Category Archives: New England Fights

EWER & GARDNER TO MEET AT CATCH WEIGHT AT NEF 37 IN BANGOR


Bangor, Maine (December 17, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: Sub Zero,” on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the card.  CJ Ewer (3-2) will take on Mark “Pockets” Gardner (0-0) at a fight weight of 180-pounds.

CJ Ewer is the reigning NEF Professional Middleweight Champion, having submitted Mike Hansen at “NEF 30” in August 2017 to claim the title.  It was a special night for Ewer, not only as a night he would capture his first gold as a professional, but also as the night he got to compete on the same card with his brother Roger (1-0) in front of their many friends and family.  “NEF 37” will be the second time the Ewer brothers fight on a card together as Roger is scheduled to be in amateur heavyweight action against Bryce Bamford (2-0).  The Ewers represent Young’s MMA of Bangor.

“Mark has proven himself as a very tough competitor, and I have all the respect in the world for his gym and his coaches at The Academy,” said CJ Ewer.  “It will be a very tough, great fight for the fans. The last time Roger and I fought on the same card was the most memorable night of my MMA career when I won the middleweight title.  I’m looking forward to having another memorable night February 1st.”

Mark Gardner will make his professional debut at “NEF 37” after an amateur career that saw him put together a perfect 3-0 record.  He finished all three of his opponents, including a pair of first-round submissions.  Gardner, who trains with The Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine, was scheduled to make his professional debut at “NEF 35” earlier this year, but his opponent pulled out on the day of the fight.  That setback has made Gardner more determined than ever to get back in the cage for battle.

“I’m pretty excited to get in there and fight again in February,” said Gardner.  “I’ve been training hard since the last one. I’ve seen CJ fight a couple times now and the dude’s tough for sure. It’s going to be a good one.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm.  Tickets are on-sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

NATE BOUCHER HAS SIGHTS SET ON FLYWEIGHT TITLE AS NEF 2019 SEASON OPENS

Bangor, Maine (December 14, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: Sub Zero,” on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur bantamweight fight to the card.  Nate Boucher (3-3) will take on Dillon Henry (0-0) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

Nate Boucher will step into the NEF cage to compete for the seventh time at “NEF 37.”  He started his amateur career at a perfect 2-0 before challenging Justin Witham (4-4) for the NEF Amateur Flyweight Title.  Boucher would lose a very close split decision in that fight and then another split decision in his next fight against fellow Mountain Valley High School wrestling alum Ryan Burgess (3-2).  After rebounding from a three-fight skid with an impressive first-round submission of Jordan Young last month at “NEF 36,” Boucher now has his sights set on capturing the flyweight title that has eluded him to date.  He trains with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Lewiston, Maine.

“I’m grateful to Dillon for stepping up and taking this bout,” said Boucher. “I’m in a growth season in the sport. My skills and techniques are constantly expanding as I continue toward my goal of becoming the NEF flyweight champion in 2019—and I’m not stopping until I get there.”

Dillon Henry will make his MMA debut at “NEF 37.”  Like Boucher, Henry comes from a wrestling background having competed for Windham High School in Windham, Maine.  Currently, he trains with First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine.  Henry has every intention of playing the spoiler to Boucher’s title aspirations in 2019.  He trains with Walt Shea (3-1) – the last fighter to hand Boucher a loss – and Henry feels this will give him the edge in the upcoming bout.

“I hold Nate, his skills and the teams he trains with to a high regard,” stated Henry, “but plain and simple – I’m bringing a diverse skillset to this fight, and I plan on walking away with that ‘W.’”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm.  Tickets are on-sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

RICKY DEXTER RETURNS TO CAGE AGAINST RUBEN REDMAN IN BANGOR

Bangor, Maine (December 11, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: Sub Zero,” on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional welterweight fight to the card.  Ricky Dexter (1-0) is scheduled to face Ruben Redman (0-2) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.

