Tag Archives: Mike Bezanson

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

BERMUDEZ VICTORIOUS, ERICKSON PUTS ON A CLINIC AS NEF BRINGS A SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION TO THE MERRILL AUDITORIUM STAGE

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Tam sim TSO TAWM: Portland, Maine (Lub ob hlis ntuj 10, 2020) – More than 2000 braved frigid temperatures on Saturday night as New England Fights (NEF) brought its most recent mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event to the stage of Merrill Auditorium in Portland. 22 fights took place under the shadow of the world-famous 1911 Kotzschmar Memorial Organ. It was NEF’s debut at the century-old venue, and the event opened the venerable fight promotion’s ninth season of MMA competition.

Nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim ntawm yav tsaus ntuj, UFC qub tub rogManny “The Bermudez Triangle” Bermudez(15-2) xaBruce "Zoo nkauj tub" Boyington (19-12) with a guillotine choke in the first round. The bout was originally scheduled to be contested for the NEF Professional Lightweight Title, but with Bermudez missing championship weight, he was not eligible to win the belt. The title currently remains vacant.

Bermudez’s victory capped a perfect night for the South Shore Sportfighting team of Rockland, Massachusetts. Teammates Darryl Andrews (1-0) thiab Tim Birkenhead (2-0) were both successful in their respective fights to lift their gym to a 3-0 record on the event.

Also going 3-0 on the evening was the team of Evolution Athletix based in Saco, Maine.Teddy Politis (1-0), Ben Grady (1-0), thiabTyler Smythe (1-0) all stopped their opponents within the first minute of the first round of their respective fights to win their respective amateur debuts.

The biggest story of the night, undoubtedly, came in the co-main event as longtime NEF veteranJesse “The Viking” Erickson(10-8) tes laugJosh “Hook On” Harvey(7-1-1) the first loss of his professional career. Erickson, who represents both Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Recon Fitness, put on a brilliant jiu-jitsu clinic that will be remembered for years to come. Trapped against the cage by Harvey early-on in the first round, Erickson pulled guard and transitioned through a chain of submissions before finally settling in with an armbar to force the tapout, sending the Portland crowd into an absolute frenzy.

In a wild heavyweight slugfest that also took place on the professional portion of the card, Ras “Rasquatch” Hylton (5-3) downedBrad Lee(0-1) via technical knockout in the second round. After several minutes of feeling each other out, the pair exchanged in a back-and-forth slobber-knocker in the closing moments of the first round. A little over a minute into the second round, the referee called a halt to the action after several unanswered strikes from the 6’6” Hylton.

Hylton’s First Class MMA teammateJacob Deppmeyer(1-0) had a successful pro debut, defeatingCarl Langston(0-5) via first-round technical knockout. Deppmeyer, trapped Langston in a reverse triangle and rained down a series of unanswered elbows, giving the referee no option but to stop the bout at that point.

On the amateur card, top prospectMike Bezanson (5-0) of Kaze Dojo remained undefeated with a technical knockout win overGreg Ishihara(2-2) nyob rau hauv thawj puag ncig.

Also remaining undefeated in the amateur ranks wereNate “The Mule” White(5-0) thiabCaleb “Dr. Feelgood” Austin (4-0), both fighting out of CMBJJ, who finished their respective opponents in the first round.

Another CMBJJ product, Garry Carr (3-1), broke his own record for a second consecutive time when he became, yet again, the oldest athlete to win a fight in the NEF cage. At 58-years-young, Carr took a unanimous decision victory over 23-year-old Austin Hamilton (0-2) in a catchweight amateur fight.

NEF also announced that its next event would see the promotion return to the campus of UMaine Orono at the Collins Center for the Arts on April 18 with “NEF 43: Rampage.” Already confirmed for the event, Zac “Rocky” Richard(6-2-1) will defend the NEF Amateur Lightweight Title againstDevin Corson(3-1), thaum lub sij hawmChelsea Tucker(3-3) is scheduled to meet Oregon’sCaree Hill(6-2) for the NEF Amateur Women’s Flyweight Championship, and Caleb Austin facesJames Ploss (1-2) in a long-awaited rematch of their controversial 2017 kawg.

