Category Archives: New England Fights

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Statik 360 is the Best Charger Cord You Will Ever Own

March 25, 2023 FNU47 Leave a comment

Take it from the guys at Fight News Unlimited. We love this product. It is durable, practical and will keep your hassles with phone charging to a minimum. Check it out:

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

UNDEFEATED AMATEURS WILL SQUARE OFF IN BANGOR FOR BANTAMWEIGHT STRAP

November 15, 2022 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bangor, Maine (November 14, 2022) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on February 11, 2023, with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event “NEF 51: Banger in Bangor.” The fight promotion has announced an amateur title fight for the card. Key Baltazar (2-0) is scheduled to face Nate Dorr (2-0) for the vacant NEF Amateur Bantamweight Title.

Key Baltazar remains undefeated after debuting as an amateur in 2022. His first fight took place at “NEF 46” last February in Portland. Baltazar submitted Quinn Poirier that evening in the second round. He would return this past summer at “NEF 48” to take on Hannon Sanford. After a hard-fought, three-round battle, Baltazar got the win by unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards. He currently represents Nostos MMA based in Somersworth, New Hampshire.

“I like the energy Nate brings into the cage,” noted Baltazar. “But that’s about it. I’m excited to show a different side of my style. The bantamweight belt will go home with me to Nostos.”

Like Baltazar, Nate Dorr also made his amateur MMA debut in 2022 and is currently undefeated with two wins. His first fight was against Tyler Parent last spring at “NEF 47” in Auburn, Maine. Dorr was able to pull out a unanimous decision victory in that bout. He would return at “NEF 48” for his sophomore fight against Clifford Redman. Dorr defeated the more experienced Redman via technical knockout in the first round. He represents Acadia BJJ based in Ellsworth, Maine.

“The belt has always been in my sights,” said Dorr. “I’ve been training for that title shot this entire time and I feel ready. Didn’t expect a shot this early, but I have every intention of wearing that belt after the fight.”

“NEF 51: Banger in Bangor” is scheduled for Saturday night, February 11, 2023, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Tickets are available now at www.TicketMaster.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

NEF CLOSES OUT TENTH YEAR OF BUSINESS WITH SOLD-OUT, BLOCKBUSTER EVENT IN PORTLAND

November 15, 2022 FNU47 Leave a comment

On a milestone New England Fights card dominated by first-round fireworks, Jonathan Piersma went the distance with a ground-and-pound clinic and overwhelmed one of the promotion’s most enduring stars Saturday night.

Piersma followed his gameplan to the letter and hammered out a unanimous decision over Ryan Sanders to win the vacant professional welterweight title in the main event of NEF 50, held at Aura in Portland, Maine.

Fighting in front of a sold-out crowd heavy with Sanders’ supporters and targeted by the Bangor, Maine veteran’s taunts and trash talk in the lead-up to the fight, Piersma (5-1) arrived from Rochester, New York, and did all his talking on the canvas.

True to Sanders’ forecast that he would shoot for the leg and try to force the action to the mat, Piersma did so in every round and never gave Sanders enough breathing room to unleash his vaunted strikes.

Piersma swept all five rounds on each of three scorecards and enjoyed the last word on the microphone in the center of the cage.

“It feels good to win in my first trip to Maine,” Piersma said. “He did a lot of talking, and he’s a tough guy, but I felt like I dominated the fight.”

All but one of Piersma’s wins as a pro have gone to the final bell. The setback for Sanders (20-10) ended a streak of five consecutive wins by stoppage, four in the first round.

Others experienced that rush on the historic anniversary docket with a parade of electrifying, early endings.

Twelve supporting bouts reached a verdict in the first round, several in a matter of a few seconds. Two others were halted in the second stanza, while only one bout prior to the main event went to the scheduled limit.

Jared Turcotte, Ras Hylton, and Robert Gray were the three prime contenders for knockout of the night.

Turcotte, formerly one of Maine’s most decorated high school and college football players, backed up a 35-second choke-out in his summer debut with a 13-second demolition of Regian Da Silva, Jr.

After a brief exchange in the center of the cage, Turcotte landed one shot that sent his New Hampshire opponent by way of Brazil into la-la land.

“I work hard at this. My goal is to get knockouts, and that’s what the fuck happened,” Turcotte said. “My goal actually was for this one to get to the second round, but I’ll take a 13-second KO any time.”

