Category Archives: New England Fights

AMATEUR GOLD WILL BE UP FOR GRABS AT NEF 33 IN PORTLAND

Portland, Maine (February 7, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland onApril 14, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur featherweight title bout to the card.  Taylor Costantino (3-3) will meet Shawn Lunghi (4-0) for the vacant 145-pound championship.

 

 

 

Taylor Costantino is a native of Long Island, New York where he began his MMA career in 2011 after being crowned a USA and Pan American Sambo champion.  After moving to Maine, Costantino continued training and made his NEF debut in early 2016 with a 25-second TKO victory over Frank Johanson (2-2).  Currently, he is a member of Evolution Athletix based in Saco.

 

 

 

“I’m very excited to fight in Portland against a tough opponent,” said Costantino. “I’ve never taken an easy opponent, and this fight is no different. I have a lot to prove to my coaches, my teammates and myself – and a man with something to prove is a dangerous man.”

 

 

 

Undefeated Shawn Lunghi has been dominant in two previous NEF cage appearances.  The Florida native first traveled north in the fall of 2016, scoring a second round submission of Alex Clark (4-2).  Last weekend, Lunghi returned to take on Devin Corson (1-1).  It took just over a minute for Lunghi to pull out another submission win on Maine soil.  He will have little time to rest after the upcoming battle at “NEF 33.”  In late April, Lunghi will leave for Fort Bliss, and from there will travel to Afghanistan in May as part of his service in the Army National Guard.

 

 

 

“I couldn’t be more excited to return to the NEF cage for NEF 33 and take a shot at the featherweight title,” said Lunghi. “Taylor is an experienced, game opponent and I expect he will be ready for a war. This will be my last fight for awhile as I will be deploying with the Army National Guard for the next year, but I can’t think of a better send off then to win the 145-pound title and celebrate with my RMNU team in Portland, Maine.”

 

 

 

NEF returns to Portland, Maine, at Aura on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.  For more information on the event, please visit www.NewEnglandFights.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.

STRIKERS WILL BE THROWING BOMBS AT NEF 33 IN PORTLAND

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (February 6, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland onApril 14, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card.  Carl Langston (0-0) is scheduled to make his professional debut against Ernesto Ornelas (2-7) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

 

 

 

Carl Langston is one of the longest-active members of the NEF roster, having made his debut with the promotion as an amateur in the fall of 2013.  Langston brought an extensive background in Taekwondo with him to the cage, resulting in many exciting striking battles over the years.  Langston finished his amateur career with a record of 7-9 and a win over Ornelas’ Choi Institute teammate Henry Clark (3-4) at “NEF 31″ in Portland last fall.  Langston is currently a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

 

 

 

“I couldn’t be more pumped to be making my pro debut in the city of Portland where I grew up,” said Langston when reached for comment. “I’ve been waiting four years for this moment, and I’m going to capitalize on it by finishing this guy, beating him just like I beat his teammate.”

 

 

 

 

There are very few MMA competitors with hands as fast as Ernesto Ornelas.  Now residing in Portland, Ornelas was a multi-time Golden Gloves champion during his amateur boxing days in his home state of California.  He is currently 1-1 as a professional boxer.  Ornelas will return to the cage after more than a year-and-a-half absence from MMA competition.

 

 

 

 

“I’m excited to be fighting in Portland, especially under the NEF banner this time,” said Ornelas.  “I’ve lived in Portland for about six years and have adopted the city, working and training out of the Portland downtown. I’ve come to know everyone and the city so well, and I’m excited to give Portland a show and show them what’s brewing in downtown at the Portland Choi Institute. As for welcoming Carl into the pro ranks, I know it’s going to an exciting fight. I’ve coached against Carl three times and seen the opportunities he presents stylistically. That being said, I’ll be two steps ahead of Carl on this one. It’s going to be some thunder and lightning in Portland that night, but everyone knows lightning strikes first and thunder just makes noise. And April 14 lightning is going to strike—and I’m the one bringing the lighting.”

 

 

 

 

NEF returns to Portland, Maine, at Aura on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.  For more information on the event, please visit www.NewEnglandFights.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.

