Tag Archives: Ernesto Ornelas

TITLE FIGHTS HEADLINE FINAL NEF EVENT OF 2018

 

Portland, Maine (November 2, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its final mixed-martial-arts event of 2018, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” on Saturday, November 17 at Aura in Portland, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the fight card for the event featuring a full slate of professional and amateur fights.

 

 

 

The professional side of the card will be headlined by a pair of title fights as Ryan Sanders (17-9) defends the lightweight strap against Jacob Bohn (7-5) and Ras Hylton (3-1) meets Yorgan De Castro (2-0) to crown the first-ever NEF cruiserweight champion.

 

 

 

Sanders has held the lightweight title since April 2017 when he defeated Jon Lemke (7-9) in a tournament final.  He has won a remarkable eight in a row in the NEF cage, not losing on Maine soil in four years.  New York’s Jacob Bohn has won his last two in a row over veterans Kenny Foster (12-13) and Lewis Corapi (8-4) respectively.

 

 

 

Ras Hylton is coming off a highlight-reel elbow knockout of Eric Bedard (6-8) last August.  The 6’6″ resident of South Portland, known to fans as “The Jamaican Shamrock,” is a perfect 3-0 in the NEF cage where he also went 3-0 as an amateur.  Yorgan De Castro is undefeated as a professional, having finished both of his opponents by technical knockout.  The bout will be the first in the newly-created NEF 225-pound cruiserweight division which will fall between the light-heavyweight (205-pound) and heavyweight (265-pound) classes.

 

 

 

Also on the professional card will be a flyweight contest between Portland fan-favorite Ernesto Ornelas (4-7) and undefeated Massachusetts prospect Jose Lugo (3-0).  Ornelas is riding a two-fight win streak while Lugo, nicknamed “El Salvaje,” has finished all three of his opponents.

 

 

 

Matt Probin (2-0) is scheduled to make his long-awaited debut with NEF when he meets veteran Lionel Young (7-15) in a featherweight contest.  Probin has won back-to-back bouts in Vermont via knockout to start his professional career.

 

 

 

As of press time, NEF was still searching for a replacement opponent for Carl Langston (0-1) in a professional featherweight bout after several previous opponents had pulled out.  Interested featherweights should contact NEF matchmakers via email at newenglandfights@gmail.com.  Serious inquiries only please.

 

 

 

The amateur portion of the card is scheduled to feature a total of three women’s MMA bouts.  Glory Watson (1-0) will take on Megan Rosado (0-0), while BJ Garceau (1-0) meets Chelsea Tucker (0-3) and Catie Denning (1-0) faces off with Taylor Thompson (2-0).  Watson, Garceau and Tucker are all members of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine owned and operated by coach Chris Young.  The trio has been nicknamed “Chris’ Angels.”

 

 

 

The full “NEF 36” fight card (subject to change and approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine):

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

 

225*TITLE Ras Hylton 3-1 (First Class MMA) vs Yorgan De Castro 2-0

155*TITLE Ryan Sanders 17-9 (c) (Young’s MMA) vs Jacob Bohn 7-5 (Behring Jiu Jitsu NY)

145 Matt Probin 2-0 (Recon) vs Lionel Young 7-15 (Citadel Martial Arts)

125 Ernesto Ornelas 4-7 (Choi Institute) vs Jose Lugo 3-0 (BST MMA & Fitness)

 

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

175 Jon Assam 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Norman 0-1 (Bad Little Falls Dojo)

155 Zac Richard 2-0 (Nostos) vs Chris Lachcik 0-1 (Independent)

155 Mohammad Al Kinani 4-1 (Evolution Athletix) vs Clifford Redman 0-6 (Independent)

155 Brandon Mailet 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Ben Peters 0-0 (Titan Athletics)

140 Megan Rosado 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Glory Watson 1-0 (Young’s MMA)

140 Henry Clark 4-4 (Choi Institute) vs Killian Murphy 1-1 (Nostos)

135 Taylor Thompson 2-0 () vs Catie Denning 1-0 (Young’s MMA)

135 Schuyler Vaillancourt 0-0 (Nostos) vs Felipe Gunther 0-0 (First Class MMA)

135 Nate Boucher 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Young 1-1 (Independent)

125 Chelsea Tucker 0-3 (First Class MMA) vs BJ Garceau 1-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.

 

 

 

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

NEF SELLS OUT BANGOR FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR WITH WILD MMA CARD

 

 

Bangor, Maine (September 9, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) held its latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on Saturday night at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  It was the third time in as many years that the fight promotion visited the Queen City and sold out the venue.

