Tag Archives: Matt Denning

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

NEF CAGES THE CAPE ON MAY 14 WITH THRILLING FIGHT CARD

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Hyannis, Massachusetts  (May 6, 2016) – It will be no day at the beach, but they might just leave some blood on the sand.  New England Fights (NEF) plans to storm Cape Cod on Saturday, May 14, 2016 with the first-ever mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event to be held on the popular tourist destination.  The northeast’s top regional fight promotion will pack up its cage in one week and make the 200-mile trek south from NEF’s base of operations in Lewiston, Maine to the Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC).

 

The attention the event has received has been staggering.  “The Cape Cod community has welcomed us with open arms,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “The HYCC is a great venue with an awesome staff.  Patti Lloyd at the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce has been a huge help in making this event happen as well.  And we have some fantastic new sponsors on the Cape like Bodystrong Fitness who have helped us spread the word.”

 

Indeed, the word has spread and ticket sales have been so strong, and demand so overwhelming, that the promotion had to order more chairs and tickets when cageside inventory sold out last week.  “The fans were asking us to add some more cageside seats, so we happily accommodated them,” noted DiSalvo.

 

And fight fans in attendance will be treated to a night filled with wild cage action.  The card is stacked with world class wrestlers and martial artists from Maine, Cape Cod and Massachusetts’ South Shore.  Hyannis-based Team Juniko will be prominently featured in no less than six of the evening’s bouts.

 

Brendan “Lock Down” Battles (0-0) of Juniko is scheduled to make his professional MMA debut in the heavyweight main event, locking horns with Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (4-3).  Battles was a three-time All American wrestler out of nearby Nauset Regional High School where he won two state championships and three New England championships.  He was 2-0 as an amateur MMA fighter.  Hansen has a wrestling pedigree of his own, having captured a state title for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine.  Hansen is a ten-year-plus veteran of the MMA cage.

 

The co-main event of the evening will feature a rematch from “NEF 15” in November 2014.  “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (3-6) will look to avenge a loss to Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-2).  Shorey’s supporters have claimed for the past year-and-a-half that Denning’s submission victory was a fluke and that Denning would not be able to defeat Shorey a second time should the pair ever meet again.  Those claims will be put to the test in Hyannis in this lightweight rematch.

 

“It was a short notice fight that NEF asked for, and I know Derek wanted a rematch,” said Denning.  “After I beat him again, I’ll prove it wasn’t a fluke. I wanted this fight so I could get some new fans in Massachusetts and show my skills. I have had two losses in a row to great guys and want to get back in the win column.”

 

“I thought I could beat him the first time, and he caught me with an armbar,” Shorey admitted.  “This time I will leave that cage the victor.”

 

“It’s one of those fights we always get asked whether there will be a rematch,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “This will finally prove, once and for all, whether Matt Denning got lucky coming up with that armbar that night.  Whatever you do, don’t blink!  These two guys are finishers.  Whatever the outcome, it’s not going to the judges.  Someone’s getting knocked out or submitted in this one.”

 

In another pro fight, longtime NEF mainstay Crowsneck Boutin (1-2) will take on another promotion regular in the form of Ruben Redman (0-0).  The bout will be Redman’s professional debut after six amateur fights with NEF in Maine.  Boutin is a prolific striker based out of the Choi Institute in Portland.  The fight will take place at the middleweight limit of 185-pounds.

 

The amateur headliner will see Dustin Veinott (4-4) in a flyweight showdown with Ryan “Razzle Dazzle” Kane (4-3).  Veinott is the former NEF MMA Amateur Flyweight Champion.  He dropped the title in a very close split decision loss to Ryan Burgess (2-0) last November.  Kane, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, is a member of Team Juniko and an accomplished competitor in the ancient Greek martial art of Pankration.

 

A women’s fight will be prominently featured on the amateur card.  Angela Young (1-1) is scheduled to face Kylie O’Hearn (0-0).  Young is coming off a big win just two weeks ago against Hannah Sparrell (1-1) at “NEF 22” in Lewiston.  O’Hearn, another product of Plymouth, Massachusetts and Team Juniko, will be making her amateur MMA debut.  The fight will take place at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.

 

Young’s teammate Victor Irwin (1-0) will make the five-hour road trip along with her from Bangor, Maine to compete in Hyannis.  Irwin will square off with newcomer Tracey Schryba (0-0) in the amateur light-heavyweight division.

