Category Archives: New England Fights

NEF ANNOUNCES BIGGEST FIGHT CARD IT HAS EVER BROUGHT TO BANGOR

Bangor, Maine (August 24, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  The event will mark the fourth time since 2013 that NEF has visited the Queen City. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the full fight card planned for the evening. 

 

 

 

The exciting main event will feature two popular Bangor-area athletes doing battle as Jon Lemke (7-8) meets Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-2) in a lightweight contest.  Lemke, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, trains with Titan Athletics in neighboring Brewer, Maine, while Lacey represents Young’s MMA of Bangor. 

 

 

 

The co-main event will see Lacey’s teammate, and reigning NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, “The” Ryan Sanders (16-9) taking on Armando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-6) in a non-title welterweight scrap.  Sanders is coming off a huge submission win earlier this summer in Portland, Maine.  Montoya, who represents First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine, will debut in the Pine Tree State after a decade-long career on the southwest MMA circuit.

 

 

 

In another highly-anticipated professional fight, Caleb Hall (1-0) of the Choi Institute in Portland will face another Young’s MMA team member in the form of CJ Ewer (3-1).  After a successful amateur career that saw him capture the NEF Amateur Featherweight Title, Hall impressed with a first-round submission of veteran John Ortolani (8-12) earlier this year in his pro debut.  Ewer, a member of the United States Air Force security forces, closed out “NEF 30” last August in Bangor winning the promotion’s pro middleweight strap over Mike Hansen (5-9).

 

 

 

The amateur portion of the fight card will be headlined by a title fight as Pat “PK” Kelly (4-0) puts both his lightweight belt and undefeated record on the line against the challenge of Ed Forlenza (2-2).  Kelly, who turned 54 last week, is a legend of Maine wrestling mats as both a competitor and coach and a member of the Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame.  He vows that this will be the final fight of his MMA career.  Forlenza took the fight on short notice after Kelly’s previous challenger dropped out due to injury.  He is a member of team Juniko based in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Forlenza is no stranger to the NEF cage.  He won his amateur debut at “NEF 23” in the summer of 2016 on Cape Cod.

 

 

 

Speaking of wrestling coaches, “NEF 35” will also feature the amateur debut of Shawn Costigan (0-0). Costigan is a member of the Bucksport High School wrestling coaching staff.  He will represent Young’s MMA in his cage debut when he takes on the fellow-debuting David Hills (0-0).

 

 

 

Also on the amateur card will be the brother of CJ Ewer, Roger Ewer (1-0).  A pharmacist by day, Roger made his amateur debut last year at “NEF 30” in Bangor with a second round technical knockout of Dustin Freeman (0-1).  At “NEF 35,” he will take on Jason Hanley (0-0) of Orchard Park Martial Arts in western New York state.

 

 

 

The full “NEF 35” fight card (subject to change):

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

 

 

155 Aaron Lacey 5-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Jon Lemke 7-8 (Titan Athletics)

 

 

 

170 Ryan Sanders 16-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Armando Montoya 10-6 (First Class MMA)

 

 

 

185 Crowsneck Boutin 2-3 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Mark Gardner 0-0 (The Academy)

 

 

 

155 CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs  Caleb Hall 1-0 (Choi Insistute)

 

 

 

155 Josh Harvey 4-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jay Ellis 15-77 (Team Knockout)

 

 

 

145 Zenon Herrera 1-6 (Team SMOG) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi Institute)

 

 

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

 

 

155* Title Pat Kelly 4-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Ed Forlenza 2-2 (Juniko)

 

 

 

170 David Hart 0-3 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Christian Barrett 1-0 (First Class MMA)

 

 

 

155 Zac Richard 1-0 (Nostos) vs Clifford Redman 0-5 (Independent)

 

 

 

150 Taylor Bartlett 1-1 (CMBJJ) vs Jacob Deppmeyer 1-1 (First Class MMA)

 

 

 

265 Roger Ewer 1-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jason Hanley 0-0 (Orchard Park Martial Arts)

 

