Tag Archives: Ryan Sanders

NEF SELLS-OUT AGAIN IN BANGOR AS LOCAL FIGHTERS SHINE IN THE CAGE

Bangor, Maine (Lub yim hli ntuj 6, 2017) –There was no place like home Saturday night for C.J. Ewer, Ryan Sanders and Fred Lear of Young’s MMA in Bangor.

Fighting in front of a sold-out ballroom a stone’s throw from their training headquarters, the three fighters atop the card at “NEF 30” Rumble in Bangor” all posted impressive victories at Cross Insurance Center.

Ewer defeated Mike “The Mustache” Hansen by submission at 1:46 of the first round to capture the vacant NEF pro middleweight title. Lear landed the NEF amateur bantamweight belt, while Sanders tightened his grip on New England’s pro lightweight scene in a non-title triumph.

It was the second consecutive August sellout in the Queen City, a tradition that began with “NEF Presents Dana White: LookinFor a Fight” last summer.

After his hard-fought win over the much-traveled Jay Ellis, NEF pro lightweight champion Sanders, ranked Tsis. 1 nyob rau hauv lub cheeb tsam, kept his comments short and sweet while calling out the aforementioned Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tus thawj tswj hwm.

“You took the wrong guy last year,” Sanders said. “Come get me now.”

Sanders (15-8) didn’t have an easy road against Ellis, a veteran of more than 80 pro bouts. Ellis had Sanders under control for most of the fight but left himself vulnerable to a triangle choke at 2:34 ntawm cov thawj puag ncig.

Ewer dispatched Hansen with a similarly swift maneuver.

“It’s a great feeling to win it in front of the home crowd,” Ewer said. “As hard as we worked (in training camp), I didn’t think anything could stop me.”

The sudden ending spoiled Hansen’s hopes of winning a title for the first time in his 13-year mixed martial arts career.

“This was by far the best training camp I ever had. We were just getting warmed up,” Hansen said. “I had a lot more to give, and I’m sure C.J. had a lot of more to give. But hey, we could do it again.”

Lear highlighted the amateur portion of the card with an authoritative second-round knockout of Walt Shea.

Only the bell saved Shea from Lear’s onslaught at the end of the opening chapter. Lear gained the advantage with a kick to the head midway through that round. After nearly locking in an arm bar that could have ended the fight, Lear bloodied the previously unbeaten Shea with a series of strikes.

The end appeared inevitable when Shea needed Lear’s help to find his corner between rounds, and another interrupted attack hastened the finish only 14 vib nas this tom qab.

An emotional Lear lauded his coach, Chris Young of Young’s MMA, before fastening the belt around the teacher’s waist.

“A lot of people around here know his name, but they don’t know the man,” Lear said. “He’s the first guy in the gym in the morning and the last one to leave at night. He’s the reason we’re all here. He’s the reason we’re successful. He’s the reason some of us aren’t in jail.”

In the first two fights of Josh Jonesamateur MMA career, Jones dispatched his opponents by one-punch knockout in a total of 24 vib nas this. It took Carlton Charles one fewer tick of the clock to take out Jones in the stunning conclusion to a touted tangle of former star collegiate athletes.

Charles, a product of the University of Maine football program taking his initial walk to the NEF cage, turned the tables on Jones (2-1) in a middleweight scrap. Jones again went for the early stoppage with a pair of looping shots, but Charles calmly ducked them before landing one of his own and taking the issue to the mat.

“I just love the competition,” Charles said. “You don’t get hit in the face like this on the football field.”

When the combatants regained their feet, Charles backed Jones against the cage and landed two right hands to the jaw. Jones dropped to one knee and absorbed a sharp left to the head. That persuaded the referee to step in and stop the fight, a verdict that left Jones and his First Class MMA camp visibly puzzled.

It was Charlessecond one-sided combat sports victory in a week’s time. He previously delivered a first-round TKO in the amateur boxing ring. Jones suffered his first defeat since making the transition from basketball, which he played professionally in Europe after starring at Bangor’s Husson University.

One look at Friday tus official weigh-in suggested that the bout between Roger Ewer (251 phaus) and Dustin Freeman (220) might be the typical stand-up, slug-it-out heavyweight affair. Es tsis txhob, it turned into a ground-and-pound showcase that was right in Ewer’s wheelhouse. C.J.’s older brother, making his debut in the NEF hexagon at 44 xyoo ntawm hnub nyoog, hammered out the advantage throughout and earned a TKO via unanswered strikes at 2:31 of the second stanza.

Nate Boucher improved to 2-0 with a first-round stoppage of Jeremiah Barkac, who was making his cage debut. Barkac gained an early advantage in the bantamweight bout with a barrage of strikes, but Boucher cleverly gained leverage with his legs and locked in a triangle choke.

Yeej los yog poob, Bangor’s Angela Young announced that her battle with Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga would be the final fight of her career. Borga (6-3) erased any hopes of a Hollywood ending with a decisive TKO at 2:16 ntawm cov lus qhib puag ncig. Hluas (2-3), wife of Chris, had never gone less than the distance in any of her prior wins or losses.

In a mutual NEF and MMA debut, Zach Faulkner delighted his home crowd with a second-round victory over David Hart via rear naked choke. Qhov kawg tuaj ntawm 1:42.