 

Brewster’s Ed Forlenza (0-0) makes his amateur debut against Frank Johanson (0-1) in a 160-pound catchweight bout.  Forlenza is a 2004 graduate of Nauset Regional High School where he was a standout on the wrestling team.  Johanson’s opponent pulled out of their bout on fight day two weeks ago at “NEF 22.”   Not one to let a good fight camp go to waste, Johanson agreed to take the fight with Forlenza in Hyannis.

 

In another 160-pound catchweight bout, Steve Bang (3-4) takes on Fabian Miranda (2-0).  Bang is a member of the famous father-sons fighting family of Auburn, Maine.  Miranda represents Team Juniko and will look to add to his undefeated record in the fight with Bang.

 

Rounding out the fight card is a 190-pound catchweight bout featuring Anthony Spires (0-1) and Thomas Lee Davis (1-0).  Spires, an independent fighter from Maine, hopes to rebound from a loss in his debut last fall at “NEF XX.”  Davis is a member of Team Juniko.

 

“NEF 23: CAGE THE CAPE,” takes place Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Tickets for “NEF 23” are $40 for general admission and $60 for cageside. They are on sale now at www.NewEnglandFights.com/Tickets

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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

NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT NEF 22 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (April 23, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its most recent event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  More than 3,000 fight fans were on hand for the event, making it one of the largest crowds ever to witness an NEF event.

 

On the boxing portion of the card, Brandon “The Cannon” Berry  (11-1-1) fought to a majority draw in a six-round contest with James Lester (10-9-1).  Many of Berry’s supporters in attendance felt that he won the fight, but two of the judges had it even on the scorecards.

 

The headliner of the amateur MMA card saw Caleb Hall (7-3) captured the vacant amateur featherweight title with a second-round submission of Erik Nelson (2-3).  On the professional side of the MMA card, Devin Powell (6-1) took home the lightweight championship by defeating Jesse Erickson (6-5) in the first round via technical knockout.

 

The full results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

Brandon Berry fought James Lester to a majority draw

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Devin Powell def. Jesse Erickson via TKO, round 1 (Powell wins lightweight title)

Mike Hansen def. Jesse Baughman via arm triangle, round 1

Josh Harvey def. Matt Denning via triangle choke, round 1

Tollison Lewis def. Zenon Herrera via armbar, round 1

Aaron Lacey def. Derek Shorey via D’Arce Choke, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Glenn Kasabian def. Matt Marshall via TKO, round 1

Tom Burgess def. Alex Payson via KO, round 2

Ryan Daley def. Jake Denham via TKO, round 2

Bryce Bamford def. Joe Krech via TKO, round 1

Caleb Hall def. Erik Nelson via D’arce Choke, round 2 (Hall wins featherweight title)

Nick Gulliver def. Dave Smith via TKO, round 1

Cory Trial def. Angelo Rizzitello via split decision

Ras Hylton def. Matt Glover via KO, round 2

Angela Young def. Hannah Sparrell via unanimous decision

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 23: CAGE THE CAPE,” takes place Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Tickets are on sale now atwww.NewEnglandFights.com.

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: THE PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the events 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, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

ALL ROADS LEAD TO MONUMENTAL FIGHT CARD IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (March 31, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the full fight card for the event.  The fight card is scheduled to feature three professional boxing matches, six professional MMA bouts, and twelve exciting amateur MMA contests.

 

On the professional boxing side of the card, Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion, and the pride of West Forks, Maine, Brandon “The Cannon” Berry(11-1, 7 KOs) returns to the ring for a six-rounder with Detroit, Michigan’s James Lester (10-9, 4 KOs).  Berry, one of the most popular boxers to ever come out of Maine, will look for his fourth consecutive victory since returning from a shoulder injury last year.

 

That will prove easier said than done with Lester standing in the opposite corner.  Lester is a product of the world-famous Kronk Gym in Detroit where world champions like Thomas “Hitman” Hearns (61-5-1, 48 KOs), Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs), Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs) and Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) have trained under the late Emmanuel Steward.  Lester was ranked number-two nationally as an amateur.  He presents a dangerous threat to Berry, one that could very well play the role of “spoiler” to “The Cannon” and his legion of fans.

 

After a bloody war of a professional boxing debut at “NEF 21” last month, NEF MMA regular Crowsneck Boutin (0-0-1) will once again step into the boxing ring, this time facing Brandon Montella (3-0, 2 KOs).  Montella, now a resident of Massachusetts, grew up in Maine and served in the United States Marine Corps.

