Category Archives: New England Fights

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

FINALLY!  LONG-AWAITED BATTLE FOR BANGOR TO TAKE PLACE AT NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (December 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the MMA portion of the fight card. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship against the challenge of number-one contender Jon Lemke (5-3).  Both Boyington and Lemke are veterans of the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

 

Boyington is riding high on a three-fight win streak.  Earlier this fall, he made his debut on the national stage, defeating Rodrigo Almeida (13-3) on a World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card in Connecticut.  Boyington followed up that win with a decisive third-round TKO victory over Jimmy Davidson (7-2) last month at “NEF XX” in a successful defense of his title.  A product of Young’s MMA, and the head of Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy, both located in Bangor, Maine, Boyington has been on an unstoppable tear since losing a non-title fight to Jamie Harrison (6-1) early in 2015.  He has won six of his last seven in the MMA cage, and holds another victory in the NEF boxing ring during the course of that run.

 

“I wouldn’t want to be Jon Lemke going into that cage with me right about now, that’s what I’m thinking, if I’m being honest,” said Boyington.  “I don’t really understand why he would want a fight with me right now, and I do believe he will show up and give his best effort, but I wouldn’t want to fight me right now. I’m dangerous, and my confidence is through the roof and when it’s like this, it is going to take a world-class athlete to stop me, and my focus this whole camp will be on remaining humble and focused. When February 6th comes, I will be the most dangerous Bruce Boyington that has ever stepped foot in the cage, and I know if I want to be in there right now, I’m really going to be hungry by then.”

 

The bout is one that Maine fight fans have waited a long time to see.  Boyington and Lemke have stood atop the NEF lightweight division together for several years now, their careers paralleling one another.  With Lemke competing out of Marcus Davis’ Team Irish in nearby Brewer, Maine, the cross-town rival of Young’s MMA, Boyington and Lemke seemed like natural rivals.  But they often passed like ships in the night, and the stars never aligned for an encounter between the two.  That was until “NEF XX” last month when, just moments before Boyington took to the cage against Davidson, Lemke vanquished Matt Denning (2-1) in that evening’s co-main event.  It was an impressive performance that saw Lemke overwhelm a game Denning as the first round went on.  With both Lemke and Boyington scheduled to appear on the February card, and neither having an opponent signed, the time was ripe for the “Battle for Bangor,” as fans have dubbed it, to finally take place.

“I am so incredibly grateful and excited to be fighting for NEF once again and especially an opportunity to fight for the title,” said Lemke.  “Those who know my story know what a long road this has been for me, which makes it all the more special.  Bruce is the man and has done a phenomenal job promoting himself as champion, and in the process brought a lot of attention to the rest of the MMA community in the area.  He has a couple of titles with different promotions and had fights on the national stage.  He presents a unique and explosive set of challenges that I very much look forward to rising up and meeting that challenge head on. This is going to be a great fight that fans are not going to want to miss, so get your tickets and come on down.”

 

“I don’t know if there’s any single fight fans ask us to see more than this one,” exclaimed NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “It seems like at least a few times a week we’re getting messages asking ‘when are we going to see the Battle for Bangor between Lemke and Boyington?’  Well, it’s happening onFebruary 6 at ‘NEF 21,’ and everyone within our organization is just as excited as the fans to see it!”

 

“The back story to this bout is incredible,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “Nothing is manufactured – it’s completely authentic and gut wrenching.  This fight has been a long time coming, and I have a feeling that the lead-in to February 6th will be unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed in the countdown to a showdown of this magnitude where so much more than just bragging rights are on the line.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  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, New England Fights

POPULAR DEMAND WINS OUT; IMMEDIATE REMATCH ORDERED FOR NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (December 2, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur female strawweight fight to the MMA portion of the card.  Randi Beth Boyington (1-2) is scheduled to face Erin Lamonte (5-0).

 

The bout will be a rematch from “NEF XX” last month in Lewiston.  The previous fight ended with a first-round submission victory for Lamonte.  Veteran referee John English stopped the bout when it appeared as though Lamonte had an armbar locked in deep on Boyington.  Per the Unified Rules of Amateur MMA, as adopted in Maine, a referee is allowed to stop a bout on a technical submission to prevent injury to a fighter.