 

 

180 Jordan Norman 0-1 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Brandon Schwinck 0-2 (Independent)

 

 

 

145 Joe Howard 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Young 0-1 (Independent)

 

 

 

155 Jesse Fitzsimmons 0-0 (Nostos) vs AJ Morales 0-0 (Orchard Park Martial Arts)

 

 

 

145 Shawn Costigan 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs David Hills 0-0 (Independent)

 

 

 

135 Nate Boucher 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Joshua Greenlaw 0-2 (Independent)

 

 

 

160 Andrew Brown 0-0 (Nostos) vs Chris Lachcik 0-0 (Independent)

BOUTIN IS BACK AND GARDNER TURNS PRO AT NEF 35 IN BANGOR

 

 

Bangor, Maine (August 20, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional middleweight bout to the card.  Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) will return to the cage to take on Mark “Pockets” Gardner (0-0) at a fight weight of 185-pounds.

 

 

 

It will have been two years almost to the day since Boutin last competed in the NEF cage.  That September night in 2016 he was defeated by Jesse Erickson (9-7) at “NEF 25.”  Since that time, Boutin has become an instructor with a new team, Bad Little Falls Dojo, based in Machias, Maine and has concentrated on raising his young daughter.  He will look to recapture the glory of his 2014 season when he went 3-0, including two first-round knockouts, in the NEF cage and was voted “Fighter of the Year” by fans.

 

 

 

“I am blessed with this opportunity to go to war inside the NEF cage,” said Boutin.  “Past two years, I’ve been fighting for my sweet princess, Iola Soule. I possess new light, and I’d whoop the old me’s ass. I am still aboard this ride. I am a revenant.”

 

 

 

Mark Gardner has had a stellar first year with NEF.  Last November, he debuted with a second-round technical knockout of Carlton Charles (2-2) at “NEF 31.”  He would follow up that success with a pair of first-round finishes this year, including a submission victory by arm bar earlier this summer at “NEF 34.”  In all, he finished his amateur career a perfect 3-0.  Gardner is a product of the Academy of Mixed Martial Arts based in Portland, Maine.

 

 

 

“I can’t wait to fight Crowsneck in September,” said Gardner.  “To be able to make my pro debut so soon after three good fights is pretty rad. I’ve been training hard for this and I can’t wait to see it pay off in there.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

 

 

VETERAN WEST COAST FIGHTER MONTOYA FINDS A NEW HOME IN MAINE MMA SCENE

Brunswick, Maine (August 15, 2018) – It’s absolutely no secret that few New England lightweights have raised their fists to volunteer for a mixed martial arts showdown with “The” Ryan Sanders in recent years.

 

The competition at welterweight isn’t clamoring for a date with Sanders, either, although a newcomer to the region with ties to another hotbed of the sport is eager to embrace the challenge at “New England Fights 35: Wicked Season.”

 

Armando “Chino” Montoya, a veteran of 16 professional bouts, and linked closely with a pioneering figure in combat sports, will answer the call Saturday, September 8. The bout will take place on Sanders’ home turf at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Opening bell time is 7 p.m.

 

“(NEF co-owner and matchmaker) Matt Peterson asked me if I wanted to fight, and I was happy to take it,” Montoya said. “I like to push myself. I don’t like easy fights.”

 

That attitude is a product of both Montoya’s cultural and professional background.

He’s proud to be a first-generation Mexican-American and a product of the relentless, fighting culture that has made his parents’ homeland such a force in boxing and MMA.

 

While living, working and fighting in California, he was a student of Thomas “Wildman” Denny, a veteran with almost 50 pro fights under his belt.

 

“That’s a name well-known to longtime fans of the sport,” Peterson said. “Denny was known for always having exciting fights, win or lose, and I know he instilled some of that mentality in his students, such as Armando.”

 

Montoya (10-6) fought primarily in California, Colorado and New Mexico. He was in line to fight on a UFC card in Wyoming when a hand injury forced him to withdraw from the bout.

