Lewiston, Maine (Desambra 7, 2016) -New England ady (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Febroary 11, 2017 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 27: RESURGENCE.” Vao maraina androany, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional contest to the card. Ras “Rasquatch” Hylton (0-0) dia hanao ny asa bitany hamely Mike “The volombava” Hansen (5-4) ao amin'ny lanja mavesatra fizarana.
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. Avy eo dia, tamin'ny volana lasa teo “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 “Kilasy voalohany” 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. Raha ny tena izy, Hansen, who also competes in the light-heavyweight and middleweight divisions, has gained a reputation as somewhat of a “giant killer.”
Tany am-piandohan'ity taona ity, 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. Tokoa, Hylton’s size advantage will play little role in the outcome of this fight should Hansen have anything to say about it.
“Faly aho noho izany SUPER ady,” 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 amin'ny 10 weeks. February 11th we will go to war, so expect just that.”
NEF’s next event, “NEF 27: RESURGENCE” atao amin'ny Asabotsy, Febroary 11, 2017 amin'ny 7 p.m. Tapakila manomboka amin'ny $25 ary amin'izao fotoana izao dia eo amin'ny amidy amin'ny www.TheColisee.com na tamin'ny fiantsoana ny Colisee birao boaty amin'ny 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. Ankoatry ny, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England ady."