Category Archives: MMA

mixed martial arts, MMA

CES MMA Welterweight World Champion Vinicius “The Brazilian Bad Boy” De Jesus Makes First Title Defense at CES 58 Sept. 7 at the CT Convention Center in Hartford

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EVENT TO STREAM LIVE AND EXCLUSIVELY ON

UFC FIGHT PASS®

 N. PROVIDENCE, RI (August 7, 2019) – CES MMA will return to Hartford, CT on Saturday, September 7th with CES 58. The event will stream live from the Connecticut Convention Center exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, beginning at 8 PM E.T. / 5 PM P.T.

Headlining this stacked card will be De Jesus vs. Lozano.  Watch as CES MMA welterweight champion Vinicius “The Brazilian Bad Boy” De Jesus makes his first title defense in the main event against challenger Chris “The Cleveland Assassin” Lozano.

Brazilian-born De Jesus, fighting out of Stamford, CT, captured the coveted CES MMA welterweight crown in his last fight (Mar. 29, 2019), when he earned a hard fought five-round unanimous decision over Jeremiah Wells. De Jesus has won three of four Bellator fights and he is riding a three-fight win streak. 

“CES MMA is extremely excited to return to Hartford, Connecticut, with a special Saturday Night Event live on UFC Fight Pass,” proudly announces Jimmy Burchfield Jr., of CES MMA. “The main event is going to be a war when ‘The Brazilian Bad Boy’ Vinicious De Jesusdefends his welterweight title against Chris ‘The Cleveland Assassin’ Lozano. This blockbuster card is guaranteed action you don’t want to miss!”

The co-feature is a heavyweight battle between Hartford’s Parker Porter and veteran Brazilian opponent, Dirlei “Mao de Pedra” Broenstrup. In his toughest test to date, Waterbury, CT lightweight Jesse James Kosakowski takes on veteran Reggie Merriweather. 

An intriguing match-up is Springfield, MA middleweight prospect Pat Casey challenges Andre “Rumble” Hall.  Casey has won two in a row since he suffered his only pro loss, while Hall is coming off a sensational first-round submission of Pat McCrohan at the recent CES 57.

Also being showcased is fan favorite and Norwich native, Pete “The Heat” Rogers, Jr., whosquares off against veteran “Relentless” Robbie Leroux, Meriden, CT flyweight Justin Valentin vs. TBA, Massachusetts bantamweight Harris Bonfiglio vs. Jornell Lugo, and Waterbury, lightweight Nick Giuletti vs. Cody “Lightning” Schieve,

All fights and fighters are subject to change. This is an all ages event.

Tickets for “CES MMA 57” start at $35 and are available online at cesmma.com or by calling the CES box office at 401-724-2254.

Twin River Event Center doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first fight scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET.

The main card will stream live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS.  To start your 7-day free trial, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com

INFORMATION:

Websites:  www.cesmma.com, www.ufc.tv/page/fightpass, www.ctconventions.com

Twitter: @CESMMA, @UFCFightPass, @ctconventionCT,  

Instagram: @CESMMA, @UFCFightPass

Facebook: /CESMMA, /UFCFightPass, /CTConventions

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

Canadian Chris Kelades new M-1 Challenge Interim flyweight champion

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Decisions Alexander Pletenko in China

WKG & M-1 Challenge 103

OFFICIAL RESULTS

SHENZHEN, China (August 4, 2019) – Canadian mixed-martial arts fighter Chris Kelades became the M-1 Challenge Interim flyweight champion by taking a decision from Alexander Pletenko last night at WKG and M-1 Challenge 103 in Shenzhen, China.

M-1 Challenge “regular” flyweight champion Alexander Doskalchuk was supposed to defend his title at M-1 Challenge 103 against Kelades, however, the champ suffered an injury that forced Doskalchuk to withdraw.

Pletenko versus Kelades was a rematch of a fight back in June, 2018, in which Pletenko won a decision at M-1 Challenge 93.  Pletenko, however, came in overweight and he was ineligible to win the title.  