 

Headlining the professional MMA portion of the fight card will be Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (6-4) and Devin Powell (5-1) in a lightweight contest.  Both fighters are currently on a three-fight win streak.

 

“I try to focus on what is right in front of me,” said Erickson during a recent interview on The MMA Report Podcast.  “I never looked past my opponents but I like to think what the reward is going to be when I beat this guy.”

 

Neither athlete can afford to overlook the other, but a win for either could very well mean a call from one of the national promotions.  Erickson has been there before with Bellator.  Powell is an all-around talent with some slick finishes to his credit.

 

“This is the type of MMA fight we absolutely love,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “You have two guys who match up so well.  They’ve both been racking up the wins.  They’ve faced some of the same opponents.  They’re both solid on the mat and on their feet.  I expect this to be yet another crazy, wild NEF MMA main event!”

 

“Crazy” and “wild” do not even begin to describe the grudge that has developed between Josh “Hook On” Harvey (0-0) and Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-1).  The bitter rivals will meet at a fight weight of 150-pounds at “NEF 22” in an MMA bout.  The bout will be Harvey’s professional debut after a stellar 5-1 amateur career that saw him capture the NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Title, as well as the northeast regions number-one ranking.  The well-publicized personal issues between Harvey and Denning will be settled in the cage on April 23rd.

 

The professional portion of the MMA card will also feature the pro debut of Harvey’s Young’s MMA teammate Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (0-0) as he takes on veteran “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (3-5) in a featherweight bout.  Lacey vacated the NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title in order to turn professional.

 

That title will not stay vacant very long as Caleb Hall (6-3) and Erik Nelson (2-2) face off to determine a new champion at the top of the amateur MMA card.  Hall is coming off a first-round submission win at “NEF XX” last fall, while Nelson recently picked up a unanimous decision victory at “NEF 21.”

 

The amateur MMA card will also feature a women’s fight between Angela Young(0-1) and “Hollywood” Hannah Sparrell (1-0).  Young and Sparrell made their respective debuts last year at “NEF XIX.”

 

The full “NEF 22” fight card (subject to change and approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine):

 

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

175 Crowsneck Boutin 0-0-1 (Choi) vs Brandon Montella 3-0 (The Way)

140 Brandon Berry 11-1 (West Forks) vs James Lester 10-9 (Kronk)

140 Josh Parker 0-2-1 (Ruthless) vs Evincii Dixon 7-13-1 (Lancaster)

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

205 Mike Hansen 3-3 (Berserkers) vs Jesse Baughman 0-1 (Link)

170 Jarod Lawton 4-2 (Lawton/NEU) vs Aaron Aschendorf 2-2 (ABCC)

155 Devin Powell 5-1 (Nostos) vs Jesse Erickson 6-4 (CMBJJ)

150 Josh Harvey 0-0 (Young’s) vs Matt Denning 2-1 (CMBJJ)

155 Zenon Herrera 0-3 (Independent) vs Tollison Lewis 0-5 (CMBJJ)

145 Aaron Lacey 0-0 (Young’s) vs Derek Shorey 3-5 (Shatterproof)

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

145 *TITLE Caleb Hall 6-3 (Choi) vs Erik Nelson 2-2 (CMBJJ)

265 Dave Smith 2-1 (Berserkers) vs Nick Gulliver 2-0 (First Class)

265 Matt Glover 1-0 (Berserkers) vs Ras Hylton 1-0 (First Class)

265 Joe Krech 0-1 (Berserkers) vs Bryce Bamford 1-0 (First Class)

185 Anthony Spires 0-1 (Independent) vs Mike Williams 1-1 (CMBJJ)

170 John Hansen 0-0 (Berserkers) vs Alex Payson 1-0 (First Class)

155 Ken Dunn 0-3 (W. ME Budo Arts) vs Frank Johanson 0-1 (CMBJJ)

150 Cory Trial 1-2 (Ruthless) vs Jeremy Tyler 4-3 (Team Irish)

145 Johnny Crafts 4-0 (NEU) vs Taylor Costantino 2-1 (Team Irish PTC)

145 Glenn Kasabian 0-0 (Choi) vs Matt Marshall 2-5 (MMA Athletix)

140 Angela Young 0-1 (Young’s) vs Hannah Sparrell 1-0 (First Class)

125 Jake Denham 1-0 (Lawton BJJ) vs Ryan Daley 0-2 (Team Irish)

 

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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

HEAT RISING ON UPCOMING DENNING-HARVEY FIGHT AT NEF 22 APRIL 23RD

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Lewiston, Maine (March 16, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier this month, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight contest to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-1) will meet Josh “Hook On” Harvey (0-0) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.  Since the announcement, the anticipation has continued to accelerate for the upcoming bout. In a recent interview with Jason Floyd on The MMA Report, Harvey made some comments that has sent the energy around the fight into overdrive.

