Portland, Maine (April 23, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional light-heavyweight bout to the card. Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (5-9) is scheduled to meet Buck “Knuckles” Pineau (1-5) at a fight weight of 205-pounds.
Mike Hansen, a veteran combat engineer with the US Army and former state wrestling champion out of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, will look to get back on the winning track after five straight losses in the MMA cage. His last victory was in the fall of 2016 when Hansen handed Matt Andrikut (2-1) his first taste of defeat as a professional. He is determined to snap his losing streak on June 16 in Portland against Pineau. Hansen is a founding member of Berserkers MMA based in Rumford.
“I’m excited to get back in the cage,” said Hansen. “I had to take some time off to let some injuries heal and coach the wrestling team. Now that that’s done, it’s time to get back at it. I’m happy to fight a guy like Buck. I know we have both been on a rough patch and lost some fights, but by the end of the night on June 16th, someone’s losing streak will end. I’m going to make sure I leave with a win in June.”
On June 16 it will have been 45 months – nearly four years – since Buck Pineau last competed in the NEF cage. Pineau was a staple on early NEF cards. From the company’s inception in February 2012 until “NEF 14” in September 2014, Pineau fought on a total of eight NEF events. At “NEF 9” in Biddeford, Maine, he fought in what is regarded as one of the most memorable bouts in the promotion’s history, tearing ligaments in his knee early in the fight but still pulling out a unanimous decision victory over Isaiah Queen (2-4). Despite staying active in recent years outside of Maine, Pineau has never competed in the NEF cage as a professional. He has lost his last four-in-a-row, and like Hansen, is looking to get back on track with a much-needed win at “NEF 34.” Pineau is currently a member of First Class MMA based in Topsham, Maine.
“I am very excited and for this opportunity to step back into the NEF cage and put on a show,” exclaimed Pineau when reached for comment. “I’ve had a lot of memorable fights with NEF, and I’m looking to make this another one! I’ve seen the majority of Mike’s fights. I know he’s a rugged guy who always brings it, so I’m extra excited to get in there and spill some blood together. As usual, I will be looking to keep the distance and let these hands and feet go! This is going to be a good fight!”
NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.