This true International MMA event included 20 professional fighters from 10 different countries: Russia, China, USA, Brazil, Ukraine, Canada, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Georgia and Germany.

The judges were busy all night as eight of the 10 fights went the complete distance.

In the main event, Kelades (14-4) and Pletenko (14-5) battled tooth and nail with the Canadian avenging his earlier loss with a five-round unanimous decision to his Ukrainian opponent.

Chinese fighters had won only one of four fights going into the final match of the evening, in which fan favorite Huoyixibai Chuhayifo (12-3) sent everybody home happy, knocking out Georgian bantamweight Beno Adamia (5-5) with a punch in the opening round.

Russian welterweight Maksim Grabovich (10-4) won a unanimous decision over veteran Brazilian fighter Jonas “Bonus” Boeno (38-12), Brazilian heavyweight Roggers “The Tiger” Souza (9-2) took a split decision from Zaur Gadzhibayev (7-3-1), and United State welterweight Hayden “Hulk” Hassan (9-4) won his M-1 Global debut with a unanimous decision versus Movsar Bokov (5-2), of Russia.

On the undercard, Chinese featherweight Feng “The Winged Tiger” Peng Zhao (6-2) defeated American Edward Massey (5-4) on points, but Zhao’s countrymen Maheshate andWang Zhen lost unanimous decision, respectively, to Russian lightweight Nikolay Goncharov (3-1-1) and Brazilian flyweight Kayck “Chuck” Alencar (10-1).

Swedish welterweight Andreas “Real Steel” Stahl (12-4) won a split decision over Germany’s Christian Jungwirth (6-2), while American lightweight Daniel “Agent Orange” Swain (20-9-1) locked in a guillotine choke on Xialong Wu, of China, at the 28-second mark of round one for a victory.   

Below find the official weights and more pictures:

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT – VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE INTERIM FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Chris Kelades (14-4, M-1: 3-1), Canada

WDEC5

Alexander Pletenko (14-5, M-1: 1-1), Ukraine

 (Kelades wins M-1 Challenge Interim flyweight title)

CO-FEATURE – BANTAMWEIGHTS

Huoyixibai Chuhayifu (12-3, M-1: 3-1), China

WKO1 (punches – 4:41)

Beno Adamia, (5-5, M-1: 0-2), Georgia

WELTERWEIGHTS

Maksim Grabovich (10-4, M-1: 7-3), Russia

WDEC3

Jonas Boeno (38-12, M-1: 0-1), Brazil

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Roggers Souza (9-2, M-1: 1-0), Brazil

WDEC3

Zaur Gadzhibayev (7-3-1, M-1: 5-2), Azerbaijan

WELTERWEIGHTS

Hayden Hassan (9-4, M-1: 1-0), USA

WDEC3

Movsar Bokov (5-2, M-1: 4-2), Russia

UNDERCARD

WELTERWEIGHTS

Andreas Stahl (12-4, M-1: 1-0), Sweden

WDEC3

Christian Jungwirth (6-2, M-1: 0-1), Germany

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Daniel Swain (20-9-1, M-1: 3-1-1), USA

WSUB1 (guillotine choke – 0:28)

Xiaolong Wu (16-9-1, M-1: 0-2), China

Nikolay Goncharov (3-1-1, M-1: 1-1), Russia

DEC3

Maheshate (2-1, M-1: 0-1), China

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Feng Peng Zhao (6-2, M-1: 1-0), China

DEC3

Edward Massey (5-4, M-1: 1-2), USA  

FLYWEIGHTS

Kayck Alencar (10-1, M-1: 2-1), Brazil

WDEC3

Wang Zhen (5-1, M-1: (0-1), China

INFORMATION:

www.M-1Global.com

www.mixfight.ru

Twitter & Instagram:


@M1GlobalNews

@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

ZAC RICHARD RETURNS TO NEF CAGE IN LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION AGAINST BRANDON SEWALL

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (July 19, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will debut in Orono on September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts with the promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: School of Hard Knocks.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the card.  Zac Richard (3-2-1) will meet Brandon Sewall (0-1) at a fight weight of 155 pounds.