Bellator veteran Hylton (9-6) has decked his past two opponents in a total of 29 seconds. He expended only 16 ticks of the watch Saturday in a heavyweight shellacking of Indiana’s Jordan Mitchell.

Hylton followed Mitchell to the canvas after the first haymaker and continued his assault to solidify the stoppage.

He dedicated the win to his wife, Janice, in honor of 10 years together.

“She took a drug-addled moron and turned him into something respectable,” the heavy hitter known to his fans as Rasquatch and the Jamaican Shamrock said.

In an amateur cruiserweight contest, Robert Gray (1-0) knocked out Cody Dular (1-1) in 30 seconds. Gray landed a right hand so powerful that it actually launched Dular off his feet into the air. Dular was unconscious for several moments following the knockout and needed attention from the ringside physician.

In an eagerly anticipated grudge match, Matt Denning (8-16) entered the cage in arguably the best shape of his career and exploded to a convincing win over Carl Langston (2-7) at 145 pounds.

Denning backed up his own self-assured forecast and simultaneously dispelled Langston’s claim that he was merely fighting for the paycheck. After intercepting one of several sweeping kicks from Langston, Denning gained control of his opponent’s back and earned a tap to rear naked choke at 1:01 of the first round.

The quick turn of events ended Langston’s modest two-match winning streak as a pro while giving Denning his third win out of eight fights in the past six months alone.

Three other pro bouts ended in short order.

Mohammad Al Kinani (4-1) spoiled Tymar Miles’ debut with a technical knockout in 1:57. It was the second straight win for the rising lightweight star.

Detroit’s Darren Gibbs (3-10) showed that his record is beyond deceiving with a vicious kick to the inside of Nate Grimard’s leg, followed by a heelhook to end the night for Grimard (2-2) at 1:49 in their 150-pound catchweight clash.

Brian Cosco, a knockout victim of Denning in his pro debut earlier the year, turned the tables and spoiled the maiden paying voyage for Justin Kangas with a keylock at 1:18.

As was the case on the pro side, the main amateur attraction also went to the scorecards, with Zach Faulkner (5-3) grinding out a majority decision over newcomer Chase O’Brien.

O’Brien landed a late barrage that might have ended the fight in a few more seconds. Instead, he settled for a 28-28 draw in one judge’s view and a slim 29-28 loss on the other two cards.

Danny Wahlberg rose from the ashes to defeat Eddy Pena by rear naked choke at 2:13 of the second round in easily the most sensational comeback of the evening.

Pena may have emptied his arsenal with an explosion that nearly persuaded the referee to call a halt on at least two occasions. In desperation mode, Wahlberg threw a couple of token counterpunches before taking Pena’s back to set up the fantastic finish to the featherweight scrap.

In another stunning twist of plot, Nick Mulrey (2-0) escaped a near-guillotine from Chris Strout (0-3) and just as quickly locked in a D’arce choke to hasten the end of their featherweight showdown in only 41 seconds.

The lone women’s bout of the occasion went to Cassidy Bedard (2-0), who subdued Lindsey Kelley by rear naked choke with just 20 seconds remaining in their opening round. It was the mixed martial arts debut for Kelley, who accepted the challenge on two weeks’ notice.

Other amateur results:

Ed Davis (2-0) defeated Patrick Mitchell (1-1) by strikes one minute into the first round.

Tristan Wood (1-0) overpowered Armon Bryant (0-1) via guillotine at 42 seconds of the second round.

Soren Mercer (1-0) finished Rosen Iliev (0-1) with an arm triangle at 1:55 of the first round.

Teddy Politis (3-1) TKO’d Aaron Rodriguez (0-1) in the second round at 1:23.

NEF announced that its next card is set for Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. One of the featured attractions at NEF 51: “Banger in Bangor” will be an amateur title bout between 2-0 bantamweights Key Baltazar and Nate Dorr. Tickets are available now at www.TicketMaster.com.

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

NEF CELEBRATES TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH RIVETING FIGHT NIGHT IN PORTLAND; RETURN TO L/A AREA ANNOUNCED

February 16, 2022 FNU47 Leave a comment

Portland, Maine (February 13, 2022) – One new champion and one successful title defense in the amateur ranks and one stunning reversal of fortune at the professional level highlighted New England Fights’ 10-year anniversary card Saturday night.

“NEF 46: Decade of Dominance” was a jam-packed, 15-fight fusillade before another sold-out, energetic crowd at Aura in Portland, Maine.