Jesse Hutchinson also enjoyed a triumphant debut in the amateur ranks. He stopped Anthony LaPointe at 2:43 of the first round in a welterweight skirmish.

NEF also announced that the promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 31: The Old Port,” will see the company make its long-awaited debut in Portland, Maine at the brand new, state-of-the-art venue Aura. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 3, 2017. Tickets will go on sale this Wednesday, Lub yim hli ntuj 9 ntawm www.auramaine.com.

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.

RUMBLE IN BANGOR FIGHT CARD FILLED WITH MAINE FAN-FAVORITES

Tam sim TSO TAWM: Bangor, Maine (Lub Xya hli ntuj 21, 2017) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) returns to the Cross Insurance Center nyob rau hnub Saturday hmo ntuj, Lub yim hli ntuj 5, 2017 nrog rau cov kev sib ntaus qib tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 30: Rumble in Bangor.” Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, NEF announced the full fight card for the event.

Nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim ntawm yav tsaus ntuj, Bangor’s own CJ Ewer (2-0) yuav ua tau raws li Mike Hansen (5-5) of Rumford, Maine in a five-round contest to crown a new NEF MMA Pro Middleweight Champion. Ewer is a member of local gym Young’s MMA while Hansen represents Berserkers MMA based in the River Valley region of the state. Ewer had a highlight-reel knockout over Ruben Redman (0-1) in his last bout at the Crossexactly one year to the day he will meet Hansen.

The co-main event of the evening will see Ewer’s Young’s teammate, undefeated Bangor prospect Aaron Lacey (4-0) take on Bellator veteran Bryan Goldsby (17-16). Goldsby will represent Lacey’s most-seasoned challenge to date. Lacey has been nothing short of “Relentless” – his nickname – txij li thaum tig pro. He has submitted three of his four opponents in the first round. Only John Santos (3-5) was able to survive three full rounds with Lacey last summer in Bangor. Lacey won that fight via split decision in a rugged, back-and-forth, “fight of the night” performance.

Rounding out the pro card will be another Young’s cornerstone, “Lub” Ryan Sanders (14-8), who will meet Milwaukee, Wisconsin veteran Jay Ellis (14-68) nyob rau hauv ib tug Welterweight contest. Sanders is the reigning NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion, having defeated Jon Lemke (6-8) in a tournament final last April to claim the title. The bout with Ellis will be a non-title affair. Sanders is riding a four-fight win streak which began one year ago to the day at the Cross.

Headlining the amateur portion of the fight card will be an NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Title fight. Fred Lear (5-2) of Bangor will do battle with Jefferson, Maine lub Walt Shea (2-0) for the vacant 135-pound championship. Lear and Shea will continue a competitive rivalry that has developed in the amateur ranks in recent years between Lear’s camp Young’s MMA and Shea’s team of First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.

Opening the night will be a women’s fight between Angela Hluas (2-2), wife of Young’s MMA founder and head coach Chris Young, and Florida’s JessicaThe Black WidowBorga (5-2). The scrap is expected to be an exciting one. Hluas, a Registered Nurse at Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC), has put on several “fight of the night” performances that have sent audiences into a frenzy. Borga will make her third trip to Maine in the past year to compete in the NEF cage.

The full “NEF 30” sib ntaus card (yuav hloov):

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

185*TITLE C.J. Ewer 2-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Mike Hansen 5-5 (Berserkers MMA)

170 Ryan Sanders 14-8 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Jay Ellis 14-68 (Team Knockout)

145 Aaron Lacey 4-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Bryan Goldsby 17-16 (Jorge Gurgel)

Pib xyaum ua MMA

135*TITLE Fred Lear 5-2 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Walt Shea 2-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA)

265 Roger Ewer 0-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Dustin Freeman 0-0 (Independent)

185 Josh Jones 2-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Carlton Charles 0-0 (Charles Family Fighting/Fire&Iron Athletics)

170 Anthony Lapointe 0-1 (Titan Athletics) vs Jesse Hutchinson 0-0 (CMBJJ)

160 Zachary Faulkner 0-0 (Titan Athletics) vs David Hart 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA)

145 Robbie Kiah 1-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Robert H. Norris III (Independent)

135 Nate Boucher 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jeremiah Barkac 0-0 (Independent)

135 Angela Hluas 2-2 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Jessica Borga 5-3 (Champions MMA)

"NEF 30: Rumble in Bangor” will be held at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on Saturday, Lub yim hli ntuj 5, 2017. Daim pib no yog rau cov muag khoom tam sim no nyobwww.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

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, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “Tshiab 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.

A NEW NEF LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION CROWNED IN LEWISTON

Lewiston, Maine (Plaub Hlis Ntuj 30, 2017) – Again, blood flowed from the head of Jon Lemke. Dua, “The” Ryan Sanders had his hand raised in victory.

Lub sij hawm no, Txawm li cas los, there was zero controversy or conjecture about the finish, and that authoritative ending made Sanders an NEF mixed martial arts champion for the first time.

Sanders used a guillotine choke to stop Lemke just 22 seconds into the second round and win the vacant New England Fights lightweight championship at “NEF 28: Invincible,” held Saturday hmo ntuj nyob rau ntawm lub Androscoggin Bank Colisee nyob rau hauv Lewiston.

