Tag Archives: New England Fights

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

UFC STAR TO BE GUEST OF HONOR AT NEF XX; MEET-AND-GREET ANNOUNCED

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Lewiston, Maine (November 18, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” this 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.  The fight promotion announced earlier today that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch (18-9) would be the guest of honor at the event.  It was further announced that Boetsch will be available to meet fans in attendance and sign autographs from 6:00 to 7:00 pmprior to the first fight.

 

Boetsch is a native of Lincolnville, Maine.  He is a lifelong wrestler, having won four state championships while attending Camden Hills Regional High School.  Boetsch was inducted into the Maine Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.  After high school, Boetsch would go on to compete for Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice.

 

He is currently in his second stint with the UFC.  Boetsch holds victories over many of the sport’s biggest names like Kendall Grove (22-15), Brad Tavares (13-4) and Yushin Okami (30-10) just to name a few.  Most recently, he headlined “UFC Fight Night 68” in New Orleans, Louisiana against Dan Henderson (31-14).  Boetsch is scheduled to face Ed Herman (23-11) at “UFC Fight Night 81” onJanuary 17, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.  He is currently training with fellow UFC veteran Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis at Davis’ Team Irish facility in Brewer, Maine in preparation for the upcoming bout.

 

“Very excited to be supporting Maine MMA,” exclaimed Boetsch of his upcoming appearance at NEF XX.  “Looking forward to watching a full card of great fights and meeting all the fans that come out to see an exciting show!”

 

“I’ve been watching Tim compete as a wrestler and mixed martial artist for almost 20 years,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “I watched him cement his legacy in Maine amateur wrestling by winning four high school state championships and cheered him on as he fought his way to becoming one of the baddest men on the planet in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Tim, along with Marcus Davis, Mike Brown and Tim Sylvia, makes up the Mount Rushmore of Maine MMA and it will be an honor to have him and Marcus both in attendance at the 20th installment of New England Fights on November 21st.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place this Saturday, 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 at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

JASON LACHANCE: “I WAS BLESSED WITH AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY”

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Lewiston, Maine (November 16, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” this 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.  In a featured lightweight amateur MMA bout, Jason “2nd Chance” Lachance (2-2) will take on CJ Ewer (4-2) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

Lachance is coming off a first-round submission victory over David Thompson (0-1) at “NEF XIX” this past September.  He is confident in his abilities and predicts victory over Ewer when they meet this weekend.  While Lachance’s future in the sport appears brighter every day, he vows not to overlook the task at hand and to let his Christian faith guide him through his career.

 

“I will beat CJ in any way possible,” said Lachance.  “MMA is a sport where anything can happen.  I am fully prepared for whatever may come on the 21st.  I will focus on my next opponent when this fight is out of my way. I will not overlook my opponent. God will set up the future for me, as he has thus far.”

 

Lachance credits his faith and the sport of MMA with helping him conquer his much-publicized addiction to heroin.  He began training over two years ago at MMA Athletix in Bath, Maine, where he also joined the Victory Church ministry of the gym’s then-owner Ryan Cowette (2-3).

 

“I was blessed with an amazing opportunity, and I couldn’t be more grateful.  The fight game is the highest of highs and lowest of lows. The most defining moments of my short career have not come from inside the cage, but from learning and growing day to day as a man and as a fighter.”

 

Recently, Lachance and teammate Norman Fox (4-2) purchased the MMA Athletix gym from Cowette after Cowette decided to redirect his focus to his roofing business.  When the challenges of small business ownership reared its head, Lachance once again lets his faith guide him.

 

“Purchasing the gym was a huge moment for both Norman and myself,” stated Lachance.  “We had to sit back and really evaluate what we wanted out of our careers, and also out of our business.  We quickly realized that with full time jobs, we don’t have time to be coaches, trainers, fighters and business owners and still expect to succeed.  We prayed on it and God sent us the perfect team of coaches and trainers, along with a new group of up and coming fighters.

 

“MMA has already changed my life in many ways. I expect to take it to the top, as a business owner and as a fighter. God has given me the opportunity to live my dream, day after day.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place this Saturday, 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 at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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, MMA, New England Fights

NEF ANNOUNCES FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL

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Lewiston, Maine (November 10, 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 a free ticket giveaway for all past and present United States military personnel to coincide with Veterans Day.  Earlier this year, the company ran a similar giveaway in conjunction with Memorial Day weekend.