 

Although work and family commitments have slowed his pace in recent years, only five years separate him from a six-fight win streak.

 

“I’ve fought the top local guys wherever I’ve been my whole career. I fought against guys who wound up fighting for UFC or Strikeforce,” Montoya said. “I’m 38, which I know is pretty old in this business, but I still like to challenge myself. It’s become more like a hobby. I have to work and support my family, but when the opportunities have come up, I love to train and give it a shot.”

 

A union carpenter by trade, Montoya sought more lucrative opportunities in that realm. Maine wound up on his radar because it is his mother-in-law’s home.

After the move, Montoya sought a local gym where he could continue to hone his craft in the martial arts. At 6-foot-3, having spent much of his career at middleweight, Montoya said he didn’t find many sparring partners his size.

 

“Then I was working in Portland and the superintendent there was a friend of John Raio,” Montoya recalled. “He said, ‘You should check out First Class MMA in Brunswick,’ so I did.”

 

Both family-oriented men with a passion for the sport and their shared faith, Raio and Montoya became fast friends.

 

“Armando is a strong leader and our most experienced fighter,” Raio said. “He’s the most humble guy you will ever meet and a devout Christian. His warm presence and willingness to share his knowledge and experience at First Class MMA make him a strong asset to our gym. He has been a huge reason for the growth of our students. I’m honored to call him my fighter and a great friend. He’s like family to me.”

 

First Class doesn’t have many exact matchups for the newcomer’s body type, either, but Montoya likes the mix of personalities and youthful exuberance.

 

“It’s exciting to see other people so excited about the sport,” Montoya said. “First Class has a lot of young guys who are just starting out, that have had one or two fights.”

 

Montoya’s first inclination is a stand-up clash. Most of his opponents have been substantially shorter, though, and prefer ground-and-pound affairs in which his reach advantage is less of a factor. He said he enjoys the contrast of styles.

 

Sanders (16-9) is the clear favorite. In his prime at 31, undefeated through his past seven sojourns in the NEF hexagon, he has been more active than his unfamiliar opponent.

 

“Unfamiliar” is the operative word. The unknowns – namely Montoya’s vast experience against a different talent pool – make it a can’t-miss matchup.

 

Montoya can appreciate the challenge Sanders will face in ascending a class to face him.

 

“I’m used to being the one going up in weight,” he said. “Being 6-foot-3, I’m used to bumping up from 170 to 185. It’s kind of cool being on the other side this time.”

While Montoya is quick to acknowledge God for his forward motion in life, he gives MMA proper credit for its role in his salvation, as well.

 

Before entering the amateur ranks at age 25, ‘Mando’ spent five years in federal prison and walked out mad at the world.

 

“I had a lot of anger issues,” he said. “This sport showed me how to take out that anger in a constructive way. I didn’t need to fight in the bars and the clubs anymore.”

 

Many have gained from Montoya’s personal triumphs. Now, add NEF’s devoted fan base to that list.

 

“We’re lucky to have someone of Armando’s caliber stepping up to face Ryan,” Peterson said. “As if this card weren’t already exciting enough, now we have this added fight to thrill the Bangor fans. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.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.

MONTOYA STEPS UP TO FACE SANDERS ON SEPTEMBER 8 IN BANGOR

Bangor, Maine (August 8, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional welterweight bout to the card.  “The” Ryan Sanders (16-9) will face Armando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-6) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.

The bout will be the third for Sanders in front of his hometown friends, family and fans.  He is undefeated in the Queen City, where Sanders trains at Young’s MMA. He scored a decision over Derrick Kennington (13-11) two years ago at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” and a submission of Jay Ellis (15-78) last year at the Cross.  Overall, Sanders is on a roll, having won six of his last seven.  During that stretch, he captured the NEF Professional Lightweight Title, knocked out veteran John Ortolani (8-13) in a mere 15-seconds, and literally tore Vince McGuiness’ (5-8) arm out of its socket earlier this summer at “NEF 34” in Portland, Maine.

