Tag Archives: New England Fights

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

UNFINISHED BUSINESS LEADS TO LONG-AWAITED REMATCH

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Bruce Boyington protests to referee Jimmy Bickford after his first fight with John Raio is stopped

Lewiston, Maine (April 21, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced that NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) will meet John “First Class” Raio (2-7) on the card in a non-title bout at a weight of 150-pounds.

 

Boyington and Raio first met in February 2014 at “NEF XII” in Lewiston.  Boyington dominated the early moments with his striking.  Coming towards the end of the first round, Raio would take Boyington’s back and apply a rear-naked choke on the mat. The future lightweight champion waved his hand in the air, a signal which referee Jimmy Bickford took to indicate Boyington’s submission.  Bickford stopped the bout and awarded the fight to Raio, drawing an immediate protest from Boyington who stated he was waving to his fans in the crowd as a sign that he was not in danger.

 

In the days that followed, a heated debate would rage on social media over the controversial finish to the fight.  Both fighters, boasting arguably the two largest fan bases in all of New England, were at the center of an epic war of words between their respective supporters.  It seemed as though everyone had an opinion, and the entire state of Maine was split.

 

“Things were crazy that week after the bout,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Our Facebook page was flooded with comments and private messages.  Everybody and their mother was weighing in.  It’s probably the most controversial moment in NEF history.  Fans have been asking us for over a year when the rematch would happen.  The time has finally come, June 13 in Lewiston!”

 

Boyington would go on to have a highly successful finish to 2014, winning not one but two regional MMA titles, including the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship.  He would also win his professional boxing debut at NEF’s inaugural boxing event in October 2014.  Boyington has, in fact, won four of his last five since the Raio loss.

 

“This fight is solely about redemption and giving the fans what they have been wanting to see,” stated Boyington when reached for comment. “Sometimes you have to step outside of what is best for you in this sport and entertain and that’s what I’m doing.  I like a challenge—the biggest challenge—and that time will come, but for now, its about showing people what was about to happen last time and I can still show I’m three-levels above him by making the statement I’m about to embark on.  I’m done with mishaps in that cage.  I’m seizing every opportunity and will not let something slip again.  Mark my words, its about to get real in my fight.”

Raio is coming off two losses in a row to his archrival, Derek Shorey (2-1), including one defeat earlier this month at “NEF XVII.” In need of a win, the founder of First Class MMA may now be more determined than ever to return to the NEF cage.

 

“I know this is a fight that I want, Bruce wants, and a lot of MMA fans have asked for,” stated Raio when reached for comment. “I look forward to fighting Bruce. Hopefully when the fight is over, there will be no controversy.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13 HAS A HISTORY

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Lewiston, Maine (April 20, 2015) – When Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) makes his professional debut on June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, it will be just days shy of the three-year anniversary of his amateur debut in the very same building.  On that warm, late-spring evening in 2012, a crowd of more than 3,000 had assembled to witness the Maine debut of former UFC World Heavyweight Champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (31-10) at New England Fights’ (NEF) third mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  Earlier that night, on the amateur portion card, Boutin was in action against Brent “Frosty” Dillingham (1-1).  Dillingham won via technical knockout (TKO) in the first round.  That was not the end of the action, however, as Boutin and Dillingham exchanged in a heated post-fight confrontation, having to be separated by officials.

 

The bad blood has continued over the course of the past three years, with occasional barbs being hurled by both sides on social media.  Boutin’s opponent on June 13 will be none other than Dillingham’s coach at MMA Athletix, “The Junkyard Dog” Ryan Cowette (2-2).  When he met Dillingham, Boutin was an independent fighter with no formal training in the martial arts.  In the months that followed, Boutin would join the Choi Institute of Portland, Maine and transform himself into a prolific striker. Boutin is clear that the fighter who will step in the cage on June 13 opposite Cowette is not the same undisciplined street fighter who lost to Dillingham three years ago.

 

“As an amateur with zero days in a gym, I debuted against MMA Athletix,” recalled Boutin of his amateur debut.  “Fast forward three years later, three years straight at the Choi Institute. Here is your throat back, thanks for the loan.”

 

Not only is Cowette the head of MMA Athletix, but he is also the founder and pastor of Victory Church in Bath, Maine.  Having suffered a major disappointment when his opponent backed out of their scheduled bout during fight week of “NEF XVII” earlier this month, Cowette is optimistic in regards to the June 13 fight with Boutin.