 

“I find him disrespectful as a person and I want to keep it classy on a podcast,” Harvey stated in the beginning of the interview. “I do not want to speak my full mind. You meet the guy, talk to him for a minute and you want to fight him. But it depends on which Matt you are talking to. Because he can rub people the wrong way and he can kiss their ass on the same day. That is who he is.”

 

The bad blood between the two rivals has been rising for a long time. The potential matchup had been talked about for years, but is scheduled to finally become a reality on April 23rd.

 

“In this case, I’ve wanted to fight Matt Denning since we were both amateurs,” Harvey stated to Floyd during the interview. “I couldn’t make it happen then. I guess I wasn’t the fight he wanted. At the time, I only had one or two amateur fights and he was towards the end of his amateur career.”

 

“He’s backed out of fights before at the pro level,” “Harvey stated. “He’s missed weight. Is it a career? Is it a hobby? I mean, it’s for him to decide, but we’ll find out if he wants to show up to fight.”

 

When Floyd asked Harvey if the fight was personal, Harvey confirmed the obvious. “I think it is,” Harvey replied. “I’m not saying they’re going to want two refs in there to pull me off of him, but it’s going to finish that way.”

 

During the interview, Harvey also noted the difference in quality of training partners, as he sees it, and how that will impact the outcome of the fight.

 

“I don’t think he’s rolling with the animals that we’re bringing in every day,” Harvey stated. “The people he has submitted, I don’t think their jitz game was tight—and that’s why he took those fights.”

 

When asked how he would like to end the fight with Denning, Harvey explained to Floyd that a submission finish would be satisfying, but that he was prepared to create the finish wherever it presents itself.

 

“It would be nice to turn Ken Doll into Stretch Armstrong—that would be sweet,” Harvey stated toward the end of the interview. “But I’m going to beat him wherever the fight goes. I’m not going to force it down to beat him on the ground and I’m not going to force it to stay up. Of course, if he tries to take me down—I don’t give up takedowns for nobody. I’ll beat him wherever the fight goes.”

 

To listen to Josh Harvey’s complete interview on The MMA Report visit:

 

http://themmareport.com/2016/03/josh-harvey-on-nef-22-opponent-matt-denning-i-find-him-disrespectful-as-a-person/

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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

FIGHTERS HOPE TO SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES IN THE CAGE AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (March 4, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight contest to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-1) will meet Josh “Hook On” Harvey (0-0) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

 

Lewiston’s Matt Denning is coming off the first loss of his professional career this past November against Jon Lemke (5-4).  Prior to that defeat, Denning was riding a four-fight win streak, all four of those wins coming by way of submission.  He is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).  Denning acknowledges personal issues have existed in the past between he and Harvey, culminating in a cageside confrontation between the two athletes at the close of “NEF XV” in the fall of 2014.

 

“I’m honored to have been asked specifically for this fight,” said Denning.  “Josh is the 155 ammy champ and is an amazing fighter.  I’m excited to watch him continue his career as a pro and move up to the top of the professional rankings.  We had some personal issues between the two of us because of a poor decision I made, and I hope with us fighting it will clear the air and I’ll be able to cross train with him and Young’s MMA.  We gotta give the fans what they want and this is what they wanted.  I look forward to seeing everyone April 23rd.”

 

The bout will indeed be the professional debut for Harvey after an amateur career in which he went 5-1.  He is the reigning NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion, a title which he will now vacate as a professional.  Harvey capped off his amateur stint with a highlight reel knockout over Ryan Dibartolomeo (4-4), a victory that solidified his position as the northeast region’s top-ranked amateur lightweight.  Harvey is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  He recently signed a long-term NEF developmental deal.