Ricky Dexter will return to the NEF cage after a two-year absence.  It was in February of 2017 that Dexter made his professional debut, knocking out Matt Denning (5-8) in the first round with a brutal body shot at “NEF 27.”  It was the perfect exclamation mark to start his professional career after a stellar amateur run that saw Dexter amass a record of 5-2 and capture the NEF Amateur Welterweight Title.  He is currently a member of Young’s MMA based in Bangor, and he looks forward to fighting for the first time in front of his home crowd.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic to be  finally fighting on my home turf,” said Dexter. “I’m getting pushed by some of the best fighters in New England every day. On top of that, I’ve got a MMA mastermind in my corner, Chris Young, who’s sharpening my technique and working out the kinks. Come February 1st, you will see a completely different and evolved fighter.”

Ruben Redman will likewise return to the NEF cage after an extended absence.  Redman last competed in August 2016 in Bangor.  He will be looking for his first victory as a professional.  Redman’s last win came in his amateur days when he scored a technical knockout in the first round against Heath Hanson (1-3) at “NEF 13” in June 2015.

“I’m healthy and ready for a great fight—that’s all I can say,” stated Redman. “The rest will be determined when the cage door locks.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 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.

ZAC RICHARD RELISHES UNDERDOG ROLE IN UPCOMING FIGHT WITH FRED LEAR

Bangor, Maine (December 10, 2018) – It has been a meteoric rise through the New England Fights enterprise for Zac Richard, who will celebrate one year since he started training in the sport by fighting for the featherweight title on February 1st.

Richard, a state champion high school wrestler with three first-round stoppages to his credit since he transitioned from the mat to mixed martial arts, will face former bantamweight champion Fred Lear for the vacant 145-pound strap at NEF 37: “Sub Zero.” The fight will be held at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

In a recent interview with Ryan Jarrell and Bryan Stackpole for the Between Rounds Radio podcast, Richard noted that MMA has given him balance and structure after a tumultuous time in his personal and family life. Richard’s last fight, a 51-second stoppage of Chris Lachcik by rear naked choke, took place one day before the six-year anniversary of his sister Lacy’s death from cancer.

“Every year around this time, I always found myself making bad decisions or being down in the dumps. This year I had something to take my anger out and have all those people come out and support, so it was pretty awesome. It’s the best mindset I’ve ever been in for a fight, that’s for sure,” Richard said.

NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson knew he had a fighter on his hands the moment Richard signed with the organization.

Anyone who thinks the opportunity is being extended too soon probably isn’t familiar with the fighter, his background or his disposition.

“After watching Zac wrestle for almost a decade, I knew that his aggressive, go-for-broke style against the toughest competition that he could find would translate well to the mixed martial arts cage,” Peterson said. “He welcomes a challenge, and he never hesitated for a second when I offered him the opportunity to face a decorated veteran, Fred Lear, for the featherweight championship.”

A graduate of Massabesic High School in Waterboro, Richard said he started training in 2018 as part of a new year’s resolution.

That journey took him an hour away to Nostos MMA in Somersworth, New Hampshire, where his dogged determination and raw talent caught the eye of none other than Devin Powell, the former NEF Lightweight Champion and current UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) competitor.

“On the weekends after work, I did nothing. I might go to the bar or something. I kind of felt like I was wasting my time. I used to wrestle, and that was all I did. I didn’t want to go to college and wrestle, because there was nothing I wanted to go to college for,” Richard said. “I was like, ‘I’m going to try mixed martial arts.’ I just walked in, started slamming people and stuff, not tapping, and after a while Devin was like, ‘Hey, who are you?’ And then we kind of just hit off and started training.”

Richard said friends and family, at first, didn’t believe him when he told them of the connection to the local celebrity turned worldwide fighter.

“It’s crazy, telling people. They think I’m joking. Then I’ll post pictures with (Powell) on Instagram and Facebook and people start hearing about it,” Richard said. “It’s good to know you can make it. It’s good to have a coach who’s living it in the UFC. He’s fighting his heart out, getting hurt and still going. He makes some good media, so it’s pretty cool.”

Richard recently relocated by renting an apartment across the street from the gym, providing further evidence of his commitment.