 

“We consider these military giveaways to be one of the most important things we do as a company,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Being able to give back a little to those who have given so much means a great deal to us.  God bless all who serve our country.”

 

The ticket giveaway will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée box office from the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.  The Colisée 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.

 

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, MMA, New England Fights

NEW SPORT, SAME FIGHTING PASSION FOR JOSH PARKER

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Lewiston, Maine (November 5, 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.  In a featured lightweight professional boxing match, Josh Parker (0-1) has signed to face Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (0-0) in a four-round contest.

 

While the bout will be Parker’s first boxing match with NEF, he is no stranger to longtime fans of the promotion.  Parker was a regular on NEF MMA cards during the early days of the company. He put together a record of 4-8 as a professional MMA competitor over the course of five years.  Parker feels that he has found his true home not in the MMA cage, but in the boxing ring.

 

“Boxing is a better fit for me because I’ve always loved the standup part of MMA,” noted Parker.  “When I was offered the Brandon Berry (9-1) fight and started focusing on that alone, I knew I had found my true calling. I quit my job, started building a fight team, and have done nothing but study and train since.  My plan is to stay very active, I’d like to fight every couple months if possible.”

 

As noted, Parker began his boxing career in the spring of 2014 when he accepted a bout with Brandon Berry in North Anson, Maine.  Parker held his own in the bout, eventually dropping a four-round decision.  Fans have speculated that there would be a rematch at some point down the road between the two.

 

“You know, people always ask that, but I really don’t care about fighting Brandon again,” said Parker.  “You watch the fight and tell me how the judges came up with the scores they did. That fight was on five weeks of boxing training.  Now I’ve had a year and a half.  If he’s standing in the path on the way to the top then so be it, but it’s not something I’m thinking about.”

 

What is on Parker’s mind is his fight team – Ruthless MMA & Boxing.  Opened in 2014 and based out of Benton, Maine, Ruthless is one of the standout new teams emerging on the Maine fight scene consisting of scrappy young athletes.  In founding the team, Parker is very clear that he is only interested in training those who are serious about competing as fighters.

 

“Ruthless is different because I’m not in it for the money.  I don’t take people who are just trying to get in shape or learn about MMA or boxing.  We don’t do ‘classes.’  We fight, every day.  I’m building a fight team.  When we fight, we’re looking for the finish.”

 

Unfortunately for Parker, he has had some trouble finding boxing matches in the past year-and-a-half following the Berry fight.  With NEF now operating as an MMA and boxing promotion, Parker, and others like him, are destined to benefit from the company’s stability and consistent events schedule.

 

“It’s been very frustrating,” said Parker of trying to find boxing matches.  “I’ve tried setting up a couple fights through other promotions out of state and they’ve fallen through.  I know I can always count on NEF to give me the opportunity to showcase my skills.  I’m extremely excited for November 21st, especially to be a part of the first dual MMA and boxing show.  It’s been a year-and-a-half since my boxing debut. I’ve done nothing but train since.  I can’t wait to finally be able to put all that hard work to the test.”

 

And Parker will, no doubt, be tested on November 21 at “NEF XX.” His opponent, Elias Leland, is a member of Jay Jack’s Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.  Leland is a talented mixed-martial-artist who has competed regularly on NEF cards.  He is currently 2-1 as a professional MMA fighter after putting together a 3-1 record as an amateur.  While Leland has established himself as a submission specialist, he has shown very good hands and standup abilities to date in MMA bouts.

 

“I expect it to be a good fight for the fans,” said Parker of the upcoming boxing match with Leland.  “I’ve never been one to trash talk before a fight.  I’ll let my hands do the talking on November 21st.  Fans can expect to see me looking for a knockout for as long as it lasts. It’s going to be an exciting fight.”

 

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 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, MMA, New England Fights

EPIC FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR MILESTONE TWENTIETH NEF EVENT

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Lewiston, Maine (October 23, 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 full fight card for the event.

 

The professional boxing portion of the card will be headlined by Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (9-1) in an eight-round bout against former Mexican Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Champion Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (73-69-2, 56 KOs).  Berry triumphantly returned to action last summer after suffering a severe shoulder injury in a November 2014 bout.

 

A very hungry Josh Parker (0-1) returns to the ring to face Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (0-0) in a four-rounder.  Parker and Leland are well known to NEF fans as regulars on the promotion’s MMA events.  Parker is the founder and head coach of Ruthless MMA & Boxing in Benton, Maine.  Leland is a member of Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner’s Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.