Unfortunately for Sanders, his meteoric rise to the top of New England’s 155-pound division over the course of the last two years has come with consequences.  He has called out virtually every other top lightweight prospect in the region in recent months with the sound of crickets as the only response.  It is a testament to both Sanders’ skill and the respect, (or fear for that matter), that his peers hold for him.  Hence Sanders’ move to the heavier welterweight division to find opponents willing to step in the cage across from him.

“I am excited that I get another chance to fight in my backyard,” said Sanders. “I appreciate Montoya for taking this fight because not many men are willing to fight me regionally. I look forward to displaying my ever evolving tool set come September 8 and getting another step closer to being the best in the world. It’ll be a great night for Young’s MMA and myself.”

Armando Montoya is a longtime veteran of the MMA cage.  He started his professional career back in 2009 on the West Coast and has competed extensively throughout the Southwest over the years.  Montoya has fought for national promotions like King of the Cage and the Resurrection Fighting Alliance.  Recently, Montoya relocated to Maine where he trains with First Class MMA in Brunswick.  The bout with Sanders will be his first fight back from a layoff that began in early 2017.

“I’m excited to be fighting again after a year and a half off,” said Montoya. “Thanks to NEF and Maine for the opportunity to be able to fight for an awesome promotion. Thanks to Sanders.  It’s exciting to fight a worthy opponent in September. God is good, God bless us all!”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

PAT KELLY TO COMPETE IN FINAL MMA FIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 8 IN BANGOR

 

Maine (August 7, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight title fight to the card.  Pat Kelly (4-0) is scheduled to defend his strap against the challenge of fellow undefeated MMA competitor Tim Manning (2-0).

 

 

 

The fight will be the final contest for the 53-year-old Kelly who began competing in MMA four years ago in his late 40s.  He brought to the cage unmatched wrestling credentials earned through a lifetime on the mats.  Kelly is nothing short of a legend in Maine wrestling circles.  He won a state championship as a senior competing for the former Camden-Rockport High School.  Kelly went on to wrestle for the University of Maine where he claimed a New England title and competed in the national NCAA championships.  Later, as a coach Kelly would lead Camden-Rockport and Camden Hills Regional High School to multiple state championships.  Among the students he coached is current UFC star Tim Boetsch (21-11).  Kelly was inducted into the Maine Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007.

 

 

 

“I started this journey five years ago in Bangor with Young’s MMA,” said Kelly. “It is only fitting I have my farewell fight in the same great city.  I am very grateful to NEF for the opportunity to fight in their cage and ultimately win an ammy title.  To me, age is simply a number.  I have searched for tough and competitive challenges my entire career, and this fight is certainly another big challenge.”

 

 

 

For all his accomplishments in wrestling, Kelly’s time in the MMA cage has been impressive as well.  He was able to finish his first three bouts on his way to earning a crack at the NEF Amateur Lightweight Championship.  Last summer at “NEF 29,” Kelly handed then-undefeated Rafael Velado (4-1), an athlete fourteen years Kelly’s junior, the first loss of his career to claim the belt.  Over a year later, Kelly promises to bring his trademark intensity to both his training camp at Young’s MMA and his final fight on September 8.

 

 

 

“I train hard, period,” exclaimed Kelly. “And I am sure my opponent does the same thing, and that’s what it is all about – the willingness to prepare to win.  Additionally, it is important for me to let coach Chris Young and Ernie Fitch know that I truly have appreciated them letting me become a part of the Young’s MMA family.  To my teammates at Young’s and to all my fans – thanks for the ride… I have enjoyed you all.”

 

 

 

Kelly’s challenger on September 8, Tim Manning, is also undefeated.  Fighting out of F2 Arena in Gainesville, Florida, Manning is nicknamed “Murder” for good reason.  It took Manning a mere 37-seconds to submit his opponent with an armbar in his amateur debut last fall.  He followed up that performance with another impressive first round submission earlier this year in his sophomore cage appearance.

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.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.

