Tag Archives: Maine

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS OF NEF XVIII

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Lewiston, Maine (June 14, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” on Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  A crowd of 2,000 was on hand to see Crowsneck Boutin (1-0) win his professional debut over Ryan “The Junkyard Dog” Cowette (2-3) and Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (11-8) gain a measure of revenge by defeating John “First Class” Raio (2-8) in their long-awaited rematch.

 

NEF crowned its first three amateur champions in the fight promotion’s history with Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (3-1) taking the heavyweight title in a wild back-and-forth brawl with Ryan Glover(1-1), Dustin Veinott (4-3) won a close split decision over“Sleepy” Norman Fox (4-2) to capture the flyweight strap, andJosh Harvey (4-1) submitted Ricky Dexter (3-1) to claim the lightweight championship.

 

It was further announced that former NEF MMA Professional Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-9) would return at “NEF XIX” on September 12, 2015 at the Colisee after a year’s absence from the cage.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

150 Bruce Boyington def. John Raio via TKO, round 2
185 Crowsneck Boutin def. Ryan Cowette via unanimous decision

135 Jeremy DiChiara def. Derek Shorey via Americana, round 1
155 Jesse Erickson def. Zenon Herrera via tap to strikes, round 1
205 Cody Anderson def. Michael Hansen via TKO, round 1

 

AMATEUR
155*TITLE Josh Harvey def. Ricky Dexter via armbar, round 1 (Harvey wins title)
125*TITLE Dustin Veinott def. Norman Fox via split decision (Veinott wins title)
S.HWT Dave Smith def. Gravin Guillen via armbar, round 1
CATCH Mike Crespo def. Caleb Costello via unanimous decision

155 Cory Trial def. Corey Hinkley via KO, round 1
125 Ryan Burgess def. Justin Witham via unanimous decision

170 Mike Bazanson def. Jeff Dustin via TKO, round 2

155 Dom Cofone def. Jason Lachance via armbar, round 2

265*TITLE Billy Leahy def. Ryan Glover via unanimous decision (Leahy wins title)

145 Rob Robinson def. Dustin Shorey via rear-naked choke, round 2

170 Alex Payson def. Alex Bronish via TKO, round 2

160 Pat Kelly def. Dr. Steve Bang via TKO, round 1

185 Ruben Redman def. Heath Hanson  via tap to strikes, round 1

265 Nick Gulliver def. Sonny Spratt via rear-naked choke, round 1

CATCH Carl Langston def. Alex Johnson via TKO, round 2

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

BOYINGTON GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH RAIO DAYS BEFORE FIGHT: “I’M GONNA GO IN THERE AND DESTROY HIM”

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Lewiston, Maine (June 10, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” this Saturday night, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Recently, headliners Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8), the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion, and John “First Class” Raio(2-7) joined NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson on a special “Head-to-Head” edition of the  NEF Podcast.  Boyington and Raio discussed the upcoming rematch and the controversy surrounding their first meeting in February 2014, among other topics.

 

The interview quickly turned to the top of the first fight.  Raio appeared to apply a rear-naked choke to Boyington on the mat late in the first round.  Boyington began waving his hand in the air and referee Jimmy Bickford quickly stepped in to stop the fight.  Much has been made of the infamous “hand wave.”  While Bickford saw it as a sign of Boyington’s submission, Boyington has contended that he was merely signaling to his fans in the crowd that the hold was not doing any damage.

 

“I can tell you how that night ended,” recalled Raio of the first bout. “Basically, Bruce had given me his back.  When I took his back, I had the hooks in and I had the rear-naked choke across his jaw line.  I was trying to pressure it under his throat, and as I grabbed my left bicep and my left hand was going behind his head, the ref stopped the fight… I was amazed that he had tapped because, honestly, I knew that I had a lot of pressure on his jaw… If in fact he was waving, that sucks for him.”