Working with Powell has its privileges, but it also comes with a lighter side. Richard elicited a few laughs on the program when he relayed the story of his mentor adopting a baby pig. It’s a free-range animal, he reported, wandering the gym right along with Powell’s fighters.

“He loves that thing. When we went to Las Vegas, he was talking about it and said, ‘I’m gonna get a pig.’ And I’m like, ‘OK, Devin.’ Then one day I went on Instagram and watched his story and I’m like, ‘No, he didn’t.’ I’d like to follow some of his footsteps, but not the pig one,” Richard said. “I’m pretty sure it’s like a teacup pig, but it’s kind of big, so guess we’ll just have to see. Hopefully he didn’t get lied to. He’s going to be kind of upset when there’s a full-grown pig running around Nostos every day.”

Richard and Lear will meet in the middle in terms of weight for their title bout.

Lear, out of Young’s MMA in Bangor hasn’t fought since his victory over Walt Shea for the 135-pound title in August 2017. Richard will come down in weight after tackling his past two outings at 155, not far below his typical walking-around weight of 160 to 165.

It will be a challenge in the cold Maine winter. Richard, who is a mechanic by trade, said his job helps him sweat out the pounds during summer.

“I’m always fluctuating. Knowing that I’ve been fighting at 155 my past two fights, I’ve been eating whatever and lifting, walking around about 165,” Richard said. “I’m used to cutting weight for wrestling. I’d like to see myself at 145 from here on out. I don’t feel the need to cut that much weight for a fight. It’s only amateurs, and I don’t know when I’ll go pro or if I’ll go pro. I just now got a strength and conditioning coach at the Brickhouse in Sanford, so we’ll see where it goes. 145 is where I see myself.”

“I know Zac’s parents, and he comes from a wonderful family. They always did everything that they could to support him, going above and beyond during his wrestling career,” Peterson said. “He’s young and athletic and has the confidence to complement his genetic gifts. Fred is an experienced champion that has faced all manner of fighters over the course of his eight MMA bouts. Both guys know how to wrestle. Both come from respected gyms. It’s a match befitting our return to Bangor in February.”

That shared wrestling background made the fight with Lear (6-2) attractive to Richard.

In addition to being on enemy territory in Lear’s hometown, Richard expects to be seen as the underdog due to the opponent’s previous title fight experience.

“I don’t really care about the noise that much. I always liked being the underdog in wrestling,” Richard said. “I’ve got nothing to lose. If his crowd ‘s there and chanting his name, whatever. It’s just more noise.”

Richard said he has never been much for watching film of opponents, knowing that tactics can turn on a dime. He has watched two of the bouts in Lear’s archive, though, and both expects and craves a battle for the ages.

“I want it to go into deep water,” he said. “I’ve had three fights, and not to sound cocky, but they’ve all been pretty quick. I want a war. That’s why I do it. I train all this time. I want to show my true self and get into a real fight, you know? I think Fred and I will be a good fight. Hopefully it lives up to the expectations I have for it.”

Lear’s year-and-a-half of inactivity is in stark contrast to Richard’s rapid-fire approach since gravitating to the sport. The newcomer hopes that won’t be held against him if he comes out on top.

“I think he’ll be fine. I hope he is. I don’t want any excuses,” Richard said. “I want it to be a straight-up fight with some highlight reels on it. If I lose, I lose, but I’m going to go out swinging if I do.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm.  Tickets are on-sale now atwww.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.

THE HEAVYWEIGHTS ARE READY TO THROW DOWN AT NEF 37 IN BANGOR

Bangor, Maine (December 7, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: Sub Zero,” on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur heavyweight bout to the card.  Bryce Bamford (2-0) is scheduled to take on Roger Ewer (1-0). 

It has been nearly three years since the last time Bryce Bamford stepped into the NEF cage.  The 43-year-old has stopped both of his previous opponents in the first round.  Bamford trains with First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine and is looking forward to returning to the cage to compete once again in front of his many friends and fans.  He is the training partner of former NEF Amateur Heavyweight Champion Nick Gulliver (4-1).

