Lewiston, Maine (May 8, 2015) - Dagaaladu New England (NEF), America ayaa tiro-mid dhiirrigelinta dagaalka gobolka, qaban doonaa siddeed iyo isku dhafan-martial-fanka ay (MMA) dhacdo, “NEF XVIII: Diyaaradaha ee America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Colisee Androscoggin Bank ee Lewiston, Maine. Goor hore oo maanta, the promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card. Jesse “Viking The” Erickson (4-4) ayaa lagu wadaa inuu la kulmo Zenon Herrera (0-0) in what will be Herrera’s professional debut.
Erickson is a mainstay of the NEF promotion. The native of Auburn, Maine made his amateur debut at NEF I in February 2012. All fourteen of his bouts have been hosted in the NEF cage except one which was part of an NEF co-promotion with Bellator.
Currently a coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) – a New England United (CUSUB) affiliate – Erickson challenged unsuccessfully twice last fall for the NEF MMA Lightweight Title, dropping back-to-back losses to Bruce Boyington (10-8). Bishii la soo dhaafay, Erickson returned to the cage against Florida’s Mark DeFord (0-4). The Viking came out aggressive, not letting up with a barrage of lefts, rights and knees. It was a departure from Erickson’s trusted ground game, but it took less than two minutes for him to knock DeFord out cold. If Erickson was looking to make a statement, then that statement was received loud and clear by the raucous crowd of over 2,000.
“After back to back losses, I’ve really focused in on some of my weak points,” said Erickson. “In aan dagaal la soo dhaafay, I felt much more confident and relaxed, and I think it showed in my performance. I will continue to get better and show everyone the fighter I’ve always known I could be. I’ll never fight safe, try to eke out a decision, or have a boring fight. Come watch me fight and see something special. The Viking is back and he’s swinging Thor’s hammer now.”
Zenon Herrera, an independent fighter based out of Skowhegan, Maine, began his MMA amateur career in the fall of 2012. Having fought predominantly in Florida previously, he made his NEF debut last month at “NEF XVII” in a losing effort to a very tough Ricky Dexter (3-0). Herrera is a military veteran, having served four years in the United States Army and five years in the United States Marine Corps. He looks forward to making the transition from the amateur to professional ranks and the new challenges it will bring.
“I’m very much looking forward to this chance of taking myself to the next level of MMA,” Saciid Herrera. “Jesse Erickson is a tough dude and that will make this match all the better. I’m also looking forward to representing the NEF, Macho Fighter, Combatives Gear, and the USMC with all of the pride and honor that they deserve with everything I do in MMA from this point forward.”
MMA dhacdo ee soo socota NEF ee, “NEF XVIII: Diyaaradaha ee America” billowda doonaa Colisee Androscoggin Bank ee Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015. Qiimaha tikidhada “NEF XVIII” bilaaban doono oo kaliya $25 oo waa on sale hadda at www.TheColisee.com ama adiga oo waca xafiiska sanduuqa Colisee at207.783.2009 x 525. Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah ee ku saabsan dhacdada iyo dagaalka kaarka updates, fadlan booqo website horumarinta ee www.NewEnglandFights.com. Waxaa intaa dheer, waxaad daawan kartaa NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, oo iyaga raac onnefights Twitter iyo Facebook ku biiro kooxda rasmi ah "New England oo gaaf wareegaya."
About Dagaaladu New England
Dagaaladu New England ("NEF") waa dagaalka shirkadda dalacsiiyo ama dhacdooyinka. Howlgalka NEF ee waa in la abuuro dhacdooyinkii tayada ugu saraysa ee Maine ee dagaalyahanno iyo taageerayaasha si isku mid ah. Kooxda Fulinta NEF ee uu leeyahay waayo-aragnimo ballaaran u leeyahay arrimaha maamulka isboortiga dagaal, wax soo saarka dhacdooyinka, xiriirka warbaahinta, marketing, sharci iyo advertising.