Their previous non-title confrontation in November 2016 ended with Lemke unable to continue due to an accidental cut. Sanders earned the victory by winning the first two rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.

In the title-bout rematch, Sanders likely was behind on those cards after Lemke used a late takedown to punctuate what had been a back-and-forth, stand-up opening session.

“He hit me right in the … gut, and it … hurt,” Sanders said, peppering the statement with the smile and the expletives that are his calling card. “I knew the first round was going to tough, because he’s a killer, and I tend to be a slow starter.”

Sanders (14-8) wasted no time getting Lemke (6-8) to the mat and earning the tap in round two. It was his seventh win in nine NEF appearances.

The Bangor-based battler dedicated the win to his wife, Vanessa, who was in the cage to put the belt around her husband’s waist. The couple celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary Friday.

“She saved my life,” Sanders said. “She’s the reason I’m here, the reason I fight, and the reason I’m a champion.”

Nyob rau hauv lub co-ntsiab kev tshwm sim, Josh Harvey (4-0) stayed undefeated with a brutal, 50-second knockout of Derek Shorey.

Shorey (4-9) returned to the NEF cage to raise funds for four of his children and their mother, who lost their home in a recent New Hampshire apartment fire.

“He’s a great guy and a super warrior. I’m glad he stepped up to fight,” Harvey said. “Next I’d like to fight someone else who’s undefeated.”

Matt Denning of Auburn ended his four-fight winless streak with authority. “Ken Doll” made his long-awaited return to the NEF cage with a first-round verdict over Josh Parker.

Denning used his grappling strength to win the grudge match. He rallied from an early takedown, dominated on the ground, and used a guillotine to put it away in the fourth minute.

“It feels good to win. I finally got one,” Denning said. “I’m at 145 phaus, which is where I belong.”

Bellator veteran Walter Smith-Cotito improved his NEF record to 3-0, and he has done it against eye-opening opposition. On the heels of past wins over Bruce Boyington and Elias Leland, Smith-Cotito defeated Andre Belcarris via rear naked choke at 2:05 ntawm lub thib ob puag ncig. Belcarris was making his pro debut after 34 pib xyaum ua bouts.

Dominic Jones made a triumphant pro debut, taking out NEF mainstay Tollison Lewis with only 30 seconds remaining in the first round. Jones won all his amateur fights by decision, but be used his wrestling acumen to dominate his taller opponent on the ground and earn the TKO.

First-round stoppages also were the rule in the amateur portion of the card, with all four fights ending in under two minutes.

The most controversial result involved Caleb “Dr. Feelgood” Austin, an 18-year-old senior out of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, taking on James Ploss of Kaze Dojo in Lancester, New Hampshire. It was the cage debut for both combatants.

Ploss was the aggressor from the opening bell and immediately took the action to the mat. That also played to the strengths of Austin, who amassed an astonishing 208-11 record while winning two state championships as a schoolboy wrestlers.

At about the 30-second mark, Ploss applied a guillotine and forced a tap from Austin. Unfortunately for Ploss, the referee did not see Austin tap and he allowed the fight to continue after Ploss had released the hold.

Austin took full advantage of the reprieve and showed power in both his stand-up and striking game, eventually earning a TKO in the flyweight fracas at the 1:57 cim.

Josh “Basketball” Jones left no doubt whatsoever in his debut victory over Sean Worcester (0-3).

Jones, 29, who was drafted by the NBA Development League before embarking on a professional career in Germany and Canada, went on the early attack with looping haymakers. He dropped Worcester to the canvas and ended the middleweight scrap with a barrage of haymakers after only 20 vib nas this.

Jacob Deppmeyer evened his ledger in the amateur hexagon at 1-1 with a 77-second dismissal of Glenn Kasabian at a catch weight of 140. The wins by Dominic and Josh Jones as well as Dettmeyer made First Class MMA a perfect 3-0 on the evening.

Mason Travers joined the parade of fighters making a successful amateur debut with his win over Nigel Moye at 1:10 ntawm cov lus qhib zaj paj huam.

Many big announcements were made concerning “NEF 29: Stars and Stripes,” which will be held Saturday, Lub rau hli ntuj 17 at Androscoggin Bank Colisee. The main event will feature the Maine homecoming of Ray “All Business” Wood. Former NEF bantamweight champion Paul Gorman will also be featured.

Professional boxing will return to share the spotlight, led by local favorites Brandon Montella of North Anson and Russell Lamour of Portland, and with a special guest: Former heavyweight champion James “Buster’ Douglas will be in attendance to greet fans and sign autographs.

Daim pib pib thaum $25 thiab yog muaj nyob rau ntawm www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

SANDERS ON LEMKE REMATCH: “I’M GOING TO STEAL HIS SOUL AND I’M GOING TO BREAK HIS WILL

 

Tam sim TSO TAWM: Lewiston, Maine (Plaub Hlis Ntuj 27, 2017) – Tsis txhob ib tug yuav rov qab los ntawm ib tug kev sib tw, or an opportunity to call out the competition, “The” Ryan Sanders is irked by the tone of the scuttlebutt since his first fight with Jon Lemke last November.

Yog, the skirmish stopped during the third round, due to a deep cut on Lemke’s head. But with Sanders leading comfortably, 20-18, rau tag nrho peb cov ntawv teev lus, he was declared the winner.