 

In addition, Ernesto Ornelas (0-0), a professional MMA fighter from the Choi Institute in Portland, returns to his boxing roots in his pro ring debut against Brandon Ali Garvin (0-4).  Ornelas was a multiple time Golden Gloves champion as an amateur boxer in his native state of California.

 

Middleweights Tollison Lewis (1-0) and Zenon “Ka’Bar” Herrera (0-0) will round out the boxing card.  Lewis won his pro boxing debut in the first NEF boxing event in October 2014 over veteran John Webster (8-7-1), while Herrera, an experienced MMA fighter and kickboxer, is a nine-year veteran of the US military, having completed numerous tours of the Middle East where he saw combat in the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq.

 

On the professional MMA portion of the fight card, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (11-8) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title in a five-round bout against the challenge of Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-1).  Boyington is coming off a huge win last weekend against Rodrigo Almeida (12-3) on the undercard of a World Series of Fighting (WSOF) nationally-televised event.  The challenger Davidson is no stranger to gold, having captured other MMA titles in the New England region.  He represents world-renown Muay Thai team Sityodtong.

 

In one of the most highly anticipated MMA fights in New England history, former NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Champion Ray “All Business” Wood (6-1) takes on Vovka “KGB” Clay (3-0).  Recognized as two of the most promising prospects in the area, Wood and Clay are both predicted by pundits to be future candidates for the major leagues of the sport.

 

Crowsneck Boutin (1-1) will look to rebound from his first professional loss last month when he meets Matt Bordonaro (2-0).  The bout will be a rematch from their amateur days when Bordonaro defeated Boutin by submission at “NEF IX” in Biddeford, Maine.  It will also be Boutin’s debut in the 170-pound welterweight division.

 

Two title bouts will headline the amateur MMA portion of the “NEF XX” fight card.  Dustin Veinott (4-3) defends the NEF MMA Amateur Flyweight Title against Ryan Burgess (1-0), while Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) does battle with Caleb Horner (6-2) to crown an inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Champion.  A women’s strawweight fight will feature Randi Beth Boyington (1-1) facing Erin “Fun Size” Lamonte (3-0).

 

“This card has something for everyone,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “You like MMA?  We got it.  You like boxing?  We got it.  You like the heavyweights?  We got ’em.  You like women’s fights?  We got ’em.  This is like the Super Bowl of NEF events.  This is the one event you simply cannot afford to miss.”

 

Promotion executives further announced that the “NEF XX” event will be dedicated to the memory of NEF staff member Susan Isham, 47, who lost her life in a tragic car accident last weekend in Bethel, Maine.  Susan had worked backstage for the promotion beginning in 2013, handling check-ins at the backdoor of the Colisée.  She was a beloved mother and grandmother, known for her hard work ethic and charming, upbeat personality.  Susan was involved in many causes in the Bethel community.

 

“We’re all still in shock at Susan’s sudden passing last Friday,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “She was a valued member of the NEF team, a good friend, and a kind, charitable person.  She will be missed by all who knew her.  Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.  ‘NEF XX’ will be proudly dedicated to her memory.”

 

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

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

140 Brandon Berry 9-1 (West Forks) vs Roberto Valenzuela 73-69-2 (Romanza Gym)

155 Tollison Lewis 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Zenon Herrera 0-0 (Independent)

140 Josh Parker 0-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Elias Leland 0-0 (AMMA)

118 Ernesto Ornelas 0-0 (Choi Institute) vs Brandon Ali Garvin 0-4 (Frazier’s)

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington 10-8 (c) (Boyington’s TKD) vs Jimmy Davidson 7-1 (Sityodtong)

205 Matt Andrikut 1-0 (Conviction MMA) vs Jesse Baughman 0-0 (Team Link)

170 Crowsneck Boutin 1-1 (Choi Institute) vs Matt Bordonaro 2-0 (Victory MMA)

150 Jon Lemke 4-3 (Team Irish) vs Matt Denning 2-0 (CMBJJ)

145 Ray Wood 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Vovka Clay 3-0 (Boston BJJ NH)

145 Derek Shorey 3-2 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Damon Owens 2-0 (Young’s MMA)

125 Kevin Barrett 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs James Alexander 1-10 (F2 Arena)

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

145 *TITLE Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Caleb Horner 6-2 (F2 Arena)