A PRO DEBUT AND THE RETURN OF A POPULAR ATHLETE AT NEF 33

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (February 5, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland on April 14, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the card.  John Ortolani (8-11) will meet Caleb Hall (0-0) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

 

 

 

John Ortolani, a native New Englander now residing in Florida, is one of the most popular athletes to ever step into the NEF cage. Ortolani has made his mark both in MMA and on the lacrosse field where he has played for several teams in the Major League Lacrosse circuit over the years.  Having competed regionally in MMA since 2009, Ortolani made his NEF debut in the fall of 2012 with a submission win over Bruce Boyington (14-11).  The upcoming fight with Hall will be Ortolani’s fifth trip to the NEF cage, not counting one further appearance in the NEF boxing ring.  He currently trains with Robson Moura Nations United (RMNU) in Tampa, Florida.

 

 

 

 

“I’m excited for the fight with Caleb,” said Ortolani. “He’s had a great amateur career and has a lot of experience. I can’t wait to perform in front of the NEF fans again and welcome Caleb to the pro ranks the hard way!”

 

 

 

 

Caleb Hall has had a prolific amateur MMA career with an impressive record of 8-3.  Prior to entering the MMA ranks, he was a two-time Maine state champion wrestling for Dirigo High School in Dixfield.  Hall later wrestled for both Plymouth State University (PSU) in New Hampshire and the University of Southern Maine (USM).  He captured the NEF Amateur Featherweight Title in the spring of 2016 with a submission of Erik Nelson (2-3).  He later successfully defended that title against Johnny Crafts (4-1) at “NEF 25” in the fall of that year.  Hall is a member of the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine.

 

 

 

 

“Every fighter’s goal is to get to the UFC,” said Hall.  “To get there, you have to beat the toughest guys you can find on the regional circuit. Beating Ortolani, a 20-fight pro veteran, is a step towards my goal of where I want to go in this sport.”

 

 

 

 

NEF returns to Portland, Maine, at Aura on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.  For more information on the event, please visit www.NewEnglandFights.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.

BOYINGTON TRIUMPHANT IN RETURN, ERICKSON SETTLES A SCORE AT NEF 32

Lewiston, Maine (February 4, 2018) – Two years of traveling the world in pursuit of mixed martial arts glory had not even a shred of negative impact on Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington’s mystique in the New England Fights cage.

 

 

 

 

Battered, bloodied Taylor Trahan somehow made it to the end of the second round at Androscoggin Bank Colisee, but a relentless Boyington punctuated a dominant performance with a rear naked choke at 1:08 of the third in the 150-pound main event at “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”

 

 

 

 

Boyington (15-11) had fought in such diverse locales as New York City and Moscow since his most recent NEF appearance. He extended his winning streak in the promotion to four fights at the expense of Trahan (7-9).

 

 

 

 

Four other professional bouts and 10 amateur affairs highlighted the busy evening.

 

 

 

C.J. Ewer’s bid to become the first simultaneous NEF champion in two different divisions fell short against Kemran Lachinov.

 

 

 

 

Lachinov (6-2), a Bellator veteran based out of Ludlow, Massachusetts, captured the vacant welterweight crown with a tapout to a kneebar at 3:01 of the first round.

 

 

 

Ewer was undefeated in three previous pro fights, including a submission victory over Mike Hansen for the middleweight strap six months ago.

 

 

 

 

Hansen also absorbed a choke-out loss on this card. Coming off a week of controversy about their agreed-upon catch weight, Jesse “The Viking” Erickson showed that his apparent size disadvantage was no issue.

 

 

 

 

After dominating the early exchanges, Erickson (10-7) applied a guillotine. With Hansen (5-9) appearing unresponsive, the referee stepped in and stopped the contest at 2:41 of the opening round.

 

 

 

 

Aaron Lacey rebounded from the first loss of his career, thoroughly dominating veteran Josh Parker in a 145-pound tangle. Lacey (5-1) controlled the lone round of the bout, dropping Parker (6-10) with a knee to the head. He maintained control with a vicious assault to the body, then sent Parker to dreamland via rear naked choke at 4:30.

 

 

 

 

Persistence paid off for independent mainstay Zenon Herrera, who picked up his first professional victory in his seventh try. Both Herrera and opponent Nate Charles have an extensive boxing background, but it was Herrera’s domination on the ground that paved the path to an unanimous decision.

