Bangor, മെയ്ൻ (ജൂലൈ 28, 2016) – The dedicated delegation from Young’s MMA of Bangor usually relish their reputation as road warriors in New England Fights.
Lewiston is long established as the hub city for the organization, drawing competitors and spectators from both directions on the Maine Turnpike. Fighters and fans from the Penobscot River valley find that staying engaged for those fight cards four or five times a year requires greater commitment than most.
For only the second time in its history, the regional promotion will bring its cage to the Queen City. “NEF Presents: Dana White Lookin’ for a Fight” is slated for Friday, ആഗസ്റ്റ് 5 at Cross Insurance Center.
Young’s, the gym located just a few blocks away at 127 Hammond Street, will celebrate by showcasing one of its fighters in four of the eight scheduled professional bouts. Battle-tested Ryan Sanders and relative newcomers Aaron Lacey, Josh Harvey and CJ Ewer all are poised to take their best shot with the support of a raucous, partisan crowd.
“That’s the most exciting part for me, being from Brewer. I went to Brewer High School,” Lacey said. “It was definitely a huge, huge draw for me, seeing it in person. I went to the fights when NEF came to Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion (ജൂലൈ 12, 2013) and all I could think is, ‘Man, I want to do this.’ This has been a goal of mine for a long time.”
Sanders (10-7) will battle Derrick Kennington (11-7) in a clash of wily lightweights that will be on the featured attractions on the docket.
His three stablemates each emerged victorious in their only previous pro bout. Lacey will lock up with John Santos (3-3) of Derry, ന്.ഹ്., ഒരു featherweight പോരാട്ടത്തിൽ. Harvey has an appointment at featherweight. Ewer, who won an amateur bout at the outdoor concert venue in Bangor, will be tested by Ruben Redman (0-1) in a welterweight scrap.
Even with numerous friends in attendance, the four men know it is the presence of UFC president White, who grew up in nearby Hermon, which could have career-changing ramifications.
“It’s a great opportunity. It’s awesome to know that someone like that is going to be in the building on fight night,” Sanders said. “But for me it’s just another fight. I don’t want to get caught up in all that. Just let it unfold.”
White and cohorts Din Thomas and Matt Serra travel the country in pursuit of undiscovered MMA talent in a reality show that is broadcast on White’s YouTube page as well as the UFC Fight Pass subscription-based streamed video service.
അതെ, the entrepreneur’s Maine connections are well-documented. White also previously brought UFC Fight Night 47 to Bangor. Young’s talent pool suspects that the latest event is more than just a case of White throwing a bone to his home base, എങ്കിലും.
“I’m grateful that he’s bringing it here. I’m sure he’s watched film from NEF in his spare time. He must see something in NEF that he likes in order to be doing this,” Harvey said. “It doesn’t make me more nervous. ഇതിൻറെ പേരിൽ ഞാൻ ആവേശത്തിലാണ്. I’m going to try to put that all aside and focus on the task at hand.”
Under the tutelage of co-owners Chris Young and Ernie Fitch, roughly five or six professionals and a dozen amateurs cycle through the gym in any given training camp.
“Four of us fighting, it just shows we’re the best gym in the area. Three of us are undefeated. We’re producing studs. People see that and want to train with the best guys they can,” Sanders said. “We definitely push each other. You have guys who kick your ass every day. We want the best for each other. That’s why we’re here.”
Harvey expects the numbers and commitment to grow after White’s visit. He has been training at Young’s for three years. The cage side seat at the waterfront inspired him to step up his own training regimen. It’s a built-in advantage, Harvey noted, that has belonged almost exclusively to Lewiston until now.
“That’s what gets most people started. They go and see the fights and they want to try it,” Harvey said. “That’s why you see places like Central Maine BJJ (ലേവിസ്റോൻ) and First Class MMA (Topsham) growing so much. The fights are right there in their backyard.”
Lacey characterizes Young’s as “a gym full of killers.”
The statistics underscore Lacey’s point. The three pros with unblemished records all won their debut in two minutes or less.
“Ryan has only gone to a decision I think one time in his career. He’s a finisher. Josh won his fight by submission in the first round. CJ is super strong,” Lacey said. “They challenge me to be the best I can be every day. They keep me focused not just in the gym but in the game of life outside the cage.”
Although he is facing an opponent with significantly greater experience, Lacey expects a helpful adrenaline rush from having so many familiar faces at his back.
“It is different. I fought I think seven times in Lewiston between amateur fights and my pro debut,"അദ്ദേഹം പറഞ്ഞു. “This gives me a chance to be in my comfort zone. And a lot of my fans can’t make it down there. By the time you figure in the travel, the price of the tickets, maybe staying overnight, they just can’t do it.”
Harvey agreed, pointing out that it’s the initial fight for which he hasn’t needed to pack a suitcase.
“This will be the first time I’ve slept in my own bed the night before a fight. I think it’s a huge advantage,” Harvey said. “Some people might think with more of your fans there that there’s more pressure, but I think it just builds you up.”
“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച, ആഗസ്റ്റ് 5, 2016 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, മെയ്ൻ. ടിക്കറ്റ് ഇപ്പോൾ ചെയ്തത് വില്പനയ്ക്ക് ആകുന്നു www.CrossInsuranceCenter.കൂടെ or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.
ഇവന്റ് കൂടുതൽ വിവരങ്ങൾക്ക് കാർഡ് അപ്ഡേറ്റുകൾ യുദ്ധം, ലെ പ്രമോഷന്റെ വെബ്സൈറ്റ് സന്ദർശിക്കുക www.NewEnglandFights.com. ഇതുകൂടാതെ, നിങ്ങൾ Nef വീഡിയോകൾ കാണാൻ കഴിയും www.youtube.com/NEFMMA ഒപ്പം www.flocombat.com, ട്വിറ്റർnefights അവരെ പിന്തുടരുകയും ഔദ്യോഗിക ഫേസ്ബുക്ക് ഗ്രൂപ്പിൽ ചേരാൻ "ന്യൂ ഇംഗ്ലണ്ട് സംഘർഷം."
