Lewiston, Maine (December 7, 2016) -New England alụkarị ọgụ (NEF) alaghachikwuru na Androscoggin Bank Colisee na February 11, 2017 na ya na-esote mbuaha-mara-nkà ihe omume, “NEF 27: Bịaghachi.” Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional contest to the card. Ras “Rasquatch” Hylton (0-0) ga-eme ka ya ọkachamara mpụta mbụ megide Mike “The afụ ọnụ” Hansen (5-4) na heavyweight nkewa.
Hylton’s now-legendary rise through the ranks of the amateur heavyweight division in NEF is one of the major stories of 2016. At 6’6″ and towering over the top of the MMA cage, Hylton cuts an imposing figure. The only thing more impressive than Hylton’s size and appearance might be his athletic abilities. A prolific striker, Hylton finished all three of his opponents this year by either knockout or technical knockout.
“Rasquatch,” or as some fans call him “The Jamaican Shamrock,” really began to raise eyebrows with a highlight-reel head kick knockout of Matt Glover (1-1) last spring. Mgbe ahụ, ikpeazụ nke ọnwa na “NEF 26,” Hylton pounded an extremely tough Kevin Smith (3-3) to a bloody pulp. It was immediately after that dominant performance that Hylton’s coaches at First Class MMA and Dragon Fire Martial Arts felt the time was right for him to make the jump to the pro ranks.
“I am so grateful to be fighting a man of Mike Hansen’s stature in front of my family and friends,” said Hylton. “As the first professional fighter to come out of both Dragon Fire Martial Arts and First Class MMA, and with the instruction of Shihan Andy Campbell, John “Mbụ na klas” Raio and my team, we are preparing for me to go to war because that is what Mike always brings to the cage.”
A former Maine state heavyweight wrestling champion out of Mountain Valley High School, Mike Hansen has never shied away from taking a fight with someone bigger than him. N'ezie, Hansen, who also competes in the light-heavyweight and middleweight divisions, has gained a reputation as somewhat of a “giant killer.”
Tupu afọ a, Hansen submitted a substantially bigger Jesse Baughman (0-2) in the first round at “NEF 22.” He followed up that impressive performance by nearly knocking out a much larger Brendan Battles (1-1) with a right hand at “NEF 23.” This fall Hansen gave up nearly half a foot to Matt Andrikut (2-1) and submitted his bigger opponent in the first round. N'ezie, Hylton’s size advantage will play little role in the outcome of this fight should Hansen have anything to say about it.
“M ibu obi ụtọ maka nke a ọgụ,” exclaimed Hansen. “I like being part of these ‘super fights.’ I know Ras has a great camp behind him and he will come 100% prepared. I’ll expect nothing less from Raio, but I feel my experience and composure in the cage will be my best asset and that’s not something that he can train up on na 10 weeks. February 11th we will go to war, so expect just that.”
NEF ọzọ omume, “NEF 27: Bịaghachi” na-ewe ebe Saturday, February 11, 2017 na 7 p.m. Tiketi na-amalite mgbe $25 na ndị na ere ugbu a na www.TheColisee.com ma ọ bụ site akpọ Colisee igbe ọrụ na 207.783.2009, ndọtị 525.
Maka ozi ọzọ na ihe omume na-alụ ọgụ kaadị mmelite, biko gaa na nkwalite si website na www.NewEnglandFights.com. Na mgbakwunye, i nwere ike na-ele NEF vidiyo na www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, na-eso ha na Twitter @nefights ma sonyere ndị ukara Facebook otu "New England alụkarị ọgụ."