 

 

 

 

In the headline amateur event, Ryan Burgess scored a narrow victory over Nate Boucher in a grueling, ground-and-pound flyweight fracas.

 

 

 

 

The bout between former Mountain Valley High School wrestling teammates was billed as a grudge match, fueled by a war of words on social media. Not surprisingly it ended in a lengthy embrace after the bell, with both men lying spent in the center of the cage.

 

 

 

 

There was little to choose between the Rumford rivals. Burgess (3-2) pushed the attack in rounds two and three and may have gained the final 29-28 edge on two scorecards with a few well-placed knees to the midsection. Boucher (2-2) swept all three rounds in the other judge’s estimation.

 

 

 

 

With the victory, Burgess snapped a two-fight losing skid and earned a June title fight against Justin Witham. Burgess initially won the title back in 2015.

 

 

 

 

Kam Arnold (2-0) left an indelible impression on both the crowd and opponent Kyle Kenney in his first-round victory. After patiently finding a seam, Arnold slammed Kenney to the canvas early in the bout and gained the TKO with a barrage of strikes at the two-minute mark.

 

 

 

 

Former amateur light heavyweight champion Ryan Glover (4-2) made a triumphant return in his first appearance since losing the belt exactly one year ago. Glover ended a slugfest with newcomer Joe Berube by verbal submission to strikes in the opening seconds of the third round.

 

 

 

 

Mohammad Al-Kinani ran his amateur record to 3-0 with a first-round TKO of Isaac Therrien. It was Al-Kinani’s stand-up acumen against Therrien’s wrestling background, and Therrien gained the early advantage with three takedowns. He was unable to keep the action on the deck, however, and Al-Kinani’s fistic prowess proved too tough to overcome.

 

 

 

 

Likewise, Shawn Lunghi kept his record perfect through three fights with a first-round rear naked choke over previously unbeaten Devin Corson. The convincing, 68-second victory earned Lunghi an April shot at the amateur featherweight title against Taylor Costantino at NEF 33 in Portland.

 

 

 

 

Former University of Maine football standout Carlton Charles delivered the quickest knockout of the evening. Charles rebounded from his initial loss in November with a 12-second stoppage of Delmarkis Edwards, who was making his debut at 175 pounds.

 

 

 

 

Stacy Lupo picked up his first win in the cage over David Hart. Lupo used knees and kicks to gain the advantage before gaining the TKO via strikes at 1:10 of the opening round of the 155-pound scrap.

 

 

 

 

In a wildly entertaining women’s bout to christen the card, B.J. Garceau made a successful amateur debut with a split decision over Sarah Ziehm. All three judges offered a 29-28 verdict, but a strong start and authoritative finish gave Garceau the edge. Garceau dedicated her debut to awareness of diabetes, a disease she battles outside the cage.

 

 

 

 

 

Two other women’s bouts went the distance. Catie Denning won her debut by unanimous decision over Chelsea Elizabeth, while Amanda Gallo made her trip from Florida pay off with a clean sweep of the cards against 2017 NEF rookie of the year Jayda Bailey.

 

 

 

 

NEF returns to Portland, Maine, at Aura on Saturday, April 14. To purchase tickets for “NEF 33: Riptide,” go to www.auramaine.com and use pre-sale code “NEF.”

 

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.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS LEGENDS TO APPEAR AT NEF MMA EVENT THIS SATURDAY

Foxboro, Massachusetts (January 30, 2018) – This Saturday night, New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: SUPER SATURDAY.”  In keeping with the “Super Bowl weekend” theme, and in honor of the New England Patriots playing for their sixth championship the night following the event, not one but two former Patriots players will be conducting a meet-and-greet with ticketholders from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Colisee.  Max Lane, who started in Super Bowl XXXI for the Patriots, and Ronnie Lippett who started for the Patriots in Super Bowl XX will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans prior to the start of the first fight this Saturday.

 

 

 

Nicknamed “Big Country,” Max Lane was drafted by the Patriots in1994 and played offensive tackle for the team through his retirement in 2000, a total of seven seasons.  During his tenure, Lane played under coaches Bill Parcels, Pete Carroll, and Bill Belichick.  He was named to the Patriots’ All Decade Team for the 1990s.  Lane was a member of the AFC 1996-1997 championship team that went on to lose to the Green Bay Packers at Super Bowl XXXI.  In more recent years, Lane has been an on-air personality on NBC Boston AM station 1510.