 

“In that situation, I specifically remember Bickford looking at me, I’m face up, he’s going for my neck and I’m waving,” said Boyington.  “Everybody starts roaring real loud and I remember Bickford saying, ‘No Bruce, you can’t say that’… If you think that I’m submitting or I’m in trouble or can’t breathe,  you don’t tell the fighter, “You can’t say that,” you just jump in and you stop the fight. I feel like he made a mistake.  I feel like he realizes that… I see a lot of different things that John has said online, and a lot of things other people have said, and that’s when I really started to get bothered by what had happened.  I felt like he could’ve handled it better.”

 

Prior to Boyington giving up his back, many felt he had been winning that first round.  Indeed, Boyington’s striking seemed to be on point that evening.  Peterson asked both competitors to speculate on what would have happened had the referee not stopped the bout at that point.

 

“Inevitably, I think John would’ve been knocked out,” stated Boyington emphatically.  “I don’t think I’m gonna submit him, because that would be his best chance with me.  He’s strong enough to defend a submission.”

 

“I think if the ref didn’t stop at the time, when I was on his jaw with my forearm and I was reaching behind his neck,” Raio speculated, “I believe my arm would’ve slid under his throat and it would’ve ended sometime soon before the round.  So, I don’t think it would’ve gone to a second round.”

 

In the days, weeks and months following the fight, both Boyington’s and Raio’s massive fan-followings have been very vocal on social media regarding the outcome of the bout.  The heated debate has raged between both sides for well over a year now.  With so much at stake for each side at “NEF XVIII,” both athletes touched on what the rematch means to them, and what they need to prove this coming weekend.

 

“I just can’t go in there and beat John,” said Boyington.  “Even his own fans are expecting that… I can’t just go in there on June 13thand beat John Raio.  I gotta go in there and destroy him.  Or I still lose out on this fight.  I know that, and I’m gonna go in there and make that statement.  And I’m gonna do it with one arm, because the other arm isn’t even working right now… I haven’t worried about this date from day one.  It’s nothing to do with John Raio.  I don’t disrespect the guy.  I don’t not like the guy.  He’s a good man. I’m just at another level.  I need to show up and prove that.  That’s what it is to me.  It’s not about me beating John.  It’s about me showing everybody where I belong.”

 

“In regard to Bruce finishing me quickly, and making it easy, and not really worrying about the fight too much, I just find it disrespectful like a lot of things he’s said to me, my family and my friends,” replied Raio.  “There were times after the last fight when people were congratulating me (on Facebook) and he’d go on like a one or two paragraph rant on every single comment everyone had put on my page for like three days straight.  So, after that I said ‘Bruce and I aren’t really friends anymore,’ so I deleted him.  I liked him before that fight… but when people disrespect me like he has it’s hard to like the guy.”

 

To listen to the NEF Podcast in its entirety, please visitwww.NewEnglandFights.com/Podcasts/.

 

To learn more about John Raio’s gym, please visit “First Class Fitness and MMA” on Facebook.  Likewise, to learn more about Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy, please visit their websitewww.BoyingtonsTKDA.com.

 

Tickets for “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 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.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

PROFESSIONAL LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT ADDED TO NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (May 29, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional light-heavyweight bout to the fight card.  Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (2-1) is scheduled to meet Cody Anderson (1-2) at a fight weight of 205-pounds.

 

A native of Rumford, Maine, Hansen won a state championship in 2004 wrestling for Mountain Valley High School.  After graduation, Hansen began training in MMA and made a successful debut in 2005.  He would put his MMA career on hold to serve his country in the United States Army as a combat engineer.  Earlier this year, Hansen returned to the sport and founded Berserkers MMA in his hometown of Rumford.  His first fight in the cage in nearly a decade saw him triumph over Artie Mullen (0-11) this past February at “NEF XVI.”

 

“I’m pumped to be have an opponent like Cody,” said Hansen of the upcoming fight with Anderson.  “He is a real tough guy and this should be a great battle.”

 

Cody Anderson is a member of Team Triumph/Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in Nashua, New Hampshire.  Formerly a top-ranked amateur, Anderson put together a perfect 5-0 record over the course of his amateur career.  He turned pro in the fall of 2012, winning his debut over Hector Sanchez (3-12).  Anderson’s last appearance in NEF saw him submitted in the final moments of his bout with Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-2) at “NEF VII” two years ago.  Anderson had been winning the bout to that point, turning in a “fight of the night” performance along with his opponent.

