Tag Archives: Maine

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

2017 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RETURNING TO THE CAGE AT NEF 32

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (December 27, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston onSaturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur women’s bantamweight bout to the card.  Jayda “Lil Killah” Bailey(1-0) is scheduled to face Amanda Gallo (0-1) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

Jayda Bailey made headlines this year when she became the youngest athlete to ever compete in a sanctioned MMA fight in Maine.  A mere eight days after her 18th birthday, the legal minimum age for an MMA participant in the state, Bailey put together a dominant performance in her debut against Danae Dostie (0-1) at “NEF 31.”  It took her just over 90-seconds to pound out a TKO victory.  So impressive was the win that it earned Bailey a nomination for “Rookie of the Year.”  The fans agreed and voted the Hermon, Maine teenager as the recipient of the award.  Bailey is currently a member of Young’s MMA of Bangor.  This summer, upon graduation from high school, she plans to relocate to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she will join Jackson Wink MMA Academy – home to many top UFC stars.

“I can’t wait to step into the cage again and display my abilities,” said Bailey.  “I look to get better every time I fight, and I’m excited to be facing a new challenge.”

That new challenge will come in the form of Amanda Gallo.  Gallo trains with Robson Moura Nations United (RMNU) based in Tampa, Florida.  She made her cage debut in the fall of 2016 against Laine Orabona (2-2) on a fight card in Georgia.  The thrilling contest went the distance and saw Gallo lose a very close split decision on the judges’ scorecards.  She will come to Maine looking for the first win of her young career.

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

IT WILL BE VICTORY OR VALHALLA (AND MAYBE A NEW TATTOO) AT NEF 32

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (December 5, 2017) – No, you have not been transported back to the 9th century.  There will be no longboats, no battleaxes, and no shield maidens present on February 3rd in Lewiston.  Yet, the Androscoggin River is very likely to run red with blood that evening.  A Viking and a Berserker will wage war in Central Maine when New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Wrestling and jiu-jitsu, rather than swords and Thor’s hammer, will be the weapons of choice as Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (8-7) faces Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (5-8) of Berserkers MMA in a featured professional welterweight bout.

The fight will be Erickson’s twentieth in the NEF cage, a record number for any one fighter in the promotion, but it will be a year since his last NEF appearance.  He lost to Jon Lemke (7-8) in the semi-finals of the NEF Lightweight Title tournament last February at the Colisee.  Erickson, an instructor with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), and a homegrown talent of Lewiston-Auburn, will be looking for a triumphant return after a recent loss in Canada.

“It will be a year since I’ve fought in Lewiston,” said Erickson. “The NEF cage is like home to me. I’m really looking forward to hearing my friends, family, and CMBJJ team as I enter the cage. But once the door shuts, all I hear is my corner and all I’m focused on is dismantling the man across from me. Odin’s Son is here to slay the great wolf. This is Ragnarok. Victory or Valhalla.”

Like his opponent, Mike Hansen is also in search of a much-needed win.  Hansen lost all four of his fights in 2017, including back-to-back defeats this fall in Western Massachusetts.  His last win came at “NEF 25” in 2016 when Hansen, a former state champion wrestler for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, scored an impressive first-round submission of Matt Andrikut (2-1), defending the honor of Maine wrestling against the New York mat native.

“I’m super excited for this fight,” exclaimed Hansen of the upcoming meeting with Erickson. “It’s a great matchup for Maine MMA. Our schools are close to each other and we have competed against each other many times. It’s finally time for the coaches to get down and boogie. My pick for this fight is the fans for sure. Fans will not be upset.”

Hansen challenged Erickson to add a stipulation to the bout when they announced the fight publicly at “NEF 31” in Portland last month.  Hansen would like the loser to receive a tattoo with the design chosen by the winner.