It all fell in line with the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, and it surely reflected Sanders’ conviction that he was well in command of the bout and on his way to victory, regardless. Since that night, lub Saturday before Thanksgiving, Txawm li cas los, Sanders, 29, says that Lemke and others in his camp have been a tad too outspoken about their belief that it was somehow a tainted victory.

In a recent interview with Jason Floyd on “The MMA Report Podcast,” Sanders held nothing back when queried about his motivation to dole out another beating when the former training partners meet this Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 29 in a rematch at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

Lub sij hawm no, it’s the tournament final for the vacant lightweight title at “NEF 28: Invincible.”

“I was a little upset afterwards that (Lemke) said he thought it should have been a no-contest,” Sanders said. “What Jon won’t talk about or say is that right before I got that takedown, he quit. He quit in my arms.”

Sanders (13-8) clarified that comment, adding that while Lemke (6-7) didn’t say the word explicitly, his vast experience in the cage underscored his belief that the end was nigh.

“A fighter knows when someone is about to give up, and Jon was about to give up,"Nws hais tias. “He wasn’t fighting that takedown in my arms. He was just dead weight in my arms, so it’s a bit frustrating that he would say that.”

It didn’t take long for the stars to align and serve up the second helping that both fighters’ fan bases crave. With a shot at the strap in the offing, both men made short work of their 155-pound tournament semifinal opponents in February.

Sanders landed a vicious kick to the jaw of John Ortolani that ended their confrontation in a mere 15 vib nas this. Lemke was just as impressive, needing only a minute longer to dispatch Jesse “the Viking” Erickson.

Typically it’s the defeated fighter in this scenario who covets the chance at vindication, but Sanders sounds like the one with an axe to grind after hearing some of the public perception about his previous win.

“I’m happy that we get a rematch and to be able to show everyone that the first time it wasn’t a fluke and to have my hand raised again,” Sanders, uas yog 6-1 in his past seven fights, hais tias. “I’m unstoppable right now. I’m surrounded with the best people. I’ve got great teammates, great coaches and an amazing wife … Any guy who fights me, they are (screwed)."

Asked if he is bent on earning a submission to achieve a measure of unfinished business, Sanders quickly declared that any form of victory will suffice.

“Not necessarily to get a stoppage victory, but I’m going to show him. It will be five months since we fought, and I’ve been in the gym every day, and I’m going to show him that he’s not on my level,” Sanders said. “Eventually the victory will come whether it’s a submission, a TKO, a knockout. Jon does have a lot of heart, but I’m going to be stealing it from him. I’m going to steal his soul and I’m going to break his will.

“I’m a grappler, so I do prefer a nice submission victory,” he continued. “But whatever he gives me I’ll take, and I’m going to go in there and take it. I’m going to take that belt home. That is my belt, and I’ve worked too hard to let anyone else take it from me.”

The rivalry between Sanders and Lemke is a natural one. They were former stablemates at Team Irish before Sanders switched to rival Young’s MMA.

Sanders said he didn’t earn enough takedowns for his liking in the previous encounter, but he believes the scorecards were an accurate reflection of how he dominated the fight.

“I knew he was a tough dude. He could take a punch. He could take a kick,” Sanders said. “I feel like I was getting the best of it.”

A second bout with Lemke fits Sanders’ profile as a fighter willing to take on anyone, nyob qhov twg, ntawm txhua lub sij hawm.

Sanders, who has been matched in his career with the likes of Marcus Davis, Gil de Freitas, Levan Makashvili, Luis Felix and Derrick Kennington, has won his last five in a row on Maine soil.

He dropped back-to-back decisions to de Freitas in his two previous bids for an NEF title and naturally predicts that he won’t let the third chance at gold slip away.

“I know with the training I’m putting in that I’m destined for greatness,” Sanders said. “My work has shown that, and my future fights will show that. I know I’m there to fight the best. Look at the guys I’ve fought. They’re UFC or Bellator vets, or they’re top-five fighters in the region.

"(The fans are) going to witness a great fight, a great performance by Ryan Sanders,” he concluded. “They may say, ‘This guy’s being (a jerk). He’s real cocky.’ It’s not that I’m cocky. I’m fully confident in my training and in my training partners and in my coaches and in myself that I am ready to fight anybody in the region and beat anybody in the region.”

The opening bell for “NEF 28: Invincible” on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 29 yog teem rau 7 p.m. Daim pib pib thaum $25 thiab yog muaj nyob rau ntawm www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

LEMKE ON LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE SHOT: “I JUST THINK ABOUT GETTING THAT BELT AND DEFENDING THAT BELT

 

Tam sim TSO TAWM: Lewiston, Maine (Plaub Hlis Ntuj 27, 2017) – Not everybody in life gets blessed with a shot at redemption. Jonathan Lemke will bask in that opportunity on multiple fronts when he battles “The” Ryan Sanders for the vacant NEF lightweight title this Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 29 at Androscoggin Bank Colisee as part of “NEF 28: Invincible.”

It’s the second shot at the NEF strap for Lemke, who lost a split decision to Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington in February 2016 at “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS.” Lemke also looks forward to the rematch with Sanders after their fight in November was abbreviated due to a gash on Lemke’s head.