 

“I’ve been away too long,” said Anderson.  “Even with no fight camp and only two weeks notice, I will put my hands on this guy and put him to sleep.”

 

Tickets for “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 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.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

NEF THANKS MILITARY WITH FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY

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Lewiston, Maine (May 21, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced a free ticket giveaway for all past and present United States military personnel to coincide with Memorial Day weekend.

 

“This is something we’ve done in conjunction with Memorial Day and Veterans Day in the past, and we’ve given away hundreds of tickets,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “It is the most important promotion we do all year.  It’s our small way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who serve and sacrifice so much for our nation.  Come down to the Colisee box office today or Fridaymorning, present your military ID and get your free ticket.  It’s as simple as that.”

 

The ticket giveaway will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee box office from the hours of noon to 5:00 pm today, Thursday, May 21, 2015, and the hours of 9:00 am to noontomorrow, Friday, May 22, 2015.  The Colisee is located at 190 Birch Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240.  The giveaway is open to all branches of the military.  Personnel must present a valid military identification card at the box office window.  There will be a limit of one ticket per identification card.

 

Tickets for “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 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.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

FEATHERWEIGHT BATTLE ADDED TO NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (May 21, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur featherweight bout to the fight card.  The matchup will feature Jeremy Tyler (4-3) facing Johnny Crafts (3-0) at the featherweight limit of 145-pounds.

 

Jeremy Tyler will be making his return to the NEF cage after an extended absence of nine months.  A member of Marcus Davis’s famed Team Irish gym in Brewer, Maine, Tyler will look to rebound from the first back-to-back losses of his career.  Both of those losses came to Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) competitors.  It is a gym affiliated with Johnny Crafts’ team New England United (NEU), so the June 13 fight will be an opportunity for Jeremy to gain a measure of revenge as well.  Like his opponent at “NEF XVIII,” Tyler has proven himself a submission specialist with all four of his victories coming by way of capitulation.

 

“I’m very excited to be stepping into the NEF cage for the first time in 2015,” said Tyler.  “I am looking forward to the opportunity to fight John Crafts who is a highly ranked MMA fighter with a very good Jiu Jitsu game.  I believe the NEF fans will be very happy with the match-up and feel this will make for an entertaining fight. Expect to see an improved performance from me. I took some time off after my last fight to focus, build upon my technique and add to my overall skill sets.  I am ready to unleash the game I’ve been developing in the cage so June 13th can’t get here fast enough.”

 

Originally scheduled to challenge for the NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Championship at “NEF XVIII,” Johnny Crafts was left without a fight after his original opponent pulled out due to injury. That was until Jeremy Tyler stepped up to the challenge this week. This fight will mark the first time Johnny Crafts, who holds a brown belt in BJJ, has competed above the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.  Crafts was voted the “2014 Rookie of the Year” by NEF fans.

 

“I’m very excited to be fighting Jeremy Tyler,” said Crafts.  “He’s a well-rounded fighter with good experience.  I’m looking to test the waters at 145 for my first time and see how I feel fighting up.  I was pretty disappointed in the title fight falling through, but I assure everyone that this fight will be just as exciting to watch.”

 

Tickets for “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 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.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES FULL NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (May 19, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the full fight card for the event.

 

In a highly-anticipated rematch, NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) takes on rivalJohn “First Class” Raio (2-7) in a non-title catchweight contest. Raio scored a victory over Boyington by rear-naked choke in their initial meeting in February 2014.  That win, however, was marred in controversy as Boyington contends the referee mistook his wave to his fans in the crowd as a sign of submission.  Regardless, Boyington and Raio will look to settle the score on June 13 in Lewiston.