 

“This should be a great fight for the fans,” said Cowette.  “We both show up to fight and put on a show.  I’m looking to push forward in the 185-pound division.  Crowsneck will be a good test.  I’m thankful for the opportunities NEF gives me.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

RIVAL BANGOR-AREA GYMS VIE FOR FIRST-EVER AMATEUR MMA LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

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NEF_FNVXIII_madeinUSA_FB_final+(1)Lewiston, Maine (April 16, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced that the first NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion will be crowned that evening when undefeated Ricky Dexter (3-0), representing Marcus Davis’ Team Irish, will take on Josh Harvey (3-1) of cross-town rival Young’s MMA.  The bout will be contested at the lightweight limit of 155-pounds.

 

Dexter and Harvey are regarded as two of the top prospects currently on the NEF MMA roster.   Both athletes are undefeated in the promotion’s cage.  On June 13, they will carry on a rivalry that has raged in NEF between the Young’s MMA and Team Irish gyms for several years.

 

“Both of these young athletes are a testament to their respective gyms, as well as to  how far the sport has come in Maine,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “They both came along after NEF was established in the state, and we have seen both of them grow over the past year.  We in the NEF front office unanimously believe that Josh and Ricky have a bright future ahead of them in MMA and look forward to this highly competitive bout set to be contested in Lewiston on June 13th.”

 

Dexter, currently the top-nine-ranked amateur lightweight in New England, is coming off a first-round submission victory over Zenon Herrera (3-6) last Saturday at “NEF XVII.”  Dexter has taken the promotion’s lightweight division by storm since debuting last November.  He has stopped all three of his opponents in the first round to earn his shot at becoming the first NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion.

 

“I’m honored to be fighting for the NEF Lightweight Amateur Title,” stated Dexter. “To me there’s a lot more on the line than just a belt. On June 13th you better believe I’m bringing it.”

 

When fans last saw Josh Harvey in the NEF cage, he had his arm raised in victory after mauling Caleb Hall (5-2) in the amateur opener of “NEF XVI” this past February.  It took Harvey a mere 36-seconds to run through Hall, himself a two-time state wrestling champion for Dirigo High School in Dixfield, Maine.  Many insiders believe this will be one of Harvey’s final amateur fights before turning professional.

 

“Two top fighters from two top schools, this is a match to be excited about,” stated Harvey when reached for comment. “I have all the respect in the world for Ricky, but there is no where this fight goes that I don’t win.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS OF NEF XVII

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Lewiston, Maine (April 12, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF XVII,” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   A crowd of more than 2,000 was on hand to take in the action.

 

The co-main event of the evening saw Dennis “The Menace” Olson (13-7) win a split decision victory over Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-2).   Jamie Harrison  (6-1) stopped NEF MMA Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) via first-round submission in a non-title bout in the card’s main event. In a women’s amateur bout earlier in the evening, Boyington’s wife Randi Beth Knowles (1-0) defeated Alex Walker (0-1) via unanimous decision in a thrilling back-and-forth contest.

 

In addition, NEF announced that the promotion’s next MMA event would take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on June 13, 2015.  The event is titled “NEF XVIII: Made in America” and it will feature the professional debut of Crowsneck Boutin (6-7 amateur) as he meets “The Junkyard Dog” Ryan Cowette (3-2) in a middleweight contest.  It was further announced that Ryan Glover(1-0) and Billy Leahy (2-1) will fight for the first ever NEF MMA amateur title in the heavyweight division on June 13.

 

The full results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

CATCH Jamie Harrison def. Bruce Boyington via rear-naked choke, round 1
170 Dennis Olson def. Jarod Lawton via split decision
CATCH Kaline Medeiros def. Calie Cutler via unanimous decision

150 Derek Shorey def. John Raio via TKO, round 1

CATCH Jesse Erickson def. Mark Deford via KO, round 1

CATCH Jay Perrin def. Elias Leland via TKO, round 2

 

AMATEUR

CATCH Norman Fox def. Dave Brown via guillotine choke submission, round 1
165 Connor Barry def. CJ Ewer via triangle choke submission, round 1
155 Matthew Hanning def. Rick Matthews via KO, round 1

S.HWT Dave Smith def. Ora Spratt IV via TKO, round 1

185 Heath Hanson def. Brandon Russell via TKO, round 1
CATCH Caleb Serra def. Clifford Redman via armbar submission, round 3
135 Sheldon Bang def. Mike Crespo via unanimous decision
115 Randi Beth Knowles def. Alex Walker via unanimous decision

