Category Archives: New England Fights

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

BLOOD REIGNS SUPREME ON FINAL LEWISTON FIGHT CARD OF 2016

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (November 19, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) held its latest mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 26: SUPREMACY” on Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The promotion presented a total of 14 MMA bouts before a robust crowd of fight fans.

 

Blood flowed early and it continued to flow liberally throughout the night.

 

In the main event of the evening, Ryan Sanders (12-8) defeated Jon Lemke (5-7) via unanimous technical decision.  The fight was stopped in the third round when Lemke suffered a deep cut on his head.  With the fight being in the third round, under the Unified Rules of MMA the judges’ scorecards were called upon for a verdict.  Sanders won 20-18 on all three judges’ scorecards, having scored only the first two rounds.

 

The co-main event saw Josh Parker (5-8) submit Derek Shorey (4-8) in the first-round of a highly-anticipated “coach vs. coach” battle.

 

Rounding out the professional portion of the card, Aaron Lacey (4-0) remained undefeated with a verbal submission win over veteran Taylor Trahan (6-7).

 

Nick Gulliver (4-0) of Farmington, Maine captured the NEF Amateur Heavyweight Title with a victory over Yorgan DeCastro (2-3) as the headliner of the amateur card.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Ryan Sanders def. Jon Lemke via unanimous technical decision

Josh Parker def. Derek Shorey via guillotine, round 1

Aaron Lacey def. Taylor Trahan via verbal submission, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Nick Gulliver def. Yorgan DeCastro via TKO, round 3

Chris Smith def. Nash Roy via guillotine, round 1

Angelo Rizzitello def. Ken Dunn via TKO, round 1

Fred Lear def. Robby Fraser via standing guillotine, round 2

Mike Williams def. Mike Swan via TKO, round 2

Ras Hylton def. Kevin Smith via TKO, round 2

Tom Burgess def. Darren Ducharme via TKO, round 1

Fernanda Araujo def. Hannah Sparrell via armbar, round 2

Shawn Lunghi def. Alex Clark via rear-naked choke, round 2

Jessica Borga def. Brianne Genschel via unanimous decision

Chad Pierce def. Lyman Curtis via unanimous decision

 

NEF’s next event, “NEF 27: RESURGENCE” takes place on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 7 p.m.  Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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

NEF 26 MMA CARD FEATURES WOMEN’S FIGHTS, TITLE FIGHTS, RETURNS, DEBUTS AND MORE

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Lewiston, Maine (October 21, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 26: SUPREMACY,” on Saturday, November 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, NEF executives announced the full fight card for the event which will be the fight promotion’s grand finale for 2016.

 

In the main event, “The” Ryan Sanders (10-8) will meet Jon Lemke (5-6) in a professional lightweight bout.  It will be Sanders’ first fight in Lewiston since November 2014.  Much has been made of the fact that Sanders and Lemke are former teammates.  The bout is considered a “dream match” by Maine fight fans, especially those from the Bangor-area familiar with the rivalry between Sanders’ camp Young’s MMA and Lemke’s camp Team Irish.

 

The co-main event of the evening will feature an interesting “coach vs. coach” battle.  “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (4-7), head of the Shatterproof Combat Club, is scheduled to face Ruthless MMA & Boxing founder Josh Parker (4-8) in a professional featherweight contest.  Shorey is coming off a big win in Rhode Island earlier this fall, while Parker will be returning to the MMA cage after spending the last three years competing as a boxer.

 

Rounding out the professional portion of the card will be undefeated prospect Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (3-0) and Taylor Trahan (6-6) in a featherweight bout.  Lacey and Trahan both submitted their respective opponents at “NEF 25” last month.  Many local followers of the sport feel that Lacey is just a handful of wins away from getting the call to the major league of the sport.  Trahan will be looking to play the role of spoiler while also avenging the loss of his Team Link teammate John Santos (3-5) to Lacey in Bangor this past August.

 

The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Nick “The Guardian” Gulliver (3-0) and Yorgan DeCastro (2-2).  DeCastro stepped up to the plate to face Gulliver when no other heavyweight in the region would do so.  Gulliver has been on a path of destruction, ripping through three opponents in a combined two minutes.

 

Two women’s fights are on tap for “NEF 26.”  Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga (2-2) returns from Florida to meet Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Brianne Genschel (0-0).  Genschel’s First Class MMA teammate “Hollywood” Hannah Sparrell (1-1) will also be in action against Fernanda Araujo (4-4-2).