 

 

 

Like Lane, Ronnie Lippett played his entire NFL career for the New England Patriots.  He was with the team for eight seasons from 1983 to 1991.  Lippett was a starting cornerback for the team, remembered particularly for shutting down the passing attack of divisional rivals the Miami Dolphins.  In fact, seven of Lippett’s 24 total career interceptions came against Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.  He intercepted Marino twice in the same 1986 regular season game in Foxboro.  Lippett was named to the Patriots’ All Decade Team for the 1980s.  He was a member of the AFC 1985-1986 championship team that eventually lost to the Chicago Bears at Super Bowl XX.

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place this Saturday night with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.TheColisee.com.

WEIGHT JUST A MINUTE!  DISAGREEMENT OVER MMA FIGHT TERMS TURNS INTO FIERY FACEBOOK FIASCO

Lewiston, Maine (January 29, 2018) – This Saturday night, Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (9-7) of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (5-8) of Berserkers MMA will square off at a fight weight of 179-pounds.  That is a full nine pounds heavier than the original agreed-to weight.  The change in contract terms was a result of a request from Hansen who realized he would not be able to cut to 170-pounds just over a week out from the fight.  Erickson, upon learning that Hansen could not make weight, immediately took to Facebook with his outrage.

“One week from weigh ins my opponent Michael B. Hansen wants the fight moved up 9 pounds or he’s going to pull from the fight,” wrote Erickson on his Facebook status on January 25.  “We took this fight in October man. I’m on weight now, am I supposed to gain 8 pounds in a week? I’m already fighting up a weight class as it is… you can’t even do 175?”

The post was immediately met with anger from Erickson’s friends and teammates with several calling Hansen “unprofessional” for his actions.  In the fall of 2017, Hansen and Erickson had agreed to fight this coming February at welterweight.  170-pounds was heavy for Erickson who had spent the majority of his career fighting in the 155-pound lightweight division.  Flash forward nearly four months, and now, with Hansen unable to make 170-pounds, Erickson was on the spot to accept or decline a fight in what was essentially the middleweight division – two weight classes higher than where he would normally compete.  If he declined, Erickson would be wasting months of training in preparation for the fight.

Moments later, Hansen came to his own defense on Erickson’s Facebook thread.

“Hey sorry for the bad news but just being honest with people,” wrote Hansen. “I’m currently 9 pounds over my marks. I’m only 2 weeks off from my medical suspension from a fractured tibia. It was a set back for sure in getting in the work I needed. I’m down to fight, but j [s.i.c.] will not give up 50% of my show/win/and commission. Sorry but you know I’m game to fight”

Hansen is referring to the standard contract terms in which he had agreed to forfeit $100 per pound for each pound he weighed over 170-pounds at weigh-ins.

” F**k you, I’m still going to kick your ass,” retorted Erickson on the thread. “179 it is scumbag. Hope your [s.i.c.] happy you got your way.”

The argument went on publicly for several days between the two sides with many of each fighters’ friends and teammates chiming in with their opinions.  In the end, the fight was saved with Hansen and Erickson agreeing to meet at a catchweight of 179-poundsthis Saturday night in Lewiston.  The fans will be the winners as they will get to see one of the most anticipated fights in recent memory.

“We agreed to fight at 170,” stated Erickson when reached for comment.  “I typically fight at 155, and I’m not the biggest 155er as it is. I didn’t pressure him to take it at 170. He accepted and should make the weight or pay the fine for missing. Instead, he decided to say he wants the bout at 179 or he’s going to pull from the fight one week from weigh-ins. I don’t care about his bulls**t excuses, you agreed, you should do what you agreed to do. We had almost four months for this. With that much time, there is absolutely no excuse. We’re supposed to be professionals. So here we are now, fighting at 179, which only gives him a greater size advantage. Even still, it won’t be enough. I would have been merciful and just finished him quick, but now he’s going to pay for his disrespect.”

