Bangor, Maine (December 6, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: Sub Zero,” on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur featherweight title fight to the card. Fred Lear (6-2) is scheduled to meet Zac Richard (3-0) for the vacant 145-pound championship.
Fred Lear will look to replicate the success he had the last time he fought in Bangor. In August 2017, Lear captured the amateur bantamweight strap with a second-round technical knockout of Walt Shea (3-1) at the Cross Insurance Center.
Lear has had a stellar amateur career fighting out of Young’s MMA in Bangor. Prior to competing in mixed-martial-arts, Lear wrestled for John Bapst High School also based in the Queen City. He has won his last three in a row in the MMA cage. Should Lear win the featherweight title, he will become the first competitor in NEF history to hold championships in multiple weight divisions.
“This title fight is an opportunity to develop and grow,” said Lear. “An undefeated opponent with nothing but finishes, I like it—it’s polarizing. I want to turn professional. This is how I get better, that’s all I’m focused on.”
Like Lear, Zac Richard brought a wrestling background with him to the MMA cage. He won a state championship in 2015 competing for Massabesic High School in Waterboro, Maine. Richard now trains with Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire under head coach, current UFC competitor, and former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, Devin Powell (9-4). Richard has finished all three of his previous opponents in the first round.
“I’m very excited for this fight,” said Richard. “The belt is great and all, but it’s just a stepping stone to my goals. I think this is a great opportunity for me to really show the hard work I put in. This fight camp is going to be extremely different for me and I cannot wait to have that cage locked. This fight will be just past the year mark of when I started training in MMA. It’s just the beginning.”
NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm. Tickets are on-sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.