 

 

 

 

 

The main event featured a bout hailed as the “Battle of Bangor” as popular locals Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (6-2) and Jon Lemke (7-9) squared off.  Lacey submitted Lemke in the first round with a rear-naked choke.

 

 

 

 

 

Hometown favorite “The” Ryan Sanders (17-9) took on Mando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-7) in the co-main event.  At the 4:10 mark of the first round, Sanders, the reigning NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, forced Montoya to tap to a guillotine choke.

 

 

 

 

 

It was a successful night for the Choi Institute of Portland, Maine as Caleb Hall (2-0) and Ernesto Ornelas (4-7) were both victorious via stoppages in their respective bouts.

 

 

 

 

 

In the amateur headliner, Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Famer, 54-year-old Pat Kelly (4-1) put his lightweight title on the line against Massachusetts’ Ed Forlenza (3-2) in what Kelly vowed would be his final MMA fight.  Forlenza was able to score a technical knockout via referee stoppage due to strikes to capture the title.  After the fight, Kelly gave an impassioned speech, thanking his coaches at Young’s MMA in Bangor as the capacity crowd gave him a standing ovation.

 

 

 

Nostos MMA also shined on the amateur portion of the card.  The Somersworth, New Hampshire-based team went 2-0 as Zac Richard (2-0) and Andrew Brown (1-0) picked up wins under the guidance of Nostos head coach, and current UFC fighter, Devin Powell.

 

 

 

NEF announced its return to Portland, scheduled to take place at Aura on Saturday, November 17.  The event is titled “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold.”  It will be the final NEF event of 2018.

 

 

 

The full results of from Bangor, Maine:

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

 

 

Jon Lemke def. Aaron Lacey via rear-naked choke submission, round 1

Ryan Sanders def. Armando Montoya via guillotine choke submission, round 1

Caleb Hall def. CJ Ewer via D’Arce choke submission, round 1

Josh Harvey def. Jay Ellis via triangle choke submission, round 1

Ernesto Ornelas def. Zenon Herrera via guillotine choke submission, round 3

 

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

 

 

Ed Forlenza def. Pat Kelly via TKO, round 1

Christian Barrett def. David Hart via TKO, round 1

Zac Richard def. Clifford Redman via TKO, round 1

Taylor Bartlett fought Jacob Deppmeyer to a draw

Shawn Costigan def. David Hills via TKO, round 1

Jordan Young def. Joe Howard via rear-naked choke submission, round 2

Andrew Brown def. Chris Lachcik via armbar submission, round 1

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  The ticket pre-sale is happening now at www.AuraMaine.com with promo code “NEF.”  Tickets will be on-sale to the general public on Monday, September 10 at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

FINISHES GALORE HIGHLIGHT NEF 34 FIGHT NIGHT IN PORTLAND; NEF ANNOUNCES RETURN TO BANGOR

 

Portland, Maine (June 17, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) made its return to Portland, Maine on Saturday night with the fight promotion’s latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave.”  A jam-packed house of fight fans took in the action as NEF fighters delivered the non-stop excitement from bell to bell in what many are calling one of the best events the company has ever produced.

 

 

 

On a card featuring a total of 18 fights, the judges’ scorecards were not needed until the thirteenth bout of the evening.  Prior to that time, the early card featured a plethora of exciting finishes including a pair of D’Arce Chokes courtesy of Angelo Rizzitello (2-1) and Henry Clark (4-4) and highlight-reel knockouts by Cody Rolling (5-5) and Zac Lawrence (1-0).  Thirteen of the evening’s fights ended in the first round.

 

 

 

Kam Arnold (4-0) and Killian Murphy (1-1) waged an absolute war for the vacant amateur bantamweight title in what made history as the first amateur fight in Maine to ever go beyond the old three-round limit.  Arnold claimed the title with a fourth-round knockout in a bout that will certainly be a contender for “Fight of the Year” this December when voting begins.

 

 

 

Not to be outdone, Carlton Charles (2-2) and Duncan “The Highlander” Smith (3-2) took their amateur welterweight title fight into the fourth round as well.  Smith took the gold home after putting Charles out with a rear-naked choke.

 

 

 

On the professional side of the card, Young’s MMA teammates “The” Ryan Sanders (16-9) and Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-2) were in action.  Sanders submitted Vince McGuiness (5-8) with just seconds remaining in the first round while Lacey lost a unanimous decision to Da’Mon Blackshear (5-1) in the main event.

 

 

 

NEF announced that its next MMA event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” would originate from the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on September 8, 2018.  Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Monday morning at 10 am.  A pre-sale for online tickets started Saturday night at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com with pre-sale code “NEF.”

