Tag Archives: Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

DENNING INKS NEW NEF DEAL; WILL FACE TRAHAN AT NEF 25

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Lewiston, Maine (August 15, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on September 10, 2016 with the fight promotion’s next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  Earlier today, NEF executives announced the re-signing of Lewiston featherweight mixed-martial-artist Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (3-3) to a new developmental deal.  The first fight of the deal will see Denning face Taylor Trahan (5-6) on the main card of “NEF 25.”

 

“I’m excited to have signed another contract with NEF,” said Denning. “I was planning on retiring, but I still have too much fight left in me. I haven’t been doing great record-wise, but if people have seen the opponents I have faced and the performances I put on, they know I’m evolving.”

 

Denning, a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), has had eleven of his thirteen combined amateur and professional fights in the NEF MMA cage.  He signed his first developmental deal with the promotion in the fall of 2014.  Denning got off to a 2-0 start as a pro before dropping three of his next four.  He says that his new focus will be on improving his abilities through tough fights rather than trying to pad his record.

 

“I’m excited to fight Taylor Trahan. He’s a tough, tough fight, but I wanted it. I need the motivation to get back in prime shape like I was when I fought Jeremy Tyler and made my pro debut against Derek Shorey. I’m over records. I’m done with everyone’s opinions. I talked to my coaches and team and I’m going to fight tough guys and do my best to beat them and get better. When I am finally done fighting, I want people to remember that I fought extremely tough opponents and did very well. Thanks to Matt and Nick for asking for me back. I plan on putting on a great show come September 10th. Who knows–maybe the NEF fans will see me in the boxing ring soon! Oss.”

 

Looking at the length of his career, it is hard to believe Taylor Trahan is only 25-years-old.  The native of Littleton, New Hampshire, and current resident of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, made his amateur MMA debut back in 2009, shortly after his 18th birthday.  Seven years and 26 fights later, Trahan is recognized as one of the most prolific competitors in all of New England MMA.  While he has fought in every corner of the region, Trahan has yet to step into the NEF MMA cage.  He predicts that he and Denning will put on an exciting, fight-of-the-night performance in his NEF debut.

 

“I’m looking forward to being a part of NEF 25,” said Trahan. “NEF always puts on a great show. I’ll be fighting Matt ‘Ken Doll’ Denning.  He’s a game opponent, but I see  holes in his game that I’ll be looking to exploit.  I predict the fight having a lot of fireworks and being fight of the night.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.

 

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

FAMILY AND THE PASSION TO ENTERTAIN DRIVE MMA WELTERWEIGHTS

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Lewiston, Maine (May 18, 2016) – On June 18, 2016 New England Fights (NEF) will return to Lewiston with the fight promotion’s latest fight card, “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  A full slate of professional and amateur mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing is planned for the event.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur MMA welterweight bout to the fight card.  Shawn Bang (1-1) will return to take on Mike Bezanson (1-0) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.

 

Shawn Bang is a member of the famous Bang family of fighters from nearby Auburn, Maine.  Along with his father and brothers, Bang is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).  It has been nearly three years since he last competed in the NEF MMA cage.  Bang has spent the last two years serving as a missionary in accordance with his Mormon faith.  Finally back home and reunited with both his natural family and gym family, Bang is ready for his return to the cage.

 

“After two years of amazing missionary service, I cannot begin to express how excited I am to reunite with my CMBJJ brothers,” said Bang.  “I have only spoken with my own family on Christmas and Mother’s Day, and to have the opportunity to rejoin the ‘Bang Clan’ in battle on June 18th is a fitting reunion.  Since childhood our father has always told us, ‘The first rule of brothers is to stick together.’  Ultimately, it will be me alone in the cage to battle my opponent but it is family, both immediate and extended, that gets me there and beyond.”

 

Lancaster, New Hampshire’s Mike Bezanson debuted in the NEF MMA cage one year ago at “NEF 18.”  Early in the fight, it became evident that his opponent that evening, Jeff Dustin (0-1), was outmatched against the Team Kaze product.  Although Dustin hung in there for almost two full rounds before the referee stopped the fight, Bezanson put on a striking clinic  that left his opponent bloodied.  Bezanson took his time and looked like a cat toying with its prey.  Some in attendance saw his performance as showboating, while others were impressed by his pinpoint striking.   Like it or not, no one could deny that Bezanson provided the entertainment that night.

 

“I received a lot of mixed reviews from my debut fight at NEF,” recalled Bezanson. “Staying true to myself, I am who I am – in and out of the cage.  I love to entertain, keep people on their toes.  Some might say my style of fighting is cocky and unorthodox, but it’s who I am, what I do – and I’m comfortable fighting that way. It is in no way meant to belittle or disrespect my opponent, it’s merely a technique. I have a great deal of respect for all fighters, trainers and fans. One of the reasons I train to fight is the self discipline. I push myself to be the best I can be and I love to compete!  Win or lose, I take away whatever I can from the experience to better myself and grow. You know what they say, ‘There’s no losing, you either win or learn.’ I’m excited to get in the cage in June, and put all my hard work to the test! It’s going to be an entertaining show!”

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the events 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.