 

Shortly after English stopped the fight, Boyington popped out of the armbar and began to vehemently protest the call.  Her fans and supporters in the audience were incensed.  They contended that Boyington was in the process of breaking free of the hold, and therefore the fight should have continued.

 

“Before the next fight even made it to the cage, we had at least a half-dozen messages on our Facebook page demanding a rematch,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Our fans are passionate.  If the fans want it, and the fighters want it, then we will do a rematch.  It’s as simple as that.”

 

The February 6th rematch will not be the first time a Boyington has had the opportunity to avenge a controversial submission finish in the NEF cage.  Randi’s husband and trainer, current NEF MMA Professional MMA Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8), defeated John “First Class” Raio (2-8) earlier this year via second-round TKO.  That bout was a rematch of a February 2014 fight in which Raio submitted Bruce in a controversial stoppage by referee Jimmy Bickford.

 

Lamonte sees things quite differently, and is certain that she will defeat Randi for the second time at “NEF 21.”

 

“I’m excited to get back in there with Randi Beth for NEF 21,” said Lamonte.  “I submitted her in front of her fans once before, I sure don’t mind doing it again. This time I will lose the empathy factor as I see the ref circling, and I’ll just go at the finish 100%. She should be thanking me and the ref that she wasn’t maimed that night. I could be a poor sport and say a few things about Randi, as she and her fans have about me and the finish, but my mother taught me better than that.February 6th, I will prove, again, who the better fighter is in the NEF cage.”

 

I’m ecstatic to be closed in the cage with Erin Lamonte on Feb 6th,” exclaimed Randi Beth Boyington when reached for comment.  “I’ll be returning with a vengeance to correct a fight that was stopped too early. I’m looking to end this fight the way it should have ended on November 21st because my parents taught me: when you start something, finish it!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS OF NEF XX

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Lewiston, Maine (November 22, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its latest event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Some 2,500 packed the Colisée for the historic first-ever hybrid mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing card in Maine.

 

In the boxing main event of the evening, Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (10-1) went eight-rounds for the first time in his career, defeating gritty Mexican veteran Roberto Valenzuela (72-70-1) via unanimous decision.

 

On the professional MMA portion of the card, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(12-8) was victorious in defending the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship against Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-2).

 

In addition, NEF announced its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” will take place on February 6, 2016 in Lewiston.  Another hybrid MMA-pro boxing event, “NEF 21” will feature Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (6-4) taking on Devin Powell (4-1) in a lightweight contest.  Already announced to be competing the boxing card are Brandon Berry and Joel “The Baby Bull” Bishop (0-0-1).  Erin “Fun Size” Lamonte, who improved to 5-0 tonight, will return on the amateur MMA portion of the February 6 card.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

150 Brandon Berry def. Roberto Valenzuela via unanimous decision

155 Tollison Lewis def. Zenon Herrera via TKO, round 3

135 Josh Parker  drew  Elias Leland

CATCH Ernesto Ornelas def. Brandon Ali Garvin via TKO, round 2

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington (c) def. Jimmy Davidson via TKO, round 3