“I’m not exactly sure why Jesse took this to Facebook, but great idea really, now everyone is talking about it again,” said Hansen when contacted for comment. “The situation sucks, but it is what it is. I was injured a few weeks after signing this fight. I was medically suspended and had to see how this injury would heal and if it would stop me from competing. I don’t think it’s bad enough to stop me from competing, but it stopped me from getting in a camp the way I should. If anything, Jesse should be happy he is fighting a lesser version of myself. I’m not at my best right now. I didn’t want to pull out and Jesse is the one running around telling everyone he will fight me no matter at what weight. I believe him, so what’s the big deal. If I would of pulled out due to injury a few weeks back, everyone would be saying the same s**t for that reason. I didn’t make this fight, he did. He knew where I fought and decided he wanted to fight. I didn’t ask him to do this. He wants to fight – he will get a fight.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place this Saturday night with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.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 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 RETURNS TO LEWISTON ON SUPER BOWL WEEKEND WITH AN MMA SUPER CARD

Lewiston, Maine (January 19, 2018) – The night before the National Football League (NFL) delivers its 2017-2018 season finale, New England Fights (NEF) will return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston for the first time in eight months as the fight promotion presents “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  And while New England football fans will have to wait until this Sunday’s AFC championship game to find out whether their beloved Patriots will play in the Super Bowl, area mixed-martial-arts fans learned today which of their favorites will compete at “NEF 32” as promotion executives released the full fight card for the February 3rd event.

 

 

In the main event of the evening, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (14-11) takes on Taylor Trahan (7-8) at a catchweight of 150-pounds.  One of the biggest MMA stars ever to come out of Maine, Boyington will make his return to the NEF cage after a two-year absence that saw him compete on the global stage in places like Russia and New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden. Trahan makes his third trip to Maine to compete.  He is coming off a win over Connor Barry (3-2) last fall.

 

 

Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (4-1) faces off with Josh Parker (6-9) in a featherweight bout.  Lacey suffered the first loss of his pro career in November when a fight he was arguably on the way to winning was stopped by a doctor due to a cut on Lacey’s head.  Parker will look to continue his recent success in the MMA cage after recent victories over Andre Belcarris (0-2) and Derek Shorey (4-9).

 

 

CJ Ewer (3-0) is out to make history by becoming the first competitor to hold NEF championships simultaneously in multiple weight divisions.  Ewer is the reigning NEF Pro Middleweight Champion.  At “NEF 32,” he has the opportunity to capture the NEF Pro Welterweight Title when he meets Kemran Lachinov (5-2) for the vacant strap.

 

 

Also in professional welterweight action will be Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (5-8) and Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (9-7) in a fight billed as “The Berserker vs. The Viking.”  Hansen and Erickson have developed a rivalry as coaches of local gyms Berserkers MMA and Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), respectively.

 

 

Speaking of which, Nate Boucher (2-1), a product of CMBJJ, and Ryan Burgess (2-2) of Berserkers MMA will headline the amateur portion of the fight card.  The flyweights, former teammates on the Mountain Valley High School wrestling squad, have engaged in a recent war of words heading into the bout.  The winner will be in line for a shot at the amateur flyweight title later this spring.

 

 

2017 NEF “Rookie of the Year” Jayda “Lil Killah” Bailey (1-0) returns to the cage on February 3rd to meet Florida’s Amanda Gallo (0-1).  Bailey made history in November at “NEF 31” by becoming the youngest competitor ever to compete, (and win), in the NEF cage.  She turned 18, the legal age for competing in MMA in Maine, just a week prior to the event.

 

 

The full “NEF 32” fight card (subject to change):

 

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

 

150 Bruce Boyington 14-11 (Young’s MMA) vs Taylor Trahan 7-8 (Team Link)

 

 

170*TITLE Kemran Lachinov 5-2 (Team Link) vs CJ Ewer 3-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

170 Jesse Erickson 9-7 (CMBJJ) vs Mike Hansen 5-8 (Beserkers MMA)

 

 

155 Zenon Herrera 0-6 (Independent) vs Nate Charles 0-0 (Charles Fighting Family)

 

 

145 Josh Parker 6-9 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Aaron Lacey 4-1 (Young’s MMA)

 

 

AMATEUR

 

 