JOSH HARVEY TO MAKE LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO MMA CAGE AT NEF 35 IN BANGOR

 

 

 

Bangor, Maine (July 16, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card.  Josh “Hook On” Harvey (4-0) will return to the cage to take on Jay Ellis (15-79) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

 

 

The fight with Ellis will take place just over 16 months since the last time Harvey did battle in the NEF cage.  The former amateur lightweight champion is undefeated thus far in his professional career.  Harvey has entered the cage four times in the pro ranks and has finished all four opponents in the first round with two knockouts and two submissions to his credit.  He is a member of Young’s MMA based in Bangor, and “NEF 35” will be Harvey’s first opportunity to fight in front of his hometown fans, family and friends since “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” which took place at the Cross Insurance Center in August 2016.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to display the improvements I made since my last fight,” Harvey said. “Thankful for any opponent willing to hook on, will be one for the highlight reel for sure!”

 

 

 

Harvey’s opponent, Jay Ellis, is a longtime veteran of the sport based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he trains with Team Knockout.  Ellis regularly travels to New England to compete and has gained a cult following throughout the region. Last summer, he shocked Bangor fight fans by taking the fight to Ryan Sanders (16-9) and nearly upsetting the hometown favorite with a submission attempt before Sanders was able to score a come-from-behind victory.

 

 

 

“I’m so happy to be coming back to Maine to put on another great performance,” stated Ellis when reached for comment. “This time my hand will be raised high as the victorious one.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

EWER AND HALL ON COLLISION COURSE FOR NEF 35 IN BANGOR

 

 

 

Maine (July 13, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card.  CJ Ewer (3-1) is scheduled to face Caleb Hall (1-0) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

 

 

Ewer headlined the previous NEF card in Bangor with a win over Mike Hansen (5-9) last August to claim the professional middleweight title of the promotion.  Earlier this year, he tried to become the first multi-division champion in NEF history when he met Kemran Lachinov (5-2) for the welterweight strap.  It was not to be, however, as Ewer suffered his first professional loss that February evening at “NEF 32.”  A member of Bangor’s Young’s MMA who proudly serves his country with the United States Air Force security forces, Ewer will look to rebound from that loss against Hall this September.

 

 

 

“Caleb has improved exponentially every single fight, and he looked amazing his last fight,” said Ewer of his opponent. “Caleb will go very far in this sport, but I am going to make sure he doesn’t do it at my expense. It’s going to be a very tough, very exciting fight for sure.”

 

 

 

Caleb Hall surprised many fans when he arrived for “NEF 33” weigh-ins this spring.  The one-time amateur featherweight titleholder looked like a monster version of his former self after bulking up with ten pounds of muscle for his professional debut at lightweight.  The next night, Hall squeezed the proverbial life out of rugged veteran John Ortolani (8-13) with a Von Flue choke to pick up his first pro victory.  The impressive performance sent a message to the New England MMA scene that Hall had indeed arrived in the pro ranks.  Hall is a product of the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine and a two-time state wrestling champion out of Dirigo High School in Dixfield, Maine.

 

 

 

“I am looking forward to making another statement with a win over Ewer in his hometown,” stated Hall. “He’s a tough fighter, and I can’t wait to get in there and fight.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

BANGOR FAN FAVORITES WILL DO BATTLE ON NEF 35 FIGHT CARD

 

 

 

Bangor, Maine (July 12, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card.  Jon Lemke (7-8) will meet Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-2) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

 

 

Lemke is an eleven-fight veteran of the NEF cage and a perennial top contender in the promotion’s lightweight division.  A member of Titan Athletics based in neighboring Brewer, Maine, Lemke has developed a massive following out of the Bangor area.  He is a four-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps.  One of the highlights of Lemke’s career was scoring a victory over Jesse Erickson (9-7) before a nationally televised audience on the NEF co-promoted Bellator 93 event in Lewiston, Maine.  He is coming off a unanimous decision win against Josh LaBerge (11-7) in Rhode Island last fall.

