Tag Archives: Alex Walker

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED, MAIN EVENT THRILLS AS NEF 31 SELLS OUT AURA FOR PORTLAND DEBUT

Leave a comment

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.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF ANNOUNCES MONUMENTAL FIGHT CARD FOR PORTLAND DEBUT

Leave a comment

Portland, Maine (October 6, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) will make its long-awaited debut in Portland on Friday, November 3, 2017 at Aura with “NEF 31: The Old Port.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the full fight card for the event featuring a full slate of professional and amateur mixed-martial-arts bouts.

Maine fan-favorite Paul Gorman (10-9) is scheduled to take on James “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Blair (5-1) in the main event of the evening.  Gorman, the former NEF bantamweight titleholder and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt out of the Academy in Portland, makes his return to the NEF cage after a three-year absence.  Blair is a hot prospect from the world-renowned American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida where he trains alongside a veritable murderers’ row of current and former world champions like Mike Brown (26-9), Tyron Woodley (18-3-1), and Joanna Jędrzejczyk (14-0) just to name a few.

Reigning NEF Professional Middleweight Champion CJ Ewer (3-0) will be in action when he takes on Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) in a non-title affair.  Ewer captured the 185-pound title over the summer when he submitted Mike Hansen (5-6) at “NEF 30: Rumble in Bangor.”  Boutin will be coming off a year-long layoff from competition.

“The Blackpool Ripper” Matt Probin (0-0) makes his pro MMA debut against rugged veteranJosh Parker (6-9).  Both Probin and Parker have extensive backgrounds as professional boxers.  Probin has trained and competed in Muay Thai in Thailand.  Parker is the founder of Ruthless MMA & Boxing of Waterville, Maine.

John “First Class” Raio (2-8) will come out of retirement to face Zenon “K-Bar” Herrera (0-5).  Raio last fought in the summer of 2015.  He is the head coach of First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.  Herrera, a veteran of both the United States Army and Marine Corps, is looking for his first win since joining the professional ranks two years ago.

The amateur side of the card will feature a total of three title fights.  NEF Amateur Heavyweight Champion Nick “The Guardian” Gulliver (4-0) will defend his strap against WWE signeeTerrance Jean-Jacques (2-0), while Nate Boucher (2-0) and Justin Witham (3-4) square off for the vacant flyweight title.  Alex Walker (4-1) and Hilarie Rose (4-3) will make history when they battle for the first-ever NEF women’s championship in the strawweight division.

The Walker-Rose fight will be one of four female bouts featured on the “NEF 31” amateur card.  Carol Linn Powell (0-0), wife of former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion and current UFC competitor Devin Powell (8-3), is scheduled to make her cage debut against Francesca Morabito (0-0). Jayda “Lil Killah” Bailey (0-0) makes her debut just eight days after her 18th birthday, the legal minimum age for competing in MMA in Maine, in a bantamweight bout with Danae Dostie (0-0) while Sarah Matulis (0-0) and Chelsea Elizabeth(0-0) face off in yet another double amateur debut.

The full “NEF 31” fight card (subject to change and approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine):

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

180 CJ Ewer 3-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Crowsneck Boutin 2-3 (Independent)

 

150 John Raio 2-8 (First Class MMA) vs Zenon Herrera 0-5 (Independent)

 

145 Josh Parker 6-9 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Matt Probin 0-0 (CMBJJ/Young’s MMA)

 

135 Paul Gorman 10-9 (The Academy) vs James Blair 5-1 (American Top Team)

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

265*TITLE  Nick Guilliver 4-0 (c) (First Class /Foundry) vs Terrance Jean-Jacques 2-0 (Team Link)

 

125*TITLE  Nate Boucher 2-0 (CMBJJ) vs Justin Witham 3-4 (Shatterproof Combat Club)

 

115 *TITLE Alex Walker 4-1 (Kaze) vs Hilarie Rose 4-3 (USMMA)

265 Matt Glover 1-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Jason Field 0-2 (Kenney’s MMA)

 

175 Carlton Charles 1-0 (Charles Family Fighting/Fire&Iron Athletics) vs Nate Evans 0-0

 