“I have nothing but respect for Jesse Erickson, but so still want our sponsor C+C O’Leary Tattoo in Lewiston to do his tattoo I pick for him when he loses. I will, ‘finish him,’ and ‘if he dies, he dies.‘ Time to start making your sacrifices Jesse, you will need the gods in your favor on February 3rd, because when war time comes the blood will flow.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.TheColisee.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LEAR VACATES AMATEUR TITLE TO TURN PRO AGAINST JONES AT NEF 32

Leave a comment

 Lewiston, Maine (December 1, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on Saturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card.  Fred Lear (0-0) will take on Dom “Domnation” Jones (1-1) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

The bout will be Lear’s debut in the professional ranks after a successful amateur career that saw him amass a 6-2 record.  He is riding a three-fight win streak into the showdown with Jones.  Lear’s last appearance in the NEF cage saw him capture the amateur bantamweight title with a second-round technical knockout over Jones’ teammate Walt Shea (2-1) last summer.  He will now vacate that championship upon turning professional.  Lear is a member of Young’s MMA of Bangor, Maine.  He has competed regularly in the amateur ranks for more than four years.

“My opponent is big, strong, and dangerous,” said Lear. “Styles are what make big fights, and the fans will be in for another barn burner here. I have dreamt of this opportunity and will work hard to ensure that it is not squandered.”

Dom Jones, a member of First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine, made his NEF debut last spring as a professional after going 5-1 as an amateur in his native state of Florida.  He dominated Tollison Lewis (1-6) that night, pounding out a technical knockout victory late in the first round.  Jones returned to the NEF cage weeks later and suffered his first pro loss to Matt Denning (5-7).  Not one to give up on his goals, Jones is using that loss as motivation to better himself in training.

“I’m glad to be back in NEF,” said Jones when reached for comment.  “I missed the cage and the NEF fans! I’m excited for my upcoming fight against Fred. Last time I was in the cage, the fight didn’t turn out my way. I used that as a motivation to be better. I jumped right back in the gym and went 110%. I’m excited to be back at 135 and challenge myself. Fred is a great match up. He is great fighter with a future in the sport. I’m excited to see our wrestling skills compete. It’s going to be a fun and explosive fight and something the fans want to see. February 3rd is going to be fireworks!”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.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 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

2017 ROOKIE STANDOUTS WILL BATTLE IN FIRST NEF EVENT OF NEW YEAR

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (November 30, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston onSaturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur middleweight bout to the card.  Josh Jones (2-2) is scheduled to meet Mark Gardner (1-0) at a fight weight of 185-pounds.

Josh Jones’ rise to the top of the NEF middleweight division in 2017 was nothing short of meteoric.  A former basketball star at Erskine Academy in South China, Maine and draftee of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Developmental League, Jones has honed his craft in the martial arts at First Class MMA of Brunswick.  It took him a mere 24-seconds combined to knock out his first two opponents this past year.  Jones’ four-second knockout of Anthony Spires (0-3) went viral worldwide and was featured on major websites like Bleacher Report.  After back-to-back losses to finish the year, Jones is looking to rebound with a win to open 2018.

“I am very honored and blessed to have the opportunity to compete against Mark,” said Jones. “Mark has shown to be an awesome competitor. I look forward to the challenge on February 3rd. As an MMA fighter and competitor, it is always a privilege to step into the cage and perform under the lights for New England Fights.”

Mark Gardner made his debut in the NEF cage earlier this month in Portland.  Gardner faced another up-and-coming middleweight in the form of Carlton Charles (1-1).  Last summer, it was Charles who handed Josh Jones his first loss.  Gardner impressed many in attendance with his gutsy performance against Charles.  He had an answer for everything Charles threw at him early in the fight, dispatching Charles in the second round by technical knockout.  For those who have followed Maine combat sports for some time, Gardner’s toughness comes as no surprise.  His gritty, workmanlike style has been the hallmark of his team, the Academy of MMA in Portland, for many years.

