Tūtohu Archives: Maine

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

PRO WOMEN’S BOUT HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF A FIGHT OF THE NIGHT CONTENDER AT NEF 25

Waiho he tākupu

Lewiston, Maine (August 17, 2016) – For the second time in New England Fights (Nef) hītori, a professional women’s mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bout will take to the fight promotion’s cage. IMahuru 10, 2016 when NEF returns to Lewiston with its next event, “Nef 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” the professional portion of the MMA card will feature a women’s flyweight bout between Sarah “SwitchKick” Pāwhiritia (0-1) a Valerie “Valociraptor” Aspaas (0-0). Click and Aspaas will look to continue the recent tradition of women’s fights taking “Whawhai o te Po” honors at NEF events. Judging from the extensive martial arts backgrounds of both competitors, the fight could very well do just that.

 

Sarah Click made her initial foray into the martial arts world at just eight-years-old when she began training in Taekwondo. Now a sergeant in the United States Army, Click began competing in MMA in 2014 after returning from a tour of Afghanistan. Over the course of her amateur career, Click captured several regional titles throughout New England and New York. She made her professional debut for national promotion Invicta last spring. Click is a member of Team Juniko of Hyannis, Massachusetts.

 

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to fight at one of New England’s best promotions,” said Click of NEF. “They are doing big things for fighters, and they are coming off one of their best shows to date. Valerie has fought some of the best 125 talent, going the distance with KGB and Kaitlyn Chookagain. I’m going to do what I do best and bring a war that you won’t want to miss!”

 

Like her opponent, Valerie Aspaas got her start in martial arts at a young age, training in Isshin-Ryu Karate. She currently holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). I roto i te 2014, Aspaas won the Buffalo, New York version of the Golden Gloves. She made her NEF debut at “NEF IX” i roto i te Biddeford, Maine, defeating Maria Rios (2-3) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu. The fight was a brutal bloodbath that had the capacity crowd on the edge of its collective seat for the duration. Aspaas will enter the professional ranks at “NEF 25.”

 

“My professional debut has been a long time coming, and I am honored to have the opportunity to do it under NEF,” said Aspaas when reached for comment. “I fought for them a few years back, and I believe that the promotion and the people of Maine remember the bloody, exciting battle I fought against Maria Rios. They should expect to see more of the same ferocity and grit from a more evolved version of the Valociraptor when I step back into the cage on September 10th.”

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', "NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Rāhoroi, Mahuru 10, 2016 i te Androscoggin Bank Colisée i Lewiston, Maine. Ka tiimata nga tiikiti i te wa tika $25 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei i www.TheColisee.com ranei na roto i te te karanga i te tari pouaka Colisée i 207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

BELLATOR 93 REMATCH TO FEATURE PROMINENTLY ON NEF 25 FIGHT KĀRI

Waiho he tākupu

Lewiston, Maine (August 11, 2016) - New Ingarangi whawhai (Nef) hoki ki te Lewiston runga Mahuru 10, 2016 with the fight promotion’s next event, “Nef 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.” NEF executives announced earlier today that Hehe “The Viking” Erickson (7-5) a Jon Lemke (5-6) will square off for the second time in their respective careers. Lemke won the first meeting at NEF’s co-promotion with Bellator, “Bellator 93,” in the spring of 2013. The bout will take place in the 155-pound lightweight division.

 

Originally scheduled to take place earlier this month at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” in Bangor, Erickson-Lemke II was postponed when Erickson suffered an injury in training. Devin Powell (8-1) stepped in to replace Erickson in the bout. While he was stopped late in the first round, Lemke put on a valiant performance, shattering Powell’s nose in the process. Lemke hopes to get back on the winning track at “NEF 25.”

 

“My last couple of performances have been a bit disappointing for me as a fighter, so I wanted to fight again as soon as possible and figure this out,” Na ka mea a Lemke. “I am incredibly grateful for another opportunity to fight for NEF. I am learning how to separate who I am as a person and man versus who I am as a fighter when I step in to that cage. This will enable me to stop holding back and really leave it all in the cage. Jesse is a fighter through and through and this will be a great battle for sure.”

 

Erickson, i runga i ētahi atu i te ringa, is coming off a brutal knockout victory over Amos Collins (4-5) tenei Pipiri mua. It was just the latest in a string of improved striking performances from Erickson in the past couple of years. He says that he will welcome the opportunity to stand and exchange with Lemke should the opportunity present itself.

