FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (February 6, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland onApril 14, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.” Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card. Carl Langston (0-0) is scheduled to make his professional debut against Ernesto Ornelas (2-7) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.
Carl Langston is one of the longest-active members of the NEF roster, having made his debut with the promotion as an amateur in the fall of 2013. Langston brought an extensive background in Taekwondo with him to the cage, resulting in many exciting striking battles over the years. Langston finished his amateur career with a record of 7-9 and a win over Ornelas’ Choi Institute teammate Henry Clark (3-4) at “NEF 31″ in Portland last fall. Langston is currently a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.
“I couldn’t be more pumped to be making my pro debut in the city of Portland where I grew up,” said Langston when reached for comment. “I’ve been waiting four years for this moment, and I’m going to capitalize on it by finishing this guy, beating him just like I beat his teammate.”
There are very few MMA competitors with hands as fast as Ernesto Ornelas. Now residing in Portland, Ornelas was a multi-time Golden Gloves champion during his amateur boxing days in his home state of California. He is currently 1-1 as a professional boxer. Ornelas will return to the cage after more than a year-and-a-half absence from MMA competition.
“I’m excited to be fighting in Portland, especially under the NEF banner this time,” said Ornelas. “I’ve lived in Portland for about six years and have adopted the city, working and training out of the Portland downtown. I’ve come to know everyone and the city so well, and I’m excited to give Portland a show and show them what’s brewing in downtown at the Portland Choi Institute. As for welcoming Carl into the pro ranks, I know it’s going to an exciting fight. I’ve coached against Carl three times and seen the opportunities he presents stylistically. That being said, I’ll be two steps ahead of Carl on this one. It’s going to be some thunder and lightning in Portland that night, but everyone knows lightning strikes first and thunder just makes noise. And April 14 lightning is going to strike—and I’m the one bringing the lighting.”
NEF returns to Portland, Maine, at Aura on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com. For more information on the event, please visit www.NewEnglandFights.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.