170 Mohammed al Kinani 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Phil Pearson 0-1 (First Class MMA)

 

170 David Grant 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Tom Rials 0-0 (Nostos)

 

155 Will McCall 1-2 (Evolution Athletix) vs Chad Pierce 1-0 (The Academy)

 

155 Nick Banks 0-0 (Choi Institute) vs Emmett Huber 0-1 (The Academy)

 

155 Garry Carr 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs David Hart 0-1 (Kenney’s MMA)

135 Sarah Matulis 0-0 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Chelsea Elizabeth 0-0 (First Class MMA)

 

135 Danae Dostie 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Jayda Bailey 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

135 Carl Langston 6-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Henry Clark 3-3 (Choi Institute)

 

135 Kam Arnold 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Caleb Costello 3-4 (Young’s MMA)

 

135 Carol Linn Hawkins 0-0 (Nostos) vs Francesca Morabito 0-0 (Choi Institute)

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 31: The Old Port,” will see the company debut in Portland, Maine at the brand new, state-of-the-art venue Aura.  The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 3, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at www.auramaine.com.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

FIRST NEF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE AWARDED ON NOVEMBER 3RD

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (August 23, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) will make its long-awaited debut in Portland on Friday, November 3, 2017 at Aura with “NEF 31: The Old Port.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur mixed-martial-arts title bout to the card.  Alex Walker (4-1) will take on Hilarie Rose (4-3) to crown the first-ever NEF MMA Amateur Strawweight Women’s Champion.  The fight is scheduled to be contested at the strawweight limit of 115 pounds.

Alex Walker is a three-fight veteran of the NEF cage.  Since losing her debut in the spring of 2015, Walker has been on a tear throughout the New England MMA circuit.  She has won her last four in a row with three of those victories coming by way of submission.  At “NEF 29,” this past June in Lewiston, Maine, Walker forced Sarah Ziehm (1-1) to tap to an arm bar.  She trains with Team Kaze of Lancaster, New Hampshire.  According to Walker, she is excited to have an opponent to strike with in the form of Rose.

“This girl is a more than a game opponent–she’s also a good striker,” exclaimed Walker.  “She won’t back down. This will be a hell of a stand up fight! We’re going to put on a good bout. I’m looking forward to having an opponent that will trade punches and not back down!”

If it is a striking match Walker is looking for, she will indeed find it in Hilarie Rose.  Rose, who trains at USMMA in Bellingham, Massachusetts, burst onto the local fight scene in late 2014 with an ultra-brutal switch kick knockout of Tiffany McCoy (2-1).  She has won her last two fights, and Rose is determined to end Walker’s streak to become the first-ever NEF women’s champion.

“I’m looking forward to fighting Alex for NEF’s first woman’s strawweight championship,” said Rose. “Alex has won her last few fights and looks like she’s got quick arm locks. With that said, her winning streak ends on November 3rd, and I’m bringing the NEF belt home with me. I’m excited to show Maine and the NEF fans my skills.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 31: The Old Port,” will see the company debut in Portland, Maine at the brand new, state-of-the-art venue Aura.  The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 3, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at www.auramaine.com.

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

DREAM MATCHES, BELLATOR VETERANS & TITLE FIGHTS TOP NEF 29 FIGHT CARD

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (June 1, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on June 17 with a fight card featuring both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the full fight card for the event.  The fight card is subject to approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine (CSAM).  The boxing portion of the card will begin at 7 pm EDT with the MMA card to immediately follow.

 

In a highly-anticipated “Superfight,” Maine MMA star Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (14-9 MMA, 1-0 boxing) will take on Maine’s premier boxer Russell “The Haitian Sensation” Lamour, Jr. (15-2, 7 KOs) in a six-round boxing bout.  The fight will be a dream match for fans who never expected to see each sports’ top in-state athletes face one another.  Boyington and Lamour have both been featured in nationally-televised bouts on NBC and ESPN in recent years.  Lamour is the former New England Middleweight Champion, while Boyington held the NEF MMA Lightweight Title until relinquishing it last year to sign with the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) global promotion.

 

“Bruce and Russell are at the top of their respective games,” noted NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “Russell is a great boxer, and he’s going to face a superb striker in the form of Taekwondo black belt Bruce Boyington.  This is a true dream match for Maine fight fans.”