 

“I can’t wait to step into the NEF cage against Jon,” said Erickson. “I ahau i te rota o te faatura no ia. He is a talented well rounded fighter and always puts on a show. He beat me in my pro debut, but that was years ago and I’m very excited to show everyone how far I’ve come. I’m not the same fighter I was then and now that I’ve recovered from injury, I look forward to competing against him. Most people expect me to look for the takedown to utilize my jiu jitsu, but I love to strike and want to show him and everyone else that I’ve got Thor’s hammer in these hands. If he thinks the outcome will be the same and he will walk through me, it’ll be a rough night for him. Victory or Valhalla.”

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', "NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Rāhoroi, Mahuru 10, 2016 i te Androscoggin Bank Colisée i Lewiston, Maine. Ka tiimata nga tiikiti i te wa tika $25 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei i www.TheColisee.com ranei na roto i te te karanga i te tari pouaka Colisée i 207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

Amateur MMA, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

IT WILL BE CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION ON SEPTEMBER 10 IN LEWISTON

Waiho he tākupu

Lewiston, Maine (August 9, 2016) – In a rare occurrence, two champions from two different weight divisions will square off onMahuru 10, 2016 when New England Fights presents “Nef 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” i roto i te Lewiston. Reigning NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Champion Johnny Crafts (4-0) will come up in weight to challenge Karepe Hall (7-3) for Hall’s NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title.

 

Caleb Hall was a two-time Maine state champion wrestling for Dirigo High School in Dixfield. He would go on to wrestle for Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, as well as the University of Southern Maine. I “NEF 22” this past spring, Hall captured the vacant featherweight title by submitting Erik Nelson (2-3) i roto i te rua o a tawhio noa. In the upcoming bout with Crafts, Hall will be looking to not only retain his title, but to also gain a measure of revenge against Crafts who defeated Hall’s teammate Henry Clark (3-2) hinga whakamutunga.

 

“Johnny’s making a big mistake coming up in weight trying to take my belt,” said Hall. “I will avenge my teammate, Henry Clark, and put him away early.”

 

Johnny Crafts is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ). As mentioned, Crafts defeated Henry Clark of the Choi Institute last fall to claim the amateur bantamweight title. I Mahuru 10, Crafts hopes to make history by becoming the first competitor to simultaneously hold two championships in two different weight divisions.

 

“I’m honestly just excited to get in there and have a brutal, fun fight,” said Crafts. “It’s going to be a guaranteed war versus Caleb. It’s less focus on cutting weight at 145 for me and more on the training camp. I’m going to be the most technical and strong I have ever been for this fight.”

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', "NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Rāhoroi, Mahuru 10, 2016 i te Androscoggin Bank Colisée i Lewiston, Maine. Ka tiimata nga tiikiti i te wa tika $25 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei i www.TheColisee.com ranei na roto i te te karanga i te tari pouaka Colisée i 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. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

 

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS SELLS OUT IN BANGOR

Waiho he tākupu

Bangor, Maine (August 6, 2016) - New Ingarangi whawhai (Nef) held its most recent event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight,” Rāmere 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 Arona Lacey (2-0) a John Santos (3-4). The two featherweights battled back and forth for a grueling, and bloody, 15-meneti. Lacey was declared the winner by split decision on the judges’ scorecards.

 

In a rematch from 2014, NEF MMA Ngaio Kōmāmā 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) a 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 o Alfred Khashakyan (7-3) i roto i te rua o a tawhio noa.

 

The results from Bangor, Maine:

 

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

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

Arona Lacey DEF. John Santos via split decision

David Mundell def. Jarod Lawton via unanimous decision

CJ karaehe def. Ruben Redman via KO, tawhio 1

Derrick Brown def. Brendan Battles via TKO, tawhio 2

Josh Harvey DEF. Zenon Herrera mā TKO, tawhio 1

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', "NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, Mahuru 10, 2016 i te Androscoggin Bank Colisée i Lewiston, Maine. Ka tiimata nga tiikiti i te wa tika $25 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei i www.TheColisee.com ranei na roto i te te karanga i te tari pouaka Colisée i 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. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

Amateur MMA, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

LAWTON GETS NEW OPPONENT ON BANGOR FIGHT CARD

Waiho he tākupu

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 30, 2016) - Jarod “Minute Last” 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 Rawiri “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. I roto i te meka, 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!”