“I’m excited to get back in the cage for my next fight,” declared Gardner. “I learned a lot from my first fight and have been working on my technique. I can’t say much about my opponent, I don’t really know anything about him – I just fight who my coach tells me to fight.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

MOUNTAIN VALLEY WRESTLING ALUM TO MEET IN NEF MMA CAGE

Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (November 29, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on Saturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur flyweight bout to the card.  Ryan Burgess (2-2) will face Nate Boucher (2-1) at a fight weight of 125-pounds.

Ryan Burgess is wrestling royalty at his alma mater, Mountain Valley High School, in Rumford, Maine. Burgess is one of only four Mountain Valley wrestlers to ever win triple state crowns in wrestling. He amassed an amazing 151-23 overall high school record before graduating and turning his focus to mixed martial arts.  He is currently a member of Berserkers MMA based in Rumford.  Burgess is the former NEF amateur flyweight champion.  NEF 32 will see him return to the cage after a year’s absence.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity to get back in the cage,” said Burgess. “I’ve taken some time off to make proper adjustments and focus on my career that started not long before my last fight. I’m ready to take my belt back and right now only one guy stands in my way. It’s not every day you can go to an MMA fight and watch two men who saw each other grow up scrap. Come February 3rd, Nate, we will see what you’re made of.”

Nate Boucher began wrestling at five-years old and due to some off-the-mat issues, never achieved the high school statistics of his upcoming adversary, Burgess. However, Boucher’s wrestling skills were on full display back in August 2017at NEF 30 when he defeated Maine wrestling legend and four-time state champion Jeremiah Barkac (0-1) by first-round submission. Boucher, who grew-up admiring Burgess’ prowess on the mat, is anxious to test himself against such a decorated grappler and prove that his wrestling stands up against the best.  He will be looking to rebound from a split decision loss to Justin Witham (4-4) earlier this month in an unsuccessful bid for the vacant flyweight title.  It was a fight many in attendance felt Boucher had won.

“The disappointment of the decision going against me on November 3rd still stings,” said Boucher. “I’m confident that I beat Justin Witham that night, even though two of the three judges didn’t see it that way. So, I’m going to get right back on the horse—it’s what we do—and take on the guy that holds a win over Witham in Ryan Burgess. I grew-up watching Ryan wrestle. We’re from the same town and I know what he brings to the fight. I will be ready. I’m coming for my title and no one is going to get in my way.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.TheColisee.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED, MAIN EVENT THRILLS AS NEF 31 SELLS OUT AURA FOR PORTLAND DEBUT

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (November 3, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) made its long-awaited debut in Portland, Maine on Saturday night before a sold-out crowd at Aura.

In the main event of the evening, hometown favorite Paul Gorman (11-9) took on James Blair (5-2) in a 130-pound catchweight contest.  The crowd was on the edge of its collective seat for a thrilling three-round war that will be a definite “fight of the year” candidate for 2017.  Gorman pulled off the unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.

The ever-popular John “First Class” Raio (3-8) returned to the NEF cage after a three-year retirement.  Raio faced a game Zenon Herrera (0-6) and came out with the win in the third round when Herrera tapped out to a guillotine choke.

On the amateur side of the card, three new champions were crowned.  Terrance Jean-Jacques (3-0) became the new NEF Amateur Heavyweight Champion with a unanimous decision victory over defending champion Nick Gulliver (4-1).  Justin Witham (4-4) is the new flyweight titleholder after defeating Nate Boucher (2-1) by split decision.  Hilarie Rose (5-3) made history as the first women’s champion in promotion history by capturing the strawweight title against Alex Walker (4-2).

Two milestones were set early in the night as Jayda Bailey (1-0) became the youngest fighter to ever emerge victorious in the NEF cage, while Garry Carr (1-0) took the honor of the oldest fighter to ever win in the NEF cage.  Bailey turned 18 just eight days prior to the event.  Carr is 56 years young.

In addition to an evening of fights, fans were able to meet special guest Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (24-5).  Souza is currently the number-four ranked middleweight in the UFC.