The full “NEF 42” results from Portland, Maine:

KEV

Manny Bermudez def. Bruce Boyington via tap to guillotine, puag ncig 1

Jesse Erickson Def. Josh Harvey via tap to armbar, puag ncig 1

Ras Hylton def. Brad Lee via technical knockout, puag ncig 2

Chris Caterino def. Nate Boucher via tap to armbar, puag ncig 1

Jacob Deppmeyer def. Carl Langston via technical knockout, puag ncig 1

Pib xyaum ua

Tim Birkenhead def. Mike Murray via tap to kneebar, puag ncig 2

Joe Howard def. Justin Kangas via KO, puag ncig 1

Mike Bezanson def. Greg Ishihara via technical knockout, puag ncig 1

Felipe Gunter def. Hannon Sanford via unanimous decision

Nate White def. Brian Cosco via technical knockout, puag ncig 1

Darryl Andrews def. Titus Pannell via unanimous decision

Jason Landry def. Dustin Carrier via technical knockout, puag ncig 2

Tyler Smythe def. Clifford Redman via technical submission, puag ncig 1

Garry Carr def. Austin Hamilton via unanimous decision

Ryan Fogg def. Giuliano Rossi via doctor stoppage, puag ncig 2

Ben Grady def. Jon Assam via KO, puag ncig 1

Tim Bergeron def. Henry Jeffs via technical knockout, puag ncig 1

Caleb Austin def. Dillon Henry via tap to rear-naked choke, puag ncig 1

Dylan Williams def. Wyatt Sochin via split decision

Randall Hathorn def. Tim Murray via technical knockout, puag ncig 1

Henry Clark def. Taylor Bartlett via technical submission, puag ncig 1

Teddy Politis def. Kevin Lamay via tap to Kimura, puag ncig 1

Tshiab England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets will be on sale this week atwww.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.  

Hais txog Tshiab England Fights

Tshiab England Fights ("NEF") yog ib tug sib ntaus txheej xwm promotions lub tuam txhab. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF lub thawj pab neeg no muaj nws kim heev kev nyob rau hauv nqe ntaus rog kev ua si tswj, txheej xwm ntau lawm, xov xwm kev sib raug zoo, marketing, kev cai lij choj thiab advertising.

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NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS FROM LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (Lub rau hli ntuj 18, 2016) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) held the fight promotion’s latest event, “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND” nyob rau hnub Saturday hmo nyob rau ntawm Androscoggin Bank Colisée nyob rau hauv Lewiston, Maine. The event featured a full slate of professional boxing, amateur mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional MMA bouts. Ze li ntawm 2,000 packed the hallowed halls where Muhammad Ali once defended the heavyweight championship of the world against Sonny Liston. A special video tribute was presented honoring Ali prior to the beginning of the event.

 

For the second time since April, Brandon Berry (11-2-1) thiab James Lester(11-9-1) mus rau hauv lub deb. Lub sij hawm no, unlike the last bout which was scored a draw, there was a winner. Lester is travelling back to his hometown of Detroit, Michigan the new Northeast Junior Welterweight Boxing Champion after winning a unanimous decision.

 

Alex Walker (1-1) thiab Nicole Burgess (0-1) kept alive the tradition of women’s fights stealing the show at NEF events. The two athletes battled back and forth in what can only be described as a “thriller” before a deafening crowd. Walker picked up the first win of her MMA career via an armbar submission in the third round.

