Lewiston, Maine (October 3, 2016) – Earlier today, New England Fights (NEF) executives announced the main event of “NEF 26: SUPREMACY.” “The” Ryan Sanders (11-8) will face Jon Lemke (5-6) in a lightweight bout at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston on Saturday, November 19.
At one time, Sanders and Lemke were teammates at Marcus Davis’s Team Irish gym in Brewer, Maine. That all changed when Sanders left and joined cross-town rival Young’s MMA in Bangor.
“I’m very happy to be fighting back in Lewiston,” said Sanders. “I’m thankful that Jon took this fight seeing how several top-ten lightweights turned it down. But that’s why I like Jon, he’s a fighter’s fighter and he never backs down from a tough fight. With that being said, I look forward to developing a game plan that’ll shut down his strengths and have my hand raised at the end of the night.”
The bout will be Sanders’ second since returning to the NEF fold. Sanders defeated Derrick Kennington (11-8) last August at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.” He recently inked a multi-fight developmental deal with NEF.
“Ryan Sanders and NEF go way back,” stated Sanders’ coach Chris Young when asked about Sanders’ recent signing of an NEF developmental deal. “Ryan fought on several NEF shows, including headlining ‘NEF I.’ So, it’s only fitting that Ryan has finally found his way home. A hard working athlete deserves a hard working promotion and I believe NEF is the perfect vehicle to give Ryan that last push into the next level.”
Lemke will be coming into the fight hungry for a win. His last victory in the NEF cage will have been almost a year to the day when he defeated Matt Denning (3-4) in Lewiston at “NEF XX.” Lemke is coming off a loss to NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-1) this past August in Bangor.
“What a great opportunity I have been presented by New England Fights to fight Ryan Sanders,” said Lemke. “Ryan has been in, and done well, with the very best of New England. He is a well-rounded fighter and will challenge me in all areas. I very much look forward to this challenge and know that there will be fireworks for sure in this fight.”
The opening bell on Saturday, November 19 is set for 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 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 @nefightsand join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”