125 *TITLE Dustin Veinott 4-3 (c) (CMBJJ) vs Ryan Burgess 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)

265 Bryce Bamford 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Bryce Locke 0-0 (Independent)

200 Jacob Cameron 1-5 (Independent) vs Victor Irwin 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

225 Joe Krech 0-0 (Independent) vs Mike Williams 0-0 (CMBJJ)

185 Ruben Redman 1-3 (Mass Effect MMA) vs Caleb Farrington 2-0 (Team NEU)

185 Dominique Bailey 0-1 (Independent) vs Anthony Spires 0-0 (Independent)

175 Caleb Swoveland 0-0 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs TBD

155 Ricky Dexter 3-2 (Team Irish) vs Steve Bang 3-3 (CMBJJ)

155 Rafael Velado 1-0 (First Class MMA) vs Ken Dunn 0-2 (Maine Kyokushin Karate)

155 CJ Ewer 4-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Jason Lachance 2-2 (MMA Athletix)

155 Matt Hanning 1-1 (Independent) vs Levi Sewall 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

145 Caleb Hall 5-3 (Choi Institute) vs Matt Tamayo 0-0 (F2 Arena)

140 David Thompson 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Pierce Wiegman 0-0 (First Class MMA)

125 Justin Witham 0-3 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Brent Ouellette 0-0 (CMBJJ)

115 Erin LaMonte 3-0 (Gracie Fitness) vs Randi Beth Boyington 1-1 (Boyington’s TKD)

 

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

THIRD NEF CHAMPION THIS WEEK TO FIGHT ON NATIONAL STAGE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (October 20, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, is proud to announce that the promotion’s reigning professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) middleweight champion will compete on the Bellator card this Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.  Reigning NEF MMA Professional Middleweight Champion “Ruthless” Mike Zichelle (7-3) will face Kevin Haley (3-3) on the preliminary card of “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho.”  The bout will take place in the light-heavyweight division at a weight of 205-pounds.  For those unable to make it to Mohegan Sun this Friday, the preliminary card will begin streaming live at 7:00 pm on www.Bellator.com.

 

Zichelle joins NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (11-8) and NEF MMA Professional Heavyweight ChampionTyler “The Marauder” King (9-4) as the third NEF titleholder to compete on a national fight card in a six-day period.  Both Boyington and King fought on the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) event last Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  Zichelle has held the NEF middleweight title since winning it at “NEF XII” in February 2014.  He is a member of Boston BJJ of Nashua, New Hampshire.

 

“Fighting for NEF gave me a platform to make a name far from home, and it gave me a chance to establish relationships with some amazing people from the state of Maine,” said Zichelle. “I am honored to represent the people of Maine because I absolutely love how passionate they are about fighting, so to be their champion is awesome. Time and time again, champions from NEF get the call to fight in the big show and I’m another example of that. I have only been taking this sport seriously for three fights and with a 3-0 record and being the NEF Middleweight Champion, I got the call up to the big leagues! I am so excited to showcase everything that I have been working on and if there is anything I look forward to, it’s the reaction from everyone when they see me fight in just a couple weeks and people compare the version of me that fought for the title in 2014 because a lot has changed between now and then. Thank you to Matt Peterson (NEF co-owner and matchmaker) and thank you to NEF for the opportunity to become a champion in this sport and most importantly thank you to the fans! Stay passionate! I look forward to putting on a show for Maine down the road!”

 

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

FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE UP FOR GRABS NOVEMBER 21 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (October 15, 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 an amateur featherweight title bout to the fight card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) is scheduled to meet Caleb Horner (6-2) for the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Championship.  The bout will take place at the featherweight limit of 145-pounds.

 

Lacey is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  He holds victories over tough opponents like Dom Cofone (6-5) and Caleb Hall (5-3) in the NEF cage.  His only loss to date came in New Hampshire against Matt Tullos (7-0).

 

“I’m super excited to be fighting for that belt,” exclaimed Lacey.  “It means the world to me that my hard work and dedication are paying off.  There is no possible way I’m leaving that cage without that strap around my waist.”

 

Lacey had been previously scheduled to fight for the title, but suffered an injury during training which forced cancellation of the bout.

