Tag Archives: Lookin’ For a Fight

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS SELLS OUT IN BANGOR

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (August 6, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) held its most recent event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight,” Friday night at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  The event sold out moments before doors opened to the public.  Over 1200 fans in attendance witnessed a wild night of eight professional bouts.  The crowd included UFC President Dana White who was in attendance to film a future episode of his web series.

 

Fight of the night went to Aaron Lacey (2-0) and John Santos (3-4).  The two featherweights battled back and forth for a grueling, and bloody, 15-minutes.  Lacey was declared the winner by split decision on the judges’ scorecards.

 

In a rematch from 2014, NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-1) took on Jon Lemke (5-6) in a non-title catchweight contest.  In a repeat of the first bout, Powell scored the win over Lemke with a first round submission.

 

Ryan Sanders (11-8) and Derrick Kennington (11-8) were the third fight of the evening to go the distance with Sanders picking up the victory via unanimous decision.

 

In the bantamweight main event, Brazilian prospect Ricardo Lucas Ramos (9-1) submitted Glendale, California’s Alfred Khashakyan (7-3) in the second round.

 

The results from Bangor, Maine:

 

Ricardo Lucas Ramos def. Alfred Khashakyan via rear-naked choke, round 2

Ryan Sanders def. Derrick Kennington via unanimous decision
Devin Powell def.  Jon Lemke via rear-naked choke submission, round 1

Aaron Lacey def.  John Santos via split decision

David Mundell def. Jarod Lawton via unanimous decision

CJ Ewer def. Ruben Redman via KO, round 1

Derrick Brown def. Brendan Battles via TKO, round 2

Josh Harvey def. Zenon Herrera via TKO, round 1

 

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.  Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

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.”

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

LAWTON GETS NEW OPPONENT ON BANGOR FIGHT CARD

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (July 30, 2016) – Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-2) has a new opponent this Friday night in Bangor at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.”  Lawton’s original opponent, Mike Hansen (4-4), pulled out of the middleweight contest with an injury just days before the start of fight week.  NEF officials scoured the country for someone to step up on a mere week’s notice and face the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Lawton.  Not an easy task, to say the least.  NEF matchmaker Matt Peterson was able to secure a replacement opponent in the form of David “Redneck” Mundell (5-1) of Dunedin, Florida.

Mundell is a purple belt fighting out of Gracie Clearwater.  His only loss as a professional came in his last fight this past spring.  In fact, Mundell had not lost a single round in any of his previous five professional fights to that point.  He is the reigning Florida State Professional MMA Welterweight Champion.  Mundell held several titles in the amateur ranks before turning pro.

While most competitors would shy away from the prospect of facing a black belt on a week’s notice in front of UFC President Dana White, Mundell approaches the fight with a workmanlike outlook.

“It’s just another day at the office,” said Mundell when reached for comment.

“I am excited to still be a part of the show and thankful Dave Mundell was willing to step up on short notice to take the fight,” said Lawton.  “He is a well-rounded fighter, and I am expecting to put on one of the best fights of the night as always!”

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight”  takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor,  Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

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 andwww.flocombat.com, 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.

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

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR TOP MAINE LIGHTWEIGHTS

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (July 29, 2016) – Devin Powell was enjoying an evening off from his demanding life as a mixed martial arts instructor and fighter.

He was surrounded by food that probably isn’t on his normal training menu. There were celebratory beverages to fit the loud music and party atmosphere at Xfinity Center, the outdoor concert venue in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

Somehow, Powell heard his phone ring, or felt it vibrate in his pocket. The impending conversation altered his day-after plans considerably.

Powell accepted a return engagement with Jon Lemke at “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight,” to be held Friday, August 5 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

“I found out my good friend Jesse Erickson got hurt,” Powell said, “and they asked me to fill in. I said ‘of course.’ Anybody representing UFC, never mind Dana White, if you ever have a chance to fight in front of them, it’s something you want to do if you’re able. It should be a nice, intimate setting.”

Powell (7-1) is the NEF lightweight champion, having secured the strap with a technical knockout of Erickson at “NEF 22: All Roads Lead Here” in April. Lemke (5-5) lost to previous champion Bruce Boyington in a bid for that belt.

The fight will take place five pounds above the lightweight limit at a catch weight of 160.

“It’s a huge opportunity,” said Lemke, who lives in neighboring Brewer. “I’m very grateful. I’m looking forward to fighting in front of probably the most influential person in MMA.”