 

 

 

The full results from Portland, Maine:

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Da’mon Blackshear def. Aaron Lacey via unanimous decision

 

 

Ryan Sanders def. Vince McGuiness via armbar, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

Duncan Smith def. Carlton Charles via rear-naked choke, round 4

 

Kam Arnold def. Killian Murphy via KO, round 4

 

Mark Gardner def. Eric Camacho via armbar, round 1

 

 

Glenn Kasabian def. Jordan Young via unanimous decision

 

 

Glory Watson def. Chelsea Tucker via TKO, round 1

 

 

Carter Labrecque def. Josiah Kenney via TKO, round 1

 

 

Angelo Rizzitello def. Clifford Redman via D’Arce Choke, round 1

 

 

Zac Lawrence def. Jordan Norman via KO, round 1

 

 

Henry Clark def. Jack Greene via D’Arce Choke, round 1

 

 

Curtis Ouellette def. Dalton Dunphy via TKO, round 2

 

 

Brady MacDonald def. Greg Waterbury via guillotine, round 1

 

 

Cody Rolling def. Mike Williams via KO, round 1

 

 

Sarah Matulis def. Carol Linn Powell via rear-naked choke, round 1

 

 

Joe Howard def. Brandon Clark via guillotine, round 1

 

 

Christian Barrett def. Brandon Schwinck via TKO, round 1

 

Taylor Bartlett def. Delmarkis Edwards via TKO, round 1

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  The ticket pre-sale is happening now online at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com with pre-sale code NEF.  Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Monday morning, June 18 at 10:00 am EDT.

NEF RELEASES FIGHT CARD FOR RETURN TO PORTLAND ON JUNE 16

 

Portland, Maine (May 18, 2018) –Earlier today, New England Fights (NEF) released the official card for its upcoming return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The mixed-martial-arts event, entitled “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday night, June 16, 2018 with a bell-time of 7:00 pm EDT.

 

 

 

The main event will feature two rising East Coast prospects when Bangor, Maine’s own Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) meets Fayetteville, North Carolina’s Da’Mon “The Diamond” Blackshear (4-1) in a featherweight bout.  Lacey is coming off a dominant win over veteran Josh Parker (6-9) earlier this year, while Blackshear looks to rebound from the first loss of his professional career last August.

 

 

 

Lacey’s Young’s MMA teammate “The” Ryan Sanders (15-9) will see action in the co-main event against Tampa, Florida’s Vince McGuiness (5-7).  Sanders is the reigning NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion.  The fight with McGuiness will be a non-title affair.

 

 

 

Rounding out the professional portion of the card will be yet another Young’s MMA competitor in the form of Carl Langston (0-1) who is scheduled to rematch The Choi Institute’s Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) in a battle of Portland fan-favorites.  Langston and Ornelas initially met last month at “NEF 33” with Ornelas coming out on top via unanimous decision. Langston immediately requested a rematch blaming his performance on nerves surrounding his pro debut.  Ornelas obliged and has promised to finish Langston this time out, leaving no room for question.

 

 

 

The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by a pair of title fights.  Undefeated Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) prospect Kam Arnold (3-0) will face Michael Crespo (3-3) of First Class MMA for the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Championship.  In the second title fight, Carlton Charles (2-1) of the Charles Fighting Family and Berserkers MMA meets Duncan “The Highlander” Smith (2-2) of Evolution Athletix to crown a new NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion.  Both fights are scheduled for five three-minute rounds – a first in the NEF amateur division as all previous title fights had been scheduled for three three-minute rounds.

 

 

 

Three women’s bouts will take place on the amateur card.  Brianne Genschel (0-1) of First Class MMA and the Foundry will take on Tampa, Florida’s Amanda Gallo (1-1) while Genschel’s First Class MMA teammate Chelsea Tucker (0-2) faces the debuting Glory Watson (0-0) of Young’s MMA, and Carol Linn Powell (0-1) meets Sarah Matulis (1-0) of the Outlet.  Powell owns and operates Nostos MMA of Somersworth, NH alongside her husband, UFC signee and former NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-3).

 

 

 

Henry Clark (3-4) and Killian Murphy (1-0) both had opponents pull out on them prior to press time.  NEF matchmakers are working on finding replacement opponents.  Bantamweight and featherweight amateurs interested in either fight are asked to contact NEF via email at newenglandfights@gmail.com.  Serious inquiries only please.