 

“Getting injured is never fun and is almost always an inconvenience,” Lacey continued.  “It has been very frustrating having to take time off because of injuries, but it has also shown me that this is exactly what I want to do with my life.  The fans can expect a whole new animal.  I may have been injured but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working.  I have transformed my game and I will show everyone just how good I am come November 21.  Make sure not to blink this fight isn’t going the distance.”

 

Lacey’s opponent, Caleb Horner, will travel to Maine from Florida where he trains out of F2 Arena in Gainesville under Ryan Hodge (6-10).  Hodge and his students have gained a reputation as spoilers in the New England region, coming in from out of town to score upsets over local favorites.  Horner will look to continue that tradition when he meets Lacey on November 21 in Lewiston.

 

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, boxing, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FORMER MEXICAN CHAMPION TO TEST BERRY ON NOVEMBER 21 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (October 14, 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 main event of the boxing portion of the fight card.  Reigning Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (9-1, 6 KOs) will face Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (73-69-2, 56 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight contest.

 

Berry won the Northeast Junior Welterweight Title one year ago in Lewiston with a unanimous decision victory over Eric Palmer (6-8-3, 1 KO).  The title was the first in the professional career of the standout from West Forks, Maine.  Berry would, just a month later, suffer his first loss in a bout in which he severely injured his shoulder early on.  Following a successful surgery and months of rehab, Berry returned triumphantly to the ring this past summer with a second-round technical knockout (TKO) win in Skowhegan, Maine.

 

“I am very anxious as always to step back into the boxing ring on November 21stin Lewiston,” stated Berry.  “It’s exciting to be fighting for my tenth professional victory. I’m honored to have been invited back to the Colisee to headline another Pro Boxing card.  I want to thank NEF for making this possible for me, and hope to have another action packed, competitive fight like we had in October 2014.  A lot has changed for me in my boxing career, and I look forward to showing all of my fans my improvements made. As far as my opponent, the most experienced one to date, Roberto Valenzuela, it will be a good test for me while giving up size and experience. We tried to make a fight with a couple of different guys from the area but were unable to. My job is to train hard and be ready for whoever they put on the other side of the ring, one round at a time.”

 

Valenzuela is about as much of a veteran as one will find in a boxing ring.  Having begun his professional career in early 1992, Valenzuela got off to an amazing 14-0 start, competing around his home state of Sonora, Mexico.  Among the opponents Valenzuela has faced in his career are the likes of former world champions Andre Berto (30-4, 23 KOs) and Steve Forbes (35-14, 11 KOs) and current world champion Zahir Raheem (35-3, 21 KOs).  Valenzuela fought former lightweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo (66-13-1, 57 KOs) on the undercard of a 1996 Joey Gamache (55-4, 38 KOs) and Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 86 KOs) bout in Anaheim, California.  In addition, Valenzuela held the Mexican Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Title from 2003 to 2007.  He has the strongest pedigree of any opponent Berry has faced to date.

 

“I’ve fought all over the United States, but never in Maine, so I’m excited to go somewhere I’ve never been,” said Valenzuela through a translator.  “I’ve been doing this since he was a pup. I’ve been told that he has VHS tapes of some of my fights from some cards he taped on TV when he was a kid (laughing).  Thankfully, I’ve got video of him more recently on Youtube. He’s nothing I haven’t seen before in a fight or in sparring. I’ll be ready.”

 

“When Brandon signed on to the ‘NEF XX’ fight card, he was very clear that he wanted us to find him an opponent who’s been in the ring with the best,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Roberto presents a challenge unlike any other Brandon has faced to date.  He has actively competed as a professional for nearly a quarter of a century.  He hasn’t sat on a shelf either.  He just fought this past spring and summer.  Brandon Berry will be tested onNovember 21, make no mistake about it.  But Brandon has recently been sparring several times a week all over New England with top-notch partners.  He is coming into this bout as a whole new Brandon Berry, determined to make his mark in the boxing world.”

 

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

TWO NEF CHAMPIONS GET THE CALL UP TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES THIS SATURDAY

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Lewiston, Maine (October 13, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, is proud to announce that two of the promotion’s reigning professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) champions will compete on the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card this Saturday, October 17, 2015.  “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” will broadcast live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut and will feature NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(10-8) and NEF MMA Professional Heavyweight Champion Tyler “The Marauder” King (9-3) on the undercard.  The undercard is scheduled to begin at 7 pm EST and can be watched at www.WSOF.com.