 

NEF homegrown talent, and 2014 “Fighter of the Year,” Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) will debut in the professional ranks against “The Junkyard Dog” Ryan Cowette (2-2) in a middleweight bout. Boutin has developed over the course of three years from a street brawler to a well-disciplined martial artist.  Cowette is the head coach of MMA Athletix and the preacher of Victory Church in Bath, Maine.

 

In other professional bouts: Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (4-4) looks to follow up his commanding performance last month at “NEF XVII” with another victory when he takes on Zenon Herrera(0-0); “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (2-1) will also try to make it two-in-a-row when he meets Canada’s Jeremy DiChiara (1-0) in a bantamweight battle; and Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) hopes to rebound from a loss last month when he fights Chad “Machine Gun” Kelly (3-2) in what many are predicting to steal the show on the professional side of the card.

 

“NEF XVIII” will mark the first time NEF has crowned a set of amateur champions.  The amateur card will feature five championship title bouts.  Among those bouts will be a heavyweight title fight between the popular Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (2-1) andRyan Glover (1-0).  Glover won a 2011 state championship wrestling for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine.

 

In another amateur title fight, Ricky Dexter (3-0) squares off against Josh Harvey (3-1) for the lightweight championship. Dexter will represent Team Irish while Harvey will represent Irish’s Bangor-area rival Young’s MMA.

 

A women’s fight will also be featured on the amateur card withAlex Walker (0-1) facing Kendra Streeter (0-0).  Walker thrilled the Lewiston crowd of more than 2,000 at “NEF XVII” last month with her “Fight of the Night” performance against Randi Knowles (1-0).

 

The full fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

150 Bruce Boyington 10-8 (Young’s MMA/Boyington’s TKD) vs John Raio 2-7 (First Class/Choi)

185 Ryan Cowette 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs Crowsneck Boutin 0-0 (Choi Institute)

155 Jesse Erickson 4-4 (CMBJJ – Team NEU) vs Zenon Herrera 0-0 (Independent)

135 Derek Shorey 2-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Jeremy DiChiara 1-0 (Wulfrun MMA)

135 Elias Leland 2-1 (The Academy) vs Chad Kelly 3-2 (Fighting Arts Academy)

265 Michael Hansen 2-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs TBD

 

AMATEUR

 

265*Title Billy Leahy 2-1  (CMBJJ/Young’s MMA) vs Ryan Glover 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)

155*Title Ricky Dexter 3-0 (Team Irish) vs Josh Harvey 3-1 (Young’s MMA)

145*Title Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Alex Johnson 2-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing)

125*Title Norman Fox 4-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Dustin Veinott 3-3 (CMBJJ – Team NEU)

135 *Title Johnny Crafts 3-0 (Team NEU) vs TBD

S.HWT Gravin Guillen 2-2 (Independent) vs Dave Smith 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)

265 “Sonny” Ora Spratt IV 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Nick Gulliver 0-0 (First Class MMA)

185 Heath Hanson 1-2 (3Ronin Athletics) vs Ruben Redman 0-2 (Independent)

170 Mike Bazanson 0-0 (Team Kaze) vs Jeff Dustin 0-0 (Independent)

170 Alex Bronish 0-0 (Berserkers MMA) vs Alex Payson 0-0 (MMA Athletix)

160 Pat Kelly 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Dr. Steve Bang 1-0 (CMBJJ – Team NEU)

155 Corey Hinkley 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Cory Trial 0-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing)

155 Dom Cofone 5-5 vs Jason Lachance 2-1 (MMA Athletix)

145 Dustin Shorey 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Rob Robinson 0-0 (First Class MMA)

135 Mike Crespo 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs Caleb Costello 2-3 (Team Irish)

125 Justin Witham 0-2 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Ryan Burgess 0-0 (Berserkers MMA)

125 David Brown 1-3 (Plymouth Fight Cluib) vs Steve Desjardins 4-3 (Team Irish)

125 Alex Walker 0-1 (Team Kaze) vs Kendra Streeter 0-0 (Independent)

145  Jimmy Jackson 2-2(Young’s MMA) vs TBD

145  Mike Peitersen 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs TBD

 

Tickets for “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 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.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

LIGHTWEIGHT BATTLE ADDED TO PRO PORTION OF NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (May 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card.  Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (4-4) is scheduled to meet  Zenon Herrera (0-0) in what will be Herrera’s professional debut.