205 Ryan Glover 3-2 (Fire & Iron Athletics) vs Joe Berube 0-0 (3Ronin Athletics)

 

 

175 Carlton Charles 1-1 (Charles Fighting Family) vs Delmarkis Edwards 0-0 (Independent)

 

 

155 Stacy Lupo 0-1 (The Outlet) vs David Hart 0-2 (Kenney’s MMA)

 

 

145 Devin Corson 1-0 (The Outlet) vs Shawn Lunghi 2-0 (RMNU)

 

 

135 Chelsea Elizabeth 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Catie Denning 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

 

135 Kam Arnold 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Kyle Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA)

 

 

135 Jayda Bailey 1-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Amanda Gallo 0-1 (RMNU)

 

 

125 Nate Boucher 2-1 (CMBJJ) vs Ryan Burgess 2-2 (Beserkers MMA)

 

 

115 BJ Garceau 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jepha Mooi 0-0 (Gracie Brandon)

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.com.

FROM THE SHORES OF SEBAGO LAKE TO THE MMA CAGE, HARD-WORK IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR KAM ARNOLD

Lewiston, Maine (January 16, 2018) – Kam Arnold might be the ultimate Maine mixed martial artist from central casting.

 

 

Blue-collar sensibilities shaped his young life. He grew up in a small community where young boys often had to conjure up their own forms of entertainment. And yes, sometimes that meant fighting solely for the sake of fighting.

 

 

“I have two older brothers, and friends who were around all the time that are like brothers. We pretty much adopted them, you know?” Arnold said. “And any time you have that situation, there are fights going on in the yard all the time. I remember one time seeing my brothers rolling around on the stairs in the house, and of course I just had to jump in and get involved in that.”

 

 

Arnold, who turns 25 this month, is more structured but no less passionate today about exercising his grit, guile and strength in such physical encounters.

 

 

Veteran of one, quick knockout win in the New England Fights cage, Arnold returns for another dose on Saturday, February 3 at Androscoggin Bank Colisee. He will confront Kyle Kenney in an amateur bantamweight bout at “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”

 

 

Fighting under the Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) umbrella, Arnold made a dramatic first impression, dispatching Glenn Kasabian in 1 minute, 54 seconds.

 

 

“Glenn’s a tough dude. He’s a warrior. He’s a great guy outside the cage. I have a lot of respect for him. He wanted to stand up with me. It’s one of things where I just flipped the switch,” Arnold recalled. “He’s pretty rangy, pretty tall. I went in there wanting to let him know he was in for a battle, and fortunately it turned out in my favor. I was the better fighter that night.”

 

 

Arnold admittedly was disappointed that the result wasn’t enough to earn the 2017 “NEF Rookie of the Year” award. He vows not to leave any doubt about his potential in the local hexagon when he takes on Kenney, an opponent about whom he knows precious little.

 

 

“Yeah, I was pretty bummed, but I know everybody else busts their ass just like I do,” Arnold said. “I have high expectations for myself, and I want to make a statement with this fight.”

 

 

A native of Casco, on the shores of Maine’s Sebago Lake, Arnold describes a hard-knocks upbringing that clashed with the bucolic, tourist-trap surroundings.

 

Arnold’s family had close ties to a motorcycle club, although he is reluctant to discuss its impact on his life other than to agree that it enhanced his fighting spirit.

 

 

“They’re all genuine people. I will say that. I have an awful lot of people supporting me in this. I would be nothing without them. My father and mother are the two toughest people I know,” Arnold said. “As a kid growing up, I had to be tough. That’s just the way it was. I just come from a blue-collar family. I don’t really want to get into all the details of it, but I just had to be tough. It made me what I am today.”

 

 

In addition to grappling with his older siblings and their friends, Arnold unfortunately was a victim of circumstances that are all too prominent in today’s schoolyards and playgrounds.

 

 

“I was a very small kid for my age,” he explained. “I got bullied a lot in school and had to find a way to manage that. Unfortunately, I got into a lot of fights because I had to defend myself.”

 

 

Arnold learned many of those self-defense techniques through his passion for combat sports.

 

 

He fell in love with professional wrestling, MMA, and especially boxing, although “there weren’t many options to pursue boxing in small-town Maine,” he said.