“Definitely after the way the last one ended, I still feel like I have a little unfinished business, a little chip on my shoulder,” Lemke said recently in an interview on “The Maine Event” podcast with Ryan Jarrell and Bryan Stackpole. “I definitely want to go out there and take care of business this time.”

Sanders (13-8) won a unanimous decision when the verdict went to the scorecards by virtue of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.

Like his opponent and former stablemate, Lemke (6-7) has carved out a reputation as a fighter who will take on all comers. The first bout with Sanders extended his winless streak to four fights, but the quality of opposition – Devin Powell, Josh LaBerge and Boyington preceded Sanders – are good for more than an asterisk.

He snapped that run in short order with a first-round TKO of Jesse “The Viking” Erickson in February’s tournament semifinals.

“I’m very excited, very grateful,” Lemke said. “This is the culmination of a lot of years, a lot of hard work, to be at this point again and see some of that pay off.”

Lemke doesn’t believe that he needs the title to validate his years under the NEF umbrella. On the flip side, Txawm li cas los, it is a line on the personal checklist on which he is hungry to leave his mark.

“It would mean a lot,” he acknowledged. “It wouldn’t define me either way, but at the same time certainly one of the goals I set out to achieve when I first started this sport was to take care of business on the regional end and to be a regional champion.”

Previous champions Powell, Boyington and Dez Green made the lightweight belt NEF’s most coveted honor by using it as a springboard to opportunities on a national scale.

Lemke, who has enjoyed the spotlight as part of both a Bellator card and Dana White’s “Lookin’ for a Fight” UFC audition, denied that he is looking ahead to greener pastures.

“I haven’t given it a lot of thought about where it would take me,"Nws hais tias. “I just think about getting that belt and defending that belt. It’s always one fight at a time.”

Between their days training together with Team Irish (Sanders now fights out of Young’s MMA) and their previous fight, Lemke and Sanders know one another as well as any NEF title fight opponents in history.

While Lemke allows for the possibility that both men will dip into their bag of tricks, he said fans shouldn’t expect too many surprises.

“I think stylistically it will be a little bit different. Game plan wise it will be a little bit different. At the start you might see some different wrinkles from both,” Lemke said “But at the end of the day we are both familiar with each other, so it will be a similar type fight.”

He also sees the confrontation living up to every ounce of its billing.

“One of the statements from the first card was that I believe this fight could headline any card, any regional or national promotion, and I still believe that,” Lemke said. “It’s a fight the fans want to see.”

And it’s a fight he naturally believes he will win the second time around.

“I’m healthy as can be. Had a good, tough camp, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and performing my business,” Lemke said. “I believe in my overall skill set and believe that overall skill set will lead to the victory.”

The opening bell for “NEF 28: Invincible” on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 29 yog teem rau 7 p.m. Daim pib pib thaum $25 thiab yog muaj nyob rau ntawm www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

THOUSANDS BRAVE WINTER WEATHER FOR LEWISTON MMA EVENT

 

Tam sim TSO TAWM: Lewiston, Maine (Lub ob hlis ntuj 11, 2017) – A nor’easter 48 hours earlier, sub-zero temperatures, heavy snowfall at bell-time, and a blizzard looming on the horizon could not stop more than 2,500 devoted fight fans from getting their fill of mixed-martial-arts action at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday night. The event marked fight promotion New England Fights’ (NEF) five-year anniversary at the venerable fight arena.

The show was headlined by the semi-finals of the NEF Professional MMA Lightweight Title tournament. Jon Lemke (6-7) advanced to the finals with a first round technical knockout of Jesse Erickson (9-6). Ryan Sanders (13-8) joined Lemke in the final round with a first-round knockout of John Ortolani (8-11).

Ras Hylton (1-0) was victorious in his professional debut over Mike Hansen (5-5), while former NEF Amateur MMA Welterweight Champion Ricky Dexter (1-0) also entered the pro ranks with a verbal submission win over Matt Denning (3-6) after a brutal body shot.

On the amateur portion of the fight card, Victor Irwin (3-0) became the new light-heavyweight champion with a submission of Ryan Glover (3-2).

NEF further announced that its next MMA event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” would originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 29, 2017.

Tag nrho tau ntawm “NEF 27: RESURGENCE”:

 

KEV

Ryan Sanders def. John Ortolani via KO, puag ncig 1

Jon Lemke def. Jesse Erickson via TKO, puag ncig 1

Ras Hylton def. Mike Hansen via verbal submission

Ricky Dexter def. Matt Denning via verbal submission

Josh Harvey def. Richie Collingham via D’arce choke, puag ncig 1

Elias Leland def. Nick Santos via arm triangle, puag ncig 1

 

Pib xyaum ua

Victor Irwin def. Ryan Glover via rear-naked choke, puag ncig 1

Walt Shea def. Alan Bustamante via unanimous decision

Justin Witham def. Ryan Burgess via anaconda choke, puag ncig 2

Alex Clark def. Henry Clark via unanimous decision

John Tefft def. Sean Worcester via TKO, puag ncig 2

Sarah Ziehm def. Nicole Burgess via rear-naked choke, puag ncig 3

Fred Lear def. Michael Crespo via TKO, puag ncig 2

Devin Corson def. Winston Cortez via unanimous decision

Zeal McGrew def. Pete Grinnell via TKO, puag ncig 1

Frank Johanson def. Jacob Deppmeyer via triangle choke, puag ncig 3

Ross Dannar def. Phil Chason via unanimous decision

Angela Young def. Christine Brothwell via unanimous decision

 

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” nyob rau hnub Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 thiab hauv internet ntawm www.TheColisee.com.