 

 

 

The full “NEF 34” fight card (subject to change):

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155 Ryan Sanders 15-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Vince McGuiness 5-7 (Bang Muay Thai Tampa/Gracie Pac MMA)

 

145 Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Da’mon Blackshear 4-1 (Team ROC)

 

135 Carl Langston 0-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi’s)

 

 

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

170*TITLE Carlton Charles 2-1 (Charles Fighting Family/Berserkers MMA) vs Duncan Smith 2-2 (Evolution Athletix)

 

135*TITLE Michael Crespo 3-3 (First Class MMA) vs Kam Arnold 3-0 (CMBJJ)

 

205 Cody Rolling 4-5 (F2 Arena) vs Mike Williams 2-2 (CMBJJ)

 

185 Mark Gardner 2-0 (The Academy) vs Eric Camacho 0-0 (F2 Arena)

 

185 Jordan Norman 0-0 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Zac Lawrence 0-0 (Nostos)

 

180 Rich Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Brandon Schwinck 0-1 (Independent)

 

170 Dalton Dunphy 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Curtis Ouellette 0-1 (CMBJJ)

 

170 Christian Barrett 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Michael Vizza 1-3 (RMNU)

 

155 Angelo Rizzitello 1-1 (The Outlet) vs Clifford Redman 0-4 (Independent)

 

155 Brandon Clark 0-0 (The Academy) vs Joe Howard 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

150 Delmarkis Edwards 0-1 (Independent) vs Taylor Bartlett 0-1 (CMBJ)

 

150 Josiah Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MA) vs Carter Labrecque 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

140 Jordan Young 0-0 (Independent) vs Glenn Kasabian 1-3 (Nostos)

 

135 Brianne Genschell 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Amanda Gallo 1-1 (RMNU)

 

135 Sarah Matulis 1-0 (The Outlet) vs Carol Linn Powell 0-1 (Nostos)

 

130 Chelsea Tucker 0-2 (First Class MMA) vs Glory Watson 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

125 Greg Waterbury 0-0 (White Mountain BJJ) vs Brady MacDonald 0-1 (Pictou County Titans)

 

 

 

 

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.

 

BANTAMWEIGHT REMATCH SIGNED FOR NEF 34 IN PORTLAND

Portland, Maine (April 30, 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 bantamweight bout to the card.  Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) has signed to face Carl Langston (0-1) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

 

 

The bout will be a rematch of their fight in Portland earlier this month.  Ornelas and Langston initially met at “NEF 33” on April 14 at Aura. Ornelas, a member of Portland’s The Choi Institute, put on an impressive showing for the duration of three rounds on his way to a unanimous decision win on the judges’ scorecards.  The victory was Ornelas’ first in the NEF cage with four previous attempts since the promotion’s inception in February 2012.  (He holds a record of 1-0 as a professional in the NEF boxing ring as well.)  Not only is Ornelas predicting another win over Langston on June 16 – he promises to finish his foe this time.

 

 

 

“Carl said his nerves got the better of him that night. No, they didn’t – I got the better of him, once I stepped into that cage and took the center and looked him in the eye,” said Ornelas imperatively.  “I saw fear. A true fighter has no fear. June 16, he will see what a true fighter looks like, as he looks up at me from the flat of his back.”

 

 

 

The “NEF 33” bout with Ornelas was Langston’s pro debut after a lengthy amateur career that spanned 16 fights and more than four years.  Many of his friends and family had turned out for the event in his hometown of Portland.  And while Langston did force Ornelas to the scorecards, the Young’s MMA member was disappointed in his own performance, blaming the loss on nerves.  He immediately asked NEF matchmakers for a rematch against Ornelas on the June 16 Portland card.

 

 

 

“I couldn’t be more excited about getting this rematch,” declared Langston. “I asked for this rematch the same night I lost to Ernie. I just wasn’t me that night. It was my first pro fight and my nerves got to me. I just didn’t feel like myself in there. That being said, I still took him to a decision being that he had nine pro fights and I was making my pro debut. He still doesn’t bring the skill set and talent that I bring to the cage. This was a big mistake for Ernie to accept this rematch. He got lucky the first time, and I promise I will finish him this time. I know what it feels like being in there with him now, and I will make him fold without a doubt in my mind. He’s a mouthpiece, and I’m going to silence him and his groupies.” 

 

 

 

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.

NEF DROWNS PORTLAND WITH RIPTIDE BEFORE CAPACITY CROWD; CHOI INSTITUTE SHINES IN PRO FIGHTS

Portland, Maine (April 15, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) made its return to Portland on Saturday night with the fight promotion’s latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.”  For the second time in as many events at the venue, NEF packed Aura with a sold-out crowd.