CATCH Jon Lemke def. Matt Denning via TKO, round 1

170 Matt Bordonaro def. Crowsneck Boutin via knee bar, round 1

CATCH Matt Andrikut def. Jesse Baughman via TKO, round 1

145 Damon Owens def. Derek Shorey via Gogoplata, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

125*TITLE Ryan Burgess def. Dustin Veinott (c) via unanimious decision

145*TITLE Aaron Lacey def. Caleb Horner via unanimous decision

125 Justin Witham def. Brent Ouellette via TKO, round 2

155 Rafael Velado def. Ken Dunn via Kimura, round 1

155 CJ Ewer def. Jason Lachance via unanimous decision

S.HWT Nick Gulliver def. Jason Field via TKO, round 1

145 Caleb Hall def. Matt Tamayo via armbar, round 1

265 Mike Williams def. Joe Krech via armbar, round 1

200  Victor Irwin def. Anthony Spires via TKO, round 1

CATCH Ricky Dexter def. Steve Bang via KO, round 1

140 David Thompson def. Richmond Pierce Wiegman via TKO, round 1

121 Erin Lamonte def. Randi Beth Boyington via armbar, round 1

185 Caleb Farrington def. Ruben Redman via guillotine, round 2

265 Bryce Bamford def. Bryce Locke via TKO, round 1

170 Caleb Swoveland def. Taylor Carey via arm triangle, round 2

155 Levi Sewall def. Matt Hanning via TKO, round 2

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

UFC STAR TO BE GUEST OF HONOR AT NEF XX; MEET-AND-GREET ANNOUNCED

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Lewiston, Maine (November 18, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  The fight promotion announced earlier today that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch (18-9) would be the guest of honor at the event.  It was further announced that Boetsch will be available to meet fans in attendance and sign autographs from 6:00 to 7:00 pmprior to the first fight.

 

Boetsch is a native of Lincolnville, Maine.  He is a lifelong wrestler, having won four state championships while attending Camden Hills Regional High School.  Boetsch was inducted into the Maine Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.  After high school, Boetsch would go on to compete for Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice.

 

He is currently in his second stint with the UFC.  Boetsch holds victories over many of the sport’s biggest names like Kendall Grove (22-15), Brad Tavares (13-4) and Yushin Okami (30-10) just to name a few.  Most recently, he headlined “UFC Fight Night 68” in New Orleans, Louisiana against Dan Henderson (31-14).  Boetsch is scheduled to face Ed Herman (23-11) at “UFC Fight Night 81” onJanuary 17, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.  He is currently training with fellow UFC veteran Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis at Davis’ Team Irish facility in Brewer, Maine in preparation for the upcoming bout.

 

“Very excited to be supporting Maine MMA,” exclaimed Boetsch of his upcoming appearance at NEF XX.  “Looking forward to watching a full card of great fights and meeting all the fans that come out to see an exciting show!”

 

“I’ve been watching Tim compete as a wrestler and mixed martial artist for almost 20 years,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “I watched him cement his legacy in Maine amateur wrestling by winning four high school state championships and cheered him on as he fought his way to becoming one of the baddest men on the planet in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Tim, along with Marcus Davis, Mike Brown and Tim Sylvia, makes up the Mount Rushmore of Maine MMA and it will be an honor to have him and Marcus both in attendance at the 20th installment of New England Fights on November 21st.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

JASON LACHANCE: “I WAS BLESSED WITH AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY”

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Lewiston, Maine (November 16, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  In a featured lightweight amateur MMA bout, Jason “2nd Chance” Lachance (2-2) will take on CJ Ewer (4-2) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

Lachance is coming off a first-round submission victory over David Thompson (0-1) at “NEF XIX” this past September.  He is confident in his abilities and predicts victory over Ewer when they meet this weekend.  While Lachance’s future in the sport appears brighter every day, he vows not to overlook the task at hand and to let his Christian faith guide him through his career.

 

“I will beat CJ in any way possible,” said Lachance.  “MMA is a sport where anything can happen.  I am fully prepared for whatever may come on the 21st.  I will focus on my next opponent when this fight is out of my way. I will not overlook my opponent. God will set up the future for me, as he has thus far.”

 

Lachance credits his faith and the sport of MMA with helping him conquer his much-publicized addiction to heroin.  He began training over two years ago at MMA Athletix in Bath, Maine, where he also joined the Victory Church ministry of the gym’s then-owner Ryan Cowette (2-3).

 

“I was blessed with an amazing opportunity, and I couldn’t be more grateful.  The fight game is the highest of highs and lowest of lows. The most defining moments of my short career have not come from inside the cage, but from learning and growing day to day as a man and as a fighter.”

 

Recently, Lachance and teammate Norman Fox (4-2) purchased the MMA Athletix gym from Cowette after Cowette decided to redirect his focus to his roofing business.  When the challenges of small business ownership reared its head, Lachance once again lets his faith guide him.