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/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @nefights, and join the official Facebook groupNew England Fights.

STACKED FIGHT CARD OPENS THE YEAR FOR NEF IN LEWISTON

Lewiston, Maine (Lub ib hlis ntuj 11, 2017) -New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Lub ob hlis ntuj 11, 2017 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 27: RESURGENCE.” Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, the fight promotion announced the full card for the event. The night will feature both amateur and professional MMA bouts.

 

Headlining the evening will be the semi-finals of the tournament to crown a new professional lightweight champion. The title was vacated when previous champion Devin Powell (8-1) signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Ryan Sanders (12-8) yuav siv sij hawm nyob rau hauv John Ortolani (8-10) thaum lub sij hawm Jon Lemke (5-7) ntsej muag Jesse Erickson (9-5) in a rematch from Bellator 93. The winners of those two bouts will meet in the finals tentatively scheduled forNEF 28later this year.

 

In a highly-anticipated heavyweight bout, Ras Hylton (0-0) yuav ua kom nws kev debut tiv thaiv Mike Hansen (5-4). The 6’6Hylton, los yog “Rasquatchas he is known amongst his fans, was voted the “2016 Rookie ntawm lub xyoo” by NEF fans after going 3-0 raws li ib tug pib xyaum ua. Hansen was a Maine state wrestling champion for Mountain Valley High School (MVHS), and he has developed quite a reputation for downing larger opponents on both the mats and the MMA cage. Hansen was the recipient of the “2016 Submission of the Year” puav pheej.

 

Speaking of 2016 puav pheej winners, lub “Fighter ntawm lub xyoo,” featherweight prospect Aaron Lacey (4-0), will look for his fifth consecutive victory in less than a year when he meets Florida’s Chris Jacobs (1-0). Jacobs put together an impressive 8-3 cov ntaub ntawv raws li ib tug pib xyaum ua, winning regional titles along the way.

 

The amateur card will feature a bout for the light-heavyweight strap as Ryan Glover (3-1) defends tiv thaiv Victor Irwin (2-0). Glover has held the title since last February. Both Glover and Irwin were Maine state wrestling championsGlover with MVHS and Irwin with Brewer High School.

 

Also scheduled on the amateur card are no less than three women’s bouts. Angela Hluas (1-2), who put on multiple “Sib ntaus ntawm cov Hmo ntuj” performances in 2016, returns to face New Hampshire’s Christine Brothwell (0-2). Young’s teammate, Katie Baker (0-0), will make her in-cage debut against another tough competitor from the Granite State in the form of Alex Walker (2-1), thaum lub sij hawm Sarah Ziehm makes her debut against Nicole Burgess (0-1).

 

The full “NEF 27: RESURGENCE” sib ntaus card (yuav hloov):

 

KEV

235 Mike Hansen 5-4 (Berserkers MMA) vs Ras Hylton 0-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA)

 

160 Matt Denning 3-5 (CMBJJ) vs Ricky Dexter 0-0 (Team Irish)

155 Ryan Sanders 12-8 (Young cov lus MMA) vs John Ortolani 8-10 (South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu & MMA)

 

155 Jesse Erickson 9-5 (CMBJJ) vs Jon Lemke 5-7 (Team Irish)

 

145 Aaron Lacey 4-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Chris Jacobs 1-0 (Pete White Boxing & MMA)

 

145 Josh Harvey 2-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Richie Collingham 3-3 (Lakes Region Vale Tudo)

 

135 Elias Leland 2-2 (Lub Academy) vs Nick Santos 0-4 (Team Fury)

Pib xyaum ua

205*TITLE Ryan Glover 3-1 (Berserkers MMA) (c) vs Victor Irwin 2-0 (Young cov lus MMA)

 

205 Zeal McGrew 1-1 (Redline) vs Pete Grinnel 0-0 (Lawton BJJ)

185 Jon Tefft 0-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Sean Worcester 0-1 (Independent)

 

155 Devin Corson 0-0 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Winston Cortez 0-0 (S. Tampa Jiu-Jitsu & MMA)

 

155 Ross Dannar 0-1 (Nostos) vs Phil Chason 0-0 (Lub Academy)

 

155 Ken Dunn 0-4 (Independent) vs Corey Hinkley 2-4 (CMBJJ)

 

145 Jacob Deppmeyer 0-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Frank Johanson 1-2 (CMBJJ)

 

140 Henry Clark 3-1 (Choi lub koom haum) vs Alex Clark 3-2 (Young cov lus MMA)

 

135 Michael Crespo 3-2 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Fred Lear 4-2 (Young cov lus MMA)

 

135 Walt Shea 1-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Alan Bustamante 0-0 (South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu & MMA)

 

125 Jeremiah Barkac 0-0 (Independent) vs James Ploss 0-0 (Kaze Dojo)

 

125 Ryan Burgess 2-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Justin Witham 2-4 (Shatterproof Combat Club)

 

125 Angela Hluas 1-2 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Christine Brothwell 0-2 (Bucket Brigade)

 

115 Nicole Burgess 0-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Sarah Ziehm 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

115 Katie Baker 0-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Alex Walker 2-1 (Kaze Dojo)

 

 

NEF’s next event, “NEF 27: RESURGENCE” yuav siv sij hawm qhov chaw nyob rau Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 11, 2017 ntawm 7 p.m. Daim pib pib thaum $25 thiab yog muag tam sim no nyob www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

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, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “Tshiab England Fights."