 

“I’m feeling blessed to be a signed professional cage fighter,” said Harvey.  “I’m one step closer to my goal and April 23rd I’ll take another.  I’ve wanted a chance to fight ‘Ken Doll’ ever since I met him – he is just one of those guys.  I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

 

“One thing is very clear in this matchup – Josh and Matt don’t like each other,” stated NEF matchmaker and co-owner Matt Peterson.  “There is some deep, pent-up frustration that has been percolating between these two for a long time – and on April 23rd, the cork comes out.  It’s going to be spectacular.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  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 boxing, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

LEWISTON AND BANGOR COLLIDE IN THE MMA CAGE AT NEF XX

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Lewiston, Maine (September 25, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Lewiston’s own Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-0) is scheduled to meet Bangor, Maine’s Jon Lemke(4-3) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

 

Matt Denning has been nothing short of impressive in the first two fights of his professional career.  After putting together an amateur record of 4-3, Denning has since finished both Zenon Herrera (0-2) and Derek Shorey (3-2) via first-round submission in the pro ranks.  He is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston.  Denning’s upcoming fight will present an opportunity to gain a measure of revenge, of sorts, on Lemke who defeated Denning’s coach Jesse Erickson (6-4) at Bellator 93 in March 2013.

 

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be on the ‘NEF XX’ card,” said Denning.  Boxing and cage fighting under the same roof – it’s going to be a crazy night.  I’m looking to go 3-0 as a pro against a very high level opponent in Lemke.  It’s a heavier fight, against a guy who beat my coach in Bellator.  I’m excited to showcase my skills and put on a show for the NEF fans.  I’m Lewiston’s own Ken Doll and I plan on bringing everything I have into this fight. Fighting a friend is hard, but it’s all a part of this wide-growing sport.  My career is on the rise while Lemke’s is going down.”

 

Jon Lemke is a member of Team Irish in Brewer, Maine where he trains under the legendary Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-11).  Like Denning, Lemke went on a tear at the start of his professional career, winning his first three bouts in a row.  He last appeared in the NEF cage at “NEF XIV” last fall, defeating Amos Collins (4-5) via first-round technical knockout (TKO).  After some time off from competition, Lemke is ready and eager to return to NEF in November.

 

“I am excited and grateful for another opportunity to do what I love and continue my career with NEF,” said Lemke.  “I am grateful to fight Mr. Denning, who has started his pro career off on the fast track.  I realize that I have been very inconsistent in my last couple of fights, however, I have taken steps to remedy that and am happy, healthy and looking to get back on track.  Mr. Denning brings a good skill set and a big fan base to the cage, and I look forward to the challenge and rising up to that challenge.  It’s going to be a great night of fights and people are not going to want to miss this fight in particular.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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

FULL FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR NEF XIX IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (August 14, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX: HOMECOMING,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the fight card for the event featuring a full slate of professional and amateur MMA matchups.

 

The event is aptly titled “Homecoming” as it will feature the returns of several athletes who have either been recently inactive or competing outside the NEF umbrella.  One such return will feature Darrius Heyliger (5-2) from Ithaca, New York.  Maine and the NEF cage became a home-away-from-home for Heyliger and several of his Bombsquad teammates during the early days of the promotion.  Heyliger competed regularly for NEF in 2012 and early 2013.  His last appearance in the cage was in May 2013 against Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-11) in the main event of “NEF VII.”  Heyliger will make his return on September 12 against Brandon Chagnon (5-4) of Sityodtong.

 

The professional side of the card will also feature the homecoming of Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (1-0) after a 10-month extended layoff from action.  Denning made his professional debut last November with a win over Derek Shorey (2-2).   He will return in front of his hometown crowd against Zenon “Ka-bar” Herrera(0-1).

 

Speaking of hometown fighters, Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (5-4), a native of neighboring Auburn, Maine, will look to extend his win-streak to three when he faces Ricky “Savage” Sylvester (2-1).  Sylvester’s previous appearance in NEF ended in controversy when many felt he held an armbar a little too long on Tollison Lewis (0-4).

 

On the amateur side of the card, Josh Harvey (4-1) is scheduled to headline in the first defense of his NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Title.  Harvey will meet the stiff challenge of Ryan Dibartolomeo (4-2) from John Fain’s Team Triumph/Boston BJJ of Nashua, New Hampshire.  Harvey won the vacant title this past June with a first-round submission of Ricky Dexter (3-1).

 

The amateur portion of the card will also feature not one, but two women’s contests.  Young’s MMA of Bangor, Maine will be represented in both bouts with Angela Young (0-0) and Kira Innocenti (0-0) making their respective debuts.  Angela is the wife of Young’s MMA founder and head coach Chris Young.  She will meet Rachel Reinheimer (1-0) from Sityodtong while Innocenti will square off against Hannah Sparrell of First Class MMA.