 

 

While attending Oxford Hills and Lake Region high schools, Arnold briefly took up high school wrestling. It was not until adulthood that he found his way to Lewiston’s CMBJJ, one of the hub facilities that has helped build NEF’s talent base over the past six years.

 

 

“Of course there’s a part of me that wishes I had started this earlier, when I was 18 or 19, like a lot of guys,” said Arnold, who turns 25 this month. “But I’m thankful for where I’m at now, and for Matt Peterson and NEF for giving this opportunity to show what I can do.”

 

 

Boxing and stand-up skills proved Arnold’s bread-and-butter in his debut. He hopes the Kenney fight will give him a chance to exhibit the wider array of lessons he has learned from his training partners.

 

 

Arnold credits former NEF amateur flyweight champion Dustin Veinott with the bulk of his development.

 

 

“I feel like I have the best coaching staff in the state,” Arnold said. “I haven’t really had the opportunity to travel around and cross-train, but I have so much faith in the guys at my own gym.

 

 

“Dustin Veinott has been crucial. I feel like with his knowledge I can go anywhere I want to in this sport. And when you combine that with Jesse Erickson, Travis Wells, Matt Denning, the sky is the limit. They’ve put their belief in me, and I want to show them I’ve earned it.”

 

 

When asked for a prediction about the February fight, Arnold somewhat channeled Clubber Lang’s reply of “pain” from Rocky III.

 

 

“Look for some blood,” Arnold said. “It’s coming. I can’t wait to put on a show.”

 

 

The opening bell February 3 is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the box office at207.783.2009 ext. 525.

Tensions Running High as Former Falcons Teammates Prepare for MMA Cage Battle

Lewiston, Maine (January 10, 2018) – Growing up in the same blue-collar community and advancing through the same, storied sports program does not necessarily make two men best friends.

 

 

 

Former Mountain Valley High School teammates, and future New England Fights mixed martial arts opponents, Ryan Burgess and Nate Boucher are evidence of the old maxim, “familiarity breeds contempt.”

 

 

 

Burgess, 24, and Boucher, 21, will battle in an amateur flyweight bout at “NEF 32: Super Saturday” on Saturday, February 3. The fight at Androscoggin Bank Colisee will determine the number one contender in the 125-pound division, and earn the winner a title shot against champion Justin Witham.

 

 

 

It will have been almost a year since Burgess, a three-time Maine high school wrestling champion and past NEF titleholder, walked into the cage. He called NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson and specifically requested the Boucher fight.

 

 

 

Why? On one hand, it was a business decision after Boucher’s close, split-decision loss to Witham in a November title bout.

 

 

 

“I’ve been out for a year. I was hoping to jump right back into a title fight,” Burgess explained. “After Nate’s fight with Witham, I knew he would want the immediate rematch. Once it became obvious that wasn’t going to happen until April, I asked if we could do this fight in February, and Nate took it.”

 

 

 

Burgess (2-2) subsequently launched one or two social media grenades that appeared to indicate some level of animosity toward his fellow Falcon. It is likely less personal than tactical; Burgess sensed an opportunity to exploit what he sees as one of the chinks in Boucher’s armor.

 

 

 

“Nate, ever since he was a kid, has a piss-poor attitude when he loses. I hope to humble him a little bit and make sure he doesn’t have to worry about this fight getting in the hands of the judges,” Burgess said. “Nate probably could have been a two- or-three-time state champion if he had given himself the opportunity to do that. If he still has the same attitude he had back then, it’s going to end the same way.”

 

 

 

Burgess is one of only four three-time state champions in MVHS history. Coincidentally, Boucher’s brother, Ethan, also accomplished the feat.

 

 

 

Boucher, who has already taken out four-time Maine high school mat champion, and two-time New England finalist, Jeremiah Barkac of Dexter during his time in the NEF hexagon, looks and sounds like a different character than the one who struggled away from the mat as a teenager.

 

 

 

After winning his first two fights with ease, Boucher (2-1) was not the only one in the building who felt he had done enough to earn the belt in Portland.

 

 

 

“I thought I controlled the first two rounds of the fight. All three, really. The first two I pretty much had (Witham) choked out,” Boucher said. “It ended up being a learning experience for me that you can’t leave the fight to the judges. The great thing about the amateur ranks is, while of course I care about my record, at the end of the day it’s part of the learning process to make you a better professional.”