 

The professional MMA portion of the fight card will feature the long-awaited return of former NEF MMA Featherweight Champion Ray “All Business” Wood (8-3) as he faces Brazilian prospect Alexandre “Popo” Bezerra (19-5).  Wood left Maine more than two years ago to re-settle in South Carolina and then Texas.  Both Wood and Bezerra are veterans of the Bellator cage with a dozen fights between them for the national promotion.

 

“When you consider both sides, this is probably the highest-level fight to ever take place in NEF,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “This fight could easily be slid into any UFC card on FS1 or Fox and steal the show.  Either one of these athletes could get the call up after this fight.  Our fans are about to see something special.”

 

The amateur MMA card will be headlined by a title fight with Rafael “Deez Nuts” Velado (4-0) defending the amateur lightweight championship against Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Famer Pat Kelly(3-0).  At age 52, Kelly will be the oldest fighter to ever challenge for an NEF title.

 

In addition to the fights, legendary boxer James “Buster” Douglas (38-6-1, 25 KOs) will make an appearance at “NEF 29” as the guest of honor.  Douglas will hold an hour-long meet-and-greet with fans at the Colisee from 6 pm to 7 pm prior to the opening bell.  Longtime fans will remember Douglas as the architect of the greatest upset in professional sports history with his knockout of “Iron” Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) in 1990 to claim the world heavyweight title.  Douglas halted the 37-fight undefeated streak that opened Tyson’s pro career.

 

The full “NEF 29” fight card (subject to change and approval of CSAM):

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

200 Crowsneck Boutin (Independent) vs. Cristiano Pedro (Cugno)

168 Jason Quirk (PBC) vs. Borngod Washington (Meekins)

160 Russell Lamour (PBC) vs. Bruce Boyington (Boyington’s TKD)

154 Casey Kramlich (PBC) vs. Bryan Goldsby (Jorge Gurgle)

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

265 Ras Hylton (First Class/Dragon Fire) vs. Eric Ramsey (Trinity)

145 Alexandre Bezerra (Daddis) vs. Ray Wood (Nick’s)

145 Dominic Jones (First Class) vs. Matt Denning (CMBJJ)

145 Andre Belcarris (NE Assassins) vs. Josh Parker (Ruthless)

 

AMATEUR MMA

155*TITLE Rafael Velado (First Class) (c) vs. Pat Kelly (Young’s)

185  Mike Williams (CMBJJ) vs. John Tefft (First Class)

185 Anthony Spires (Independent) vs. Josh Jones (First Class)

150 Jacob Deppmeyer (First Class) vs. Ben Harrington(CMBJJ)

145 Derek Daley (First Class) vs. Frank Johanson (CMBJJ)

140 Glenn Kasabian (Nostos) vs. Kam Arnold (CMBJJ)

115 Alex Walker (Kaze) vs. Sarah Ziehm (CMBJJ)

 

 

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES,” on Saturday, June 17, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.  The event will be broadcast live on the FloCombat app on Roku and Apple TV and streamed live at www.FloCombat.com.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

MAINE GETS ITS OWN VERSION OF MCGREGOR-MAYWEATHER WITH JUNE 17 SUPERFIGHT

Leave a comment

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 19, 2017) – It was once rare for two athletes from different combat sports disciplines to compete against one another.  In 1963, legendary catch wrestler and judo practitioner Gene Lebell took on journeyman boxer Milo Savage in a match credited as the grandfather of modern mixed-martial-arts (MMA).  Later, in 1976, boxing world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali faced Japanese wrestler and martial artist Antonio Inoki in an exhibition bout in Tokyo broadcast globally on closed-circuit television, a precursor to pay-per-view.