The results from Portland, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL

Paul Gorman def. James Blair via unanimous decision

John Raio def. Zenon Herrera via guillotine, round 3

AMATEUR

Hilarie Rose def. Alex Walker via TKO, round 1

Justin Witham def. Nate Boucher via split decision

Terrance Jean-Jacques def. Nick Gulliver via unanimous decision

Carl Langston def. Henry Clark via unanimous decision

Mohammed al Kinani def. Phil Pearson via KO, round 1

Isaac Therrien def. Chad Weymouth via TKO, round 1

Francesca Morabito def. Carol Linn Powell via unanimous decision

Emmett Huber def. Will McCall via guillotine, round 1

Bill Cole def. Nathan Pete via rear-naked choke, round 2

Garry Carr def. David Hart via rear-naked choke, round 1

Mark Gardner def. Carlton Charles via TKO, round 2

Sarah Matulis def. Chelsea Elizabeth via TKO, round 1

Jayda Bailey def. Danae Dostie via TKO, round 1

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF ANNOUNCES MONUMENTAL FIGHT CARD FOR PORTLAND DEBUT

Leave a comment

Portland, Maine (October 6, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) will make its long-awaited debut in Portland on Friday, November 3, 2017 at Aura with “NEF 31: The Old Port.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the full fight card for the event featuring a full slate of professional and amateur mixed-martial-arts bouts.

Maine fan-favorite Paul Gorman (10-9) is scheduled to take on James “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Blair (5-1) in the main event of the evening.  Gorman, the former NEF bantamweight titleholder and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt out of the Academy in Portland, makes his return to the NEF cage after a three-year absence.  Blair is a hot prospect from the world-renowned American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida where he trains alongside a veritable murderers’ row of current and former world champions like Mike Brown (26-9), Tyron Woodley (18-3-1), and Joanna Jędrzejczyk (14-0) just to name a few.

Reigning NEF Professional Middleweight Champion CJ Ewer (3-0) will be in action when he takes on Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) in a non-title affair.  Ewer captured the 185-pound title over the summer when he submitted Mike Hansen (5-6) at “NEF 30: Rumble in Bangor.”  Boutin will be coming off a year-long layoff from competition.

“The Blackpool Ripper” Matt Probin (0-0) makes his pro MMA debut against rugged veteranJosh Parker (6-9).  Both Probin and Parker have extensive backgrounds as professional boxers.  Probin has trained and competed in Muay Thai in Thailand.  Parker is the founder of Ruthless MMA & Boxing of Waterville, Maine.

John “First Class” Raio (2-8) will come out of retirement to face Zenon “K-Bar” Herrera (0-5).  Raio last fought in the summer of 2015.  He is the head coach of First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.  Herrera, a veteran of both the United States Army and Marine Corps, is looking for his first win since joining the professional ranks two years ago.

The amateur side of the card will feature a total of three title fights.  NEF Amateur Heavyweight Champion Nick “The Guardian” Gulliver (4-0) will defend his strap against WWE signeeTerrance Jean-Jacques (2-0), while Nate Boucher (2-0) and Justin Witham (3-4) square off for the vacant flyweight title.  Alex Walker (4-1) and Hilarie Rose (4-3) will make history when they battle for the first-ever NEF women’s championship in the strawweight division.

The Walker-Rose fight will be one of four female bouts featured on the “NEF 31” amateur card.  Carol Linn Powell (0-0), wife of former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion and current UFC competitor Devin Powell (8-3), is scheduled to make her cage debut against Francesca Morabito (0-0). Jayda “Lil Killah” Bailey (0-0) makes her debut just eight days after her 18th birthday, the legal minimum age for competing in MMA in Maine, in a bantamweight bout with Danae Dostie (0-0) while Sarah Matulis (0-0) and Chelsea Elizabeth(0-0) face off in yet another double amateur debut.

