Tag Archives: Amanda Gallo

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

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

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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.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF RELEASES FIGHT CARD FOR RETURN TO PORTLAND ON JUNE 16

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Portland, Maine (May 18, 2018) –Earlier today, New England Fights (NEF) released the official card for its upcoming return to Aura in Portland, Maine.  The mixed-martial-arts event, entitled “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday night, June 16, 2018 with a bell-time of 7:00 pm EDT.

 

 

 

The main event will feature two rising East Coast prospects when Bangor, Maine’s own Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) meets Fayetteville, North Carolina’s Da’Mon “The Diamond” Blackshear (4-1) in a featherweight bout.  Lacey is coming off a dominant win over veteran Josh Parker (6-9) earlier this year, while Blackshear looks to rebound from the first loss of his professional career last August.

 

 

 

Lacey’s Young’s MMA teammate “The” Ryan Sanders (15-9) will see action in the co-main event against Tampa, Florida’s Vince McGuiness (5-7).  Sanders is the reigning NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion.  The fight with McGuiness will be a non-title affair.

 

 

 

Rounding out the professional portion of the card will be yet another Young’s MMA competitor in the form of Carl Langston (0-1) who is scheduled to rematch The Choi Institute’s Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) in a battle of Portland fan-favorites.  Langston and Ornelas initially met last month at “NEF 33” with Ornelas coming out on top via unanimous decision. Langston immediately requested a rematch blaming his performance on nerves surrounding his pro debut.  Ornelas obliged and has promised to finish Langston this time out, leaving no room for question.

 

 

 

The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by a pair of title fights.  Undefeated Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) prospect Kam Arnold (3-0) will face Michael Crespo (3-3) of First Class MMA for the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Championship.  In the second title fight, Carlton Charles (2-1) of the Charles Fighting Family and Berserkers MMA meets Duncan “The Highlander” Smith (2-2) of Evolution Athletix to crown a new NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion.  Both fights are scheduled for five three-minute rounds – a first in the NEF amateur division as all previous title fights had been scheduled for three three-minute rounds.

 

 

 

Three women’s bouts will take place on the amateur card.  Brianne Genschel (0-1) of First Class MMA and the Foundry will take on Tampa, Florida’s Amanda Gallo (1-1) while Genschel’s First Class MMA teammate Chelsea Tucker (0-2) faces the debuting Glory Watson (0-0) of Young’s MMA, and Carol Linn Powell (0-1) meets Sarah Matulis (1-0) of the Outlet.  Powell owns and operates Nostos MMA of Somersworth, NH alongside her husband, UFC signee and former NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-3).

 

 

 

Henry Clark (3-4) and Killian Murphy (1-0) both had opponents pull out on them prior to press time.  NEF matchmakers are working on finding replacement opponents.  Bantamweight and featherweight amateurs interested in either fight are asked to contact NEF via email at newenglandfights@gmail.com.  Serious inquiries only please.

 

 

 

The full “NEF 34” fight card (subject to change):

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155 Ryan Sanders 15-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Vince McGuiness 5-7 (Bang Muay Thai Tampa/Gracie Pac MMA)

 

145 Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Da’mon Blackshear 4-1 (Team ROC)

 

135 Carl Langston 0-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi’s)

 

 

 

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

170*TITLE Carlton Charles 2-1 (Charles Fighting Family/Berserkers MMA) vs Duncan Smith 2-2 (Evolution Athletix)

 

135*TITLE Michael Crespo 3-3 (First Class MMA) vs Kam Arnold 3-0 (CMBJJ)

 

205 Cody Rolling 4-5 (F2 Arena) vs Mike Williams 2-2 (CMBJJ)

 

185 Mark Gardner 2-0 (The Academy) vs Eric Camacho 0-0 (F2 Arena)

 

185 Jordan Norman 0-0 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Zac Lawrence 0-0 (Nostos)

 

180 Rich Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Brandon Schwinck 0-1 (Independent)

 

170 Dalton Dunphy 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Curtis Ouellette 0-1 (CMBJJ)

 

170 Christian Barrett 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Michael Vizza 1-3 (RMNU)

 

155 Angelo Rizzitello 1-1 (The Outlet) vs Clifford Redman 0-4 (Independent)

 

155 Brandon Clark 0-0 (The Academy) vs Joe Howard 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

150 Delmarkis Edwards 0-1 (Independent) vs Taylor Bartlett 0-1 (CMBJ)

 

150 Josiah Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MA) vs Carter Labrecque 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

140 Jordan Young 0-0 (Independent) vs Glenn Kasabian 1-3 (Nostos)

 

135 Brianne Genschell 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Amanda Gallo 1-1 (RMNU)

 

135 Sarah Matulis 1-0 (The Outlet) vs Carol Linn Powell 0-1 (Nostos)

 

130 Chelsea Tucker 0-2 (First Class MMA) vs Glory Watson 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

125 Greg Waterbury 0-0 (White Mountain BJJ) vs Brady MacDonald 0-1 (Pictou County Titans)

 

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

THE FAMILY THAT BLEEDS TOGETHER…

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Portland, Maine (May 9, 2018) – The family that bleeds together, stays together.