Mike Murray and Zach Faulkner thrilled those fans with an early “Fight of the Year” candidate in their brouhaha for the vacant 170-pound title. Murray (4-2) applied the lessons he learned in prior losses to Zac Richard and Tim Birkenhead at NEF 40 and 41, respectively, by rallying for a split decision victory over Faulkner (4-2).

On the heels of a unanimous win on the scorecards in his most recent fight, Faulkner set the tone with a thunderous slam in the opening round. He fought out of a guillotine attempt in the second stanza and bounced back from a pair of early Murray takedowns to inflict a fair share of punishment in the third.

Murray turned momentum in his direction by landing a bundle of bombs in round four, and Faulkner’s takedown late in the fifth likely wasn’t enough to seal the deal after Murray connected with a series of body punches.

The other title bout took much less time and left far less to interpretation. Tyler Smythe (4-1) was authoritative in his first defense of the 125-pound strap, dispatching Ryan Burgess (3-3) via rear naked choke at 2:37 of the opening round.

Burgess ended a four-year layoff from the NEF hexagon to challenge Smythe, who won the title with a technical knockout of Caleb Austin.

He pushed the issue early, but Smythe turned the tables on that aggression by throwing Burgess to the mat. Burgess’ attempt at a retaliatory armbar failed, and Smythe ultimately locked in a guillotine choke that ended his night.

In a highlight among the five professional bouts, Carl Langston – winless in six prior pro bouts after an extensive amateur career – avenged his most recent defeat with a rear naked choke of Zac Richard.

The end came 81 seconds after the opening bell, when Richard (1-1), a past NEF amateur champion and decorated wrestler, went for a takedown. He initially succeeded but gave up his back and fell victim to the choke.

Both fighters accepted the 140-pound bout on only a few days’ notice after their initial opponents became unavailable. Richard lowered the boom on Langston with a knockout at 3:52 of the first round in his pro debut back in November.

Langston, who went 7-9 as an amateur and took four of his six pro conquerors to the scorecards, promised a different outcome in his pre-fight remarks, and he delivered.

Aaron Lacey of Bangor, Maine, making his first appearance in the cage since September 2018, improved to 7-2 in the pro main event with a second-round technical knockout to strikes over Bronx bomber and Bellator veteran Jerome Mickle (4-12). In an emotional moment to end the night, Mickle announced his retirement after nearly nine years of cage competition.

Lacey took advantage of an early takedown to dominate the first round of the 155-pound showcase, then ramped up his ground-and-pound assault to another level in the second chapter before the referee waved off the proceedings at 1:42.

In the sole women’s fight on the card, crowd-pleasing Glory Watson (2-1) continued her winning ways with a rear naked choke of previously undefeated Alibeth Milliron (2-1) at 2:23 of the second round in their 115-pound tussle.

Both women landed early haymakers, with Watson’s facial expressions indicating she was anything but hurt. She further demonstrated that point by taking Milliron to the canvas and narrowly running out of time in her first attempt to turn out the lights.

Milliron made more overtures with the stand-up game in round two. A quick takedown and a series of punches gave Watson another opportunity for the choke, however, and she sealed the deal.

In a battle of two 140-pounders making their pro debut, Nate Grimard exercised top control throughout and breezed to a unanimous decision over Anthony Vasta. Grimard’s success as a pro comes as no surprise to fans. He is a former NEF Amateur Featherweight Champion who put together a record of 4-1 in the amateur ranks.

Mohammad Al Kinani also enjoyed a victorious dive into the pro waters, needing only 42 seconds to dismiss Chris Rooney (0-2) via strikes at 155. Al Kinani countered Rooney’s early kick with a flurry, dropping Rooney and subjecting him to another barrage that hastened the stoppage.

First Class MMA stablemates Cody Kilton and Justin Kangas passed muster with the judges in back-to-back amateur bouts.

Kilton (2-1) carved out a unanimous decision over Kaleb Kenney (0-2) at 155. Kangas (1-3) tasted victory for the first time with a split decision verdict at the expense of Jon Assam (2-4). Kangas kept control on the ground through the second and third rounds to put the long-awaited mark in the left-hand column of his ledger.

Three amateur bouts featured the rookie outing for both combatants.

