Portland, Maine (Fevereiro 8, 2019) – Lutas da Nova Inglaterra (NEF) apresentará suas próximas artes marciais mistas (MMA) evento, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” em abril 27, 2019 na Aura em Portland. Hoje cedo, the fight promotion announced the second amateur title fight confirmed for the event. Zac “Rochoso” Richard (3-0-1) vai assumir Tom “The Phenom” Pagliarulo (2-1) for the vacant NEF Amateur Featherweight Championship.
It will be Richard’s second attempt at capturing the title. Earlier this month, Richard fought Fred Lear (6-2-1) to a thrilling five-round draw for the strap in Bangor, Maine. The bout is considered by many to be a very early contender for “Luta do Ano” in New England thus far. Lear’s decision to turn professional after that fight nixed any hope for an immediate rematch.
Richard, o 2018 “NEF Rookie of the Year” as voted by the promotion’s fans, went on a tear last year with three first-round finishes. He has never been a stranger to the winner’s circle, having won a Maine state championship in wrestling for Massabesic High School in 2015. Richard hopes to replicate that success on April 27 and take the featherweight strap home in his second attempt.
Richard represents team Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire where he trains under current UFC fighter, e ex-campeão profissional leve NEF, Devin Powell (9-4).
“Now that I’ve been in a war, I know what I need to work on,” said Richard. “I’ve came so far in just one year. I’m going to blow the roof off of AURA. No way around it, I want that title. I’m going to come back faster, stronger and smarter. Tom is a great fighter and I know this fight will bring out the best in me.”
Tom Pagliarulo will be making his NEF debut on April 27. He has two finishes to his credit on MMA events in New Hampshire, including a first-round technical knockout last fall. Like Richard, Pagliarulo cut his teeth on the wrestling mats. He is a lifelong wrestler. He competed for Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts and later for Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Pagliarulo currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and trains at both Burgess MMA in Manchester, New Hampshire and Spero’s Martial Arts Academy in Plaistow, New Hampshire.
“What better way to make my NEF debut than a title fight against a tough competitor,” exclaimed Pagliarulo when reached for comment. “Zac and myself are both elite wrestlers which should make for an exciting fight. The opportunity was presented to me, and I know it is a fight that will make us both better, so I jumped all over it. As far as the title goes, this is just another fight for me. I’m going to go in there and do what I love to do, fight.”
próximo evento misto de artes marciais do NEF, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” acontecerá no sábado, Abril 27, 2019 na Aura em Portland, Maine com hora do sino de 7 PM. Os ingressos já estão à venda emwww.AuraMaine.com.