155 Ricky Dexter def. Zenon Herrera via Kimura submission, round 1

185 Chris Rideout def. Ruben Redman via unanimous decision

185 Chris Smith def. Dan Meuse via TKO, round 1

135 Caleb Costello def. Wilmer Carrero via guillotine choke submission, round 1

150 Alex Johnson  def. Dustin Shorey via guillotine choke submission, round 1

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

NEF MMA ANNOUNCES WEIGH-IN RESULTS FROM LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (April 10, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held weigh-ins for its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF XVII,” earlier today at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in Lewiston, Maine.   “NEF XVII” will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee located at 190 Birch Street in Lewiston tomorrow, Saturday, April 11 with doors opening at 6:00 pm.  The first fight is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.

 

The professional NEF MMA Lightweight Title bout between Bruce Boyington (10-7) and Jamie Harrison (5-1) is now a non-title catchweight fight after Harrison was unable to make the lightweight limit of 155-pounds.

 

The weights from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

CATCH Bruce Boyington (154.0) vs Jamie Harrison (156.3)
170 Dennis Olson (170.9) vs Jarod Lawton (169.4)
CATCH Kaline Medeiros (116.2) vs Calie Cutler (117.9)

150 John Raio (150.4) vs Derek Shorey (149.3)

CATCH Jesse Erickson (156.3) vs Mark Deford (155.4)

CATCH Jay Perrin (139.0) vs Elias Leland (134.0)

 

AMATEUR

CATCH Dave Brown (125.4) vs Norman Fox (126.2)
165 Connor Barry (165.2) vs CJ Ewer (164.7)
155 Rick Matthews (153.7) vs Matthew Hanning (154.7)

S.HWT Dave Smith (292.6) vs Ora Spratt IV (282.7)

185 Brandon Russell (186.0) vs Heath Hanson (176.6)
CATCH Caleb Serra (147.1) vs Clifford Redman (145.0)

S.HWT Ryan Glover (227.6) vs Jason Field (271.0)
135 Sheldon Bang (135.4) vs Mike Crespo (134.1)
115 Alex Walker (115.1) vs Randi Beth Knowles (115.8)

155 Ricky Dexter (154.7) vs Zenon Herrera (153.8)

185 Chris Rideout (182.7) vs Ruben Redman (181.1)

185 Chris Smith (185.6) vs Dan Meuse (181.2)

135 Caleb Costello (134.7) vs Wilmer Carrero (136.0)

150 Alex Johnson  (149.2) vs Dustin Shorey (148.9)

 

Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com, by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525, or by visiting the Colisee box office at 190 Birch Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240.  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 XVII WEIGH-INS THIS FRIDAY; JAY JACK UNCENSORED PODCAST TO PROVIDE COVERAGE

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Lewiston, Maine (April 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, today announced that the weigh-ins for its upcoming mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVII,” will take place this Friday, April 10 at 2 pm EDT.  The weigh-ins will originate from the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center located at 490 Pleasant Street in Lewiston, Maine.   “NEF XVII” will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee located at 190 Birch Street in Lewiston this Saturday, April 11 with doors opening at 6:00 pm.  The first fight is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.

 

All of the stars for Saturday night’s event will be on hand at the weigh-in this Friday, including: NEF MMA Lightweight ChampionBruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7); Bellator veteran Dennis “The Menace” Olson (12-7); Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1); undefeated professional women’s fighter Calie “The Honey Badger” Cutler (3-0); and many others. The weigh-in is open to both the public and media free of charge. For those unable to make it to Lewiston on Friday, the Jay Jack Uncensored (JJU) podcast will be on hand recording their next episode and covering the festivities.  The podcast archives can be accessed at onlinebjjproject.com/podcast/.

 

The current “NEF XVII” fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington 10-7 (Young’s MMA) vs Jamie Harrison 5-1 (First Coast Full Contact/Riot MMA)
170 Jarod Lawton 4-1 (New England United) vs Dennis Olson 12-7 (Team Triumph/Boston BJJ)
185 Ryan Cowette 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs John Daniels 2-3 (Rock City MMA)
155 Jesse Erickson 3-4 (CMBJJ-New England United) vs Mark Deford 0-3 (F2 Arena)
150 John Raio 2-6 (First Class MMA/Choi Institute) vs Derek Shorey 1-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club)
135 Elias Leland 2-0 (The Academy of MMA) vs Jay Perrin 1-0 (Team Triumph/Boston BJJ)
115 Kaline Medeiros 3-4 (Gracie Fitness) vs Calie Cutler 3-0 (Jacked N Tan Fight Team)