 

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

 

PROFESSIONAL

265 Matt Andrikut 0-0 (Conviction Martial Arts) vs Artie Mullen 1-14 (Southern Maine MMA)

205 Michael Hansen 2-2 (Berserkers MMA) vs Crowsneck Boutin 1-0 (Choi Institute)

 

170 Darrius Heyliger 5-2 (Bombsquad) vs Brandon Chagnon 5-4 (Sityodtong)

 

155 Jesse Erickson 5-4 (CMBJJ) vs Ricky Sylvester 2-1 (Team Flo)

 

155 Matt Denning 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Zenon Herrera 0-1 (Independent)

 

150 Derek Shorey 2-2 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Tollison Lewis 0-4 (CMBJJ)

 

135 Zech Lange 2-1 (Bombsquad) vs Jay Perrin 2-0 (Boston BJJ NH)

 

 

AMATEUR

205 Ryan Glover 1-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Zak Bergeron 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

200 Chaz Gray 0-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Dominique Bailey 0-0 (Independent)

 

200 Ian Milligan 0-0 (Team Kaze) vs Anthony Spires 0-0 (Independent)

185 Ruben Redman 1-2 (Independent) vs Nick Shea 1-0 (First Class MMA)

 

185 Caleb Farrington 2-0 (Team NEU) vs Jon McNeil 1-0 (Boston BJJ NH)

170 Ricky Dexter 3-1 (Team Irish) vs C.J. Ewer 3-2 (Young’s MMA)

 

170 Scott Godbois 0-0 (Berserkers MMA) vs Phil Pearson 0-0 (MMA Athletix)

 

155*Title Josh Harvey 4-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Ryan Dibartolomeo 4-3 (Boston BJJ NH)

 

155 Cory Trial 1-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Rafael Velado 0-0 (First Class MMA)

 

150 David Thompson (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Jason Lachance 1-2 (MMA Athletix)

 

150 Kira Innocenti 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Hannah Sparrell 0-0 (First Class MMA)

145 Mike Pietersen 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Alex Johnson 2-2 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing)

140 Fred Lear 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Henry Clark 2-1 (Choi Institute)

135 Clifford Redman 0-2 (Independent) vs Wil Carrero 0-1 (MMA Athletix)

 

130 Angela Young 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Rachel Reinheimer 1-0 (Sityodtong)

 

125 Ryan Burgess 1-0 (Independent) vs Michael Crespo 3-2 (MMA Athletix)

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX: HOMECOMING,” takes place onSaturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX: HOMECOMING” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  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

POPULAR FIGHTER TO MAKE LONG-AWAITED RETURN AT NEF XIX

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Lewiston, Maine (July 1, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 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.  Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (1-0) will return after a lengthy absence to face Zenon “Kabar” Herrera (0-1) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

Denning last appeared for NEF in November 2014.  After a 4-1 career in NEF as an amateur, Denning debuted in the professional ranks that evening against Derek Shorey (2-2).  He would win the fight by first-round submission.  Denning will make the move up to 155-pounds from 145-pounds for this fight.  He is a member of Lewiston’s Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).

 

“After taking some time off, it feels good to be back for NEF,” said Denning.  “It’s going to be a tough fight-Zenon has had over ten ammy fights and made his pro debut against my coach, who is a really tough opponent. The only loss I’ve had for NEF was at 155 and it’s going to be a test for me to come back and see how I do. I’m a small 155er and I’m ready to show skills win over size. This will probably be the longest dog fight I’ve had, but I’m ready for it.”

 

Zenon Herrera is hungry for a win after dropping his last two fights in a row.  Herrera made his professional debut at “NEF XVIII” last month in a losing effort to CMBJJ coach Jesse Erickson (5-4). He is an independent fighter out of Skowhegan, Maine.  Herrera is a veteran of both the United States Army and Marine Corps, having served a combined nine years between the two military branches.

 

“My biggest goal, aside from getting a win, is providing the MMA fans with a fight that they enjoy and hope to see again and again,” said Herrera.  “Last time, I honestly feel that I let those fans down.  I know that I am able to do much more than what I showcased the last time I was in the NEF cage.  This upcoming match with Matt Denning, I honestly believe that everyone will see a new and very different Zenon ‘Kabar’ Herrera.  I have all of the respect in the world for Matt Denning -I do for everyone I face in this sport.  But this time, I not only have to prove to the fans what I can do – I have to prove it to myself as well.”