 

Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner’s The Academy in Portland, Maine will send two new fighters to the cage at “NEF 26.”  Chad Pierce (0-0) will debut against Shatterproof’s  Lyman Curtis (0-0), while Phil Chiasson (0-0) meets Rik Seymour (0-0) of 3Ronin Athletics.  Both bouts will take place in the 155-pound lightweight division.

 

The full “NEF 26” fight card (subject to change and approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine):

 

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

155 Ryan Sanders 10-8 (Young’s) vs Jon Lemke 5-6 (Team Irish)

 

145 Josh Parker 4-8 (Ruthless) vs Derek Shorey 4-7 (Shatterproof)

 

145 Aaron Lacey 3-0 (Young’s) vs Taylor Trahan 6-6 (Team Link)

 

 

AMATEUR

265*TITLE Nick Gulliver 3-0 (First Class) vs Yorgan DeCastro 2-2 (SSSF)

265 Kevin Smith 3-2 (Young’s) vs Ras Hylton 2-0 (First Class)

 

210 Mike Swan 0-0 (Choi) vs Joe Krech 0-2 (Independent)

 

185 Nash Roy 2-2 (Young’s) vs Chris Smith 1-0 (Berserkers)

 

170 Darren Ducharme 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Tom Burgess 2-0 (Berserkers)

 

155 Ken Dunn 0-3 (Independent) vs Angelo Rizitello 0-1 (Shatterproof)

 

155 Chad Pierce 0-0 (Academy) vs Lyman Curtis 0-0 (Shatterproof)

 

155 Phil Chiasson 0-0 (Academy) vs Rik Seymour 0-0 (3Ronin Athletics)

 

145 Alex Clark 3-1 (Young’s) vs Shawn Lunghi 1-0 (S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu/MMA)

 

145 Hannah Sparell 1-1 (First Class) vs Fernanda Araujo 4-4-2 (Defensive Edge)

 

135 Brianne Genschel 0-0 (First Class/Foundry) vs Jessica Borga 2-2 (Champions)

 

135 Fred Lear 3-2 (Young’s) vs Robby Fraser 1-1 (S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu/MMA)

 

The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets 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 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 @nefightsand join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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

HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE IS UP FOR GRABS AT NEF 26

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Lewiston, Maine (October 17, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 26: SUPREMACY,” on Saturday, November 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, NEF executives announced the addition of an amateur heavyweight title bout to the fight card.  Nick Gulliver (3-0) is scheduled to face Yorgan DeCastro (2-2) to fill the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Heavyweight Championship.

 

Gulliver is a member of John Raio’s First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine, as well as the Foundry Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Farmington, Maine.  Making his MMA debut in 2015, Gulliver scorched his first two opponents via first-round technical knockout prior to facing Dave Smith (2-1) last spring at “NEF 22.”  It took Gulliver a mere 28-seconds to dispatch Smith.  In all, Gulliver’s first three opponents have lasted barely over a combined two minutes in the cage with him.  He will be looking to continue that dominance of the NEF amateur heavyweight division on November 19 and claim its top prize.

 

” I would like to thank NEF for the opportunity to fight again,” said Gulliver.  “This is the biggest fight of my life. I’m excited to be fighting for the heavyweight title belt on November 19th in front of my family and friends. My goal in this sport was to get a title belt, but something bigger than that was to fight for the belt in front of my father. When I started back in June of last year my coach John Raio told me I would someday fight for the belt. This day has come and now it’s my time to finish what I set out to do.

 

“My father was not able to make my last fight because he was too sick. When I found out about this fight I called my parents and told them I would be fighting for the belt and my dad said he would do everything he could to make it. So, not only am I looking for a victory, but I’m looking to do it in front of my father.

 

“This fight is also big since my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach Brianne Genschel will be fighting alongside me.  Brianne has been working so hard for this and she deserves this fight and for her hand to be raised. I’m also excited to have longtime friend and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Shawn Smith in my corner which is also an honor. I truly want to thank The Foundry and First Class MMA for all the support and dedication they have had with me and my training.

 

“I believe this will be a great fight and I’ll have to show people a side of me they have not been able to see yet and I look forward to that. I greatly respect my opponent for taking this fight and wish him the best of luck. To my fans be ready for the Guardian to come out like you have never seen him before.  I appreciate this opportunity and I’ll do my best to put a smile on everyone’s face.  I would also like to thank my wife Heather for all the help and support she has given me.”