 

Recent years have seen more and more MMA fighters and boxers transition between the two sports.  For some time now, rumors have swirled over a potential meeting of boxing mega-star Floyd Mayweather and reigning UFC lightweight kingpin Conor McGregor.  Should the bout happen, it will undoubtedly be one of the highest-ever grossing matchups financially.  And while both sides work out the details for that contest, Maine fight fans will get their own superfight on Saturday, June 17 in Lewiston when Russell “The Haitian Sensation” Lamour, Jr. (15-2, 7 KOs – boxing record) meets Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (14-9 – MMA record) in a six-round middleweight boxing match.  It will be the boxing headliner of a hybrid MMA and boxing event presented by New England Fights (NEF) at the venerable Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

 

It is not that boxers and MMA fighters have never met each other in Maine in the past.  They do often in NEF, which promotes both sports.  What makes this a “superfight” is the status of each athlete in the state.  Indeed, Lamour and Boyington are to the current local fight scene what Mayweather and McGregor are to the global scene.  They are both mega-stars in-state, each with his own army of loyal fans.

 

“With all the talk of McGregor versus Mayweather, it’s an interesting match,” said Lamour’s coach and head of the Portland Boxing Club Bob Russo.  “One of the best middleweights in New England in boxing versus one of the best lightweights in New England in MMA . I was pleasantly  surprised when we were called out by Boyington. We had been offered a few different opponents that we agreed to and I guess they had second thoughts. Then we got the call that this challenge was on the table.  This is something that will create a real buzz among boxing and MMA fans.”

 

Lamour is the face of present-day professional boxing in Maine.  He won more than 100 amateur bouts and is an eight-time regional Golden Gloves champion, a five-time New England regional champion and a Bronze Medalist in the 2009 USA Boxing championships among numerous other accomplishments.  Lamour competed in the semi-pro World Series of Boxing where he was ranked number-one in the North American middleweight conference.  As a professional, Lamour has been outstanding.  He captured the New England Middleweight Title in 2014.  Lamour has competed on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights boxing series before a national audience.

 

“I will fight anyone that ends up in front of me,” said Lamour.  “I respect the MMA fighters, they are all tough guys, but to challenge in the boxing ring is a major mistake.  I’ll be in great shape and ready.  He better be too!”

 

Bruce Boyington, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), is no stranger to the boxing ring.  He won his professional boxing debut in 2014 on an NEF card.  Boyington is a world-class striker.  He is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, an eight-time Maine state champion and a two-time national champion with countless tournament championships and medals to his credit in the traditional martial art.

 

It is Boyington’s success in the MMA cage, however, for which he is most well known.  His flashy striking and knockout prowess earned him a reputation as the “human highlight-reel” of NEF.  He captured the NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Title in 2014 and defended it successfully three times before relinquishing the belt to sign with the global World Series of Fighting (WSOF) promotion in 2016.

 

Since signing with WSOF, Boyington has fought on some of the largest stages the world has to offer, including Madison Square Garden in New York City on the undercard of an event broadcast nationally on NBC.  He has traveled as far as Russia to fight for major international promotion Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB).  With WSOF taking some time to regroup under new ownership as the “Professional Fighters League,” Boyington was looking to stay active while awaiting his next national bout.  The opportunity to fight in front of his many hometown fans one more time was irresistible.

 

“Boxing is his game, but I’ve had 25 professional fights and over 100 Taekwondo fights in my time,” said Boyington.  “I’m excited and honored to share the ring with the best boxing has to offer.  The only thing I’m ever after is a challenge, and I have one in Russell. It’s exciting to compete back home where it all essentially began for me with NEF, so I thank Matt (Peterson, NEF co-owner) and Nick (DiSalvo, NEF co-owner) for the opportunity and to Russell – let’s dance baby!”

 

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES,” on Saturday, June 17, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online atwww.TheColisee.com.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

THE FIGHTING FIREMAN WILL MAKE NEF DEBUT ON JUNE 17

Leave a comment

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 16, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 17, 2017with the fight promotion’s next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES.”  The event will feature a full slate of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional boxing bout to the fight card.  Jason “The Fighting Fireman” Quirk returns to the ring against Borngod Washington in a four-round super middleweight bout.

 

The fight will represent the first appearance for Quirk in the NEF boxing ring.  After a stellar amateur career, Quirk turned pro in late 2014.  He has been perfect (5-0, 3 KOs) over the course of his pro career thus far.  When Quirk steps into the ring onJune 17, it will have been more than a year-and-a-half since his last fight, and he is looking forward to competing once again.  He trains out of the Portland Boxing Club (PBC) and works as a firefighter with the Portland Fire Department – Local 740 IAFF.  Quirk also served his country for four years as a member of the Coast Guard.