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', “NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga” e wahi i runga i te Paraire, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki 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. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA awww.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

Mō New Ingarangi whawhai

New Ingarangi whawhai ("Nef") Ko te whawhai whakatairanga ngā kaupapa kamupene. Misioni a nef ko ki te waihanga i te mau ohipa kounga teitei mō ngā whawhai, me pā o Maine rite tahi. Whānui wheako i roto i te whakahaere hākinakina whawhai he kapa whakahaere o nef, production ngā kaupapa, whanaungatanga pāpāho, marketing, ture me te pānuitanga.

Amateur MMA, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai, UFC

HE WHAKAMAHI KAUPAPA KI NGA MAHI RANGI MAI

Waiho he tākupu

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 29, 2016) - I koa a Devin Powell i te ahiahi mai i tana oranga taumaha hei kaiwhakaako me te kaiwhawhai toa.

I karapotia ia e nga kai kaore pea i runga i tana raarangi whakangungu noa. He inu whakanui hei whakauru i nga puoro nui me te haurangi i te Xfinity Centre, te waahi konohete o waho i Mansfield, Massachusetts.

Ahakoa ra, I rongo a Powell i tana waea e tangi ana, i kite ranei e wiri ana i roto i tana pute. Ko nga korero e haere mai ana i whakarereke i aana mahere-a-raa.

I whakaae a Powell ki te hoki ano ki a Jon Lemke i te "NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga,”Kia mau Rāmere, August 5 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor.

“I kite ahau i whara taku hoa aroha a Jesse Erickson,”Ka kii a Powell, "A ka tono mai ratou ki ahau kia whakakiihia. I kii ahau ‘he tika.’ Ko nga tangata katoa e tohu ana i te UFC, kaua e wareware ki a Dana White, mena ka whai waahi koe ki te whawhai ki mua i a raatau, he mea e hiahia ana koe ki te mahi mena ka taea e koe. Kia pai, whakanoho tata. ”

Powell (7-1) Ko te toa NEF taumahamaha, i te mea kua mau ia i te here ki te patuki hangarau o Erickson i te "NEF 22: Katoa nga rori e ahu ana ki konei ”i te Paenga-whawha. Lemke (5-5) i ngaro ki te toa o mua a Bruce Boyington i tana tono mo tera whitiki.

Ka tu te pakanga kia rima pauna i runga ake i te rohe maamaha i te taumaha hopu o 160.

"He mea angitu nui tenei,”Te kii a Lemke, e noho ana i te Brewer tata. "Kei te tino maioha ahau. Kei te tumanako ahau ki te whawhai i mua o te tangata pea whai mana i roto i te MMA. "

Ko ta ratou tukinga tetahi o nga wero ngaiotanga e waru i whakaatuhia ki te aroaro o White, he tangata whenua no Heremona e tata ana, me nga roopu Din Thomas me Matt Serra. Ko te tokotoru nei e haerere ana i te whenua mo te whai i te taranata MMA kaore ano kia kitea i roto i tetahi whakaaturanga pono e whakapaohotia ana ki te wharangi YouTube ma White me te ratonga ataata whakaata i runga i te hainatanga UFC Fight Pass.

Kaore hoki te tangata e mohio ki te mataku atu i te tirohanga whanui. I whakamutua e Lemke a Erickson ki Bellator 93 i Lewiston e rua tau ki muri. I pana a Powell i tana taumata toa ki te rima me te wikitoria i waenga i a ia Pipiri 17 mo Tommy Marcellino kei runga i te whakataetae Toa o te Ao i Foxwoods.

"Kei te mohio au kei konei pea raatau ki te matakitaki i nga taane i te kaupapa nui,”Ko te korero a Powell mo White me tana tira, "Engari kei te whakaaro ahau ki te tuu i tetahi whakaaturanga e kore e taea e raatau te moe. Ki taku momo whawhai, tino pukuriri me te koretake, E whakapono ana ahau ka aro atu raatau ki a raatau. Ko tenei hākinakina te mea nui mo te whai waahi tika me te whakamahi i a ia. ”

I te paatai ​​ki a ia mena i kite ia i tetahi take na te mea i whawhai a Powell i te toru wiki mo te panui, I kii a Lemke ma te whakaute i timata ia ki te whakarite mo Erickson e rua wiki i mua atu o tena.

I hinga a Lemke ki a Josh LaBerge i runga i Pipiri 10.