Zac Richard has competed twice previously in the lightweight division, winning both fights in 2018.  That same year, Richard was voted “Rookie of the Year” by NEF fans.  He has yet to taste victory in 2019 with all three of his fights this year thus far taking place in the 145-pound featherweight division.  Richard went to a five-round draw with Fred Lear for the amateur featherweight championship last February in what has been a leading contender for “Fight of the Year” in 2019.  On September 7, Richard will look to bounce back from back-to-back losses in his two most recent fights this spring.  At “NEF 38,” Richard dropped a five-round unanimous decision to Tom Pagliarulo (3-1) prior to losing via first-round submission to Miguel Cuevas (6-1) in June.

“I’m very excited to get back in there after coming off two losses a month apart,” said Richard.  “I’m extremely unhappy with my fight against Tom—I definitely can’t have another off-day on fight day again. I’ve made a lot of changes to make myself happier with my life. The grind is different now.”

“Having watched Zac compete since he was a child during his youth wrestling days, I’ve seen how he navigates challenges,” noted NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “He doesn’t look for the easy way out—he’s a born competitor and he always seeks out the toughest opponents. Whether it was in wrestling or now in MMA, he comes to fight. I have no doubt that he will be on the warpath on September 7th, looking to get back to his winning ways.”

Zac Richard has drawn a big one for his return to the lightweight division.  Brandon Sewall stands 6’1,” towering over most others in the weight class.  The resident of Bath, Maine will look for his first win in the NEF cage after losing his debut to Jimmy Jackson (4-3) last month at “NEF 39.”

“It is going to be simple – locate him, get at him, and strike him as hard as I can,” said Sewall when reached for comment.

“Brandon embodies the martial spirit,” stated Peterson. “When I suggested Zac to him as an opponent, he didn’t hesitate at all. He’s eager to prove the validity of his training and disciplined diet in the NEF cage in front of a big audience. Brandon will be the much bigger man in the bout. Whatever the outcome, I know that both guys will be looking to set a furious pace and finish the fight quickly.”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS,” will take place Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine as the promotion debuts in Orono, Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.collinscenterforthearts.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF ANNOUNCES THE FIRST PRO FIGHT SIGNED FOR DEBUT CARD IN ORONO

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (July 11, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will debut in Orono on September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts with the promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: School of Hard Knocks.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the first professional fight signed for the card.  “The Jamaican Shamrock” Ras “Rasquatch” Hylton (4-2) will take on Chris Sarro (0-0) in a cruiserweight bout.

Ras Hylton is coming off a big win last April over Charles Penn (0-1) in Portland, Maine.  The doctor stopped that fight in the first round when a cut over Penn’s eye could not be closed.  Hylton opened the gash with a straight right hand that left blood pouring down to the mat.

Hylton is a mainstay of the NEF heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions.  The 6’6″ athlete holds a second-degree black belt in Shotokan karate.  He currently trains with Dragon Fire Martial Arts in Portland and First Class MMA in Brunswick, Maine.

“I am quite fortunate to be at the point in my career when I’m called upon to introduce new professionals to our work experience,” said Hylton.  “Boxers like my opponent offer a great risk with their familiarity in the pocket and at distance, so of course we’ll both be more than happy to trade our best shots for the win! I love the arts, but it’s in the fighting aspects of martial arts that competitors like us truly live and find purpose. So we train like our lives depend on it, because to us, that’s how it is. Welcome to the school of hard knocks, Chris. MMA 101 is now in session.”

As noted by Hylton, his opponent Chris Sarro may be a newcomer to the MMA cage, but he is no stranger to the world of combat sports.  Sarro made a name for himself as an amateur boxer with a record of 7-1.  He captured the 2019 Northern New England Golden Gloves championship in the superheavyweight division.  A native of Ellsworth, Maine, Sarro currently represents Acadia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“I’m just excited to fight close to home,” said Sarro.  “Orono feels like my backyard. Come September 7th, I’m going to show the world there’s a new heavyweight in town. This is my time.”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS,” will take place Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine as the promotion debuts in Orono, Maine.  Tickets are on sale now atwww.collinscenterforthearts.com.