“I’m looking forward to stepping back in the NEF cage,” said Bamford. “I’m coming ready for a hard fight.”

Roger Ewer, a pharmacist by day, will enter the NEF cage for the second time as an amateur.  He debuted in Bangor in August 2017 with a second-round technical knockout victory.  Ewer is a member of Young’s MMA.  “NEF 37” will mark the second time that he has competed on the same card as his brother, and reigning NEF Professional Middleweight Champion, CJ Ewer (3-2).

“I am extremely eager to step into the cage on February 1st,” said Ewer. “I’ve been hard at work in the gym preparing and I am looking forward to facing this opponent. I am honored to represent Young’s MMA in the cage and fighting on the same card as CJ again. I love the energy of the hometown crowd and I know it’s going be one hell of a night”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm.  Tickets are on-sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

LEAR AND RICHARD TO VIE FOR FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AT NEF 37 IN BANGOR

Bangor, Maine (December 6, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: Sub Zero,” on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur featherweight title fight to the card.  Fred Lear (6-2) is scheduled to meet Zac Richard (3-0) for the vacant 145-pound championship.

Fred Lear will look to replicate the success he had the last time he fought in Bangor.  In August 2017, Lear captured the amateur bantamweight strap with a second-round technical knockout of Walt Shea (3-1) at the Cross Insurance Center.

Lear has had a stellar amateur career fighting out of Young’s MMA in Bangor.  Prior to competing in mixed-martial-arts, Lear wrestled for John Bapst High School also based in the Queen City.  He has won his last three in a row in the MMA cage.  Should Lear win the featherweight title, he will become the first competitor in NEF history to hold championships in multiple weight divisions.

“This title fight is an opportunity to develop and grow,” said Lear. “An undefeated opponent with nothing but finishes, I like it—it’s polarizing. I want to turn professional. This is how I get better, that’s all I’m focused on.”

Like Lear, Zac Richard brought a wrestling background with him to the MMA cage.  He won a state championship in 2015 competing for Massabesic High School in Waterboro, Maine.  Richard now trains with Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire under head coach, current UFC competitor, and former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, Devin Powell (9-4).  Richard has finished all three of his previous opponents in the first round.

“I’m very excited for this fight,” said Richard. “The belt is great and all, but it’s just a stepping stone to my goals. I think this is a great opportunity for me to really show the hard work I put in. This fight camp is going to be extremely different for me and I cannot wait to have that cage locked. This fight will be just past the year mark of when I started training in MMA. It’s just the beginning.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm.  Tickets are on-sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

NEF FINISHES 2018 SEASON WITH SOLD-OUT EVENT IN PORTLAND

NEF FINISHES 2018 SEASON WITH SOLD-OUT EVENT IN PORTLAND

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (November 18, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) held its most recent mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” on Saturday night at Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event officially sold-out days prior to doors opening.  It was the fifth and final NEF event of the 2018 season, and what many in attendance insisted was the standout show of the year.

In the main event, Ryan Sanders (18-9) put the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title on the line against Jacob Bohn (7-6).  Sanders retained the championship after the cageside doctor stopped the fight due to a cut on Bohn’s head in the second round.

History was made when Ras Hylton (3-2) and Yorgan De Castro (3-0) faced off to crown the first-ever NEF MMA Professional Cruiserweight Champion in the co-main event.  De Castro captured the strap in dramatic fashion with a violent first-round knockout of Hylton.

Matt Probin (3-0) made his long-awaited NEF debut against Lionel Young (7-16).  Probin remained undefeated in his professional career when he forced a referee stoppage to strikes early in the second round.

In the opening fight of the evening, Taylor Thompson (3-0) and Catie Denning (1-1) waged an absolute war that had the entire crowd on its feet to kick off the amateur card.  Thompson won a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.

Later on in the amateur card, Megan Rosado (0-1) and Glory Watson (2-0) battled back and forth in another crowd-pleasing thriller that went the distance.  Watson was victorious via split decision in a very close fight.