Their bout is one of eight professional skirmishes to be showcased in front of White, a native of nearby Hermon, and cohorts Din Thomas and Matt Serra. The trio travels 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.

Neither man is known to shy away from the spotlight. Lemke stopped Erickson at Bellator 93 in Lewiston two years ago. Powell pushed his winning streak to five with a split-decision triumph June 17 over Tommy Marcellino on the World Series of Fighting stage at Foxwoods.

“I know they’re probably here to watch the guys in the main event,” Powell said of White and his entourage, “but I plan to put on a show that they won’t be able to sleep on. With my fighting style, very aggressive and unorthodox, I believe I definitely will get their attention. This sport is a lot about getting the right opportunity and taking advantage of it.”

When asked if he perceived any edge because Powell took the fight on three weeks’ notice, Lemke politely pointed out that he only began preparing for Erickson two weeks prior to that.

Lemke lost to Josh LaBerge on June 10.

“I only had a couple extra weeks to prepare. I was still training, but that’s all. I was in pretty good shape but not in fight shape,” Lemke said. “It’s one of those things where they ask you and you’re like, ‘Oh, man, I really want to do this, but.’ It’s just too big an opportunity not to. It’s not necessarily ideal, but as a fighter, absolutely you’re looking for that challenge, and Devin is one of the best guys in the game around here.”

He learned that first-hand, and in resounding fashion, when the two fighters previously clashed on May 10, 2014. Powell prevailed via choke-out in only 23 seconds.

That setting was Lemke’s comeback fight after his abrupt withdrawal from a title match against John Ortolani eight months earlier.

“It didn’t go very well last time. There were a lot of distractions and different circumstances for me leading up to that fight. I had to pull out of a title fight before that, which you never want to do. Three-quarters of the battle for me was just getting back in the cage,” Lemke said.

“I’m a completely different fighter now,” he added. “I think I’ve progressed everywhere, not just with my skills but with the approach I take. I’ve had quite a few fights and I’ve learned from both the wins and the losses. You always learn. Sometimes you learn the hard way.”

Lemke and Powell each enter the cage for the fourth time in less than a year. That activity is the reason neither man feels uneasy about accepting such a stern challenge after an abbreviated training camp.

In Powell’s case, fighting is simply a natural extension of his everyday life as owner and head instructor at Nostos MMA in Somersworth, N.H.

“I’m grateful for everything I have. I have a 4-year-old daughter and she likes to come to the academy and train jiu-jitsu,” Powell said. “I have a pretty amazing life. I only have to teach, train and fight. A lot of people don’t get more than a couple hours with their kids every night. We sacrifice a lot for this sport. People only see the 15 minutes of hell. They don’t see everything else.”

Powell is pleased to represent NEF for only the third time in his blossoming career.

“NEF is one of the biggest promotions in the country. They make superstars out of guys from Maine,” Powell said. “I fought for World Series of Fighting, and I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking them, but it was a much smaller show. NEF has a huge following, and now you see them going places like Cape Cod and Bangor, and that can only grow it even more. They do it right, and I’m glad to be able to step in there for them.”

Lemke faces the added pressure of fighting in front of not only White but his hometown fans from the Bangor area.

Many of them are not accustomed to the four-hour round trip for his encounters in Lewiston.

“A fight is still just a fight, and the next fight is the biggest fight regardless. You never know who could be there watching or what could happen as a result,” Lemke said, suggesting that he is more concerned with his opponent. “Devin is a phenomenal fighter. He has a great skill set. He’s highly touted and he has a great record to back it up. It’s definitely the challenge of a lifetime for me. He’s also a great guy outside the cage. I get along with him well. I think we respect each other.”

Powell confirmed those suspicions, although he reiterated that his objective is nothing less than another decisive victory.

“He’s a good guy. I don’t have to go to that deep, dark place. I understand that my job is to hurt someone so badly that the referee has to step in to save his life. It’s a beautiful, violent sport. I respect anyone who has the courage to get in there with the same goals as me,” Powell said. “I’m expecting a brouhaha with Lemke. He’s aggressive. He comes to fight. I like to do the same things. The first fight was short-lived. If I’m able to repeat that, I’m sure Dana White will be happy.”

“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

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 and www.flocombat.com, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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

YOUNG’S MMA HAS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE ON AUGUST 5 IN BANGOR

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (July 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, August 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 (July 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, N.H., in a featherweight fight. 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.

Yes, 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, however.