Mike Jolicoeur used an arm triangle to take care of business against Will Smith at 145. In a 125-pound collision, Key Baltazar locked in a rear naked choke at 1:33 of the second round against Quinn Poirier. Baltazar’s team, Nostos MMA, was an undefeated 3-0 at “NEF 46.” Jack Burke punctuated his win over Nick Legrande with a brutal knockout blow at 1:25 of the opening frame in their 265-pound rumble.

Curtis Ouellette (2-3) spoiled Christopher Smith’s debut with a TKO via accumulation of strikes in round three.

Two other amateur scraps produced first-round finishes. Jeff Reynolds (3-2) won by rear naked choke over David McCarty (1-1) at 185, and Ben Grady (3-0) kept his record spotless when Brandon Maillet-Fevens (3-3) couldn’t continue after injuring his arm while blocking a kick. Reynolds’ win gave his team of Karasu Tengu Academy a perfect record of 2-0 on the night.

The quick results from Portland, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL MMA

Aaron Lacey def. Jerome Mickle via TKO (round two)

Carl Lagston def. Zac Richard via rear-naked choke (round one)

Glory Watson def. Alibeth Milliron via rear-naked choke (round two)

Nathaniel Grimard def. Anthony Vasta via unanimous decision

Mohammad Al Kinani def. Chris Rooney via TKO (round one)

AMATEUR MMA

Mike Murray def. Zach Faulkner via unanimous decision

Tyler Smythe def. Ryan Burgess via guillotine (round one)

Mike Jolicoeur def. Will Smith via arm triangle (round one)

Key Baltazar def. Quinn Poirier via rear-naked choke (round two)

Jack Burke def. Nick Legrande via KO (round one)

Jeff Reynolds def. David McCarty via rear-naked choke (round one)

Ben Grady def. Brandon Maillet-Fevens via TKO (round one)

Cody Kilton def. Kaleb Kenney via unanimous decision

Justin Kangas def. Jon Assam via split decision

Curtis Ouellette def. Christopher Smith via TKO (round three)

NEF announced that it will return to the Twin Cities for its next installment. “NEF 47: Good Friends, Better Enemies” will pit Lewiston-Auburn mainstays Jesse Erickson and Matthew Denning in the main event. The card is scheduled for Saturday, April 30 at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn, Maine. For more details or to get your seats now, go to newenglandfights.com/tickets.

About New England Fights

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

LANGSTON STEPS IN TO REMATCH RICHARD AT NEF 46 THIS SATURDAY

February 11, 2022 FNU47 Leave a comment

LANGSTON STEPS IN TO REMATCH RICHARD AT NEF 46 THIS SATURDAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (February 8, 2022) – New England Fights (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the fight card. Carl Langston (0-6) will take on Zac “Rocky” Richard (1-0) at a fight weight of 145 pounds.

Langston stepped in on short notice to replace Richard’s previous opponent Urias Osorio (0-0) who pulled out of the fight earlier in the week. Likewise, Langston was recently left without an opponent on the “NEF 46” card when his originally-scheduled opponent Shaun Ray (2-1) revealed to promoters that he could no longer pass medicals to obtain a fight license.

The bout will now be a rematch of the first meeting between Langston and Richard that took place last November at “NEF45.” That fight, which was Richard’s professional debut, saw Richard defeat Langston by technical knockout in the first round. Langston says the outcome will be different this Saturday.

“When I got asked to take this rematch on short notice it was a no brainer for me,” said Langston. “Thank you to NEF for the opportunity and Zac’s team. This fight is going to have a very different outcome.”

“I’m very disappointed in the original fight being dropped,” noted Richard. “However, I worked too hard to sit on the sidelines and watch. I’m thankful to still have the opportunity to fight.”

“NEF 46: Decade of Dominance” takes place this Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. Doors open at 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.Ticketmaster.com. The event will also stream live in its entirety at www.CombatSportsNow.com at a price of $29.99.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

HALL OUT, LACEY IN AGAINST MICKLE AT NEF 46 IN PORTLAND

February 1, 2022 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (January 29, 2022) – New England Fights (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card. Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (6-2) is scheduled to face New York’s Jerome Mickle (4-11) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

The bout was originally scheduled to feature Caleb Hall (4-0) against Mickle, but Hall had to pull out of the fight due to a medical issue. Lacey was quick to jump on the opportunity to get back in the NEF cage. He has not competed since “NEF 35” in the fall of 2018 when he defeated Jon Lemke (7-8). The fight with Mickle will be Lacey’s first as a member of Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire.

