FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (April 30, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight card. The contest will feature Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) stepping into the cage opposite Chad “Machine Gun” Kelly (3-2) at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.
“Chad Kelly and Eli Leland are two guys who couldn’t put on a boring fight if they tried,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “Chad had the ‘Fight of the Night’ on one of the first cards I ever promoted in Massachusetts years ago. I’ve followed his career since and have seen how far he’s come. Eli’s fights always steal the show on the NEF events. Fans will only need the edge of their seats for this one.”
Kelly last appeared in the NEF cage in the fall of 2013 at “NEF X.” That night, he defeated NEF regular Ernesto Ornelas (1-5) via second-round submission. Kelly has regularly competed in the flyweight 125-pound division throughout his career, but he and his coaches at The Fighting Arts Academy (FAA) in Leominster, Massachusetts decided to make the transition up to bantamweight beginning with the upcoming fight against Leland.
“I’m very excited to be fighting for NEF in Lewiston, Maine again,” stated Kelly when reached for comment. “I fought for them my second pro fight and I loved the way they treat their fighters and how smooth everything went – plus, getting the ‘W’ was nice. This fight I’m moving up to bantamweight. My coaches and I thought it was the right time. I started fighting at 19 and just have gained weight and have a massive cut to 125, plus I train with good 35ers and 45ers and do better when I’m heavier. Elias Leland is a tough grappler with good submissions. I’m sure he will be tough, but I think I will have an advantage everywhere the fight goes.”
Leland, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from the Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine, will look to avenge a loss he suffered earlier this month to Jay Perrin (2-0) at “NEF XVII.” The loss was his first since his amateur debut against Ray Wood (5-1) in September 2011. Leland has become known as a finisher over the years, submitting four opponents and defeating one via technical knockout (TKO) at previous NEF events.
“I have nothing but respect for anyone that is willing to fight me,” said Leland. “However, coming off a loss, I’m pissed and hungry as hell. This will be an exciting fight for anyone that sees it. So you all better be there to see an amazing show.”
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015. Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525. 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.