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

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMPLETE RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 222: MACDONALD vs. GRACIE

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COMPLETE EVENT PHOTOS HERE

  

 Bellator 222: MacDonald vs. Gracie Main Card:

Rory MacDonald (20-5-1) vs. Neiman Gracie (9-0) (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)

Lyoto Machida (26-8) defeated Chael Sonnen (30-17-1) via TKO (punches) at :22 of round two

Dillon Danis (2-0) defeated Max Humphrey (3-3) via submission (armbar) at 4:28 of round one

Patrick Mix (11-0) defeated Ricky Bandejas (11-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:06 of round one

Juan Archuleta (23-1) defeated Eduardo Dantas (21-7) via KO (punch) at 4:59 of round two

Kyoji Horiguchi (28-2) defeated Darrion Caldwell (13-3) via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)

 

Preliminary Card:

Adam Borics (13-0) defeated Aaron Pico (4-3) via KO (knee) at 3:55 of round two

Taylor Turner (4-5) defeated Heather Hardy (2-2) via TKO (punches) at 3:53 of round one

Valerie Loureda (2-0) defeated Larkyn Dasch (0-2) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Robson Gracie Jr. (2-0) defeated Oscar Vera (0-1) via submission (armbar) at 3:15 of round one

Lindsay VanZandt (6-1) defeated Rena Kubota (8-3) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:04 of round one

Haim Gozali (11-6) defeated Gustavo Wurlitzer (22-23, 1 NC) via submission (triangle choke) at 4:02 of round one

Mike Kimbel (3-1) defeated Sebastian Ruiz (2-3) via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Marcus Surin (6-1) defeated Nekruz Mirkhojaev (4-3) via split decision (30-27, 27-29, 29-27)

Phil Hawes (5-2) defeated Michael Wilcox (6-4) via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round one

Brandon Polcare (2-2) defeated Brandon Medina (0-1) via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:33 of round one

Kastriot Xhema (3-3) defeated Whitney Jean Francois (2-7-1) via TKO (punches) at 3:17 of round two

John Beneduce (3-2) defeated Kenny Rivera (2-2) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

 

  

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

BELLATOR RE-SIGNS HEAVYWEIGHT LEGEND FEDOR EMELIANENKO TO EXCLUSIVE MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT AHEAD OF FAREWELL TOUR

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LOS ANGELES — Bellator is proud to announce that Russian MMA great Fedor Emelianenko (38-6, 1 NC) has signed an exclusive multi-fight contract extension to finish his career inside the Bellator cage.

 

Emelianenko’s farewell tour continues in Bellator’s stacked heavyweight division on the heels of a finals run during the promotion’s eight-man Heavyweight World Grand Prix.Fighting out of Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast, Russia, “The Last Emperor” recently earned first-round knockouts over Chael Sonnen and Frank Mir in the tourney’s semifinals and opening round, respectively.

 

“I am pleased that we were able to sign Fedor, the greatest heavyweight of all time, to a new contract extension,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “He is someone that I consider a friend in this business and am even more pleased that he has decided to finish his storied career with Bellator. There are exciting matchups for him here in Bellator that I know will appeal to his fans from the past, as well as new fans from his recent run in the tournament. As his time in the sport winds down, I am happy to see him close out his career on his own terms.”

 

“My strong friendship and respect for Scott Coker made reaching a contract extension a simple process,” said Fedor Emelianenko. “Bellator is my home – I look forward to helping Bellator continue to grow and reach its full potential as the world’s top MMA promotion.”

 

 

A former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion and PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight World Grand Prix Champion, Emelianenko is often referred to as “The GOAT” by fans around the world. With a career resume that stands as one of the most impressive in the history of the sport that includes victories over Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Hunt, Mark Coleman and Andrei Arlovski, to name a few. With 29 career victories ending via finish, the punching power and world-class Sambo of the stoic Russian can always result in yet another accolade in his illustrious career.