“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. I’m excited for it. 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 (Lewiston) 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,” he said. “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 Friday, August 5, 2016 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

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 and www.flocombat.com, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, UFC

ERICKSON OUT, POWELL IN TO FACE LEMKE IN FRONT OF UFC PRESIDENT

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (July 18, 2016) – When Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White comes to Bangor onAugust 5, 2016 to check out the local talent New England Fights (NEF) has to offer, Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (7-5) will unfortunately have to watch from the sidelines.  Erickson suffered an injury while training for his bout with Jon Lemke (5-5) previously-scheduled to take place that evening.  White will be present to record a future episode of his web series Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight in which professional mixed-martial-artists have a shot at earning a UFC contract based on their performance.

 

Within mere hours of being informed of Erickson’s injury, NEF executives had found a replacement in the form of the promotion’s reigning professional lightweight champion Devin Powell (7-1).  The bout will be a non-title contest scheduled for three-rounds at a catchweight of 160-pounds.  It is a rematch of a May 2014 NEF fight which Powell won via first-round submission.  Should Lemke win the rematch, he will be in line for a title shot in the rubber match.

 

“Once again, I am incredibly thankful and grateful to NEF for making this fight happen,” said Lemke.  “Getting an opponent change last minute is usually pretty stressful. Not this time, however, as the crew at NEF was on top of it, and the next day I had a new opponent.  I am very much looking forward to getting another crack at Devin, as I had a horrible showing in our first fight.  Devin is a highly-touted and talented fighter and I expect an all out battle for sure.  I have been looking forward to another crack at him for some time and you will see the best Jon Lemke yet.”

 

“Taking a short notice fight against Lemke was a no brainer,” stated Powell.  “No way could I pass on a chance to fight a fellow Mainer a few hours away from my mom’s hometown of Allagash, Maine.  Dana, I hope you get your popcorn, because you’re about to see a show. Hell or high water, I’m getting my hand raised.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight”  takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor,  Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

 

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 andwww.flocombat.com, 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.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

DANA WHITE: LOOKIN’ FOR A FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR BANGOR EVENT

Leave a comment

Bangor, Maine (July 12, 2016) – Earlier today, New England Fights (NEF) announced the fight card for the promotion’s August 5, 2016 event at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White will be present at the event to scout talent for his web show Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.  Eight professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts will be presented before White.  Sixteen competitors will look to impress the UFC boss and earn a contract with the largest MMA promotion in the world.

 

In the main event, “The Fearless” Alfred Khashakyan (7-2) will face Brazilian prospect Ricardo Lucas Ramos (8-1) in a bantamweight contest.  Based out of Glendale, California, Khashakyan is a finisher, having won seven of his last eight bouts via knockout or technical knockout.  Khashakyan will be in good company on August 5 as his opponent does not believe in letting the judges decide the winner either.  Seven of Ramos’ eight wins have been finishes, including five submissions.

 

Maine lightweights Jon Lemke (5-5) and Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (7-5) will meet in a rematch of their Bellator 93 bout from 2013.  Lemke won the first battle in Lewiston via first round technical knockout.  Both Erickson and Lemke have recently challenged for the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title.  They are two of the top-ranked fighters in the state at 155-pounds.

 

Local, Bangor-based Young’s MMA will send no less than four competitors to the cage in hopes of winning a UFC contract.  “The” Ryan Sanders (10-7), Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (1-0), CJ Ewer (1-0), and Josh “Hook On” Harvey (1-0) will all be in action for the first time at the Cross.

 

In a bout that has all the makings of a “show-stealer,” Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-2) is scheduled to face Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (4-4) in a middleweight bout.  Both will be looking to bounce back from losses in their respective previous bouts.  Hansen is a former state high school wrestling champion out of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine.

 

The full fight card (subject to change):

 

265-POUNDS: Brendan Battles (1-0) vs. Derrick Brown (4-3)

185-POUNDS: Jarod Lawton (4-2) vs. Mike Hansen (4-4)

170-POUNDS: CJ Ewer (1-0) vs. Ruben Redman (0-1)

155-POUNDS: Ryan Sanders (10-7) vs. Derrick Kennington (11-7)

155-POUNDS: Jesse Erickson (7-5) vs. Jon Lemke (5-5)

145-POUNDS: Josh Harvey (1-0) vs. Brandon Bushaw (2-2)

145-POUNDS: Aaron Lacey (1-0) vs. John Santos (3-3)

135-POUNDS: Alfred Khashakyan (7-2) vs. Ricardo Lucas Ramos (8-1)

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight”  takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor,  Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

 

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 andwww.flocombat.com, 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.