 

 

 

“It is with great excitement and anticipation that I step back into the NEF cage to fight in front of my hometown friends and fans,” said Lemke. “It is with equal enthusiasm that I fight Aaron Lacey, who is one of the best fighters in New England. This is going to be an absolute battle that fans will not want to miss.”

 

 

 

For Lacey, the bout with Lemke will be the first time he has fought in the lightweight division since his amateur career. Lacey was victorious over Dom Cofone (6-6) in a 150-pound catchweight contest in the spring of 2014.  Since that fight, Lacey has competed nine times – all in the 145-pound featherweight division.  The fight with Lemke presents an opportunity for Lacey to once again compete before his hometown fans and friends in the Queen City.  A member of Bangor’s Young’s MMA, Lacey was scheduled to appear on NEF’s previous event at the Cross Insurance Center in the summer of 2017, but his opponent was forced out of the bout just hours prior to bell time when it was discovered that he was serving a medical suspension for a boxing loss in another jurisdiction.  Lacey will look to bounce back from a loss to top prospect Da’Mon Blackshear (5-1) last month at “NEF 34” in Portland, Maine.

 

 

 

“I’m so excited to be fighting in Bangor,” exclaimed Lacey.  “Last time I was slated to fight in Bangor it did not work out. My last fight (Blackshear) didn’t go my way, and I’m looking to fix some mistakes this fight. It won’t be easy for him.  He will suffer, and I will test and then break his will! Bangor is my home, and I will defend it.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

NEF AND BRANDON BUSHAW TO SEND YOUNG ATHLETES TO USM WRESTLING CLINIC

Gorham, Maine (June 22, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) announced earlier today that the fight promotion would once again sponsor an athlete at this year’s Brawlin’ Lobsta Wrestling Clinic & Tournament.  The camp is set to take place at the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine (USM) from July 17 to July 22 For the fifth year in a row, NEF will select one winner for which the fight promotion will cover tuition to the program.

 

 

 

“It’s a thrill for us to once again be supporting the Brawlin’ Lobsta Wrestling Clinic,” stated NEF co-owner and Matchmaker Matt Peterson. “This year it’s all the more exciting to be partnering with Maine wrestling legend Brandon Bushaw to send not one, but two wrestlers to clinic. Mike Morin’s USM program is exploding and with the latest round of recruits that he’s brought in, I have no doubt that they will be a threat at the national level within the next two to three seasons. I encourage every Maine wrestler to apply for this scholarship to earn a chance to work with Morin’s decorated staff clinicians. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to sharpen your skills, as well as learn some new ones, during the off-season.”

 

 

 

Additionally, NEF MMA veteran Brandon Bushaw has also agreed to sponsor an athlete in the program this year.  Now a business owner residing in South Carolina, Bushaw cut his teeth on the mats growing up in Westbrook, Maine.  He won two Maine state titles wrestling for Westbrook High School.  After high school, Bushaw went on to wrestle for Michigan State University where he was a teammate of current UFC competitors Rashad Evans and Gray Maynard.  He is a member of the Maine Wrestling Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

“I attended Boston University wrestling camp between my sophomore and junior seasons in high school,” recalled Bushaw. “Not only did it change me as a wrestler, but I really feel that it changed me as a person. I have attended and coached many camps, and the life lessons you learn there are very important. I am proud to sponsor a young wrestler to attend USM’s Brawlin’ Lobsta wrestling clinic because I feel it is important to give back to a sport and community that has given me so much!”

 

 

 

Camp instructors Mike Morin and Jon Deupree have both competed in the MMA cage in the past.  Morin is the head wrestling coach at USM and a two-time All-American.  Deupree is an assistant coach with USM.  He was a two-time NCAA national qualifier wrestling for the Huskies.

 

 

 

“I would like to thank NEF for supporting USM wrestling and sponsoring another wrestler to attend the Brawlin’ Lobsta Camp this summer,” said Morin. “This sponsorship is huge in allowing kids to have the opportunity to wrestle year-round who might not have that opportunity otherwise. It’s great for our program at USM and great for the state as a whole to get better in the sport of wrestling!”