 

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

NEF XVI RECAP: KING RETAINS; WOOD DETHRONED; YOUNG’S MMA GOES 8-1

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Tyler King after retaining the Heavyweight Title on Saturday night

Lewiston, Maine (February 9, 2015) –New England Fights’ (NEF) latest mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event “NEF XVI,” took place Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  With temperatures dropping to below zero, and the threat of a snowstorm looming over the area, more than 2,500 fight fans braved the elements to pack the state’s most venerable fight venue.  The crowd was treated to a total of 24 action-packed fights, including four professional bouts, two of which were for NEF MMA title belts.

 

The main event of the evening saw Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (17-9) unseat Ray “All Business” Wood (5-1) to become the new NEF MMA Featherweight Champion.  The loss spoiled what was expected to be a triumphant return home for Wood.  The native of Bucksport, Maine had moved to South Carolina in 2014 to pursue his goal of competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).  Morrison was considered Wood’s toughest challenge to date, having himself competed on the national stage in Bellator and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).  Still, Wood was recognized as the favorite going into the bout Saturday night.  Morrison was dominant for most of the fight, out-wrestling Wood before submitting him with a guillotine choke in the fifth round to capture the belt.

 

The loss was also the sole blemish on what was otherwise a perfect night for Young’s MMA.  The Bangor, Maine-based team had won their previous eight bouts over the course of the evening, an amazing feat considering that the Young’s corners were often running back and forth from the cage to the locker room to prepare their fighters for bouts that were mere moments apart from each other.  Of particular note, the opening fight of the card featured Josh Harvey (3-1) of Young’s tearing through top-ten-ranked amateur featherweight Caleb Hall (5-2) with a technical knockout (TKO) victory a mere 36-seconds into the first round. Later, Young’s newest team member, Carl Langston (4-7), got his first win ever on Maine soil with a decision over Sheldon Bang (1-2) in a rematch of a bout Langston had lost at “NEF XIII” last year.

 

Marcus Davis’s Team Irish went 2-0 on the night with Ricky Dexter(2-0) picking up the second win of his amateur career and Rick Matthews (1-1) getting his first victory.  44-year old Matthews won a decision over Emmett Huber (0-1) while Dexter scored a big knockout on Cory Trial (0-1) in the second-round, sending Trial to a nearby hospital in the process.

 

Highlight-reel knockouts were par for the course at “NEF XVI.” Among them, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Nah-Shon “The Rock-n-Rolla” Burrell (11-5) had already bloodied Ryan Hodge(6-10) before knocking him out in the first round of their professional middleweight contest.  The most-talked-about knockout of the evening, however, went to Caleb Farrington (2-0) of Team New England United (NEU) who dropped Brandon “The Enigma” Russell (0-1) with a single right hand just 8-seconds into the first round.  The knockout broke the all-time record of 11-seconds previously set by Buck “Knuckles” Pineau (7-4) in April 2012.

 

More history was made at “NEF XVI” when a father and not one, but two of his sons competed on the same MMA card.  Following losses by his sons, Sheldon and Steve Bang (3-3), Dr. Steve Bang(1-0), a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), entered the NEF MMA cage to a loud ovation from the crowd.  The bariatric surgeon wasted little time in going to work on his opponent, Matthew Hanning (0-1), taking him down and pounding out a victory via referee-stoppage.

 

NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighter veteran Tyler King (8-2) successfully defended the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title in the co-main event of the night, defeating Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-3).  King stormed into the arena with a determined fire in his eyes.  Mid-way through the first round, King took Blackburn down to the mat and worked a Kimura submission, forcing Blackburn to tap-out.  During his post-fight victory interview in the cage, King called out a slew of heavyweights and light-heavyweights including local names like Eric Bedard (6-5), as well as national stars such as Bellator’s Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (14-4).

 

Two bouts were announced for NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” scheduled for April 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. NEF MMA Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(10-7) faced-off in the cage with Jamie Harrison (5-1) for an interview.  Boyington will defend his title at “NEF XVII” against number-one-contender Harrison in the main event.  Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) and Bellator veteran Dennis Olson (12-7) were also brought into the cage for an interview.  The two exciting welterweights will square off at “NEF XVII” in a bout many local observers feel could end up being a contender for “Fight of the Year” in the region.