 

Erickson is a mainstay of the NEF promotion.  The native of Auburn, Maine made his amateur debut at NEF I in February 2012. All fourteen of his bouts have been hosted in the NEF cage except one which was part of an NEF co-promotion with Bellator.

 

Currently a coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) – a New England United (NEU) affiliate – Erickson challenged unsuccessfully twice last fall for the NEF MMA Lightweight Title, dropping back-to-back losses to Bruce Boyington (10-8).  Last month, Erickson returned to the cage against Florida’s Mark DeFord (0-4).  The Viking came out aggressive, not letting up with a barrage of lefts, rights and knees.  It was a departure from Erickson’s trusted ground game, but it took less than two minutes for him to knock DeFord out cold.  If Erickson was looking to make a statement, then that statement was received loud and clear by the raucous crowd of over 2,000.

 

“After back to back losses, I’ve really focused in on some of my weak points,” said Erickson.  “In my last fight, I felt much more confident and relaxed, and I think it showed in my performance.  I will continue to get better and show everyone the fighter I’ve always known I could be.  I’ll never fight safe, try to eke out a decision, or have a boring fight.  Come watch me fight and see something special.  The Viking is back and he’s swinging Thor’s hammer now.”

 

Zenon Herrera, an independent fighter based out of Skowhegan, Maine, began his MMA amateur career in the fall of 2012.  Having fought predominantly in Florida previously, he made his NEF debut last month at “NEF XVII” in a losing effort to a very tough Ricky Dexter (3-0).   Herrera is a military veteran, having served four years in the United States Army and five years in the United States Marine Corps.  He looks forward to making the transition from the amateur to professional ranks and the new challenges it will bring.

 

“I’m very much looking forward to this chance of taking myself to the next level of MMA,” said Herrera.  “Jesse Erickson is a tough dude and that will make this match all the better.  I’m also looking forward to representing the NEF, Macho Fighter, Combatives Gear, and the USMC with all of the pride and honor that they deserve with everything I do in MMA from this point forward.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

MILITARY VETERAN IN BATTLE OF NATIONAL HONOR AT NEF XVIII

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 6, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight card.  “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (2-1) will make his debut in the 135-pound division against Canadian  Jeremy DiChiara (1-0).

 

Shorey is a fitting choice to face the native Ontarian on the patriotic-themed event.  A 2000 graduate of Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, where he won a Class-C state wrestling title in 1998, Shorey is a veteran of the United States Navy.  He served four years of active duty in the branch, and did a tour of Iraq as a member of SEABEE Battalion NMCB 27.

 

Currently the head coach of the Shatterproof Combat Club, Shorey is coming off a victory over John Raio (2-7) last month at “NEF XVII.”  The win gave Shorey the upper hand in the three-fight rivalry between the two athletes dating back to their amateur days. While he has gotten off to a good start to his professional career, Shorey will be the first to admit he has more work to do, and the upcoming battle with DiChiara will be a real test of his skills, especially on the mat.

 

“It is truly an honor to fight in front of the NEF fans and represent this rapidly growing brand against a very dangerous opponent,” said Shorey.  “I feel that I still have a lot to prove to the fans, as well as myself in regards to the fighter I’m becoming, and distancing myself from my amateur days.  Jeremy is an undefeated purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu, which everyone knows has been my biggest weakness.  I see this as an opportunity to show everyone that I’m fixing the problem, and hand a very game opponent his first loss.”

 

Holding a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), DiChiara will undoubtedly test Shorey should the fight go to the ground. DiChiara is undefeated in MMA competition, having gone 2-0 as an amateur and now 1-0 as a professional.  He is accustomed to fighting in hostile territory with previous bouts in Michigan and half a world away in Thailand.  While in Thailand, DiChiara trained with Phuket Top Team.  He is presently a member of Canadian team Wulfrun MMA.