“I’m very thankful to be getting back in the cage,” said Lacey. “It’s even better that I get to do it in front of my home crowd! I have already had a few fights get booked and subsequently cancelled this year, so this opportunity is amazing. Jerome seems to be an experienced veteran but my game is better and more dangerous than ever. I cannot wait to showcase the weapons that have been added to the arsenal! Get you tickets now! February 12th you will witness a master class in controlled violence!”

“NEF 46: Decade of Dominance” takes place on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. Doors open at 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.Ticketmaster.com.

About New England Fights

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LANGSTON IN SEARCH OF FIRST PRO WIN AT NEF 46 ON FEBRUARY 12

January 14, 2022 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (January 11, 2022) – New England Fights (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card. Carl Langston (0-6)is scheduled to take on Shaun Ray (2-1) at a fight weight of 155 pounds.

Carl Langston will look for the first win of his professional career – a career stretching back to 2018. Prior to that time, Langston won seven fights as an amateur. He is a lifelong martial artist, having practiced taekwondo since the age of six and medaling in the sport at the Junior Olympic level. Langston is currently competing as an independent fighter.

“This fight is make it or break it for me,” noted Langston. “I have every tool to best Shaun and any of my last opponents, I just have to show up mentally. I have had some major positive life changes with the start of this New Year with more to come, and I feel that’s going to help play a major role in this fight. I’m ready to bite down on my mouthpiece and get this finish. I don’t feel like Ray is a true 55er—he’s very small for the weight class—so the jump up to 55 to fight him is a testament to my skill set. I’m going to be the breakthrough fighter of 2022.”

Shaun Ray made his NEF debut last summer at “NEF 44” in Milford, New Hampshire in a losing effort to Caleb Hall (4-0). Ray is a graduate of Easton High School in Easton, Maryland. He is currently a resident of Waterville, Maine. Like Langston, Ray is also an independent fighter.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to test my skill against a very well-seasoned striker,” said Ray. “I have known Carl and followed his fight career for seven years. I have a lot of respect for him as a fighter. As for myself, I am just doing what I love to do. I feel this is an excellent match up.”

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

AL KINANI TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL DEBUT AT NEF 46 ON FEBRUARY 12

January 11, 2022 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (January 6, 2022) – New England Fights (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card. Mohammad Al Kinani (0-0)is scheduled to face Chris “Ironfist” Rooney (0-1) at a fight weight of 155 pounds.

The fight will be the professional debut for Al Kinani who finished his amateur career with an impressive record of 9-1. He leaves the amateur division as the number-one ranked lightweight in both New England and the Northeast. Six of Al Kinani’s nine victories have been finishes, including a 34-second knockout in his final amateur fight last fall. The fight with Rooney will be Al Kinani’s first in his home state of Maine in over three years. He represents Evolution Athletix based in Saco, Maine.

“This fight on February 12th is the first step of a long journey that I’ve been dreaming of for quite some time,” said Al Kinani. “It’s going to be a fight that’ll start and end with a handshake, but you know how I roll once I’m locked in there. It’s all business, baby. That’s what I do: I take care of fucking business.”

Chris Rooney will make his first appearance in the NEF cage on February 12, but he is a longtime MMA veteran, having competed in the sport since February 2011. He won twelve fights as an amateur prior to making his professional debut last September. Rooney trains at Sargent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in St. Albans, Vermont.

“I am very excited to announce that my next fight will be against Mo Kinani for New England Fights,” stated Rooney. “Though this will be my second fight as a professional, this will be my debut with NEF. I am looking forward to showcasing my knockout power and overall abilities as a mixed martial artist. Even though the fans in Maine may not yet know the name Rooney, they won’t forget it after they witness my iron-fist power.”

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

GRIMARD AND VASTA SET TO GO PRO AT NEF 46

December 2, 2021 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (November 30, 2021) – New England Fights (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the fight card. Former NEF Amateur Featherweight Champion Nathaniel Grimard (0-0) is scheduled to take on Anthony Vasta (0-0) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

Nathaniel Grimard made his NEF MMA debut in September 2019 at “NEF 40: School of Hard Knocks.” That night, Grimard submitted Justin Kangas (0-3) via armbar in the first round. During the pandemic lockdown, Grimard competed twice in Florida and improved his record to 3-0. His unbeaten record positioned Grimard to challenge for the then vacant NEF Featherweight Championship. In August, Grimard stopped Brandon Maillet-Fevens (3-2) in the second round at “NEF 44: Back in Black” to become the 145-pound titleholder. Grimard got right back in the cage at “NEF 45: Uprising” to defend his strap against Billy Wilson (7-1) from the famed Jackson Wink MMA camp in New Mexico. Grimard lost a laborious five-round decision that made Wilson the new champion. Now, Grimard hits the reset switch as he plans to turn professional against NEF newcomer, Anthony Vasta. Grimard represents Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire where he trains under UFC and Bellator veteran, and former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, Devin Powell (10-5).

