Tag Archives: University of Maine

mixed martial arts, MMA

AARON LACEY RETURNING TO THE CAGE AT NEF 43 IN ORONO, MAINE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (March 11, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus.  The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (6-2) is scheduled to meet “Yours Truly” Chris Herd (2-3) at a fight weight of 145 pounds.

It will have been 19 months since the last time Aaron Lacey stepped in the NEF cage as a competitor.  Lacey defeated veteran Jon Lemke (7-9) in the main event of “NEF 35” in September 2018.  He has not fought since due to an injury suffered later that fall.  A former NEF Amateur Featherweight Champion, Lacey started his professional career a perfect 4-0 before going 2-2 in his last four bouts.  He will look to make his comeback a successful one on April 18.  Lacey represents Young’s MMA based in nearby Bangor, Maine.

“I’m so super excited to be getting back into my happy place,” exclaimed Aaron Lacey.  “Matt (Peterson, NEF co-owner and matchmaker) worked really hard to get me a fight on this card, and I am beyond grateful! April 18th ‘Relentless’ returns!”

Lacey’s opponent, Chris Herd, will make the 1,000-mile trip from his home in Wilmington, North Carolina for the fight.  Herd had a stellar amateur career, going 5-0 with four knockouts and one submission and capturing a regional championship along the way.  Both of his wins as a professional have been first-round finishes with one a technical knockout and the other a submission.  Herd currently represents Brunson’s MMA & Fitness based in Wilmington, North Carolina.

“No man can touch me without my permission,” said Herd when reached for comment.  “This fight will go where I want it, and I will finish it at will.”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets are on sale now at www.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.  

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

FORMER FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION RETURNING TO NEF CAGE AFTER FOUR-YEAR ABSENCE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (February 27, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus.  The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur flyweight bout to the card.  Dustin Veinott (5-4) will take on Steve Desjardins (5-4) at a fight weight of 125 pounds.  The bout will be a rematch of their previous encounter in February 2014 won by Desjardins via unanimous decision.

Dustin Veinott will be returning to the NEF cage for the first time since the spring of 2016 when he defeated Ryan Burgess (3-2) by second-round submission.  He is the former NEF Amateur Flyweight Chamion, a belt he won over Norman Fox (now 0-1 as a professional) at “NEF 18” in 2015.  Veinott has spent the last several years training fighters as the Muay Thai coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston, Maine.  He is looking forward to the opportunity to redeem himself after his first encounter with Desjardins.

“After being gone for almost four years due to unforeseen circumstances, I’m back,” exclaimed Veinott.  “I respect my opponent, Stephen Desjardins.  He has a great wrestling base, and he has already beat me once.  I am a different animal now, though. I am here to pick back up where I left off. I’m back and I’m here to make a statement.”

Steve Desjardins is a longtime veteran of the New England MMA scene with an amateur career stretching back to 2011.  He made his triumphant return to NEF last fall in Orono after a five-year hiatus, defeating Dillon Henry (0-4) at “NEF 40.”  Desjardins then took on Nate Boucher (now 0-1 as a professional) in a losing effort attempting to capture the amateur flyweight strap at “NEF 41” in November.   Desjardins is currently an independent fighter based out of nearby Brewer, Maine.

“I am thrilled to be fighting again in my backyard and to be putting on a great fight with another tough guy,” said Desjardins.  “Don’t miss it!”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets are on sale now at www.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.  

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 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, women's MMA

WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TITLE WILL BE UP FOR GRABS AT NEF 43 IN ORONO

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (February 26, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus.  The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur women’s flyweight title bout to the card.  “Charming” Chelsea Tucker (3-3) will take on Caree Hill (6-2) for the vacant NEF Amateur Women’s Flyweight Championship.  The title was vacated by reigning champion Glory Watson (6-1) after her decision to turn pro on the “NEF 43” fight card was announced.

Chelsea Tucker is on a three-fight win-streak since starting her amateur MMA career with three straight losses.  It is a streak that began with her last NEF appearance in November 2018 that saw Tucker defeat BJ Garceau (1-1) via technical knockout in the third round.  She has gone on to win fights in New Hampshire and Vermont since that time.  Tucker proudly serves in the United States Coast Guard, stationed in Boothbay, Maine.  She currently represents First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.

“I really look forward to fighting Caree,” said Tucker.  “This is a very good matchup. She’s a tough girl and so am I. I’m looking forward to putting on my best performance and having that belt around my waist.”

This will be the second time in less than a year that Caree Hill has ventured cross-country from her home in Oregon to challenge for NEF’s 125-pound amateur women’s strap.  She took on Glory Watson for the belt at “NEF 39” last June and lost an extremely close split decision.  Hill has gone on to win her next two fights, including capturing a regional title in Oregon.  She represents Team Quest based in Gresham, Oregon and founded by UFC legends Randy Couture (19-11) and Dan Henderson (32-15).  The gym has produced top names like Chael Sonnen (31-17), Nate Quarry (12-4), and the late Evan Tanner (32-8) just to name a few.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to come back and fight for New England Fights again,” said Hill when reached for comment.  “I have been training hard and am ready for wherever the fight goes. I look forward to putting on an exciting fight for the fight fans in Maine.”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets are on sale now at www.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.  