"He ruarua noa iho nga wiki i toe hei whakarite. I te whakangungu tonu ahau, engari koira kau. He ahua pai ahau engari kaore i te ahua whawhai,”Te kii a Lemke. "Koinei tetahi o nga mea e patai ana koe ki a koe me he pai koe, ‘Aue, kotahi, Kei te tino hiahia ahau ki te mahi i tenei, engari. ’He nui rawa atu te waahi kaore e pai. Ehara i te mea tino pai, engari hei kaiwhawhai, tino e rapu ana koe mo taua wero, a ko Devin tetahi o nga taangata pai rawa atu i te keemu i konei. ”

I ako ia i tena-ringa, a i roto i te ahua tangi, i te wa i pakanga nga toa e rua i te marama o Mei 10, 2014. I wikitoria a Powell na roto i te koka noa iho 23 hēkona.

Ko tera waahi te pakanga whakaekenga a Lemke i muri i tana wehenga tata mai i te whakataetae taitara ki a John Ortolani e waru marama ki mua.

"Kare i tino pai te haere i tera wa. He maha nga whakararuraru me nga ahuatanga rereke i ahu mai ai ahau ki tenei pakanga. Me wehe atu e au i te pakanga taitara i mua i tera, e kore koe e hiahia ki te mahi. Ko te toru hauwha o te pakanga ki ahau ka hoki ano ki te whare herehere,”Te kii a Lemke.

"He tino tangata whawhai ahau inaianei,"Ka tapiritia e ia. "Ki taku whakaaro kua ahu whakamua ahau ki nga waahi katoa, kaua ko aku pukenga anake engari me te huarahi e whai ana ahau. He maha aku pakanga, kua ako au mai i nga wikitoria e rua, me nga parekura. Ako tonu koe. I etahi wa ka ako koe i te huarahi uaua. ”

Ko Lemke me Powell ka uru ki roto i te whare herehere mo te tuawha o nga wa i raro iho i te tau. Ko taua ngohe te take kaore te tangata e tauhou ki te whakaae ki taua wero nui i muri o te whakangungu whakangungu.

I a Powell, 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,”Ka kii a Powell. “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,”Ka kii a Powell. “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,”Te kii a Lemke, 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,”Ka kii a Powell. “I’m expecting a brouhaha with Lemke. Te pukuriri ia. 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 Rāmere, August 5, 2016 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki 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. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA a www.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

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

Waiho he tākupu

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 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 (Hōngongoi 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., i roto i te whawhai mā. Harvey has an appointment at featherweight. Tiaka, 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.

Ae, 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, Heoi.

“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. Oaoa vau no te reira ahau. 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,"Ka mea ia. “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 Rāmere, August 5, 2016 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki 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. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA a www.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai, mamau

NEF ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF WRESTLING ESSAY CONTEST

Waiho he tākupu

Rumford, Maine (Hōngongoi 20, 2016) - New Ingarangi whawhai (Nef), America’s number one regional fight promotion, earlier today announced the winners of this year’s contest to attend the University of Southern Maine’s (USM) annual “Brawlin’ Lobster Wrestling Clinic.”

 

Isaiah Cogswell, a junior at More High School in Bath, Maine and Benjamin Mahoney, a junior at York High School in York, Maine, will both have their tuition costs covered to attend this year’s clinic and will both receive a unique NEF prize package that includes tickets to “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLIANS” to be held on September 10th i te Androscoggin Bank Colisee i Lewiston, Maine. The contest was sponsored by NEF and NEF professional featherweight mixed martial artist, Brandon “The Dream Killer” Bushaw. In order to enter, applicants needed to submit a 200-word essay outlining how attending the 2016 clinic would help them to achieve their wrestling goals. Cogswell and Mahoney were selected out of over 40 applicants.

 

“I want to attend this camp so I can achieve my goal of Maine heavyweight champion and this camp will help me not only keep my skills but to improve upon them,” wrote Mahoney, who has placed at both mid-states and the Atlantic Invitational tournament since he began wrestling on the varsity team his freshman year. “I would like to show to my coaches that I am willing to take the extra step to show leadership and experience, so that I could also be a team captain this year.”

 

“This camp would give me an opportunity to be exposed to more coaching styles and learn more about who I am as a wrestler,” Cogswell, a varsity wrestler and KVAC Champion, wrote in his essay. “I am not done, I still have work to do to reach my goals.”