 

Emelianenko’s return to the Bellator cage is yet to be determined, but he is expected to return to action later this year.

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.
Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR 222: MACDONALD VS. GRACIE MAIN CARD SET WITH SIX BOUTS

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FULL FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN NYC THIS FRIDAY – AIRING EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN

NEW YORK – The line-up for the highly anticipated Bellator 222: MacDonald vs. Gracie event has been completed with two title fights and 18 electric bouts in total filling out Bellator’s return to Madison Square Garden this Friday, June 14 – only on DAZN. The star-studded card is headlined by a double main event that will see a Welterweight World Grand Prix semi-final matchup between current Bellator welterweight world champion Rory MacDonald (20-5-1) defending his title against the unbeaten Renzo Gracie-trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Neiman Gracie (9-0), as well as two of the sport’s biggest names in Lyoto Machida (25-8) and Chael Sonnen (31-16-1) finally meeting after years of parallel careers in the MMA world.


 
The main card of Bellator 222 will stream live exclusively on DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while preliminary action begins at 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST and will also stream onDAZN or globally on the Bellator Mobile App.


 
Limited tickets remain available and can be purchased online from Ticketmaster.com, MSG.com and Bellator.com.


 
The DAZN-streamed main card also features Darrion Caldwell (13-2) defending his Bellator bantamweight world title against Rizin Fighting Federation’s bantamweight championKyoji Horiguchi (27-2) in a true “champion vs. champion” matchup, following a Horiguchi submission victory when the two met in Rizin’s ring this past December in Japan, as well as a 175-pound catchweight contest between polarizing grappling ace Dillon Danis (1-0) and Max Humphrey (3-2). Additionally, fans will see an intriguing featherweight bout featuring former Bellator 135-pound champion Eduardo Dantas (21-6) making the leap to 145-pounds in an attempt to hand Juan Archuleta (21-1) the first loss of his Bellator career, while Ricky Bandejas (11-2) welcomes unbeaten Patrick Mix (10-0) at bantamweight.


 
Preliminary action for Bellator 222 is also must-see and features many of Bellator’s rising stars. Those who tune in will see bouts highlighted by Aaron Pico (4-2) versus Adam Borics (12-0) at 145-pounds, as well as a second inter-promotional contest pitting Rena of Rizin (8-2) against Lindsay VanZandt (5-1) in a 112-pound catchweight fight. Bellator 222will also see the return of “The Heat” to MSG, when world champion boxer Heather Hardy (2-1) faces Taylor Turner (3-5) at flyweight. Familiar faces in Mike Kimbel (2-1), Robson Gracie Jr. (1-0) and Haim Gozali (10-6) will all also compete, while former The Ultimate Fighter participant Phil Hawes (4-2) will make his promotional debut. Lastly, it was recently announced that undefeated Taekwondo Master Valerie Loureda (1-0) will make her sophomore appearance when she welcomes Larkyn Dasch (0-1) to the Bellator cage on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.


 
Bellator 222 Main Card:

Welterweight World Grand Prix Semifinal Title Bout: Rory MacDonald (20-5-1) vs. Neiman Gracie (9-0)

Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event Bout: Lyoto Machida (25-8) vs. Chael Sonnen (31-16-1)

175-Pound Catchweight Bout: Dillon Danis (1-0) vs. Max Humphrey (3-2)

Bantamweight Bout: Ricky Bandejas (11-2) vs. Patrick Mix (10-0)

Featherweight Bout: Eduardo Dantas (21-6) vs. Juan Archuleta (22-1)

Bantamweight World Title Bout: Darrion Caldwell (13-2) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (27-2)

 

Undercard:

Featherweight Bout: Aaron Pico (4-2) vs. Adam Borics (12-0)

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Heather Hardy (2-1) vs. Taylor Turner (3-5)

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Valerie Loureda (1-0) vs. Larkyn Dasch (0-1)

Welterweight Bout: Robson Gracie Jr. (1-0) vs. Oscar Vera (Pro Debut)