The full “NEF 31” fight card (subject to change and approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine):

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

180 CJ Ewer 3-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Crowsneck Boutin 2-3 (Independent)

 

150 John Raio 2-8 (First Class MMA) vs Zenon Herrera 0-5 (Independent)

 

145 Josh Parker 6-9 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Matt Probin 0-0 (CMBJJ/Young’s MMA)

 

135 Paul Gorman 10-9 (The Academy) vs James Blair 5-1 (American Top Team)

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

265*TITLE  Nick Guilliver 4-0 (c) (First Class /Foundry) vs Terrance Jean-Jacques 2-0 (Team Link)

 

125*TITLE  Nate Boucher 2-0 (CMBJJ) vs Justin Witham 3-4 (Shatterproof Combat Club)

 

115 *TITLE Alex Walker 4-1 (Kaze) vs Hilarie Rose 4-3 (USMMA)

265 Matt Glover 1-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Jason Field 0-2 (Kenney’s MMA)

 

175 Carlton Charles 1-0 (Charles Family Fighting/Fire&Iron Athletics) vs Nate Evans 0-0

 

170 Mohammed al Kinani 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Phil Pearson 0-1 (First Class MMA)

 

170 David Grant 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Tom Rials 0-0 (Nostos)

 

155 Will McCall 1-2 (Evolution Athletix) vs Chad Pierce 1-0 (The Academy)

 

155 Nick Banks 0-0 (Choi Institute) vs Emmett Huber 0-1 (The Academy)

 

155 Garry Carr 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs David Hart 0-1 (Kenney’s MMA)

135 Sarah Matulis 0-0 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Chelsea Elizabeth 0-0 (First Class MMA)

 

135 Danae Dostie 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Jayda Bailey 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

135 Carl Langston 6-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Henry Clark 3-3 (Choi Institute)

 

135 Kam Arnold 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Caleb Costello 3-4 (Young’s MMA)

 

135 Carol Linn Hawkins 0-0 (Nostos) vs Francesca Morabito 0-0 (Choi Institute)

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 31: The Old Port,” will see the company debut in Portland, Maine at the brand new, state-of-the-art venue Aura.  The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 3, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at www.auramaine.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

CHARLES LOOKS TO MAKE IT TWO IN A ROW TO START MMA CAREER

Leave a comment

Portland, Maine (August 31, 2017) –New England Fights (NEF) will make its long-awaited debut in Portland onFriday, November 3, 2017 at Aura with “NEF 31: The Old Port.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur mixed-martial-arts bout to the card.  Carlton Charles (1-0) will take on Nate Evans (0-0) at a catchweight of 175-pounds.

Carlton Charles shocked the Maine MMA community earlier this month with his stunning first-round technical knockout of Josh Jones (2-1) at “NEF 30” in Bangor.  Jones had looked indestructible to that point, only needing 24-seconds to finish his first two opponents combined.  In turn, it took Charles only 23-seconds to polish off Jones in his amateur debut.  It was, indeed, one of the most impressive debuts in NEF history.

Charles’ athleticism comes as no surprise, however, to those who know him.  He excelled in football for Windham High School.  As an assistant coach, Charles later lead Windham to a Class A state championship.  He went on to play for the NCAA Division I University of Maine Black Bears.  Currently, Charles trains MMA with Charles Family Fighting alongside his older brother, and seven-fight NEF veteran, Nate Charles.

“I’m real excited about the opportunity to fight in Portland,” said Charles. “Not often have we seen MMA in Portland, so it’s definitely going to get a lot of attention. It’s a bit closer to home than Bangor was, so I feel like I’ll have a lot of support there. I hope to put on a good show and look to build on the success of my first fight. I know my opponent will be tough so I am training hard to be prepared.”

Nate Evans will be making his debut on November 3rd.  Like Charles, Evans’ background is in football.  He was a star quarterback for Sumter Central High School in Livingston, Alabama.  Also like Charles, Evans has begun training and combat sports and is hoping to make a successful transition from the gridiron to the MMA cage.