 

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and getting to work,” said Quirk immediately following a training session at PBC.  “We’ve had a good camp so far, and I’m training hard for this fight. I’m grateful for NEF considering me for this card and I’m ready to put on a show.”

 

Borngod Washington is about as seasoned of a veteran as one will find in the boxing world.  The native of Queens, New York has fought in the pro ranks since 2007.  Washington’s career highlight came in 2011 when he scored a fourth-round TKO victory over Ricky Dawson (4-1, 1 KO), brother of former light-heavyweight champion of the world Chad Dawson (34-5, 19 KOs).  Washington also took current light-heavyweight contender Sean Monaghan (28-0, 17 KOs) the distance in a four-round bout, losing a majority decision on the judges’ scorecards.  He currently trains with John Wesley Meekins (25-5-2, 17 KOs) in New York.  Meekins challenged Meldrick Taylor (38-8-1, 20 KOs) for the IBF Junior Welterweight Title in 1989.

 

“I’m excited to come to Maine and fight with my new trainer John Wesley Meekins in my corner,” said Washington.  “I’m returning to form and ready to go, and I thank NEF for the opportunity to fight in Maine.  I’ve got people from different areas coming to see the fight, and I know I’ll be ready”.

 

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES,” on Saturday, June 17, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online atwww.TheColisee.com.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

KRAMLICH LOOKING TO PUT ON A SHOW FOR HOMETOWN FANS ON JUNE 17

Leave a comment

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 15, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 17, 2017with the fight promotion’s next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES.”  The event will feature a full slate of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional boxing bout to the fight card.  Casey “Buzzsaw” Kramlich (7-0-1, 3 KOs), a native of nearby Gray, Maine, will take on Bryan Goldsby (4-3) in a super welterweight match scheduled for four rounds.

 

Kramlich is coming off the biggest win of his young career.  Last month in Rhode Island, Kramlich handed Ray Oliveira, Jr. (7-1, 1 KO), son of former world title challenger Ray Oliveira, Sr. (47-11-2, 22 KOs),  his first loss.  The majority decision victory was considered somewhat of an upset in that Kramlich had traveled to Oliveira, Jr.’s turf and spoiled the local prospect’s win streak.

 

Now back in Maine and training with the Portland Boxing Club, Kramlich is looking forward to once again competing before his hometown fans.  He is a two-fight veteran of the NEF ring with two TKO wins to his credit in Lewiston.

 

“I’m really looking forward to fighting back in Maine and on an NEF card,” said Kramlich. “I always love to put on a good show for the home town fans and that’s exactly what your gonna get June 17th. Goldsby seems like a seasoned veteran with good experience, but come fight night, he’s in the ring with a young hungry lion. I’ll be ready for war.”

 

And, make no mistake about it, Bryan Goldsby will give Kramlich a war on June 17.  A native of Macon, Georgia, Goldsby will be right at home fighting next to an MMA cage.  He holds a record of 17-16 as a professional mixed-martial-artist.  In fact, Goldsby is a four-fight veteran of the Bellator cage and even competed in the promotion’s Season Three bantamweight tournament.  Goldsby has had success transitioning to the boxing ring.  He won four of his first five bouts via decision before dropping his last two.

 

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES,” on Saturday, June 17, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online atwww.TheColisee.com.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

SCORECARDS WILL NOT BE NEEDED FOR NEF 29 FEATHERWEIGHT BATTLE

Leave a comment

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 10, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 17, 2017 with the fight promotion’s next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES.”  The event will feature a full slate of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight contest to the fight card.  Josh Parker (5-9) will meet Andre “The Finisher” Belcarris (0-1) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.  Both athletes have earned a reputation for finishing fights and “not letting it go to the judges’ scorecards.”  Both will also be looking to bounce back from losses at “NEF 28” last month.

 

Josh Parker was riding high off a win over Derek Shorey (4-9) when he signed to face Matt Denning (4-6) on April 29.  Unfortunately for Parker, Denning was able to work his jiu-jitsu effectively and submit Parker in the first round.  Like all Josh Parker bouts, however, the action was fast and furious and the head of Ruthless MMA & Boxing predicts much of the same excitement for his fight with Belcarris.