 

Boyington will meet a very tough Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida (13-2) in a featherweight contest.  It will be Boyington’s first trip to the national stage of the sport after having competed in MMA regionally for some six years.  Next month, Boyington is scheduled to defend his NEF title against Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-1) at “NEF XX” in Lewiston, Maine.  He is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine and also the founder and head coach of Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy (BTA).

 

“I have never been more excited in my Mixed Martial Arts career, and I have never taken camp more serious, especially when it comes to my diet and lifestyle so that in itself gives me a lot of excitement for what I’m going to get to do on the national stage Saturday night,” said Boyington.  “I have had a great team surrounding me and they have pushed me to my limits, so everyone will surely get to see the best Bruce Boyington to date and I have zero excuses for not performing.  I have one word in mind entering that cage – Volume.”

 

“New England Fights has been a staple in my career and has been the platform that I have had the privilege of performing on as they groomed me for the national stage. I want to thank Matt and Nick for always taking care of my needs and helping make me who I am today. New England Fights has all the elements in place to help fighters reach the top.”

 

Tyler King has held the NEF heavyweight title since May of 2013 when he defeated Travis Bartlett (8-4).  Earlier this year, King successfully defended the title against Terry Blackburn (4-3) at “NEF XVI.”  King was a football standout at the University of Connecticut where he recorded 19 sacks as a defensive end.  He later played in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams including the San Diego Chargers and the St. Louis Rams.  At “WSOF 24,” King will face Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Pat Walsh (6-2).

 

“I’m very excited to get the opportunity to fight on the huge stage that is World Series of Fighting vs a high level, UFC veteran opponent,” said King. “Less than a year ago I was out of the sport and had a very uncertain future as far as ever getting to compete again.  I’m grateful to Matt Peterson, Nick Disalvo and the rest of the team at New England Fights for giving me a stage to step back into the sport I love, in a main event title defense no less.  This fight has ‘Fight of the Night’ written all over it.  You have two determined fighters with competitive fire coursing through their veins ready to go out and lay it all on the line.  I look forward to having my hand raised.”

 

“NEF has certainly become a launching pad to the national promotions,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “We’re so proud to have not one, but two of our champions fighting on the WSOF card.  It really says something about the caliber of athlete gracing the NEF cage.  These fighters are earning their stripes with NEF and then getting the call up to the UFC, Bellator, Titan and WSOF.  Nothing gives us more satisfaction than to see these guys succeed in the sport they love.”

 

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

THE BARBARIAN ARRIVES IN NEF TO FACE THE BEAST FROM THE NORTH

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (October 9, 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, 2015at 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 light-heavyweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Matt “The Beast From the North” Andrikut (1-0) will return to Maine to take on Jesse “The Barbarian” Baughman (0-0) at a fight weight of 205-pounds.

 

Andrikut, an accomplished wrestler at the University of Southern Maine (USM) and a former finalist in the Northern New England Golden Gloves, made his NEF debut last month at “NEF XIX,” winning via technical knockout (TKO) in a mere 32-seconds of round one.  Andrikut is best known on the New England MMA scene for finishing Pat Walsh (6-2) in under a minute during their amateur meeting in 2011.  (Walsh would go on to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship [UFC] as a professional.)  Andrikut now lives in Reno, Nevada where he trains out of Conviction MMA.

 

“I am excited to come back to Maine to fight Jesse,” said Andrikut.  “He’s got a great record and trains for a great team. I love the people and the atmosphere in Maine – it’s a great place! On November 21, we will see who’s a greater fighter as we put our unblemished records on the line. I am sure we will both be ready and it will certainly be a crowd pleaser!”

 

The Lewiston bout will be the professional debut for Baughman, as well as his first fight with NEF in the state of Maine.  Baughman leaves the amateur division having amassed a perfect 5-0 record.  He has claimed regional championships while attaining the number-one ranking for New England amateur light-heavyweights.  A resident of Littleton, New Hampshire, Baughman trains at Team Link North in nearby Whitefield.

 

“Making my pro debut with NEF is nothing less than exciting,” said Baughman. “Being a New England native, I recognize the passion and support our fans have for the sport of MMA. As the top ranked light heavyweight amateur in New England, I expect to be put up against the toughest guys around in my division. Huge thanks to Matt Peterson for the opportunity and my manager Taylor Trahan. Barbarian is ready for war!”

 

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.