 

“Purchasing the gym was a huge moment for both Norman and myself,” stated Lachance.  “We had to sit back and really evaluate what we wanted out of our careers, and also out of our business.  We quickly realized that with full time jobs, we don’t have time to be coaches, trainers, fighters and business owners and still expect to succeed.  We prayed on it and God sent us the perfect team of coaches and trainers, along with a new group of up and coming fighters.

 

“MMA has already changed my life in many ways. I expect to take it to the top, as a business owner and as a fighter. God has given me the opportunity to live my dream, day after day.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

BOUTIN IS PREPARED FOR REMATCH, NEW WEIGHT DIVISION

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Lewiston, Maine (November 13, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  In a featured professional welterweight MMA bout, Crowsneck Boutin (1-1) will meet Matt Bordonaro (2-0) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.

 

It will not be the first meeting between Lubec, Maine-native Boutin and Buffalo, New York’s Bordonaro.  The two faced each other as amateurs at “NEF IX” in Biddeford, Maine.  Bordonaro came away with the victory that warm summer night in 2013, submitting Boutin in the first round.

 

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to fight Matt again,” said Boutin.  “Bordanaro is a tough fighter that is game to go the distance, which are the kind of fights I’ve grown to enjoy the most – wars that push us to the edge as athletes and competitors. Exciting the fans means everything.  With my body and mind where they need to be, I’m ready to finish this year with a bloody war.  I want to earn that ‘W.’”

 

After a successful professional debut this past summer, Boutin would drop his second professional bout to Mike Hansen (3-2).  Not satisfied with the outcome of the first fight, Boutin has requested a rematch with Hansen next year.

 

“In 2016, I would appreciate a rematch with Mike Hansen,” stated Boutin.  “I don’t care what weight. I really want that fight back, and if he isn’t scared, he’ll stop making excuses and lock on.”

 

Boutin cut his teeth on the New England amateur MMA circuit prior to turning professional.  He competed in a total of thirteen amateur contests to gain experience in the sport.  In 2014, at the close of his amateur career, Boutin was voted the “Fighter of the Year” by NEF fans after putting together an impressive 3-0 record with the promotion that year.  He rode that win streak into the pro ranks where he downed veteran Ryan Cowette (2-3) at “NEF XVIII.”  Boutin notes the stark difference between competing as an amateur and competing as a professional.

 

“Each level presents its own particular challenges, both inside and outside the cage, but fighting professionally bears with it greater risks and greater rewards, I feel. Everyone is someone that can potentially hurt you and steal your glory, not to say that those cats don’t exist at the amateur level, because they do, but perhaps fewer and further in-between, and with safer rules and restrictions.”

 

The upcoming fight with Bordonaro will be Boutin’s first in the 170-pound welterweight division.  Having spent most of his career competing as a light-heavyweight and a middleweight, Boutin hopes to find a home, at least for the foreseeable future, in the lighter welterweight division.

 

“Cutting weight is a bit of a pisser, but making 170 on the 20th (November 20 – weigh-in day for the Bordonaro fight) won’t be an issue. I’m a professional and will continue to evolve.  It’s what we’re here to do.  55 (the 155-pound lightweight division) is not outside the realm of possibility, but for now and probably for a little while, I just want to focus on the welterweight division. We’ll see what the future holds.”

 

What might be the most exciting aspect of “NEF XX” for Boutin is getting to compete on the same card with two of his Choi Institute teammates, Caleb Hall (5-3) and Ernesto Ornelas (0-0).  Ornelas, an accomplished amateur boxer previously, will be making his professional boxing debut that evening after having competed in MMA for the past four years.  The three teammates have not fought on the same card together since “NEF VII” in May 2013.

 

“Ernesto and Caleb are both looking outstanding,” said Boutin.  “We all push ourselves and one another hard in training. Caleb evolves noticeably almost week to week and works like a horse, while Ernesto, I honestly feel, is a hidden gem that everybody is about to see shine.  3-0.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

NEF ANNOUNCES FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL

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Lewiston, Maine (November 10, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced a free ticket giveaway for all past and present United States military personnel to coincide with Veterans Day.  Earlier this year, the company ran a similar giveaway in conjunction with Memorial Day weekend.