 

 

 

In response to Burgess’ volleys on Facebook, Boucher questioned the former champion’s behavior after winning the NEF strap two fights into his career.

 

 

 

“I’m not much for the trash talk. I just enjoy the sport. I like to fight and then just go home. He does it a little to build his ego I think,” Boucher said. “He dropped the belt because he was having trouble making weight, which is pretty disrespectful, in my opinion. He was out for a while, so now I’m ahead of him, and he knows he has to go through me.”

 

 

 

Burgess said he used that layoff to complete his college education and develop his credentials as a physical therapist assistant, indicating that the medical profession is more likely to be his long-term career than MMA.

 

 

 

While he continued his training schedule at Rumford Community Center with Berserkers MMA, Burgess said it was less intense and structured prior to his losses against Witham and Dustin Veinott. Burgess previously defeated both rivals.

 

 

 

“Physically I still should have beaten them, but mentally I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been. Now I’m much more focused,” Burgess said. “At the time I was finishing school, working part-time 20 to 30 hours a week and going to school for probably another 40. I lost two fights where I was under weight. I was gaining weight while the other guys were cutting weight. I’d go in there at the limit and they would put on 10 to 15 pounds between the weigh-in and the fight.”

 

 

 

Boucher admittedly never reached his potential as a high school wrestler. He has followed a different path than Burgess, enrolling at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – where he still trains today – at age 13.

 

 

 

“I have some of the toughest and best training partners in the state,” Boucher said. “My jiu-jitsu has come a long way, almost the point where it has passed my wrestling a little bit. Of course, wrestling is what I always go back to when I need it. My striking is night-and-day. It was awful for my first fight.”

 

 

 

He added that his greatest success in MMA has come at the expense of former wrestlers.

 

 

 

Burgess is counting on Boucher to underestimate the rest of his repertoire. As someone who took up wrestling on the middle school junior varsity team in seventh grade, he said that his history as a quick study has carried over into realm of jiu-jitsu and boxing.

 

 

 

“I think he’s going to be surprised. He thinks he knows what I bring to the table,” Burgess said. “All he knows about me is my wrestling, but I have a lot more than that to fall back on. I already know what he brings to the table. And he’s not going to learn in two months what I’ve learned in two years.”

 

 

 

The opening bell on February 3 is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.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 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.

LUNGHI IS OUT TO AVENGE TEAMMATE AGAINST CORSON AT NEF 32

Lewiston, Maine (January 5, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on Saturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur featherweight bout to the card.  Shawn Lunghi (2-0) will return to Maine to take on Devin Corson (1-0) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

Shawn Lunghi made his debut in the NEF cage in the fall of 2016.  He faced off with a much more experienced Alex Clark (4-2) that evening and impressed many with his performance.  Lunghi would pick up the win with a second round submission.  The Tampa, Florida native would follow up that win with yet another victory this past spring in his home state.  Later in the year, he earned his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Robson Moura Nations United (RMNU).  At “NEF 32,” Lunghi will look to avenge a loss suffered by his teammate Winston Cortez (0-1) against Devin Corson (1-0) at “NEF 27” last year.  In addition, a win over Corson would put Lunghi in a position to challenge for the NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title at a later date.

“I’m incredibly humbled and excited to be invited back to Lewiston to fight for NEF,” said Lunghi. “February 3rd stands as a great test for me and my preparation as a martial artist as well as an opportunity to fight a great up-and-coming fighter like Devin. I’m eager for the opportunity to showcase the improvements I have made in my game, as well as to avenge Winston’s loss to Devin.”

Devin Corson made his NEF debut in early 2017 at the young age of 19.  He sent the crowd into a frenzy that night, repeatedly lifting Winston Cortez up over head and slamming him time and time again on his way to a unanimous decision victory.  It was one of the most memorable debuts for any fighter in the NEF cage.  Corson is a product of The Outlet Mixed Martial Arts Training Center based in Dexter, Maine.

“It’s an honor to be returning to the NEF cage,” stated Corson. “I’m looking forward to fighting a man who has his brown belt in jiu-jitsu. I’m always up for a challenge. I’m just happy to be back.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online 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 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.