 

A native of Portugal, Yorgan DeCastro came to the United States with a solid kickboxing background.  He began competing in mixed-martial-arts in 2014, quickly rattling off a pair of victories on fight cards in Massachusetts. November 19 will be DeCastro’s debut on Maine soil, and he plans to return home to South Shore Sportfighting (SSSF) with the heavyweight title belt in tow.

 

“I’m excited for the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of a new crowd,” said DeCastro.  “I don’t plan on letting the fight go the distance, but I’m ready for whatever he brings to the table.  I’ve faced tougher opposition, so I know I’m prepared.”

 

The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets 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 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 @nefightsand 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.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

SECOND WOMEN’S FIGHT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 26

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (October 10, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 26: SUPREMACY,” on Saturday, November 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  Earlier today, NEF executives announced the addition of an amateur featherweight women’s bout to the fight card.  “Hollywood” Hannah Sparrell (1-1) is scheduled to meet “Ferocious” Fernanda Araujo (4-4-2) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

 

Hannah Sparrell made her NEF cage debut in September 2015 with a unanimous decision victory over Kira Innocenti (0-1).  She returned to the cage last spring at “NEF 22” in a losing effort against Angela Young (1-2).  That bout, a back and forth battle, has been one of the most memorable this year in NEF and could be in the running for “Fight of the Year” honors as well.  Sparrell is a member of First Class MMA based out of Brunswick, Maine.

 

“I’m super excited to be stepping into the NEF cage once again on November 19th,” said Sparrell.  “For months, I have had friends, supporters and fans asking me when my next bout will be.  I am happy to have a solid answer for them. Though I lost my fight to Angela during NEF 22, I left there with my head held high, a newly recognized confidence, and a hunger to get in the cage once again.

 

“Fernanda has a solid, and well rounded MMA career. Her experience and comfort level in the cage gives me a determination to train hard, give her a good fight, and feel the sense of empowerment of having my hand raised after the hard fought rounds!”

 

Fernanda Araujo is also a veteran of the NEF cage.  In 2012, she debuted in Lewiston against Maria Rios (2-3) in what turned out to be a bloody brawl.  While she lost the bout via technical knockout in the second round, Araujo impressed the Maine crowd with her gutsy performance.

 

The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets 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 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, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

THE BLACK WIDOW AND THE BLACK BELT; FIRST WOMEN’S FIGHT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 26

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Lewiston, Maine (October 6, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 26: SUPREMACY,” on Saturday, November 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  Earlier today, NEF executives announced the addition of an amateur bantamweight women’s bout to the fight card.  Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga (2-2) returns to Maine to take on Brianne Genschel (0-0) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

Borga made her NEF cage debut last month against Rachael Joyce (2-0).  She traveled more than 1500 miles from Lakeland, Florida for the fight.  While Borga was on the losing end of a unanimous decision to Joyce, she realizes that the most important part of her amateur career is gaining experience through taking tough fights.

 

“I’m not slowing down anytime soon,” said Borga, “and love to take on any challenges and get better each fight. The more experience the better! So thankful for the girls that are stepping up to fight! I’m ready to put on an amazing show.”

 

Brianne Genschel, while making her in-cage debut at “NEF 26,” is a longtime practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in which she holds a black belt.  She is a BJJ instructor at The Foundry in Farmington, Maine.  Genschel also trains with, and will represent, First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.  Like her opponent, she promises an exciting fight for the fans on November 19.

 

“I’m really looking forward to stepping into the cage for my first fight with NEF, and especially against such an established opponent,” said Genschel.  “I can’t wait to represent my teams- Foundry BJJ and First Class MMA.  I have been training hard for this opportunity, and promise to put on a good show and leave it all in the cage!”

 

The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets 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 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, MMA, New England Fights

LACEY TO FACE TOUGH CHALLENGE AT NEF 26

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Lewiston, Maine (October 5, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 26: SUPREMACY,” on Saturday, November 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, NEF executives announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the fight card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (3-0) has signed on to face Taylor Trahan (6-6) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

 

Lacey is riding high on a three-fight win streak to start his professional career.  He will be looking for his fourth win in a short seven-month period.  It would seem that the Young’s MMA featherweight is on the fast track to the next level of the sport.  Lacey knows that to get there he will have to continue to face, and defeat, tough veterans like Trahan.