 

“We consider these military giveaways to be one of the most important things we do as a company,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Being able to give back a little to those who have given so much means a great deal to us.  God bless all who serve our country.”

 

The ticket giveaway will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée box office from the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.  The Colisée is located at 190 Birch Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240.  The giveaway is open to all branches of the military.  Personnel must present a valid military identification card at the box office window.  There will be a limit of one ticket per identification card.

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

NEW SPORT, SAME FIGHTING PASSION FOR JOSH PARKER

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Lewiston, Maine (November 5, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  In a featured lightweight professional boxing match, Josh Parker (0-1) has signed to face Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (0-0) in a four-round contest.

 

While the bout will be Parker’s first boxing match with NEF, he is no stranger to longtime fans of the promotion.  Parker was a regular on NEF MMA cards during the early days of the company. He put together a record of 4-8 as a professional MMA competitor over the course of five years.  Parker feels that he has found his true home not in the MMA cage, but in the boxing ring.

 

“Boxing is a better fit for me because I’ve always loved the standup part of MMA,” noted Parker.  “When I was offered the Brandon Berry (9-1) fight and started focusing on that alone, I knew I had found my true calling. I quit my job, started building a fight team, and have done nothing but study and train since.  My plan is to stay very active, I’d like to fight every couple months if possible.”

 

As noted, Parker began his boxing career in the spring of 2014 when he accepted a bout with Brandon Berry in North Anson, Maine.  Parker held his own in the bout, eventually dropping a four-round decision.  Fans have speculated that there would be a rematch at some point down the road between the two.

 

“You know, people always ask that, but I really don’t care about fighting Brandon again,” said Parker.  “You watch the fight and tell me how the judges came up with the scores they did. That fight was on five weeks of boxing training.  Now I’ve had a year and a half.  If he’s standing in the path on the way to the top then so be it, but it’s not something I’m thinking about.”

 

What is on Parker’s mind is his fight team – Ruthless MMA & Boxing.  Opened in 2014 and based out of Benton, Maine, Ruthless is one of the standout new teams emerging on the Maine fight scene consisting of scrappy young athletes.  In founding the team, Parker is very clear that he is only interested in training those who are serious about competing as fighters.

 

“Ruthless is different because I’m not in it for the money.  I don’t take people who are just trying to get in shape or learn about MMA or boxing.  We don’t do ‘classes.’  We fight, every day.  I’m building a fight team.  When we fight, we’re looking for the finish.”

 

Unfortunately for Parker, he has had some trouble finding boxing matches in the past year-and-a-half following the Berry fight.  With NEF now operating as an MMA and boxing promotion, Parker, and others like him, are destined to benefit from the company’s stability and consistent events schedule.

 

“It’s been very frustrating,” said Parker of trying to find boxing matches.  “I’ve tried setting up a couple fights through other promotions out of state and they’ve fallen through.  I know I can always count on NEF to give me the opportunity to showcase my skills.  I’m extremely excited for November 21st, especially to be a part of the first dual MMA and boxing show.  It’s been a year-and-a-half since my boxing debut. I’ve done nothing but train since.  I can’t wait to finally be able to put all that hard work to the test.”

 

And Parker will, no doubt, be tested on November 21 at “NEF XX.” His opponent, Elias Leland, is a member of Jay Jack’s Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.  Leland is a talented mixed-martial-artist who has competed regularly on NEF cards.  He is currently 2-1 as a professional MMA fighter after putting together a 3-1 record as an amateur.  While Leland has established himself as a submission specialist, he has shown very good hands and standup abilities to date in MMA bouts.

 

“I expect it to be a good fight for the fans,” said Parker of the upcoming boxing match with Leland.  “I’ve never been one to trash talk before a fight.  I’ll let my hands do the talking on November 21st.  Fans can expect to see me looking for a knockout for as long as it lasts. It’s going to be an exciting fight.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  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

EPIC FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR MILESTONE TWENTIETH NEF EVENT

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Lewiston, Maine (October 23, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the full fight card for the event.