 

Fans who missed the event, or who were at the Colisée and want to relive it, can watch the archived copy of the show by signing up for a FloPRO account at www.FloCombat.com.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

KEV COB QHA COV BOXING

James Lester def. Brandon Berry via unanimous decision

Russell Lamour def. Roberto Valenzuela via KO, puag ncig 1

Vinnie Carita def. Francisco Mireles via KO, puag ncig 2

Casey Kramlich def. Zenon Herrera ntawm TKO, puag ncig 3

Steve Collins, Jr. def. Jose Humberto Corral via unanimous decision

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

 

Jesse Erickson Def. Amos Collins via KO, puag ncig 1

Brandon Bushaw def. Matt Denning via Kimura, puag ncig 3

 

Pib xyaum ua MMA

 

Dustin Veinott def. Ryan Burgess via triangle choke, puag ncig 2

Mike Bezanson def. Shawn Bang via KO, puag ncig 1

Derek Daley def. Johel Stephenson via TKO, puag ncig 1

Justin Witham def. Conner Murphy via rear-naked choke, puag ncig 3

Skyler Bang def. Eddie DeRoche via rear-naked choke, puag ncig 1

Steve Bang, Jr. def. Dom Cofone via guillotine, puag ncig 1

Alex Walker def. Nicole Burgess via armbar, puag ncig 3

Dr. Steve Bang def. Stacy Lupo via TKO, puag ncig 3

 

Tshiab hais Fights 'tom ntej no cov kev tshwm sim, "NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, Cuaj hlis 10, 2016 nyob rau Androscoggin txhab nyiaj Colisée nyob rau hauv Lewiston, Maine. Daim pib pib ntawm cia li $25 thiab yog muag tam sim no nyob www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm hu rau Colisée chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm 207.783.2009 x 525. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

Yog xav paub ntxiv nyob rau hauv cov kev tshwm sim thiab kev sib ntaus card tshiab, thov mus saib cov qib lub website ntawm www.NewEnglandFights.com. Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, koj yuav saib NEF yeeb yaj duab ntawm www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, ua raws li lawv nyob rau Twitternefights thiab koom nrog cov nom Facebook pab pawg neeg "New England Fights."

 

Hais txog Tshiab England Fights

 

Tshiab England Fights ("NEF") yog ib tug sib ntaus txheej xwm promotions lub tuam txhab. NEF lub hom phiaj yog los tsim lub siab tshaj plaws zoo txheej xwm rau Maine lub tua hluav taws thiab cov kiv cua zoo tib yam nkaus. NEF lub thawj pab neeg no muaj nws kim heev kev nyob rau hauv nqe ntaus rog kev ua si tswj, txheej xwm ntau lawm, xov xwm kev sib raug zoo, marketing, kev cai lij choj thiab advertising.

pib xyaum ua boxing, pib xyaum ua mixed martial arts, Pib xyaum ua MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

COMBAT SPORTS GIVE BEZANSON DIRECTION AFTER FAMILY TRAGEDY

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Lewiston, Maine (Lub rau hli ntuj 13, 2016) – Combat sports gave Mike Bezanson (1-0) direction. They also helped him cultivate the relationship with his father that he always coveted but could never seem to grasp.

Tam sim no, on the eve of Father’s Day, less than a week past the four-year anniversary of his dad’s untimely death, Bezanson is poised to take another step in the career that was their shared dream.

Bezanson, 21, ntawm Lancaster, N.H., returns to the New England Fights hexagon to take on Shawn Bang (1-1) of Auburn, Maine, in a welterweight bout at “NEF 24: Promised Land.” Their amateur bout is one of the many attractions on theSaturday, Lub rau hli ntuj 18 card at Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

“I think this fight is going to be good for me, because I’ll be able to show my skills against an opponent with more in-cage experience than I have,” Bezanson said. “Also, the fact that Lub rau hli ntuj 18 is the day before Father’s Day makes this a sentimental and emotional fight for me.”

The encore comes almost a year to the day after Bezanson stopped Jeff Dustin (0-1) by technical knockout via strikes in his mixed martial arts debut on June 13, 2015. Bang has split his first two verdicts in the NEF cage.

Bezanson’s showboating, stick-and-move style drew mixed reviews from the large crowd that witnessed his rookie effort. Some booed the relative lack of action, perhaps suspecting that Bezanson was toying with an overmatched opponent.

It was all part of his plan to relish the moment and take advantage of the opportunity.

