Portland, Maine (March 8, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” on April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur women’s bout to the card. Taylor “T-Storm” Thompson (3-0) will take on Andrea “Renegade” Howland (2-0) to crown the first-ever NEF Women’s Bantamweight Champion. It will be the first women’s title fight for the promotion since Hilarie Rose captured the vacant strawweight title at “NEF 31” in November 2017.
“We hear it from fans constantly–they can’t get enough of the female fighters,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “April 27th we’ve stacked the card with top-tier talent to give the fans exactly what they’ve been asking for. Howland and Thompson are two undefeated competitors with their sights set squarely on turning pro and eventually breaking into the UFC. On April 27th, one of them will leave the cage with their perfect record broken and one will leave with the first ever NEF Women’s Bantamweight Championship. Special thanks to Tommy Vickers from Queen MMA Media for his assistance in making this bout happen.”
Taylor Thompson made her NEF debut last November at “NEF 36” in a winning effort against Catie Denning. Prior to that time, Thompson had won two fights in Massachusetts, both by finish. She represents BST MMA & Fitness based in Mendon, Massachusetts.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to fight for NEF’s first ever women’s amateur bantamweight title,” said Thompson, “especially when I will be sharing the cage with a very talented opponent, Andrea Howland. I know I am going to love this fight, and I think the fans will too.”
Andrea Howland will bring her undefeated record to the East Coast for the first time in her amateur career. She made her cage debut in the spring of 2018 and has won both of her previous bouts by decision. Howland is currently a member of Michigan Top Team based in Southfield, Michigan.
“I am beyond excited at the opportunity to pursue a bantamweight title in my third MMA appearance,” exclaimed Howland. “Myself and my team are being flown out to the beautiful state of Maine at an incredible time of the year to get ourselves into a dog fight for a championship strap! What more could you ask for? I am making memories with my team and pursuing my dream of being a competitive athlete. I respect my opponent, Taylor Thompson, for her aggressiveness and her dedication to her career. I expect us to have a brawl of epic proportions, and it’s an honor to share the cage with her as a fellow amateur bantamweight prospect. April 27th can’t come soon enough! This is what I signed up for!”
NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com. �������T[�0