 

“I want to thank NEF for the opportunity, and I want to thank my opponent for taking the fight,” said Parker.  “I’m excited for the challenge. Andre has a lot of experience in the cage and with 11 knockouts on his record, I’d say our fighting styles are going to make one hell of an exciting fight. The fans are going love this one. See you June 17th!”

 

Andre Belcarris entered the NEF cage for the first time at “NEF 28,” making his professional debut after an amateur career spanning more than three-dozen fights.  In the opposite corner stood veteran Walter Smith-Cotito (5-5).  Belcarris held his own against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt for two rounds before Smith-Cotito was able to submit him.  While the fight did take place at featherweight, Belcarris had spent the majority of his camp training for a bantamweight bout with Elias Leland (3-2) until Leland had to pull out due to injury.  Now with a full camp to prepare for a fight at featherweight, Belcarris promises improvements in his game.

 

“I’m working hard to improve upon my last performance,” said Belcarris between training sessions at NorthEast Assassins in Vermont.  “A full camp with 145 as the target is a different setup.  I will be ready!”

 

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES,” on Saturday, June 17, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

WOMEN’S FIGHT AT NEF 29 IS A MATTER OF RESPECT

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 9, 2017) – “I wanna knock her out!”  Those were the emphatic words of Alex Walker (3-1) when asked last weekend at “NEF 28” for her prediction on her upcoming fight with Sarah Ziehm (1-0).  The crowd at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee erupted in response.

 

Walker and Ziehm are scheduled to face off when New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Colisee onSaturday, June 17, 2017 with the fight promotion’s next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES.”  Walker, a two-fight veteran of the NEF cage and a member of Lancaster, New Hampshire’s Team Kaze, has made it her mission to teach Ziehm a lesson in respect for what Walker viewed as a “cocky” performance in Ziehm’s debut earlier this year.

 

“I have respect for 99% of the females I do battle with, but I do not respect her,” said Walker when reached for comment.  “I don’t like the way she handled herself in her first fight, I think she needs to be humbled and I will do that in June – if she even shows up! My manager told (NEF matchmaker) Matt Peterson to have a backup because she will come up with an excuse not to get a beating.”

 

Ziehm made her MMA debut last February with a win over Nicole Burgess (0-2).  She submitted Burgess in the third round after a dominant performance.  (Of note, Walker also submitted Burgess in the third round just a few months earlier.)  Ziehm trains with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston.

 

“This will be a good battle,” predicted Ziehm.  “Alex is a seasoned and skilled warrior. I’m not underestimating her at all. I’m excited to get back into cage and do some work.”

 

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next event, “NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES,” on Saturday, June 17, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

FEMALE STRAWWEIGHT BOUT RESCHEDULED TO NEF 28

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (March 16, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition an amateur women’s bout to the card.  Alex Walker (2-1) will meet Katie Baker (0-0) at the strawweight limit of 115-pounds.

 

Walker and Baker were originally scheduled to face each other last month at “NEF 27.”  Unfortunately, a medical issue forced Walker to withdraw from the contest just days before the fight.  Now fully healed, Walker is back training regularly at the Kaze Dojo in Lancaster, New Hampshire in preparation for “NEF 28.”

 

“Injuries have plagued me and my team for the last two years, but I am healthy now, so watch out,” exclaimed Walker.  “I am going on a run and nothing will stop me!”

 

Losing her opponent so close to the event was definitely a disappointment for Baker and her many fans.  Training in the martial arts from an early age, the eighteen-year-old had waited years to compete in the MMA cage.  Baker is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  She made her amateur boxing debut last year.

 

“I was really bummed when Alex withdrew from our fight,” said Baker.  “You make the sacrifices it takes to train and diet, not to mention the disappointment of those who purchased tickets. But I knew, and our fans knew, Alex is a warrior and would not back out unless something was wrong.  I’m looking forward to finally meeting her in the cage on April 29th.”

 

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company.  NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike.  NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal, regulatory affairs and advertising.