In the third and final women’s fight of the evening, Chelsea Tucker (1-3) picked up the first win of her amateur career with a late-fight technical knockout of BJ Garceau (1-1).

Zac Richard (3-0) remained undefeated with a first-round submission of Chris Lachcik (0-2).  It was a fight that Richard had dedicated to the memory of his older sister Lacey who passed away from cancer six years ago this weekend at the age of 23.

Likewise, in a post fight interview, an emotional Henry Clark (5-4) dedicated his victory over Killian Murphy (1-2) to a friend of his named Justin who recently passed away.

NEF further announced that its next event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” would originate from the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on Friday, February 1, 2019.  The main event will feature Josh “Hook On” Harvey (5-0-1) and Bill “Jonesi” Jones (13-11) squaring off for the vacant NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Title.

The full results from Portland, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL MMA

Ryan Sanders def. Jacob Bohn via doctor stoppage, round 2

Yorgan De Castro def. Ras Hylton via knockout, round 1

Jose Lugo def. Ernesto Ornelas via rear-naked choke, round 1

Matt Probin def. Lionel Young via technical knockout, round 2

 

AMATEUR MMA

Chelsea Tucker def. BJ Garceau via technical knockout, round 3

Henry Clark def. Killian Murphy via unanimous decision

Nate Boucher def. Jordan Young via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

Zac Richard def. Chris Lachcik via tap to rear-naked choke, round 1

Glory Watson def. Megan Rosado via split decision

Ben Peters def. Brandon Maillet-Fevens via verbal submission to Kimura, round 1

Felipe Günter def. Schuyler Vaillancourt via tap to rear-naked choke, round 2

Mohammad Al Kinani def. Clifford Redman via TKO, round 1

Jordan Norman def. Jon Assam via split decision

Taylor Thompson def. Catie Denning via unanimous decision

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm.  Tickets are on-sale now atwww.CrossInsuranceCenter.com now with pre-sale code “NEF.”

ZAC RICHARD FIGHTING IN MEMORY OF HIS SISTER 

Portland, Maine (November 6, 2018) – Two things have provided a compass for Zac Richard through his admittedly challenging journey into young adulthood: Combat sports, and the fighting spirit of his older sister, Lacy.

 

 

Richard will combine those influences in a powerful way when he enters the New England Fights mixed martial arts cage Saturday, November 17 for “NEF 36: Battle For the Gold” at Aura in Portland. Opening bell time is 7 p.m.

 

 

The former high school state champion wrestler from Waterboro, Maine, undefeated in two short MMA forays, will take on Chris Lachcik. It’s a weekend with unforgettable significance for Richard and his family: That weekend will mark the six-year anniversary that Zac’s sister, Lacy, 23, passed away after a battle with cancer.

 

 

“It’s a weird thing losing your sister. It’s certainly going to help motivate me,” Richard said. “A lot of the fans that are going to be there will be wearing T-shirts that we made with my sister’s picture on it. I think it will be an emotional night.”

 

 

Lacy’s death came early in Zac’s sophomore year at Massabesic High School.

 

 

It fueled his development as one of the top schoolboy wrestlers in the state. After losing an overtime decision at the Class A state meet as a junior, Richard finally grabbed 145-pound gold in his senior campaign of 2015.

 

 

“That was always my thing,” Richard said, “I remember a wrestling match my senior year. I was getting my ass kicked by this kid and had no energy to get up. That’s all I could think about was if Lacy could get up, so can I. I ended up winning that match, too, so it’s kind of crazy.”

 

All-state and New England competitions were in play that year, as well, but Richard said his postseason was cut short for disciplinary reasons.

 

 

It began a cycle of a year or two in which Richard – the only remaining child of Glen and Shelly – struggled to find his way in life.

 

 

His relationship with his parents suffered. Memories of their inseparable bond during his wrestling career ultimately provided Zac’s wake-up call.