 

“Taylor is a seasoned veteran who has competed against the best New England has to offer for a long time,” said Lacey. “He has a vast amount of experience that is going to be hard to surmount. I do, however, believe I have a strong set of skills that can cause him a lot of problems. This one is going to be a scrap! Who knows, maybe another fight of the night!”

 

Trahan is the definition of veteran.  He has competed on the regional mixed-martial-arts scene since 2009.  Last month, Trahan made his debut in the NEF MMA cage, defeating Matt Denning (3-4) via first-round submission.  It put an end to a five-fight skid that Trahan had been on.  He will look to make it two in a row on November 19 against Lacey.

 

“I’m looking forward to returning to Lewiston to fight for NEF,” said Trahan. “I’m hoping to put on a good show for everyone and come out with the win.”

 

The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets 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 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 @nefightsand join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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

SHATTERPROOF AND RUTHLESS IN MAINE TURF WAR AT NEF 26

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Lewiston, Maine (October 4, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 26: SUPREMACY,” on Saturday, November 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, NEF executives announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the fight card.  Josh Parker (4-8) will take on“Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (4-7) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

 

Parker is the head of Ruthless MMA & Boxing based in Benton, Maine.  A regular in the NEF MMA cage during the early days of the promotion, Parker has spent the last several years competing in the boxing ring.  He battled Elias Leland to a draw last November in a boxing bout at “NEF XX.”  Parker predicts a finish in his long-awaited return to cage competition.

 

“I want to thank NEF for the opportunity and Derek for taking the fight,” said Parker. “I’m excited to get back in the cage.  I feel like I have a lot to prove.  I will show up this time and I will finish this fight – don’t miss it!”

 

Derek Shorey, founder of the Shatterproof Combat Club at the Outlet in Dexter, Maine, is coming off a huge win in Rhode Island just over a week ago.  It was the spark Shorey had been looking for after dropping his last four in a row in the NEF cage.  Admittedly, Shorey is filled with both fear and excitement coming into the fight with Parker.

 

“This is a fight that has scared the crap out of me in the past,” declared Shorey. “He’s a big, strong 145er that has good movement and boxing. Standing and trading could end horribly for either of us. His strength may be enough to keep my slams in check and I’m not a jits expert, so he can probably power out of whatever I throw at him. It’s a puzzle I’m both excited and terrified to tackle.”

 

The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets 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 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 @nefightsand join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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

EX-TEAMMATES TO FIGHT IN MAIN EVENT OF NEF 26

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Lewiston, Maine (October 3, 2016) – Earlier today, New England Fights (NEF) executives announced the main event of “NEF 26: SUPREMACY.”  “The” Ryan Sanders (11-8) will face Jon Lemke (5-6) in a lightweight bout at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston on Saturday, November 19.

 

At one time, Sanders and Lemke were teammates at Marcus Davis’s Team Irish gym in Brewer, Maine.  That all changed when Sanders left and joined cross-town rival Young’s MMA in Bangor.

 

“I’m very happy to be fighting back in Lewiston,” said Sanders. “I’m thankful that Jon took this fight seeing how several top-ten lightweights turned it down. But that’s why I like Jon, he’s a fighter’s fighter and he never backs down from a tough fight. With that being said, I look forward to developing a game plan that’ll shut down his strengths and have my hand raised at the end of the night.”

 

The bout will be Sanders’ second since returning to the NEF fold.  Sanders defeated Derrick Kennington (11-8) last August at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.”  He recently inked a multi-fight developmental deal with NEF.

 

“Ryan Sanders and NEF go way back,” stated Sanders’ coach Chris Young when asked about Sanders’ recent signing of an NEF developmental deal. “Ryan fought on several NEF shows, including headlining ‘NEF I.’ So, it’s only fitting that Ryan has finally found his way home. A hard working athlete deserves a hard working promotion and I believe NEF is the perfect vehicle to give Ryan that last push into the next level.”

 

Lemke will be coming into the fight hungry for a win.  His last victory in the NEF cage will have been almost a year to the day when he defeated Matt Denning (3-4) in Lewiston at “NEF XX.”  Lemke is coming off a loss to NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-1) this past August in Bangor.

 

“What a great opportunity I have been presented by New England Fights to fight Ryan Sanders,” said Lemke. “Ryan has been in, and done well, with the very best of New England. He is a well-rounded fighter and will challenge me in all areas. I very much look forward to this challenge and know that there will be fireworks for sure in this fight.”

