FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (November 3, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) made its long-awaited debut in Portland, Maine on Saturday night before a sold-out crowd at Aura.
In the main event of the evening, hometown favorite Paul Gorman (11-9) took on James Blair (5-2) in a 130-pound catchweight contest. The crowd was on the edge of its collective seat for a thrilling three-round war that will be a definite “fight of the year” candidate for 2017. Gorman pulled off the unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.
The ever-popular John “First Class” Raio (3-8) returned to the NEF cage after a three-year retirement. Raio faced a game Zenon Herrera (0-6) and came out with the win in the third round when Herrera tapped out to a guillotine choke.
On the amateur side of the card, three new champions were crowned. Terrance Jean-Jacques (3-0) became the new NEF Amateur Heavyweight Champion with a unanimous decision victory over defending champion Nick Gulliver (4-1). Justin Witham (4-4) is the new flyweight titleholder after defeating Nate Boucher (2-1) by split decision. Hilarie Rose (5-3) made history as the first women’s champion in promotion history by capturing the strawweight title against Alex Walker (4-2).
Two milestones were set early in the night as Jayda Bailey (1-0) became the youngest fighter to ever emerge victorious in the NEF cage, while Garry Carr (1-0) took the honor of the oldest fighter to ever win in the NEF cage. Bailey turned 18 just eight days prior to the event. Carr is 56 years young.
In addition to an evening of fights, fans were able to meet special guest Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (24-5). Souza is currently the number-four ranked middleweight in the UFC.
The results from Portland, Maine:
PROFESSIONAL
Paul Gorman def. James Blair via unanimous decision
John Raio def. Zenon Herrera via guillotine, round 3
AMATEUR
Hilarie Rose def. Alex Walker via TKO, round 1
Justin Witham def. Nate Boucher via split decision
Terrance Jean-Jacques def. Nick Gulliver via unanimous decision
Carl Langston def. Henry Clark via unanimous decision
Mohammed al Kinani def. Phil Pearson via KO, round 1
Isaac Therrien def. Chad Weymouth via TKO, round 1
Francesca Morabito def. Carol Linn Powell via unanimous decision
Emmett Huber def. Will McCall via guillotine, round 1
Bill Cole def. Nathan Pete via rear-naked choke, round 2
Garry Carr def. David Hart via rear-naked choke, round 1
Mark Gardner def. Carlton Charles via TKO, round 2
Sarah Matulis def. Chelsea Elizabeth via TKO, round 1
Jayda Bailey def. Danae Dostie via TKO, round 1
NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018. Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.com.