 

The professional boxing portion of the card will be headlined by Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (9-1) in an eight-round bout against former Mexican Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Champion Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (73-69-2, 56 KOs).  Berry triumphantly returned to action last summer after suffering a severe shoulder injury in a November 2014 bout.

 

A very hungry Josh Parker (0-1) returns to the ring to face Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (0-0) in a four-rounder.  Parker and Leland are well known to NEF fans as regulars on the promotion’s MMA events.  Parker is the founder and head coach of Ruthless MMA & Boxing in Benton, Maine.  Leland is a member of Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner’s Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.

 

In addition, Ernesto Ornelas (0-0), a professional MMA fighter from the Choi Institute in Portland, returns to his boxing roots in his pro ring debut against Brandon Ali Garvin (0-4).  Ornelas was a multiple time Golden Gloves champion as an amateur boxer in his native state of California.

 

Middleweights Tollison Lewis (1-0) and Zenon “Ka’Bar” Herrera (0-0) will round out the boxing card.  Lewis won his pro boxing debut in the first NEF boxing event in October 2014 over veteran John Webster (8-7-1), while Herrera, an experienced MMA fighter and kickboxer, is a nine-year veteran of the US military, having completed numerous tours of the Middle East where he saw combat in the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq.

 

On the professional MMA portion of the fight card, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (11-8) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title in a five-round bout against the challenge of Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-1).  Boyington is coming off a huge win last weekend against Rodrigo Almeida (12-3) on the undercard of a World Series of Fighting (WSOF) nationally-televised event.  The challenger Davidson is no stranger to gold, having captured other MMA titles in the New England region.  He represents world-renown Muay Thai team Sityodtong.

 

In one of the most highly anticipated MMA fights in New England history, former NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Champion Ray “All Business” Wood (6-1) takes on Vovka “KGB” Clay (3-0).  Recognized as two of the most promising prospects in the area, Wood and Clay are both predicted by pundits to be future candidates for the major leagues of the sport.

 

Crowsneck Boutin (1-1) will look to rebound from his first professional loss last month when he meets Matt Bordonaro (2-0).  The bout will be a rematch from their amateur days when Bordonaro defeated Boutin by submission at “NEF IX” in Biddeford, Maine.  It will also be Boutin’s debut in the 170-pound welterweight division.

 

Two title bouts will headline the amateur MMA portion of the “NEF XX” fight card.  Dustin Veinott (4-3) defends the NEF MMA Amateur Flyweight Title against Ryan Burgess (1-0), while Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) does battle with Caleb Horner (6-2) to crown an inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Champion.  A women’s strawweight fight will feature Randi Beth Boyington (1-1) facing Erin “Fun Size” Lamonte (3-0).

 

“This card has something for everyone,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “You like MMA?  We got it.  You like boxing?  We got it.  You like the heavyweights?  We got ’em.  You like women’s fights?  We got ’em.  This is like the Super Bowl of NEF events.  This is the one event you simply cannot afford to miss.”

 

Promotion executives further announced that the “NEF XX” event will be dedicated to the memory of NEF staff member Susan Isham, 47, who lost her life in a tragic car accident last weekend in Bethel, Maine.  Susan had worked backstage for the promotion beginning in 2013, handling check-ins at the backdoor of the Colisée.  She was a beloved mother and grandmother, known for her hard work ethic and charming, upbeat personality.  Susan was involved in many causes in the Bethel community.

 

“We’re all still in shock at Susan’s sudden passing last Friday,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “She was a valued member of the NEF team, a good friend, and a kind, charitable person.  She will be missed by all who knew her.  Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.  ‘NEF XX’ will be proudly dedicated to her memory.”