 

AMATEUR

S.HWT Dave Smith 0-0 (Berzerkers MMA) vs Ora Spratt IV 0-0 (Shatterproof Combat Club)
125 Norman Fox 3-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Dave Brown 1-2 (Plymouth Fight Club)
265 Ryan Glover 1-0 (Berzerkers MMA) vs Jason Field 0-0 (Independent)
185 Ruben Redman 0-1 (Independent) vs Chris Rideout 0-0 (Independent)
185 Chris Smith 0-0 (Berzerkers MMA) vs Dan Meuse 2-0 (The Academy of MMA)
185 Heath Hanson 0-2 (3Ronin Athletics) vs Brandon Russell 0-1 (Team Nitemare)
165 CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Connor Barry 4-1 (Independent)
155 Ricky Dexter 2-0 (Team Irish) vs Zenon Herrera 3-6 (Independent)
155 Rick Matthews 1-1 (Team Irish) vs Matthew Hanning 0-1 (Independent)
145 Clifford Redman 0-1 (Independent) vs Caleb Serra 0-1 (Kaze Dojo)
150 Alex Johnson 1-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Dustin Shorey 0-0 (Shatterproof Combat Club)
135 Mike Crespo 2-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Sheldon Bang 1-2 (CMBJJ-New England United)
135 Caleb Costello 1-3 (Team Irish) vs Wilmer Carrero 0-0 (MMA Athletix)
115 Randi Beth Knowles 0-0 (Boyington’s TKD/Young’s MMA) vs Alex Walker 0-0 (Kaze Dojo)

 

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 HIRES LONGTIME BELLATOR EXECUTIVE AS DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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Lewiston, Maine (March 30, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, today announced the hiring of former Bellator executive Sam Caplan as the company’s new Director of National Business Development.  Caplan has signed a contract to work exclusively with the promotion in the New England states through his consulting company Combat Sports Media (CSM).  The new position within the organization was created specifically for Caplan.

 

“Adding a third executive to this mix was essential,” said NEF promoter Nick DiSalvo who co-owns the fight promotion with matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “As we’ve grown and the TV deals have been offered and we get more and more calls from big name fighters looking to fight for us, it’s become a lot for the two of us to handle along with the regular day-to-day operation of this business.  Sam has been at the national level for a long time.  He’s probably one of the top-five most experienced people in this country working at the highest stage of MMA event promotion.  He is a major asset to our company.  We are extremely fortunate to have him with us.”

 

Caplan was the Vice President of Talent Relations for Bellator from 2009 until 2014.  Prior to that time, he had worked for Fedor Amelianenko’s M-1 Global promotion, Titan Fighting Championships, and also worked in television for CBS and Showtime developing the first broadcasts of EliteXC and Strikeforce.  In 2013, he was named one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People in MMA” by USA Today and one of the “Power 20 in MMA” by Fight Magazine.   He currently hosts The MMA Insiders Podcast along with Jason Floyd.

 

“Combat Sports Media is excited about adding New England Fights to its client roster,” said Caplan.  “I have seen NEF’s operations from the inside out and am thoroughly impressed.  Creating a regional fight promotion that can sustain itself is no small fete in today’s MMA landscape.  In a short time, Matt and Nick have done an amazing job growing NEF to a point where it consistently puts 3,000-plus fans in the seats for its events.  I also believe that NEF hasn’t even yet scratched the surface with regard to its growth and CSM looks forward to playing a role in the promotion’s evolution.”

 

This will not be the first time Caplan has worked with NEF.  Caplan worked on a co-promotion NEF undertook with Bellator in March 2013.

 

“Working with Sam is always a pleasure,” stated Peterson.  “I’ve known Sam for several years now, since he created 5OuncesofPain.com.   There is no one more respected at the national level in MMA.  Sam’s presence is going to be a game changer for both the promotion and the athletes that compete for NEF.”

 

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.

 

About Combat Sports Media

 

Owned and operated by former Bellator MMA V.P. of Talent Relations and current Matrix Fights Promoter, Sam Caplan, CSM is an outsource business-to-business solution for companies in the combat sports industry.  Founded in 2008, CSM provides an array of services on a contract basis such as business development, negotiations, venue procurement, television contracts, public relations, television research production, website design and management, Internet video streaming, and matchmaking consulting.  Its past and present client list includes M-1 Global, CBS,SHOWTIME, the Titan Fighting Championship, Matrix Fights, Locked in the Cage, the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts, ChokeOutPoker.net, NameDrop.com, and FightMetric.com.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FIGHT ADDED TO NEF XVII CARD WILL FEATURE LONG-AWAITED RETURN

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Lewiston, Maine (March 24, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  NEF released the full fight card for the event last week.  Earlier today, the company announced the addition of an amateur catchweight bout to the fight card.  CJ Ewer (3-1) will face Connor “Bare Knuckle” Barry (4-1) at a fight weight of 165-pounds.

