 3

Dr. Steve Bang def. Stacy Lupo via TKO, round 3

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.  Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

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, mixed martial arts, Tuff-N-Uff

Help us Pack the Mack!

Leave a comment

It’s that time again! Our entirely FREE show is on Saturday, June 25th at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV.  Tickets can be printed at UNLVTickets.com or picked up from any MMA gym or promotional partner in Las Vegas.

Doors open at 5:30pm with the first fight starting at 6:00pm.  Seating is open and first come, first served so get there early! All ages welcome.

 

Who will be the next Future Star of MMA?
Come to the show and find out!
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

MIKE HANSEN: FACING FEAR HEADFIRST

Leave a comment

Mike Hansen

Lewiston, Maine (June 15, 2016) – Fighting anyone, anywhere, anytime and under any circumstances has become Mike Hansen’s calling card with New England Fights.

No surprise, then, that the 30-year-old father of three from Rumford, ME will gladly entertain the idea of a mixed martial arts contest … against an opponent about whom he admittedly knows precious little … on the eve of Father’s Day.

Hansen (4-4) will take on Robert Laroski in a heavyweight clash at “NEF 24: Promised Land” on Saturday, June 18 at Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

There is no fear of the unknown in a man who has carved out his reputation confronting substantially bigger foes since his days as a state champion wrestler at Mountain Valley High School. During his relatively short time in NEF, Hansen has fought as a middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.

“When I took the fight (at NEF 23 in Massachusetts) against Brendan Battles, people were saying, ‘You’re crazy! He’s going to bust your head!’ I understand why the weight classes exist, and I respect that it’s about safety and all that, but I’ve always felt that a fighter should be ready to fight anybody, no matter what,” Hansen said. “In high school, I would drink two gallons of water and put lead in my uniform just so I could get to the minimum weight for the unlimited class.”

That’s the attitude of a fighter whose skill and talent level far exceed his current record as a professional.

Hansen’s docket includes a stoppage win over former NEF “Fighter of the Year” Crowsneck Boutin. His record also includes TKO losses to Battles and Cody Anderson and a choke-out at the hands of Zach Elkins.

When he reflects upon his unique life story, Hansen, who fought twice for the World Fighting League as a 20-year-old college student, marvels that he ever got back into the cage at all.

“I started the winter of 2004-05. I started training because I had gone from 187 to 242 pounds in a few months. I was seeing stretch marks,” Hansen recalled. “I was pretty upset with myself for allowing that to happen. I started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu two nights a week to get in shape. Then I went home for the summer and ended up with my first fight in August. My friends got me the fight without my coaches knowing about it. They told me it was a good thing I won, or they would have kicked my butt.”

Hansen kept a promise to his father to quit the sport after a knockout loss to Alexander Chianurashvili in 2006. He was studying at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, with intentions to enter the medical field.

He was stabbed and attacked with a baseball bat by three men in a case of mistaken identity not long thereafter. “I walked out of the hospital the next day, and all three of them were still in there from the beating I gave them in self-defense,” Hansen said proudly.

That dogged determination served Hansen well in the United States Army, where he studied in the elite Combatives program.

“They ask you ‘Who wins the fight?’ and the answer is, ‘Whoever’s buddy gets there first to help him clean up.’ That’s what Combatives taught me: How to survive that extra 30 to 60 seconds,” Hansen said. “Work ethic is what it taught me. It helped me grow and do things I might have questioned mentally whether or not I could do. Not many people find that extra little motivation. The Army taught me how to find it and utilize it.”

A few years later, Hansen found that inner fire again. Even as he returned to coaching wrestlers in his hometown, his own physical fitness suffered as work and fatherhood took precedence.

Hansen vividly describes sitting in a bean bag chair, eating snack food, watching TV at 2:11 a.m. when his phone rang. He assumed it was a friend in trouble.

“It was (NEF co-owner) Matt Peterson. Our families grew up maybe 200 yards apart. My high school wrestling coach had called him, unbeknownst to me, to tell him he needed to get me back in the cage,” Hansen said.

Three weeks later and 20 pounds lighter, Hansen dispatched super heavyweight fixture Artie Mullen at “NEF 16: New Blood Rising,” and the comeback was on.

In the 15 months that have followed, Hansen has been instrumental in launching Berserkers MMA and building his reputation as both a fighter and an instructor.

Life is blossoming at home, also. Hansen is the father of two girls, ages 5 and 2, and a boy of four months. His older daughter, Kaydn, often accompanies Dad to the gym at Greater Rumford Community Center. He returns the favor by chaperoning field trips for her kindergarten class.

“She and her friends will be on the playground practicing boxing stances and stuff,” Hansen said. “Her teacher says it’s adorable. Hopefully she is learning to take care of herself so I don’t have to.”

Kaydn’s parents are making plans to take her to her first live NEF show after she turns 6. For now, she is content to watch her Dad’s fights on YouTube.

“If we’re watching TV together,” Hansen said, “we have a thing where I get two shows and then she gets two shows. If I put in a fight tape, she’ll say, ‘Daddy, I know this doesn’t count as one of your shows, because this is your work.’”

The opening bell on June 18 is set for 7 p.m. Tickets for “NEF 24: Promised Land” start at $25 and are available at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

For more information on the events 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.”