 

The full results of “NEF XVI” in Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

145*TITLE Anthony Morrison def. Ray Wood (c) via guillotine, round 5 (Morrison wins title)

265*TITLE Tyler King (c) def. Terry Blackburn via Kimura, round 1 (King retains)

185 Nah-Shon Burrell def. Ryan Hodge via TKO, round 1

265 Mike Hansen def. Artie Mullen via TKO, round 1

 

 

AMATEUR

 

CATCH Aaron Lacey def. Nick Spencer via tap to rear-naked choke, round 3

CATCH Dustin Veinott def. Dave Brown via tap to armbar, round 1

145 Mike Peitersen def. Henry Clark via KO, round 3

180 Caleb Farrington def. Brandon Russell via KO, round 1

155 Ricky Dexter def. Cory Trial via KO, round 2

155 Dr. Steve Bang def. Matthew Hanning via TKO, round 1

  1. HWT Gravin Guillen def. Mladen Holman via unanimous decision

CATCH Fred Lear def. Bryant Orick via TKO, round 2

185 Frank Dellasala def. Heath Hanson via TKO, round 1

155 Jason Lachance def. Steve Bang via unanimous decision

265 Billy Leahy def. Brandon Lessard via unanimous decision

185 Nick Shea def. Jacob Cameron via TKO, round 1

CATCH Rob Kiah def. Clifford Redman via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

135 Johnny Crafts def. Mike Crespo via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

CATCH Jimmy Jackson def. Kris Welch via bulldog submission, round 2

205 Chris Perry def. Ruben Redman via unanimous decision

265 Ryan Glover def. Michael Freeman via TKO, round 1

140 Carl Langston def. Sheldon Bang via unanimous decision

155 Rick Matthews def. Emmett Huber via split decision

145 Josh Harvey def. Caleb Hall via TKO, round 1

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onApril 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  In addition, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest.  Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.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

NEF ANNOUNCES MMA RESULTS FROM LEWISTON, MAINE

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Lewiston, Maine (February 8, 2015) –New England Fights’ (NEF) latest mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event “NEF XVI,” took place Saturday night at the Ramada Conference Center in Lewiston, Maine.  A crowd of more than 2,500 was on-hand to witness the promotion’s first event of 2015.

 

In the main event of the evening, Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (17-9) shocked the crowd by defeating hometown heroRay “All Business” Wood (5-1) to capture the NEF MMA Featherweight Title.  In the co-main event, Tyler King (8-2) defeated Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-3) via submission to retain the NEF Heavyweight Title.

 

In addition, NEF announced two fights for its next event, “NEF XVII,” scheduled for April 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  On that night, NEF MMA Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend his title against the challenge of Jamie Harrison (5-1) in the main event.  Also on the card that evening will be Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) in a professional welterweight contest against Dennis Olson (12-7).

 

The full results of “NEF XVI” in Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

145*TITLE Anthony Morrison def. Ray Wood (c) via guillotine, round 5 (Morrison wins title)

265*TITLE Tyler King (c) def. Terry Blackburn via Kimura, round 1 (King retains)

185 Nah-Shon Burrell def. Ryan Hodge via TKO, round 1

265 Mike Hansen def. Artie Mullen via TKO, round 1

 

 

AMATEUR

 

CATCH Aaron Lacey def. Nick Spencer via tap to rear-naked choke, round 3

CATCH Dustin Veinott def. Dave Brown via tap to armbar, round 1

145 Mike Peitersen def. Henry Clark via KO, round 3

180 Caleb Farrington def. Brandon Russell via KO, round 1

155 Ricky Dexter def. Cory Trial via KO, round 2

155 Dr. Steve Bang def. Matthew Hanning via TKO, round 1

  1. HWT Gravin Guillen def. Mladen Holman via unanimous decision

CATCH Fred Lear def. Bryant Orick via TKO, round 2

185 Frank Dellasala def. Heath Hanson via TKO, round 1

155 Jason Lachance def. Steve Bang via unanimous decision

265 Billy Leahy def. Brandon Lessard via unanimous decision

185 Nick Shea def. Jacob Cameron via TKO, round 1

CATCH Rob Kiah def. Clifford Redman via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

135 Johnny Crafts def. Mike Crespo via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

CATCH Jimmy Jackson def. Kris Welch via bulldog submission, round 2

205 Chris Perry def. Ruben Redman via unanimous decision

265 Ryan Glover def. Michael Freeman via TKO, round 1

140 Carl Langston def. Sheldon Bang via unanimous decision

155 Rick Matthews def. Emmett Huber via split decision

145 Josh Harvey def. Caleb Hall via TKO, round 1

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onApril 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  In addition, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest.  Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.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.