 

 

“Starting in middle school, my parents drove me to New Hampshire every single day to practice. They drove me all around the country. They bought me a sauna to cut weight in. They always loved the sport,” Richard said, “Once wrestling ended, I was just kind of being a (jerk). They stopped talking to me as much and we weren’t as close.

 

 

“I always missed (wrestling). I had nothing to keep me out of trouble. Wrestling was what always did that for me. It sounds corny, but once 2018 came it was like, “All right, let’s get your (stuff) together.’ It was time to do something with my free time.”

 

 

Richard joined forces with Nostos MMA in Somersworth, New Hampshire, home of former NEF Lightweight Champion and current Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) fighter Devin Powell.

 

 

It didn’t take long for Richard to find a home and follow his mentor into competition. His docket to date includes first-round technical knockouts of Gabriel Diaz and Clifford Redman.

 

 

“Devin is definitely cool. He took me under his wing when I first went in there,” Richard said. “I went to the NEF fights in February when I first started, and he brought me in the cage to get a feel for it and stuff. He’s always given me good advice and told me which fights I should take and which ones I shouldn’t.”

 

 

Coincidentally, both Richard and Powell are preparing for bouts that will take place the same day. Powell’s is on the first-ever UFC card in Argentina.

 

 

“We’re both training right now, so it’s not as one-to-one as much this time, but I love having him as a coach,” Richard said. “I drive 45 minutes every single day because it’s Devin, you know?”

 

 

Richard’s transition to the multi-dimensional MMA arena has been so quick that his repertoire remains a work in progress. He relies heavily on his wrestling acumen and the relentless personality that made him a champion on the mat.

 

 

“I love it because I can actually slam people now,” he said with a laugh. “I was a real scrappy wrestler. I had the most takedowns for my high school, which I crushed the record before me. So those two things help out a lot in MMA, the takedowns and the scrambling, because I don’t practice as much jiu-jitsu as I should. But my wrestling can usually get me out of most situations.

 

 

“I’ve always thought about doing MMA. Growing up as a kid I followed the sport. And I’ve always gotten into fights, so it was like, why not? I kind of hit it off pretty quick, and now I’ve fallen in love and I’m obsessed with it.”

 

 

That focus isn’t lost on Richard’s parents, who are heavily involved in his life – and budding career – once again.

 

 

Together, the family helped raise $33,000 for cancer awareness and research at an annual motorcycle ride in Lacy’s honor this past June.

 

 

Ticket and T-shirt sales also are part of their contribution, but they’re not afraid to get a little dirty, either. When Zac’s boxing coach was unable to attend the last fight, Glen took his place in the corner.

 

 

“My parents are very big supporters,” Richard said, “I love them. I love seeing them be happy with me again.”

 

 

He noted that they drove all the way to Bangor, between two and three hours, for a one-minute fight earlier this year.

 

 

True to his own tradition, Richard hasn’t spent much time watching film of his upcoming opponent.

 

 

“I don’t like to game plan. I just want to go in there and do it. If you fought a guy on the street, you couldn’t watch videos of him. That’s the way I look at it,” Richard said. “All through wrestling, I watched film of one kid because it was my state final and I’d wrested him like 12 times. We went back and forth so it was like, ‘What am I doing wrong?’ But that was different.”

 

 

Richard expects this fight to be a jumping-off point as he tests himself against the top competition NEF has to offer in the year ahead.

 

 

“I’m just going to take any fight I can get against the best guys,” Richard said. “You can sit here and say, ‘I could have been one of the best fighters’ and stuff, but you’ll never know until you try. Every fight I’m going to put my hardest into it.”

 

 

And through all the blood, sweat and tears, one guiding force will remain constant.

 

 

“I’m usually pretty irritated that time of year,” Richard said of Lacy’s anniversary. “Every fight and wrestling match, I’ve just thought to myself if your little sister – well, big sister, but she was tiny – can fight cancer and deal with all this (crap), there’s no way I’m going to back down.”

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.

TITLE FIGHTS HEADLINE FINAL NEF EVENT OF 2018

 

Portland, Maine (November 2, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its final mixed-martial-arts event of 2018, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” on Saturday, November 17 at Aura in Portland, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the fight card for the event featuring a full slate of professional and amateur fights.