“Truthfully we had a game plan to get experience,” Bezanson said. “If I have any thoughts of going pro, I need to get as much experience as I can. If you go in there and knock a guy out in 10 vib nas this, don’t get me wrong, you got a knockout and that’s great, but you’re not learning what it takes to get comfortable on the other side of that 10 vib nas this. You don’t know how much energy you’re going to need.”

Bezanson never lacked energy, or personality, from childhood. He describes himself as a young man who never got into any serious trouble, and never experimented with drugs or other disorderly conduct, but one who freely challenged authority.

He gravitated to the boxing ring as a freshman in high school. It gave him direction. It also provided a foundation for the on-again, off-again relationship with his father, Jamie.

“Before I took up boxing, my dad wasn’t really involved much in my life. He would come and go, koj paub, for personal reasons,” Bezanson said. “When I started boxing, we got really close. Boxing and racing were his things. He would tell anybody and everybody that I was boxing and how proud he was, and that meant a lot to me.”

Jamie Bezanson never had the chance to watch his son develop as a fighter. Nyob rau lub rau hli ntuj 15, 2012, during annual “Bike Week” in Laconia, his motorcycle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

The elder Bezanson succumbed to his injuries. Nws yog 37.

“I lost it for a while. I stopped boxing. Hlwb, I was just in a very emotional place,” Bezanson said. “Then right next to my house, Kaze Dojo opened up. Kuv hais tias, ‘That’s something I could do.’”

Bezanson began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Greg Williams. He proved himself a natural talent, winning the gold medal in his debut at the Vermont Open.

Then came the natural progression to MMA, where his stand-up skills proved too difficult for Dustin to defend. Bezanson commanded the cage with the poise and surgical precision of a veteran.

“I’m a pretty confident guy all around. I really wasn’t that nervous. I figure why be scared if you’re prepared and you’ve put in all that training?"Nws hais tias. “Ninety percent of fights are lost before you even get into the cage. If you let the emotions get to you, you’re not going to perform to the best of your ability.”

Bezanson suffered a catastrophic knee injury in training shortly thereafter. He has spent most of the past year recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus.

Once he returned to the gym, Bezanson spent much of his time focused on his evolving ground game. It should be tested royally by Bang, a former high school wrestler from a renowned regional fighting family.

“Striking is definitely one of my strengths. I’m a lanky dude, and I try to use that to my full advantage,” Bezanson said. “But I’ve worked really hard on my ground game in training. I didn’t really get a chance to show it in my first fight, but I know I will this time.”

Bezanson sees his second foray into the cage as the true beginning of what he hopes will be a prolific career.

In addition to the many fans who will make the four-hour round trip from the North Country to watch him, Bezanson knows he will have one special set of eyes in his corner.

“Boxing taught me a lot of discipline. MMA is the same thing. People can use it however they want, but that’s what it does for me,"Nws hais tias. “It’s something I like to do and something that I know makes my father proud all at the same time.”

Qhov qhib tswb rau Lub rau hli ntuj 18 yog teem rau 7 p.m. The current docket includes five pro boxing fights, three pro MMA bouts and eight amateur MMA skirmishes. Tickets for “NEF 24: Promised Land” start at $25 thiab yog muaj nyob rau ntawmwww.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

For more information on the events and fight card updates, thov mus saib cov qib lub website ntawm www.NewEnglandFights.com. Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, koj yuav saib NEF yeeb yaj duab ntawm www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, ua raws li lawv nyob rau Twitternefights thiab koom nrog cov nom Facebook pab pawg neeg "New England Fights."