 

Ewer, a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine, took the NEF MMA amateur ranks by storm in the summer of 2013.  In the matter of just ten weeks, Ewer chalked up three victories, the last of which was over veteran Crowsneck Boutin (6-7).  His streak was brought to a halt by the tough Wayne Ahlquist (1-1) later that fall. Ewer would take more than a year off to serve his country in the United States Air Force security forces.  Now back home and training with his teammates at Young’s, Ewer looks forward to testing himself once again in the NEF MMA cage.

 

“I’m very anxious to get back to competing within NEF after being away for almost a year and a half,” said Ewer.  “And I’m thankful Young’s welcomed me back and took the time to train me. Connor looks like a very tough opponent, and it’ll be a great test for me.”

 

Connor Barry is an independent fighter currently based out of Lowell, Massachusetts.  Barry has become known as a “finisher” in the region, having defeated three of his opponents via technical knockout (TKO) and one via submission.  His only loss to date came by judge’s decision.  Already having put in two fight camps for a planned pro-debut that never happened, Barry is confident that he is in the best shape of his career and will have a successful NEF debut at Ewer’s expense.

 

“I took this fight because I have had my pro debut fall through twice,” said Barry.  “I have been training for a pro fight for five months now, so in terms of conditioning, he’s gonna be in for a surprise.  In terms of fighting, I think I outclass him in every single aspect.  From watching his fights, he looks scared to bang, and if he’s scared to bang against me, he’ll get knocked out quick.”

 

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, women's MMA

FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR APRIL 11 NEF MMA EVENT IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (March 18, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  Earlier today, the company announced the full fight card for the event.  The card is scheduled to feature a full slate of both professional and amateur bouts.  NEF executives report that fan reaction to the matchups already announced has been overwhelmingly positive.

 

“I can’t remember having this kind of response to a fight card before,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “There has been so much excitement over every fight we’ve announced.  We sold out of all cage-side tickets four weeks prior to the event, and the general admission are very close to being gone.  We’ve never seen that happen so early before.  It really says something about the quality of the product we’re putting on here in Lewiston. There’s no doubt NEF is the hottest ticket in town.”

 

In the main event of the evening, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(10-7) defends the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  The bout was made in the hours following “NEF XV” last November when Boyington successfully defended the title against Jesse Erickson (3-4) and Harrison manhandled Tollison Lewis (0-4) on his way to a quick submission victory.  The fight will be Boyington’s second defense of the title since winning it last September.

 

The co-main event of the evening will feature a highly-anticipated welterweight bout between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) and Bellator veteran Dennis “The Menace” Olson (12-7).  In recent weeks, Lawton and Olson have engaged in a war of words on social media which saw both athletes’ respective supporters jump in the fray.

 

“Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (1-1), fresh off signing a new multi-fight contract with NEF, will meet John “First Class” Raio (2-6) in a “rubber match.”  The rivalry has seen each fighter win one bout against the other.  The April 11 fight, scheduled to take place at a catchweight of 150-pounds, will determine a definitive victor in the rivalry.

 

Kaline “The Dark Angel” Medeiros (3-4) and undefeated Calie “The Honey Badger” Cutler (3-0) will make history when they contest the first professional women’s MMA fight on a regional card in Maine.  It will not be the first time Medeiros has been a part of history.  She competed in the first women’s fight in Rhode Island two years ago.

 

Also in action on the professional side of the card will be popular NEF MMA regulars Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (3-4), “The Junkyard Dog” Ryan Cowette (2-2), Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-0) and Mike “the Mustache” Hansen (2-1), among others.

 

The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by “Sleepy” Norman Fox (3-1) and “Downtown” Dave Brown (1-2) in a flyweight contest.  Fox is undefeated on Maine soil and is currently the number-three ranked amateur flyweight in the Northeast. Brown wrestled for Plymouth State University where he was a four-time All-New England winner.

