班戈, 缅因 (十二月 6, 2018) - 新英格兰战斗 (NEF) 将举行下一场综合格斗比赛, “NEF 37: 零度以下,” 在周五, 二月 1, 2019 在班戈的交叉保险中心, 缅因. 今天早些时候，, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur featherweight title fight to the card. 弗雷德·李尔 (6-2) 将举行 理查德·扎克 (3-0) 争夺空缺的145磅冠军.

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, 和前 NEF 职业轻量级冠军, 德文 - 鲍威尔 (9-4).  Richard has finished all three of his previous opponents in the first round.

“我很高兴这场战斗,” 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的下一个混合武术事件, “NEF 37: 零度以下,” 将于星期五, 二月 1, 2019 在班戈的交叉保险中心, 缅因州 响铃时间 8 下午。门票现已发售www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.