 

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

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

140 Brandon Berry 9-1 (West Forks) vs Roberto Valenzuela 73-69-2 (Romanza Gym)

155 Tollison Lewis 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Zenon Herrera 0-0 (Independent)

140 Josh Parker 0-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Elias Leland 0-0 (AMMA)

118 Ernesto Ornelas 0-0 (Choi Institute) vs Brandon Ali Garvin 0-4 (Frazier’s)

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington 10-8 (c) (Boyington’s TKD) vs Jimmy Davidson 7-1 (Sityodtong)

205 Matt Andrikut 1-0 (Conviction MMA) vs Jesse Baughman 0-0 (Team Link)

170 Crowsneck Boutin 1-1 (Choi Institute) vs Matt Bordonaro 2-0 (Victory MMA)

150 Jon Lemke 4-3 (Team Irish) vs Matt Denning 2-0 (CMBJJ)

145 Ray Wood 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Vovka Clay 3-0 (Boston BJJ NH)

145 Derek Shorey 3-2 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Damon Owens 2-0 (Young’s MMA)

125 Kevin Barrett 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs James Alexander 1-10 (F2 Arena)

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

145 *TITLE Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Caleb Horner 6-2 (F2 Arena)

125 *TITLE Dustin Veinott 4-3 (c) (CMBJJ) vs Ryan Burgess 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)

265 Bryce Bamford 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Bryce Locke 0-0 (Independent)

200 Jacob Cameron 1-5 (Independent) vs Victor Irwin 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

225 Joe Krech 0-0 (Independent) vs Mike Williams 0-0 (CMBJJ)

185 Ruben Redman 1-3 (Mass Effect MMA) vs Caleb Farrington 2-0 (Team NEU)

185 Dominique Bailey 0-1 (Independent) vs Anthony Spires 0-0 (Independent)

175 Caleb Swoveland 0-0 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs TBD

155 Ricky Dexter 3-2 (Team Irish) vs Steve Bang 3-3 (CMBJJ)

155 Rafael Velado 1-0 (First Class MMA) vs Ken Dunn 0-2 (Maine Kyokushin Karate)

155 CJ Ewer 4-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Jason Lachance 2-2 (MMA Athletix)

155 Matt Hanning 1-1 (Independent) vs Levi Sewall 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

145 Caleb Hall 5-3 (Choi Institute) vs Matt Tamayo 0-0 (F2 Arena)

140 David Thompson 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Pierce Wiegman 0-0 (First Class MMA)

125 Justin Witham 0-3 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Brent Ouellette 0-0 (CMBJJ)

115 Erin LaMonte 3-0 (Gracie Fitness) vs Randi Beth Boyington 1-1 (Boyington’s TKD)

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

THIRD NEF CHAMPION THIS WEEK TO FIGHT ON NATIONAL STAGE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (October 20, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, is proud to announce that the promotion’s reigning professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) middleweight champion will compete on the Bellator card this Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.  Reigning NEF MMA Professional Middleweight Champion “Ruthless” Mike Zichelle (7-3) will face Kevin Haley (3-3) on the preliminary card of “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho.”  The bout will take place in the light-heavyweight division at a weight of 205-pounds.  For those unable to make it to Mohegan Sun this Friday, the preliminary card will begin streaming live at 7:00 pm on www.Bellator.com.

 

Zichelle joins NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (11-8) and NEF MMA Professional Heavyweight ChampionTyler “The Marauder” King (9-4) as the third NEF titleholder to compete on a national fight card in a six-day period.  Both Boyington and King fought on the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) event last Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  Zichelle has held the NEF middleweight title since winning it at “NEF XII” in February 2014.  He is a member of Boston BJJ of Nashua, New Hampshire.

 

“Fighting for NEF gave me a platform to make a name far from home, and it gave me a chance to establish relationships with some amazing people from the state of Maine,” said Zichelle. “I am honored to represent the people of Maine because I absolutely love how passionate they are about fighting, so to be their champion is awesome. Time and time again, champions from NEF get the call to fight in the big show and I’m another example of that. I have only been taking this sport seriously for three fights and with a 3-0 record and being the NEF Middleweight Champion, I got the call up to the big leagues! I am so excited to showcase everything that I have been working on and if there is anything I look forward to, it’s the reaction from everyone when they see me fight in just a couple weeks and people compare the version of me that fought for the title in 2014 because a lot has changed between now and then. Thank you to Matt Peterson (NEF co-owner and matchmaker) and thank you to NEF for the opportunity to become a champion in this sport and most importantly thank you to the fans! Stay passionate! I look forward to putting on a show for Maine down the road!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.