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

UP-AND-COMING FEATHERWEIGHTS TO SQUARE OFF AT NEF 43 IN ORONO

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (February 25, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus.  The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur featherweight bout to the card.  Brandon “BAMF” Maillet-Fevens (3-1) will face Nathaniel Grimard (1-0) at a fight weight of 145 pounds.

Brandon Maillet-Fevens made his amateur debut at “NEF 36” in November 2018, losing via submission in the first round.  Since that time, Maillet-Fevens has not looked back.  He went on a three-fight win-streak in 2019, finishing all three of his opponents in the process.  Most recently, Maillet-Fevens was successful over Tyler Knights (0-1) with a second-round submission at “NEF 41” last November.  He currently represents Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) based in Lewiston, ME.

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to once again get back in the NEF cage,” said Maillet-Fevens.  “I think Nathaniel presents some challenges I haven’t had to deal with yet, but we’ve been hard at work improving every aspect of my game and I’m going to be comfortable wherever the fight goes. I’m looking forward to putting on a good fight for the fans and showcasing what CMBJJ is all about!”

Nathaniel Grimard impressed many with his first-round armbar submission of Justin Kangas (0-3) last September at “NEF 40” in what was Grimard’s cage debut.  That fight took place within the 155-pound lightweight division.  Grimard feels the ten-pound drop to featherweight will further benefit his comfort level in the cage.  He represents Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire where he trains under UFC veteran and former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (10-4).

“I’m excited for this opportunity NEF has given me to fight a very game opponent in April,” said Grimard.  “I am stepping in the cage more comfortable and prepared this time at a weight class I belong. With both of us having finished our past opponents, I expect Brandon to bring it in April, and I think it’s going to be a great and exciting fight.”

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

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

GLORY WATSON TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL FIGHT DEBUT AT NEF 43 IN ORONO

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Orono, Maine (February 24, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus.  The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional women’s strawweight bout to the card.  Glory “The Fury” Watson (0-0) is scheduled to make her professional debut against Grace Nowak (0-2) at a fight weight of 115 pounds.

Glory Watson put together a stellar amateur record of 6-1 over the course of a mere 17 months, thereby becoming one of the hottest prospects in New England MMA.  During that run, she captured the NEF Amateur Women’s Flyweight Title with a split decision win over Caree Hill (6-2) last summer at “NEF 39.”  Watson’s sole loss came against an extremely tough Cara Greenwell (10-4) this past November.  Watson took off NEF’s February event in Portland, Maine in order to prepare for her professional debut this spring.  She is a member of Young’s MMA based in Bangor, Maine. 

“I am beyond ecstatic to announce my debut into the professional rankings of the WMMA world,” said Glory Watson.  “Many thanks to (NEF co-owners) Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo with New England Fights for putting on a show that allows me to progress my career with a very game opponent. I look forward to this big step in my journey and stepping into the cage once again!”

Grace Nowak is a longtime veteran of the MMA cage in the northeastern United States, having made her amateur debut back in 2010.  Throughout her career, Nowak has fought regularly in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.  Nowak represents Behring Jiu-Jitsu based in Watertown, New York.  The April 18 event will not only be the first time Nowak has fought in Maine, but also the first time she has visited the Pine Tree State.

“I’ve never been to Maine before so what better way to experience a new place,” said Nowak when reached for comment.  “I’m very excited to fight for NEF, and I’m looking forward to April 18.”

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

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

FRED LEAR RETURNS TO THE MMA CAGE AT NEF 43 IN ORONO

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (February 20, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus.  The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card.  Fred Lear (0-1) will take on Jason Rine (1-7) at a fight weight of 135 pounds.

Fred Lear, who wrestled and played football for John Bapst Memorial High School in nearby Bangor, Maine, had one of the most successful amateur careers in NEF history.  Lear finished his amateur career in 2019 with a record of 6-2-1 and an NEF Amateur Bantamweight Title to his credit.  He entered the professional ranks last April in Portland, Maine, losing his debut to Bryant Bullock (2-1) via second-round submission.  Lear experienced a disappointing setback when an opponent pulled out on him the night before weigh-ins at “NEF 40” last September.  The Young’s MMA product will now look for the first win of his professional career on April 18 against Rine.

“2019 and the September fight card were difficult for me, but I wasn’t going to let it get in the way of supporting my team,” said Lear.  “I feel as though people have forgotten who I am and what I’m here to do. Jason Rine is a Bellator vet and a consummate professional.  I’m here, I’m hungry, and April 18th I’m making the walk and leaving my mark.”

Jason Rine is indeed a Bellator veteran, having competed on the Bellator 215 card last year.  Based out of Fredericktown, Ohio, Rine has become well-known throughout the New England region in recent years, traveling in to fight on many area events.  While his record may appear on the surface to be that of a journeyman, Rine has taken nothing but tough bouts throughout his professional career, always showing up to fight.  April 18 will see him make his debut with NEF. 

“I’m very excited to come to Maine and fight for NEF against a game opponent in Fred Lear,” stated Rine when reached for comment.  “I’m ready to test myself in a new promotion in a new state.  Time for a fresh start and a new beginning.”

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

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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.