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

THE TWO COR(E)YS… OF THE NEF MMA CAGE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 1, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the fight card.  The bout will feature Corey Hinkley (2-3) against Cory Trial (0-1) at the lightweight limit of 155-pounds.

 

Cory Trial made his NEF MMA debut this past February at “NEF XVI.”  While Trial came out on the losing end of the fight, he showed powerful striking skills in a wild slugfest with Ricky Dexter (3-0).  It is a fighting style that Trial and his teammates at Ruthless MMA & Boxing of Benton, Maine have become known for.  It is a style that has also produced some of the most memorable fights on the last several NEF events.  Ruthless head coach Josh Parker (4-8) is confident in Trial’s ability to finish the bout coming up on June 13.

 

“When Cory walked into my gym, I knew I had something special,” said Parker.  “The guy is an animal, and in June he will be looking to show everyone that in his last fight the lights killed him.  This fight won’t be going out of the first round.”

 

“I’m excited for this fight,” exclaimed Trial.  “Excited to get another chance to show people who I am as a fighter.  Last time, I was overwhelmed with the lights and the crowd.  This time, the real Cory will be in the cage, and I’ll be looking for the finish.”

 

When they meet at “NEF XVIII,” it will have been nine months since the last time Trial’s opponent, Corey Hinkley, stepped in the cage to compete.  After starting his amateur career at 2-1, Hinkley has dropped his last two in a row.  He and his coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), Jesse Erickson (3-3), say that Hinkley has been training harder than ever for his return and has put personal issues behind him since his last appearance for NEF.

 

“I’ve had a lot of personal things going on in my life in the past, but I’m now able to train the way I’ve been needing to and I’m coming back stronger than ever,” said Hinkley.

 

“I have never seen Corey so focused,” stated Erickson.  “He’s training harder than he has for any of his previous fights, and I can’t wait to watch him do his thing in June!”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  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.”

 

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, New England Fights

BANTAMWEIGHTS POISED TO STEAL THE SHOW AT NEF XVIII

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (April 30, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight card.  The contest will feature Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) stepping into the cage opposite Chad “Machine Gun” Kelly (3-2) at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.

 

“Chad Kelly and Eli Leland are two guys who couldn’t put on a boring fight if they tried,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Chad had the ‘Fight of the Night’ on one of the first cards I ever promoted in Massachusetts years ago.  I’ve followed his career since and have seen how far he’s come.  Eli’s fights always steal the show on the NEF events.  Fans will only need the edge of their seats for this one.”

 

Kelly last appeared in the NEF cage in the fall of 2013 at “NEF X.” That night, he defeated NEF regular Ernesto Ornelas (1-5) via second-round submission.  Kelly has regularly competed in the flyweight 125-pound division throughout his career, but he and his coaches at The Fighting Arts Academy (FAA) in Leominster, Massachusetts decided to make the transition up to bantamweight beginning with the upcoming fight against Leland.

 

“I’m very excited to be fighting for NEF in Lewiston, Maine again,” stated Kelly when reached for comment.  “I fought for them my second pro fight and I loved the way they treat their fighters and how smooth everything went – plus, getting the ‘W’ was nice.  This fight I’m moving up to bantamweight.  My coaches and I thought it was the right time.  I started fighting at 19 and just have gained weight and have a massive cut to 125, plus I train with good 35ers and 45ers and do better when I’m heavier.  Elias Leland is a tough grappler with good submissions. I’m sure he will be tough, but I think I will have an advantage everywhere the fight goes.”

 

Leland, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from the Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine, will look to avenge a loss he suffered earlier this month to Jay Perrin (2-0) at “NEF XVII.”  The loss was his first since his amateur debut against Ray Wood (5-1) in September 2011. Leland has become known as a finisher over the years, submitting four opponents and defeating one via technical knockout (TKO) at previous NEF events.

 

“I have nothing but respect for anyone that is willing to fight me,” said Leland. “However, coming off a loss, I’m pissed and hungry as hell.  This will be an exciting fight for anyone that sees it.  So you all better be there to see an amazing show.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  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.”

 

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.