Hais txog Tshiab England Fights

Tshiab England Fights ("NEF") yog ib tug sib ntaus txheej xwm promotions lub tuam txhab. NEF lub hom phiaj yog los tsim lub siab tshaj plaws zoo txheej xwm rau Maine lub tua hluav taws thiab cov kiv cua zoo tib yam nkaus. NEF lub thawj pab neeg no muaj nws kim heev kev nyob rau hauv nqe ntaus rog kev ua si tswj, txheej xwm ntau lawm, xov xwm kev sib raug zoo, marketing, kev cai lij choj thiab advertising.

pib xyaum ua mixed martial arts, Pib xyaum ua MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

FAMILY AND THE PASSION TO ENTERTAIN DRIVE MMA WELTERWEIGHTS

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Lewiston, Maine (Tej zaum 18, 2016) - Nyob rau Lub rau hli ntuj 18, 2016 Tshiab England Fights (NEF) will return to Lewiston with the fight promotion’s latest fight card, “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.” A full slate of professional and amateur mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing is planned for the event. Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, NEF announced the addition of an amateur MMA welterweight bout to the fight card. Shawn Bang (1-1) will return to take on Mike Bezanson (1-0) ntawm ib tug sib ntaus luj ntawm 170-phaus.

 

Shawn Bang is a member of the famous Bang family of fighters from nearby Auburn, Maine. Along with his father and brothers, Bang yog ib tug tswv cuab ntawm Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ). It has been nearly three years since he last competed in the NEF MMA cage. Bang has spent the last two years serving as a missionary in accordance with his Mormon faith. Finally back home and reunited with both his natural family and gym family, Bang is ready for his return to the cage.

 

“After two years of amazing missionary service, I cannot begin to express how excited I am to reunite with my CMBJJ brothers,” hais tias Bang. “I have only spoken with my own family on Christmas and Mother’s Day, and to have the opportunity to rejoin the ‘Bang Clan’ in battle on June 18th is a fitting reunion. Since childhood our father has always told us, ‘The first rule of brothers is to stick together.’ Thaum kawg, it will be me alone in the cage to battle my opponent but it is family, both immediate and extended, that gets me there and beyond.”

 

Lancaster, New Hampshire’s Mike Bezanson debuted in the NEF MMA cage one year ago at “NEF 18.” Early in the fight, it became evident that his opponent that evening, Jeff Dustin (0-1), was outmatched against the Team Kaze product. Although Dustin hung in there for almost two full rounds before the referee stopped the fight, Bezanson put on a striking clinic that left his opponent bloodied. Bezanson took his time and looked like a cat toying with its prey. Some in attendance saw his performance as showboating, while others were impressed by his pinpoint striking. Like it or not, no one could deny that Bezanson provided the entertainment that night.

 

“I received a lot of mixed reviews from my debut fight at NEF,” recalled Bezanson. “Staying true to myself, Kuv yog kuv yog leej twg – in and out of the cage. Kuv nyiam lom zem, keep people on their toes. Some might say my style of fighting is cocky and unorthodox, but it’s who I am, what I do – and I’m comfortable fighting that way. It is in no way meant to belittle or disrespect my opponent, it’s merely a technique. I have a great deal of respect for all fighters, trainers and fans. One of the reasons I train to fight is the self discipline. I push myself to be the best I can be and I love to compete! Yeej los yog poob, I take away whatever I can from the experience to better myself and grow. You know what they say, ‘There’s no losing, you either win or learn.’ I’m excited to get in the cage in June, and put all my hard work to the test! It’s going to be an entertaining show!”

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine rau Lub rau hli ntuj 18, 2016 nrog “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.” Tickets for “NEF 24” start at just $25 thiab yog muag tam sim no nyob www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm hu rau Colisée chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the events and fight card updates, thov mus saib cov qib lub website ntawm www.NewEnglandFights.com. Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, koj yuav saib NEF yeeb yaj duab ntawm www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, ua raws li lawv nyob rau Twitternefights thiab koom nrog cov nom Facebook pab pawg neeg "New England Fights."

 

Hais txog Tshiab England Fights

 

Tshiab England Fights ("NEF") yog ib tug sib ntaus txheej xwm promotions lub tuam txhab. NEF lub hom phiaj yog los tsim lub siab tshaj plaws zoo txheej xwm rau Maine lub tua hluav taws thiab cov kiv cua zoo tib yam nkaus. NEF lub thawj pab neeg no muaj nws kim heev kev nyob rau hauv nqe ntaus rog kev ua si tswj, txheej xwm ntau lawm, xov xwm kev sib raug zoo, marketing, kev cai lij choj thiab advertising.