 

BLOOD REIGNS SUPREME ON FINAL LEWISTON FIGHT CARD OF 2016

 

 

Tam sim TSO TAWM: Lewiston, Maine (Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 19, 2016) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) held its latest mixed-martial-arts (MMA) kev tshwm sim, “NEF 26: SUPREMACYon Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The promotion presented a total of 14 MMA bouts before a robust crowd of fight fans.

 

Blood flowed early and it continued to flow liberally throughout the night.

 

Nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim ntawm yav tsaus ntuj, Ryan Sanders (12-8) yeej Jon Lemke (5-7) via unanimous technical decision. The fight was stopped in the third round when Lemke suffered a deep cut on his head. With the fight being in the third round, under the Unified Rules of MMA the judgesscorecards were called upon for a verdict. Sanders won 20-18 rau tag nrho peb cov txiav txim’ scorecards, having scored only the first two rounds.

 

The co-main event saw Josh Parker (5-8) submit Derek Shorey (4-8) in the first-round of a highly-anticipatedcoach vs. tsheb loj thauj neeg” sib ntaus sib tua.

 

Rounding out the professional portion of the card, Aaron Lacey (4-0) remained undefeated with a verbal submission win over veteran Taylor Trahan (6-7).

 

Nick Gulliver (4-0) ntawm Farmington, Maine captured the NEF Amateur Heavyweight Title with a victory over Yorgan DeCastro (2-3) as the headliner of the amateur card.

 

Cov kev tshwm sim los ntawm Lewiston, Maine:

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

 

Ryan Sanders def. Jon Lemke via unanimous technical decision

Josh Parker def. Derek Shorey via guillotine, puag ncig 1

Aaron Lacey def. Taylor Trahan via verbal submission, puag ncig 1

 

Pib xyaum ua MMA

 

Nick Gulliver Def. Yorgan DeCastro via TKO, puag ncig 3

Chris Smith def. Nash Roy via guillotine, puag ncig 1

Angelo Rizzitello def. Ken Dunn ntawm TKO, puag ncig 1

Fred Lear def. Robby Fraser via standing guillotine, puag ncig 2

Mike Williams def. Mike Swan via TKO, puag ncig 2

Ras Hylton def. Kevin Smith via TKO, puag ncig 2

Tom Burgess def. Darren Ducharme via TKO, puag ncig 1

Fernanda Araujo def. Hannah Sparrell via armbar, puag ncig 2

Shawn Lunghi def. Alex Clark via rear-naked choke, puag ncig 2

Jessica Borga def. Brianne Genschel via unanimous decision

Chad Pierce def. Lyman Curtis via unanimous decision

 

NEF’s next event, “NEF 27: RESURGENCE” yuav siv sij hawm qhov chaw nyob rau Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 11, 2017 ntawm 7 p.m. Daim pib pib thaum $25 thiab yog muag tam sim no nyob www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

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, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “Tshiab England Fights."

 

NEF 26 MMA CARD FEATURES WOMEN’S FIGHTS, TITLE FIGHTS, RETURNS, DEBUTS AND MORE

Lewiston, Maine (Lub kaum hli ntuj 21, 2016) – Tshiab England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 26: SUPREMACY,” nyob rau hnub Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 19 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, NEF executives announced the full fight card for the event which will be the fight promotion’s grand finale for 2016.

 

Nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim, “Lub” Ryan Sanders (10-8) yuav ua tau raws li Jon Lemke (5-6) in a professional lightweight bout. It will be Sandersfirst fight in Lewiston since November 2014. Much has been made of the fact that Sanders and Lemke are former teammates. The bout is considered adream matchby Maine fight fans, especially those from the Bangor-area familiar with the rivalry between Sanderscamp Young’s MMA and Lemke’s camp Team Irish.

 

The co-main event of the evening will feature an interestingcoach vs. tsheb loj thauj neeg” sib ntaus sib tua. “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (4-7), head of the Shatterproof Combat Club, is scheduled to face Ruthless MMA & Boxing founder Josh Parker (4-8) in a professional featherweight contest. Shorey is coming off a big win in Rhode Island earlier this fall, while Parker will be returning to the MMA cage after spending the last three years competing as a boxer.

 

Rounding out the professional portion of the card will be undefeated prospect Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (3-0) thiab Taylor Trahan (6-6) nyob rau hauv ib tug featherweight bout. Lacey and Trahan both submitted their respective opponents atNEF 25” lub hli tas los. Many local followers of the sport feel that Lacey is just a handful of wins away from getting the call to the major league of the sport. Trahan will be looking to play the role of spoiler while also avenging the loss of his Team Link teammate John Santos (3-5) to Lacey in Bangor this past August.

 

The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Nick “The Guardian” Gulliver (3-0) thiab Yorgan DeCastro (2-2). DeCastro stepped up to the plate to face Gulliver when no other heavyweight in the region would do so. Gulliver has been on a path of destruction, ripping through three opponents in a combined two minutes.