 

The amateur card will also feature a lightweight bout betweenRicky Dexter (2-0) from Marcus Davis’ Team Irish and Steven Bang (3-3) from Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) – Team New England United (NEU).  Dexter’s teammate Jeremy Tyler (4-3) squares off with Alex Johnson (1-1) of Ruthless MMA & Boxing in a featherweight bout.  And Bruce Boyington’s wife, Randi Beth Knowles (0-0), will meet Alex Walker (0-0) in a double-debut strawweight fight.

 

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

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington 10-7 (Young’s MMA) vs Jamie Harrison 5-1 (First Coast Full Contact)

170 Jarod Lawton 4-1 (Team NEU) vs Dennis Olson 12-7 (Boston BJJ/Team Triumph)

265 Brent Dillingham 1-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Mike Hansen 2-1 (BerzerkersMMA)

185 Ryan Cowette 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs John Daniels 2-3 (Rock City MMA)

155 Jesse Erickson 3-4 (Team NEU – CMBJJ) vs Mark Deford 0-3 (F2 Arena)

150 John Raio 2-6 (First Class MMA) vs Derek Shorey 1-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club)

135 Elias Leland 2-0 (The Academy) vs Jay Perrin 1-0 (Boston BJJ/Team Triumph)

115 Kaline Medeiros 3-4 (Gracie Fitness) vs Calie Cutler 3-0 (Jacked N Tan Fight Team)

 

AMATEUR

 

125 Norman Fox 3-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Dave Brown 1-2 (Plymouth Fight Club)

265 Ryan Glover 1-0 (BerzerkersMMA) vs Jason Field 0-0 (Independent)

265 Dave Smith 0-0 (BerzerkersMMA) vs Dan Marley 0-0 (Independent)

185 Ruben Redman 0-1 (Independent) vs Chris Rideout 0-0 (Independent)

185 Chris Smith 0-0 (BerzerkersMMA) vs Nash Roy 2-1 (Young’s MMA)

185 Heath Hanson 0-2 (3Ronin Athletics) vs Brandon Russell 0-1 (Team Nitemare)

155 Ricky Dexter 2-0 (Team Irish) vs Steve Bang Jr. 3-3 (Team NEU – CMBJJ)

155 Rick Matthews 1-1 (Team Irish) vs Matthew Hanning 0-1 (Independent)

155 Jason Lachance 1-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Jesse Herrick 1-0 (The Academy)

145 Clifford Redman 0-1 (Independent) vs Caleb Serra 0-1 (Team Kaze)

145 Jeremy Tyler 4-3 (Team Irish) vs Alex Johnson 1-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing)

135 Mike Crespo 2-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Sheldon Bang 1-2 (Team NEU – CMBJJ)

115 Randibeth Knowles 0-0 (Boyington’s TKD/Young’s MMA) vs Alex Walker 0-0 (Team Kaze)

 

 

Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.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, New England Fights

FLYWEIGHT AMATEUR BOUT ADDED TO LEWISTON FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (March 13, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  Earlier today, the company announced the addition of an amateur flyweight bout to the fight card.  “Sleepy” Norman Fox (3-1) is scheduled to do battle with “Downtown” Dave Brown(1-2) at a fight weight of 125-pounds.

 

Fox is a product of Ryan Cowette’s MMA Athletix gym in Bath, Maine.  He is also a devoted member of Cowette’s Victory Church. Fox made his debut with NEF MMA in August of 2013, dropping Dustin Veinott (3-3) in the first round of a bout in Biddeford, Maine.  He would go on to finish his next opponent, Mike Brown (2-3), not once but twice in the months that followed.  In the summer of 2014, Fox would suffer his first loss in the cage to Kris Moutinho (3-2) on a fight card in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  He will look to get back on the winning track on April 11 when he meets Dave Brown in Lewiston.

 

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” said Fox quoting Philippians 4:13, King James Version.

 

“Downtown” Dave Brown will also look to get back in the win column against Fox.  Brown lost by submission to Dustin Veinott last month at “NEF XVI.”  His previous appearance for the fight promotion saw Brown defeat Doug Bailey (0-1) at “NEF XV” last fall.  Brown is a native of North Andover, Massachusetts.  An accomplished wrestler, Brown competed for Plymouth State University where he was a four-time All-New England winner and is currently a member of the Plymouth Fight Club.

 

“I love fighting in front of the NEF fans,” said Brown.  “It’s such a rush stepping out into that packed arena.  As for my opponent, I’ve watched him fight and I have a lot of respect for his abilities.  But on April 11, I’m going to come in and take him down… take himdowntown!”

 

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.