 

This year’s dual sponsorship to send two wrestlers to the clinic was made possible by the contribution of Brandon Bushaw, a two-time state wrestling champion and member of the Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame. After a successful career at Westbrook High School, Bushaw went on to wrestle at Michigan State University alongside teammates and UFC-standouts Rashad Evans and Gray Maynard. With almost 20 fights under his belt between his amateur and professional mixed martial arts careers, Bushaw has never forgotten his wrestling roots and the lessons he gained from competing in the sport.

 

“Wrestling has molded my life on and off the mat since my freshman year of high school,” said Bushaw. “I look back and am so thankful to this day that Coach Walsh wouldn’t leave me alone about coming out for the Westbrook wrestling team all those years ago. If I can give back even one percent of what I got out of wrestling, it would be monumental to me. That’s why when I saw NEF was paying for a young wrestler to go to camp, I called Matt and told him I would like to send someone as well! I’m glad he accepted my offer and I hope that wrestling has the same impact on this young man’s life that it did mine!”

 

“Wrestling is one of the oldest and most effective martial arts in the world,"Tahi-rangatira NEF me matchmaker kī Matt Peterson. “Participating in the sport of wrestling has the potential to improve one’s performance in all areas of life. We’re proud to send these two deserving young men to the USM clinic this summer and hope this plays a part in helping them to achieve their goals both on and off the wrestling mat next season.”

 

“Myself and our coaching staff appreciate NEF and Brandon for sponsoring these wrestlers and giving them an opportunity to attend our camp,” stated Mike Morin, USM Head Wrestling Coach, himself a two-time All-American, when reached for comment. “We are the only NCAA program in the state and will have coaches from all over the Northeast as clinicians. These sponsorships are allowing these wrestlers to participate and learn at a high level. In turn, this only helps the state as a whole grow and get better.”

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', “NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga” e wahi i runga i Rāmere, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i 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. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA awww.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai, UFC

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

Waiho he tākupu

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 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, Hehe “Ko te 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.

 

“Kotahi ano, I am incredibly thankful and grateful to NEF for making this fight happen,” Na ka mea a Lemke. “Getting an opponent change last minute is usually pretty stressful. Not this time, Heoi, 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.”

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', “NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga” e wahi i runga i te Paraire, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i 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. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA awww.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

 

Mō New Ingarangi whawhai

 

New Ingarangi whawhai ("Nef") Ko te whawhai whakatairanga ngā kaupapa kamupene. Misioni a nef ko ki te waihanga i te mau ohipa kounga teitei mō ngā whawhai, me pā o Maine rite tahi. Whānui wheako i roto i te whakahaere hākinakina whawhai he kapa whakahaere o nef, production ngā kaupapa, whanaungatanga pāpāho, marketing, ture me te pānuitanga.

whakauru toi hōia, MMA, New Ingarangi whawhai

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

Waiho he tākupu

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 12, 2016) – Earlier today, New Ingarangi whawhai (Nef) announced the fight card for the promotion’s August 5, 2016 event at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Championship whawhai hopea (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.

 

I roto i te hui matua, “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) a Hehe “Ko te 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. “Te” Ryan Sanders (10-7), Arona “He whakangungu” Lacey (1-0), CJ tiaka (1-0), a 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,” Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) whitiki pango Jarod “Minute Last” Lawton (4-2) Kei te whakaritea ki te kanohi Mike “Te ngutu” Hansen (4-4) i roto i te a'ee taumahawaenga. 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.

 

Ko te kāri whawhai tonu (kaupapa ki te huri i):

 

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

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

170-Pauna: CJ tiaka (1-0) vs. Ruben Redman (0-1)

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

155-Pauna: Hehe Erickson (7-5) vs. Jon Lemke (5-5)

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

145-Pauna: Arona Lacey (1-0) vs. John Santos (3-3)

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

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', “NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga” e wahi i runga i te Paraire, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i 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. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA awww.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

 

Mō New Ingarangi whawhai

 

New Ingarangi whawhai ("Nef") Ko te whawhai whakatairanga ngā kaupapa kamupene. Misioni a nef ko ki te waihanga i te mau ohipa kounga teitei mō ngā whawhai, me pā o Maine rite tahi. Whānui wheako i roto i te whakahaere hākinakina whawhai he kapa whakahaere o nef, production ngā kaupapa, whanaungatanga pāpāho, marketing, ture me te pānuitanga.