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 31: The Old Port,” will see the company debut in Portland, Maine at the brand new, state-of-the-art venue Aura.  The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 3, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at www.auramaine.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

WOMAN WILL MAKE HISTORY AS YOUNGEST MMA COMPETITOR EVER IN MAINE

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (August 30, 2017) –New England Fights (NEF) will make its long-awaited debut in Portland onFriday, November 3, 2017 at Aura with “NEF 31: The Old Port.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur mixed-martial-arts bout to the card.  Jayda “Lil Killah” Bailey (0-0) is scheduled to face Danae Dostie (0-0) in a female bantamweight contest.

Bailey, a senior at Hermon High School in Hermon, Maine, will turn 18 (the legal minimum age for one to compete in MMA in Maine) a mere eight days before the fight, thereby making her the youngest person in history to ever compete in a regulated MMA fight in the state.  She has trained in the martial arts since the age of four and has been a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor since age twelve.  Bailey also wrestles for Bucksport High School as Hermon does not have a team.  At the age of 15, she traveled to New Mexico to train at the world famous Jackson Wink MMA Academy where she worked with the likes of former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm (11-3).  Bailey regularly competes in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments throughout the New England region.

“I’ve been wanting to fight for as long as I can remember,” said Bailey. “November 3rd will be the day I can showcase what I have, and begin my career with a bang.”

Standing opposite Bailey in the cage will be a fellow amateur debut in the form of Danae Dostie.  Dostie is a graduate of Fryeburg Academy High School in Fryeburg, Maine where she was a standout athlete on the track and field team.  She currently serves as a member of the military police with the Maine Army National Guard.  Dostie represents Kenney’s MMA of Lisbon, Maine.

“I’m very excited for my first fight in NEF,” said Dostie. “It will be fun to see how this fight goes. I know either way I will learn a lot.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 31: The Old Port,” will see the company debut in Portland, Maine at the brand new, state-of-the-art venue Aura.  The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 3, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at www.auramaine.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

HOMETOWN PRIDE IS ON THE LINE IN BANTAMWEIGHT BATTLE AT NEF 31

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (August 24, 2017) –New England Fights (NEF) will make its long-awaited debut in Portland onFriday, November 3, 2017 at Aura with “NEF 31: The Old Port.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur mixed-martial-arts bantamweight bout to the card.  Henry Clark (3-3) is scheduled to face Carl Langston (6-9) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

Henry Clark is a member of the Choi Institute based in Portland.  Since his debut in the fall of 2014, Clark has been known for producing exciting moments in the NEF cage.  In a memorable bout with Langston’s Young’s MMA teammate, and current NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Champion, Fred Lear (6-2), Clark held onto a triangle choke while Lear viciously slammed him not once but twice.  He will look to break a two-fight losing streak with what Clark predicts to be a dominant performance against Langston in front of his hometown fans.

“Portland is my town,” declared Clark. “On November 3rd, I’m showing up to prove that. I’ve got a great opponent in Carl who always shows up to fight, but I’m planning on keeping it a dominant, one-sided affair. Truly my only desire is that of violence, my only intention is victory. Both will be achieved.”

Like Clark, Carl Langston calls Portland home.  With a background in Taekwondo, Langston has thrilled NEF fans on numerous occasions with his prolific striking abilities.  He knocked out Alex Johnson (2-3) with a series of violent kicks to the body in Langston’s last NEF appearance.  Langston says this will be his last amateur fight before turning professional.

“This will be my last amateur fight and there isn’t any better way to go out fighting for NEF’s first card  in my hometown in Portland,” stated Langston.  “I’m super pumped to be part of this card! As far as my opponent, he’s a good guy and I have nothing bad to say about him, but come fight time, I’m going to walk through him. He won’t make it out of the second round. He has nothing to offer me.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 31: The Old Port,” will see the company debut in Portland, Maine at the brand new, state-of-the-art venue Aura.  The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 3, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at www.auramaine.com.