 

 

 

The professional side of the card will be headlined by a pair of title fights as Ryan Sanders (17-9) defends the lightweight strap against Jacob Bohn (7-5) and Ras Hylton (3-1) meets Yorgan De Castro (2-0) to crown the first-ever NEF cruiserweight champion.

 

 

 

Sanders has held the lightweight title since April 2017 when he defeated Jon Lemke (7-9) in a tournament final.  He has won a remarkable eight in a row in the NEF cage, not losing on Maine soil in four years.  New York’s Jacob Bohn has won his last two in a row over veterans Kenny Foster (12-13) and Lewis Corapi (8-4) respectively.

 

 

 

Ras Hylton is coming off a highlight-reel elbow knockout of Eric Bedard (6-8) last August.  The 6’6″ resident of South Portland, known to fans as “The Jamaican Shamrock,” is a perfect 3-0 in the NEF cage where he also went 3-0 as an amateur.  Yorgan De Castro is undefeated as a professional, having finished both of his opponents by technical knockout.  The bout will be the first in the newly-created NEF 225-pound cruiserweight division which will fall between the light-heavyweight (205-pound) and heavyweight (265-pound) classes.

 

 

 

Also on the professional card will be a flyweight contest between Portland fan-favorite Ernesto Ornelas (4-7) and undefeated Massachusetts prospect Jose Lugo (3-0).  Ornelas is riding a two-fight win streak while Lugo, nicknamed “El Salvaje,” has finished all three of his opponents.

 

 

 

Matt Probin (2-0) is scheduled to make his long-awaited debut with NEF when he meets veteran Lionel Young (7-15) in a featherweight contest.  Probin has won back-to-back bouts in Vermont via knockout to start his professional career.

 

 

 

As of press time, NEF was still searching for a replacement opponent for Carl Langston (0-1) in a professional featherweight bout after several previous opponents had pulled out.  Interested featherweights should contact NEF matchmakers via email at newenglandfights@gmail.com.  Serious inquiries only please.

 

 

 

The amateur portion of the card is scheduled to feature a total of three women’s MMA bouts.  Glory Watson (1-0) will take on Megan Rosado (0-0), while BJ Garceau (1-0) meets Chelsea Tucker (0-3) and Catie Denning (1-0) faces off with Taylor Thompson (2-0).  Watson, Garceau and Tucker are all members of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine owned and operated by coach Chris Young.  The trio has been nicknamed “Chris’ Angels.”

 

 

 

The full “NEF 36” fight card (subject to change and approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine):

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

 

225*TITLE Ras Hylton 3-1 (First Class MMA) vs Yorgan De Castro 2-0

155*TITLE Ryan Sanders 17-9 (c) (Young’s MMA) vs Jacob Bohn 7-5 (Behring Jiu Jitsu NY)

145 Matt Probin 2-0 (Recon) vs Lionel Young 7-15 (Citadel Martial Arts)

125 Ernesto Ornelas 4-7 (Choi Institute) vs Jose Lugo 3-0 (BST MMA & Fitness)

 

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

175 Jon Assam 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Norman 0-1 (Bad Little Falls Dojo)

155 Zac Richard 2-0 (Nostos) vs Chris Lachcik 0-1 (Independent)

155 Mohammad Al Kinani 4-1 (Evolution Athletix) vs Clifford Redman 0-6 (Independent)

155 Brandon Mailet 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Ben Peters 0-0 (Titan Athletics)

140 Megan Rosado 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Glory Watson 1-0 (Young’s MMA)

140 Henry Clark 4-4 (Choi Institute) vs Killian Murphy 1-1 (Nostos)

135 Taylor Thompson 2-0 () vs Catie Denning 1-0 (Young’s MMA)

135 Schuyler Vaillancourt 0-0 (Nostos) vs Felipe Gunther 0-0 (First Class MMA)

135 Nate Boucher 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Young 1-1 (Independent)

125 Chelsea Tucker 0-3 (First Class MMA) vs BJ Garceau 1-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.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.