On the amateur portion of the card, Kam Arnold (3-0) continued his winning ways with a highlight-reel, one-punch knockout of David Thompson (1-3).  Arnold, a hot prospect out of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in nearby Lewiston, Maine, dropped Thompson with a right hand in the first round to remain undefeated.

Walt Shea (3-1) and Nate Boucher (2-3) met in the amateur headliner at a catchweight of 130-pounds.  Both athletes were looking to bounce back from losses in their last respective NEF appearances, but it was Shea who took the victory late in the third round when referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the fight due to strikes.  Earlier in the evening, Shea’s First Class MMA teammate, Ben Murtiff (1-0) won his amateur debut, making for a perfect 2-0 night for the Topsham, Maine-based team.

On the professional side of the card, Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) picked up the win over Carl Langston (0-1) via unanimous decision. Moments later, Ornelas’s teammate at the Choi Institute Caleb Hall (1-0) was successful in his pro debut with a first-round submission of veteran John Ortolani (8-13).

The main event of the evening saw longtime Maine MMA veteran Bill Jones (13-11) defeat Matt Denning (5-8) via technical knockout in the second round.  Denning announced his retirement from cage competition immediately following the bout.  Jones’ win capped a successful night for Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire.  The team went 3-0 on the night with Zac Richard (1-0) and Killian Murphy (1-0) taking home wins on the amateur card.

NEF announced that its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave” would take place back at Aura in Portland onJune 16, 2018.  Already announced for that card, Ross Dannar (1-1) and Devin Corson (1-1) will square off in an amateur lightweight contest, while Aaron Lacey (5-1) returns to the NEF cage to take on Da’mon Blackshear (4-1) in a professional featherweight bout.

The results from Portland, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL

Bill Jones def. Matt Denning via TKO, round 2

Caleb Hall def. John Ortolani via Von Flue Choke, round 1

Ernesto Ornelas def. Carl Langston via unanimous decision

 

AMATEUR

 

Walt Shea def. Nate Boucher via TKO, round 3

Killian Murphy def. Krishna Scott via TKO, round 1

Ben Murtiff def. James Lewis via TKO, round 1

Kam Arnold def. David Thompson via KO, round 1

Mark Gardner def. Brandon Schwinck via rear-naked choke, round 1

Duncan Smith def. Taylor Bartlett via standing guillotine, round 1

Zac Richard def. Gabriel Diaz via TKO, round 1

Liam Fagan def. Curtis Ouellette via unanimous decision

Carol Linn Powell drew Chelsea Tucker (Grappling Match)

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.

STRIKERS WILL BE THROWING BOMBS AT NEF 33 IN PORTLAND

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (February 6, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland onApril 14, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card.  Carl Langston (0-0) is scheduled to make his professional debut against Ernesto Ornelas (2-7) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

 

 

 

Carl Langston is one of the longest-active members of the NEF roster, having made his debut with the promotion as an amateur in the fall of 2013.  Langston brought an extensive background in Taekwondo with him to the cage, resulting in many exciting striking battles over the years.  Langston finished his amateur career with a record of 7-9 and a win over Ornelas’ Choi Institute teammate Henry Clark (3-4) at “NEF 31″ in Portland last fall.  Langston is currently a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

 

 

 

“I couldn’t be more pumped to be making my pro debut in the city of Portland where I grew up,” said Langston when reached for comment. “I’ve been waiting four years for this moment, and I’m going to capitalize on it by finishing this guy, beating him just like I beat his teammate.”

 

 

 

 

There are very few MMA competitors with hands as fast as Ernesto Ornelas.  Now residing in Portland, Ornelas was a multi-time Golden Gloves champion during his amateur boxing days in his home state of California.  He is currently 1-1 as a professional boxer.  Ornelas will return to the cage after more than a year-and-a-half absence from MMA competition.

 

 

 

 

“I’m excited to be fighting in Portland, especially under the NEF banner this time,” said Ornelas.  “I’ve lived in Portland for about six years and have adopted the city, working and training out of the Portland downtown. I’ve come to know everyone and the city so well, and I’m excited to give Portland a show and show them what’s brewing in downtown at the Portland Choi Institute. As for welcoming Carl into the pro ranks, I know it’s going to an exciting fight. I’ve coached against Carl three times and seen the opportunities he presents stylistically. That being said, I’ll be two steps ahead of Carl on this one. It’s going to be some thunder and lightning in Portland that night, but everyone knows lightning strikes first and thunder just makes noise. And April 14 lightning is going to strike—and I’m the one bringing the lighting.”

 

 

 

 

NEF returns to Portland, Maine, at Aura on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.  For more information on the event, please visit www.NewEnglandFights.com.

 

 

 

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.