 

The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets 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 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 @nefightsand join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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

CES AND NEF FORCED TO CANCEL CO-PROMOTIONAL EVENT

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Lewiston, Maine (October 3, 2016) – The CES and NEF co-promotion scheduled for November 4 in Lewiston is no more.  Executives from both companies announced today that the mixed-martial-arts event had been canceled due to matchmaking issues.

 

With several fighters pulling off the AXS TV portion of the card, and others turning down fights offered by matchmakers, and with the 30-day deadline to submit the fight card to the state commission for approval looming, the two companies were left with no choice but to call the event off.

 

“We are disappointed that this event didn’t materialize as planned,” said CES Vice President and Director of Legal Affairs Jimmy Burchfield, Jr. “But we are optimistic that we can make it happen in 2017.”

 

Details will follow for CES 39.

 

“It’s unfortunate, but we had no other option,” said NEF promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “When one door closes, another opens.”

 

The door that has opened is Saturday, November 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  NEF will present “NEF 26,” and it will feature the promotion’s fighters who had already been scheduled to compete on November 4 plus many others.  Doors will open at 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm.  NEF chose to push the event date back two weeks in order to give new fighters added to the card more time to prepare.

 

“Once we made the mutual decision to cancel the event,” said NEF matchmaker Matt Peterson, “I got on the phone and immediately started making calls.  Within hours we had already assembled a spectacular card that we’ll be sharing with fans this week. No one will be disappointed when they make the trek to the Colisee on November 19th. We have an explosive event planned.”

 

For those who have already purchased tickets for November 4 through the Colisee box office, they will have the option of either a full refund or using their ticket for November 19.  Fans will have until this Friday, October 7 at 4 pm EDT to call the box office at 207-783-2009 x 525 to request a full refund.  The box office cannot refund tickets purchased from fighters.  Any fan who purchased a ticket from a fighter and would like a refund will have to return their ticket to the fighter for the refund.  Fans who choose to keep their tickets for November 19do not have to do anything.  All tickets printed with the “November 4” date will be honored at the door on November 19.

 

For more information on both promotions’ upcoming events, please visitwww.CESMMA.com and www.NewEnglandFights.com.

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

ONCE UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHTS LOOK TO GET BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN

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Lewiston, Maine (September 29, 2016) – They started their amateur careers at a perfect 3-0, respectively.  Now, Fred Lear(3-2) and Ali Zebian (3-3) are both hoping to get back to their winning ways.

 

The mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bout between Lear and Zebian will take place onNovember 4 at the “CES vs. NEF: Supremacy” super-show in Lewiston.  The televised portion of the fight card, “CES 39,” will air live on AXS TV.  Lear and Zebian will battle on the non-televised portion of the card, “NEF 26,” at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.

 

Fred Lear is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  He made his NEF debut at “NEF IX” in Biddeford, Maine in the summer of 2013.  Lear would finish two of his first three bouts, with a unanimous decision victory over the always-tough Carl Langston (5-8) sandwiched in between.

 

Lear has dropped his last two, including a title-qualifier to Henry Clark (3-2) last September in Lewiston.  He will be looking to rebound from that loss, but he knows Zebian presents a hefty challenge.  It is a challenge that Lear welcomes.

 

“Fighting Ali Zebian on November 4th is a monumental opportunity,” declared Lear. “He is powerful, talented and well coached. I love to compete and am excited for the fight to come.”

 

Ali Zebian represents Fighting Arts Academy (FAA) of Springfield, Massachusetts.  He was just 19-years old when he made his mixed-martial-arts debut in 2013.  The start to his career was nothing short of stellar.  Zebian finished his first three opponents by technical knockout.

 

While Zebian has lost his last three, those losses have been to opponents coming in with a combined record of 8-3-1.  He has faced stiff competition, and he will face it once again on November 4 against Fred Lear.

 

“Ali is one of the strongest and most tenacious guys I have ever trained with,” said Zebian’s FAA teammate Nick Newell.  “Simple errors cost him his last couple fights, but time off competing to focus on his technique have made him a new man. FAA head coach Jeremy Libiszewski and I have noticed his potential for some time now, and it’s finally all starting to come together.”

 

Tickets for “CES vs. NEF: Supremacy” start at $25 and are available now  atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visitwww.CESMMA.com and www.NewEnglandFights.com.