Bantamweight Bout: Mike Kimbel (2-1) vs. Sebastian Ruiz (2-2)

175-Pound Catchweight Bout: Haim Gozali (10-6) vs. Gustavo Wurlitzer (22-22, 1 NC)

Women’s 112-Pound Catchweight Bout: Rena Kubota (8-2) vs. Lindsay VanZandt (5-1)

Middleweight Bout: Phil Hawes (4-2) vs. Michael Wilcox (6-3)

Lightweight Bout: Marcus Surin (5-1) vs. Nekruz Mirkhojaev (4-2)

Flyweight Bout: Brandon Medina (Pro Debut) vs. Brandon Polcare (1-2)

165-Pound Catchweight Bout: Kastriot Xhema (2-3) vs. Whitney Jean Francois (2-6-1)

Featherweight Bout: John Beneduce (2-2) vs. Kenny Rivera (2-1)


 
*Card subject to change

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.
mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

CORAPI OUT, LOCKARD IN AGAINST ERICKSON; FIGHT NOW FOR LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE AT NEF 39

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (June 4, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 22 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced that Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (9-7) will meet Dylan Lockard (5-1) for the vacant NEF Professional Lightweight Championship.  Former champion Ryan Sanders (18-9) decided to vacate the title late last year due to the extreme weight cuts he had to endure to make the lightweight limit of 155 pounds.

The bout, originally scheduled to be a non-title affair between Erickson and Lewis Corapi (8-5), came about after Corapi had to pull out due to illness.

“Jesse Erickson has been a perennial contender since the inception of the NEF Lightweight Title,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “In 22 bouts between his amateur and professional career, you have to go all the way back to his very first fight in 2012 to find the one time that Erickson has ever had a fight go to the judge’s scorecards. He always competes with a ferocity that leads him to securing the finish, or being finished. He’s pure fire every time he climbs in the cage. Dylan Lockard, by the same token, has only lost once between his amateur and professional outings and is one of the hottest prospects in New England right now. As an amateur, Lockard beat both Josh Harvey and Caleb Hall—two NEF staples that are undefeated and have looked unstoppable since turning professional. You couldn’t ask for a more perfectly matched fight between two experienced, hungry athletes to fill the highly coveted lightweight title.”

Erickson has attempted to capture the lightweight belt three times previously, twice against Bruce Boyington (17-11) and once against current UFC competitor Devin Powell (9-4), only to come up short in each fight.  Erickson says he will be patient in this bout in hopes of winning the title that has eluded him to date.

“First, I want to thank Dylan for stepping up to take the bout,” remarked Erickson. “He seems well-rounded and has wins over some quality opponents. I’m working hard every day and will enter the cage in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I’m not going to be in a rush in the cage on June 22nd. I have five rounds to put him away and finally walk out with that belt. Victory or Valhalla, fourth time’s the charm.”

Lockard will definitely be entering hostile territory with hundreds of Erickson’s hometown friends, family and fans in the crowd.  The fight will take place ten pounds heavier than the featherweight limit Lockard usually competes at.

Everything about Lockard’s background, however, indicates that he rises to meet any challenge.  In 2010 he won a state championship at 152 pounds wrestling for Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire, finishing his senior season with an impressive 38-9 record.  He began his amateur MMA career in 2014 and went a perfect 4-0, defeating some of the best the region has to offer including Harvey and Hall.  Lockard turned pro in the summer of 2016.  His only loss to date has been against a very tough Shane Manley (5-5), who longtime NEF fans will remember as the athlete who handed both Jesse Erickson and Ray Wood (8-5) the first losses of their respective MMA careers.  Lockard is currently on a two-fight win streak since the loss to Manley, most-recently upending previously-undefeated Anthony Wright (4-1) on a fight card in Rhode Island last fall.

“I’m excited to come up to Maine and fight for the NEF title,” said Lockard when reached for comment.  “Jesse is a really tough opponent, and I think we match up well. It’s going to be an exciting fight for the fans.”

“NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN,” will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

SECOND WOMEN’S BOUT ADDED TO NEF 39 FIGHT CARD

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 29, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 22 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur women’s bantamweight bout to the card.  Megan Rosado is scheduled to face Sarai Knapp at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

Megan Rosado is currently an even 1-1 since debuting in the NEF cage late last year.  She took on Glory Watson at “NEF 36” in September and went the distance in a back-and-forth, thrilling contest.  Watson was able to pull out a split decision on the judges’ scorecards to take the victory.  Rosado returned last month at “NEF 38” in Portland, Maine to face Amanda Bennett (0-2).  Again, the fight went to the judges’ scorecards, but this time it was Rosado walking out of the cage with the win.  She represents Nate Libby’s Evolution Athletix based in Saco, Maine.

“I’m super excited to step back into the cage for my third amateur fight,” said Rosado. “It’s safe to say that I’m addicted to the whole fight experience! I may not have a squeaky clean undefeated record, but getting a taste of a loss and a win is what makes you more dangerous, in my opinion. I know nothing about my opponent, but that doesn’t even begin to scare me. Im’ma bring it, and I’m going to win on June 22. Don’t miss it!”

Sarai Knapp will be making her amateur MMA debut at “NEF 39” on June 22nd.  She will make the 1,000-mile trip from her home state of Indiana to compete against Rosado.  Knapp represents Lee Brothers MMA based in Fort Wayne.

“Training mixed martial arts has changed my life,” remarked Knapp. “I’m just excited to challenge myself against a tough opponent like Megan. My coach tells me that everybody from Nate Libby’s gym is tough, so we’re getting ready for a fight.”

The bout between Rosado and Knapp is the second women’s fight announced for the “NEF 39” card.  Also on the amateur card that night, Glory Watson (4-0) will meet Caree Hill (4-1) for the vacant women’s flyweight championship.

“NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN,” will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com.

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

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOUCHER HOPES SECOND TIME WILL BE A CHARM FOR CAPTURING FLYWEIGHT TITLE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 25, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 22 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN.”  One of the featured fights on the amateur portion of the pro/am card will see Nate Boucher (4-3) tangle with Robert Presley (5-4) for the vacant NEF Amateur Flyweight Title.

This will be Boucher’s second attempt at capturing the flyweight belt.  Then-undefeated, Boucher met Justin Witham (4-4) in November 2017 for the championship in Portland, Maine.  Witham went on to win the bout, and the title, via split decision on the judges’ scorecards.  Many in attendance, however, felt that Boucher had dominated the bout.

The loss to Witham was the start of a three-fight skid for the former wrestler from Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine.  Boucher has rebounded and put himself back in contention for the flyweight strap with back-to-back first-round submission victories at “NEF 36” and “NEF 37,” respectively.

Boucher represents Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Lewiston, Maine.

“Since coming up short on the judges’ scorecards in my first title fight—a fight that many fans feel I won—I have been focused on one single goal: getting another shot at the belt,” said Boucher. “Finally, that opportunity is here and I don’t plan on allowing anything to stand in my way of achieving my main goal which is winning the flyweight title! I’m doing everything that I need to do in order to make sure that the judges don’t play a role in the outcome on June 22nd. Special thanks to all of my sponsors and supporters for helping me on my way back to the belt fight—I vow to make you all proud at ‘All-American’ in Lewiston.”

Robert Presley, known as “The Warrior,” comes to Maine all the way from Lancaster, Ohio to challenge for the flyweight title.  He was victorious in his most recent bout last January via unanimous decision.  With this being his tenth amateur bout, Presley plans on turning pro soon after.  He represents both 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and the Lancaster Academy of MMA.

“On June 22nd, I will be flying in from the little town of Newark, Ohio to go to war with Nate Boucher for the NEF flyweight title,” said Presley. “I don’t know much about Nate, but I will be honored to share the cage with him. After this fight, I am turning pro. I’ve learned a lot from my amateur career and am ready to showcase my talent. Many thanks to NEF for giving me a chance to please their home crowd. I hope everyone is ready for a battle!”

“NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN,” will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com.

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