NEF MAKES HISTORY WITH NEW WEIGHT DIVISION AND TITLE FIGHT

Portland, Maine (October 15, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its final mixed-martial-arts event of 2018, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” on Saturday, November 17 at Aura in Portland, Maine. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional cruiserweight championship bout to the card.  “The Jamaican Shamrock” Ras “Rasquatch” Hylton(3-1) will meet undefeated Yorgan De Castro (2-0) to crown the first-ever NEF Professional Cruiserweight Champion.

 

 

 

The fight will officially give birth to the brand-new NEF cruiserweight division.  This bout, as well as future bouts in the weight class, will take place at the 225-pound limit.  The division, which sits between light-heavyweight and heavyweight, was approved as an official weight class for MMA by the Association of Boxing Commissions at their annual conference in July 2017.  NEF will be one of the first promotions in the country to institute a cruiserweight division.

 

 

 

“The adoption of new weight classes at the highest levels of the sport in order to account for the wide gaps in the current championship class structure is inevitable—we’re just getting there first,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “There’s no more perfect way to usher in this new era of the 225-pound weight class than with a championship fight on the year-end “Battle for the Gold” show between two high-caliber, hungry opponents that NEF fans are very familiar with. This action-packed event was tailor made to include this breakthrough bout – it’s just one more element to an already blistering card. Fans can be certain that they will get their money’s worth on November 17th.”

 

 

 

Ras Hylton will return to the NEF cage after nearly a year-and-a-half absence.  He is a five-fight veteran of the NEF cage where he is undefeated with three wins as an amateur and two as a professional.  Last August, Hylton knocked out veteran Eric Bedard (6-8) in Rhode Island with a single elbow strike after absorbing a barrage of shots from Bedard that had little-to-no effect.  Standing at a towering 6’6,” Hylton holds a black belt in Taekwondo.  He trains with both First Class MMA in Brunswick, Maine and Dragon Fire Martial Arts of South Portland.

 

 

 

“I’m ecstatic about the response to my FaceTime call to action, and that I get to kick off my cruiserweight run back home,” said Hylton.  “I’ve spoken at length about my dream to elevate the draw and excitement to see the heavier divisions, so I thank (NEF owners) Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo for working with me again, and launching the title here with NEF! Yorgan is a good strong fighter with heavy hands that I saw work against my best friend Nick Gulliver in another belt war. Now I move to follow ‘The Guardian’s’ example, and keep the inaugural strap right here in Maine. Thanks for staying with us everyone!”

 

 

 

As Hylton noted, this will not be the first time Yorgan De Castro has come to Maine looking to take gold back with him to Massachusetts.  De Castro faced Hylton’s teammate Nick Gulliver for the NEF Amateur Heavyweight Title in a losing effort at “NEF 26” almost two years to the day he will fight Hylton.

 

 

 

“I’m very excited to become the first 225-pound NEF champion,” said De Castro. “We will be sure to put on a great show for the fans.  I’ve been through some very dark moments in my all life and on November 17 I’ll make sure I bring all my demons with me and Ras will have to deal with them. This fight will be absolutely epic.”

 

 

 

A native of Portugal now residing in the fighting city of Brockton, Massachusetts, De Castro has had success to date in his professional career.  He has finished both of his previous opponents via technical knockout at light-heavyweight.  For fighters like De Castro and Hylton, the creation of a cruiserweight division in NEF opens a new realm of career possibilities that did not exist before.  De Castro was one of the first individual to respond positively to Hylton’s Face Time video calling for the creation of a cruiserweight division.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to make my NEF debut as a professional fighter in the inaugural cruiserweight division,” De Castro continued. “This is a huge opportunity for fighters and I’m looking to make my mark in that division.  I have nothing but respect for Ras—he’s a class act man and very tough—but he has never faced a more dedicated and focused Yorgan and on November 17, I’ll be victorious and write my name in NEF history.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.