“I can’t imagine a better way to start my pro career than on NEF’s 10th anniversary card,” Grimard stated. “I have big goals for myself and I’m ready to take on anybody in my way. I have nothing but respect for Vasta and his martial arts skills, but I have never been more focused.”

Anthony Vasta will also be making his professional debut at NEF 46. Vasta and Grimard made their respective MMA amateur debuts within a couple of months of each other. Vasta and Grimard share another common tie, as both competed on the same card in Florida during the pandemic. Vasta has a 1-1 amateur record and trains at Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

“Being able to make my professional debut against another rising New England fighter that I respect is exciting,” Vasta stated. “It’s time to take the next step in my career, put my skills to the test, and seize the opportunity. My style is really unorthodox and hard to prepare for. I plan to go out there and put on a dominant performance against another tough prospect of this division.”

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

CHAMP VS FORMER CHAMP SET FOR FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT ON FEBRUARY 12TH

December 2, 2021 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (November 26, 2021) – New England Fights (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur championship bout to the fight card. NEF Flyweight Champion Tyler Smythe (3-1) is scheduled to defend his title against former NEF Flyweight Champion Ryan “Gordo” Burgess (3-2) at a fight weight of 125 pounds.

Tyler Smythe notched his third MMA win and captured coveted NEF gold in the process when he recently stopped previously undefeated flyweight prospect Caleb “Dr. Feelgood” Austin (5-1) in a “Fight of the Night” performance at “NEF 45: Uprising.” Down on the scorecards but not discouraged, Smythe waged a come-from-behind victory to earn the technical knockout (TKO) stoppage over Austin in the final second of the fourth round of their championship bout. Never one to slow down, Smythe, who is trained by Nate Libby out of Evolution Athletix in Saco, Maine, is anxious to make an immediate turnaround and defend his title against a former NEF Champion.

“From bell to bell, every round, I’ll be going at this kid like he owes me money,” Smythe stated. “I want a quick finish. Ryan doesn’t deserve to be in that cage with me. February 12th, I’ll show why I’m the NEF flyweight champ.”

Ryan Burgess is no stranger to championship challenges. Hailing from Rumford, Maine, Burgess is one of only four Mountain Valley High School mat men to ever win triple state crowns in wrestling. He amassed an amazing 151-23 overall high school record before graduating and turning his attention to mixed martial arts. Burgess quickly made a name for himself in MMA when he won the NEF Flyweight Championship in November 2015 with a split-decision nod over then Champion Dustin Veinott (5-4). When Burgess last competed, he displayed a dangerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) game off his back in defeating Nate Boucher (0-1) in a heated hometown rivalry. Burgess, a BJJ purple belt, trains under Jason “JB” Bell and fights out of Bell’s Famoso BJJ.

“I’m super excited to make my return on NEF’s 10-year anniversary show,” Burgess stated. “It’s been a long time coming for me to return to the cage and I can’t think of a more perfect scenario than coming back and regaining my flyweight title with a finish over Smythe. It’s been three years since I’ve competed, but my coach, Jason Bell, and I have been putting in work behind the scenes. I can’t wait to showcase my skills and put on a show for the fans.

“Smythe seems like a tough opponent, and it was no easy feat for him to defeat Caleb Austin for the belt,” Burgess continued. “With that being said, I see many holes in his game that I plan to exploit come February 12th. I hope he’s not expecting the same fighter he’s watching in the three-plus-year-old film he’s researching to better understand me. Mentally and skillfully, I am a far superior fighter compared to my previous bouts and only my training partners actually know the weapons I’ll be bringing into that cage to get the job done. Smythe may rethink his entire pursuit of a professional MMA career when I’m finished with him. The pressure I’m going to bring would melt any of these amateur flyweights in New England and come February they will all be on notice.”

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