 

 

 

Interested contestants are asked to submit a photograph of themselves wrestling via email to newenglandfights@gmail.comalong with a brief statement of 100 words or less detailing why they believe the clinic will help them achieve their goals. The winners will also each receive a pair of tickets to “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” as well as an NEF apparel package to wear during the clinic.

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

FINISHES GALORE HIGHLIGHT NEF 34 FIGHT NIGHT IN PORTLAND; NEF ANNOUNCES RETURN TO BANGOR

 

Portland, Maine (June 17, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) made its return to Portland, Maine on Saturday night with the fight promotion’s latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave.”  A jam-packed house of fight fans took in the action as NEF fighters delivered the non-stop excitement from bell to bell in what many are calling one of the best events the company has ever produced.

 

 

 

On a card featuring a total of 18 fights, the judges’ scorecards were not needed until the thirteenth bout of the evening.  Prior to that time, the early card featured a plethora of exciting finishes including a pair of D’Arce Chokes courtesy of Angelo Rizzitello (2-1) and Henry Clark (4-4) and highlight-reel knockouts by Cody Rolling (5-5) and Zac Lawrence (1-0).  Thirteen of the evening’s fights ended in the first round.

 

 

 

Kam Arnold (4-0) and Killian Murphy (1-1) waged an absolute war for the vacant amateur bantamweight title in what made history as the first amateur fight in Maine to ever go beyond the old three-round limit.  Arnold claimed the title with a fourth-round knockout in a bout that will certainly be a contender for “Fight of the Year” this December when voting begins.

 

 

 

Not to be outdone, Carlton Charles (2-2) and Duncan “The Highlander” Smith (3-2) took their amateur welterweight title fight into the fourth round as well.  Smith took the gold home after putting Charles out with a rear-naked choke.

 

 

 

On the professional side of the card, Young’s MMA teammates “The” Ryan Sanders (16-9) and Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-2) were in action.  Sanders submitted Vince McGuiness (5-8) with just seconds remaining in the first round while Lacey lost a unanimous decision to Da’Mon Blackshear (5-1) in the main event.

 

 

 

NEF announced that its next MMA event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” would originate from the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on September 8, 2018.  Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Monday morning at 10 am.  A pre-sale for online tickets started Saturday night at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com with pre-sale code “NEF.”

 

 

 

The full results from Portland, Maine:

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

Da’mon Blackshear def. Aaron Lacey via unanimous decision

 

 

Ryan Sanders def. Vince McGuiness via armbar, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

Duncan Smith def. Carlton Charles via rear-naked choke, round 4

 

Kam Arnold def. Killian Murphy via KO, round 4

 

Mark Gardner def. Eric Camacho via armbar, round 1

 

 

Glenn Kasabian def. Jordan Young via unanimous decision

 

 

Glory Watson def. Chelsea Tucker via TKO, round 1

 

 

Carter Labrecque def. Josiah Kenney via TKO, round 1

 

 

Angelo Rizzitello def. Clifford Redman via D’Arce Choke, round 1

 

 

Zac Lawrence def. Jordan Norman via KO, round 1

 

 

Henry Clark def. Jack Greene via D’Arce Choke, round 1

 

 

Curtis Ouellette def. Dalton Dunphy via TKO, round 2

 

 

Brady MacDonald def. Greg Waterbury via guillotine, round 1

 

 

Cody Rolling def. Mike Williams via KO, round 1

 

 

Sarah Matulis def. Carol Linn Powell via rear-naked choke, round 1

 

 

Joe Howard def. Brandon Clark via guillotine, round 1

 

 

Christian Barrett def. Brandon Schwinck via TKO, round 1

 

Taylor Bartlett def. Delmarkis Edwards via TKO, round 1

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  The ticket pre-sale is happening now online at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com with pre-sale code NEF.  Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Monday morning, June 18 at 10:00 am EDT.