 

Two women’s fights are on tap forNEF 26.JessicaThe Black WidowBorga (2-2) returns from Florida to meet Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Brianne Genschel (0-0). Genschel’s First Class MMA teammate “Hollywood” Hannah Sparrell (1-1) will also be in action against Fernanda Araujo (4-4-2).

 

Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner’s The Academy in Portland, Maine will send two new fighters to the cage atNEF 26.Chad Pierce (0-0) will debut against Shatterproof’s Lyman Curtis (0-0), thaum lub sij hawm Phil Chiasson (0-0) raws li Rik Seymour (0-0) of 3Ronin Athletics. Both bouts will take place in the 155-pound lightweight division.

 

The full “NEF 26” sib ntaus card (yuav hloov thiab pom zoo los ntawm lub Combat kev ua si Authority ntawm Maine):

 

 

KEV

 

155 Ryan Sanders 10-8 (Young’s) vs Jon Lemke 5-6 (Team Irish)

 

145 Josh Parker 4-8 (Siab phem) vs Derek Shorey 4-7 (Shatterproof)

 

145 Aaron Lacey 3-0 (Young’s) vs Taylor Trahan 6-6 (Team Link)

 

Pib xyaum ua

265*TITLE Nick Gulliver 3-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm) vs Yorgan DeCastro 2-2 (SSSF)

265 Kevin Smith 3-2 (Young’s) vs Ras Hylton 2-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm)

 

210 Mike Swan 0-0 (Choi) vs Joe Krech 0-2 (Independent)

 

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

 

170 Darren Ducharme 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Tom Burgess 2-0 (Berserkers)

 

155 Ken Dunn 0-3 (Independent) vs Angelo Rizitello 0-1 (Shatterproof)

 

155 Chad Pierce 0-0 (Academy) vs Lyman Curtis 0-0 (Shatterproof)

 

155 Phil Chiasson 0-0 (Academy) vs Rik Seymour 0-0 (3Ronin Athletics)

 

145 Alex Clark 3-1 (Young’s) vs Shawn Lunghi 1-0 (S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu/MMA)

 

145 Hannah Sparell 1-1 (Thawj cov hoob kawm) vs Fernanda Araujo 4-4-2 (Kws muaj txuj ci Ntug)

 

135 Brianne Genschel 0-0 (First Class/Foundry) vs Jessica Borga 2-2 (Champions)

 

135 Fred Lear 3-2 (Young’s) vs Robby Fraser 1-1 (S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu/MMA)

 

The opening bell on Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 19 yog teem rau 7 p.m. Daim pib pib thaum $25 thiab yog muaj nyob rau ntawm www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

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, follow them on Twitter @nefightsand join the official Facebook group “Tshiab England Fights."

 

EX-TEAMMATES TO FIGHT IN MAIN EVENT OF NEF 26

 

Lewiston, Maine (Lub kaum hli ntuj 3, 2016) – Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, Tshiab England Fights (NEF) executives announced the main event of “NEF 26: SUPREMACY.“Lub” Ryan Sanders (11-8) yuav fim Jon Lemke (5-6) in a lightweight bout at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston on Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 19.

 

At one time, Sanders and Lemke were teammates at Marcus Davis’s Team Irish gym in Brewer, Maine. That all changed when Sanders left and joined cross-town rival Young’s MMA in Bangor.

 

I’m very happy to be fighting back in Lewiston,” said Sanders. “I’m thankful that Jon took this fight seeing how several top-ten lightweights turned it down. But that’s why I like Jon, he’s a fighter’s fighter and he never backs down from a tough fight. Nrog cov uas raug hais tias, I look forward to developing a game plan that’ll shut down his strengths and have my hand raised at the end of the night.

 

The bout will be Sanderssecond since returning to the NEF fold. Sanders defeated Derrick Kennington (11-8) kawg Lub yim hli ntuj nyob rau ntawm lub “NEF Presents Dana Dawb: Lookinfor a Fight.” He recently inked a multi-fight developmental deal with NEF.

 

Ryan Sanders and NEF go way back,” stated Sanderscoach Chris Young when asked about Sandersrecent signing of an NEF developmental deal. “Ryan fought on several NEF shows, including headlining ‘NEF I.’ Yog li ntawd, it’s only fitting that Ryan has finally found his way home. A hard working athlete deserves a hard working promotion and I believe NEF is the perfect vehicle to give Ryan that last push into the next level.

 

Lemke will be coming into the fight hungry for a win. His last victory in the NEF cage will have been almost a year to the day when he defeated Matt Denning (3-4) nyob rau hauv Lewiston ntawm “NEF XX.” Lemke is coming off a loss to NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-1) this past August in Bangor.

 

What a great opportunity I have been presented by New England Fights to fight Ryan Sanders,” hais tias Lemke. “Ryan has been in, and done well, with the very best of New England. He is a well-rounded fighter and will challenge me in all areas. I very much look forward to this challenge and know that there will be fireworks for sure in this fight.

 

The opening bell on Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 19 yog teem rau 7 p.m. Daim pib pib thaum $25 thiab yog muaj nyob rau ntawm www.TheColisee.com los yog los ntawm kev hu mus rau lub chaw ua hauj lwm ntawm Colisee 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

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, follow them on Twitter @nefightsand join the official Facebook group “Tshiab England Fights."