 

 

 

It isn’t exactly warm, fuzzy, wall-hanging material that you’ll find overlooking somebody’s mantle, but the statement applies to Tampa, Florida-based domestic partners Amanda Gallo and Michael Vizza.

 

 

 

They’ll travel to Maine for their second New England Fights card in four months – and the first featuring both their names on the docket – for “NEF 34: Home of the Brave.”

 

 

 

Fight night is Saturday, June 16 at Aura in Portland.

 

 

 

Gallo (1-1), who stunned the crowd with her victory over Jayda Bailey in February, is scheduled to face Brianne Genschell (0-1) in a bantamweight clash. Vizza (1-2) will be paired with NEF newcomer Christian Barrett.

 

 

 

“It was supposed to happen one time, but then I got injured in training. So we’ve had fight camp together before,” Gallo said. “It’s interesting when you’re both training for a fight at the same time. When you put two hungry, angry people together, it can get difficult.”

 

 

The two fought one week apart in their most recent trips to the cage.

 

 

 

Vizza was still training for a bout in Florida when they paid a four-day visit to Maine in the dead of winter for Gallo’s showdown with then-undefeated Bailey.

 

 

 

“Like any relationship it has ups and downs,” Vizza said. “I think we have more ups than downs because we get to spend a lot of time together.”

 

 

 

Since relocating from Tallahassee to Tampa, the couple has trained at RMNU South Tampa. One of their coaches is NEF mainstay John Ortolani.

 

 

 

“We’re basically gym partners. It’s good to have the same interests,” Gallo said. “It’s cool at the gym, because when it’s time partner up with someone to drill or whatever, you know the person.”

 

 

 

After fighting in Georgia and Florida, Gallo wound up taking her first fight in Maine through her connection with Ortolani.

 

 

 

The former lacrosse player, a veteran of 20 pro MMA fights, spoke highly of his own experience with NEF. Gallo felt the same welcoming atmosphere from both the promotion and its fans in her first go-round.

 

 

 

“John had so many good things to say about the organization,” Gallo said. “And I did have an awesome experience. It’s very well organized. They treat the fighters really well.”

 

 

 

It took a while for her to win over the crowd, of course. Many of them were responsible for selecting Bailey as NEF’s 2017 rookie of the year.

 

 

 

Leading up to the fight, Gallo saw an internet poll in which 97 percent of the fans picked her opponent to win.

 

 

 

“It can mess with your head a little bit when you feel like you’re considered that big an underdog, but I also used it as motivation to prove them wrong,” Gallo said. “You feel like there’s nothing to lose.”

 

 

 

Gallo had to laugh at the crowd response during fighter introductions, which was similarly slanted.

 

 

 

“They announced her name and everybody screamed,” Gallo said. “When they announced mine you could hear crickets.”

 

 

 

After losing her debut in Thomasville, Georgia, by split decision to a veteran opponent, Gallo balanced the books with a unanimous decision victory at Bailey’s expense.

She will take on another local favorite in Genschell (0-1), who fights out of Farmington and First Class MMA of Topsham.

 

 

 

“I know she’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu, so that will be an interesting challenge,” Gallo said of Genschell.

 

 

 

Challenges and surprises are part of the attraction of fighting in Maine, added Vizza, who also will take on a foe from the First Class stable in Barrett.

 

 

 

Vizza has a TKO win and losses by split decision and submission in his home region.

 

 

 

“It’s just good to get a different perspective. We kind of know most of the people who fight around here,” Vizza said of the southeast. “It’s fun to train to fight someone you’ve never really seen or heard of, and to do it about as far away as you can go.”

 

 

 

Both fighters were impressed by the passion and loyalty of NEF fans. Vizza noted that seeing thousands of casual spectators at a local MMA promotion is unheard of in Florida.

 

 

 

“The energy is definitely crazy. I’ve never seen so many people so excited to watch people fight that they haven’t even heard of,” he said. “Down here you’re pretty much fighting in front of your family and friends. Up there people are excited to go see people they don’t even know. It’s for the genuine appreciation of the sport.”

 

 

 

In Gallo’s case, women’s opponents are hard to find in her corner of the country. The sudden spike of competitiveness in NEF’s female ranks could make Maine a semi-regular destination for years to come.

 

 

 

“When I lived in Tallahassee it was extremely difficult to find women’s fights, or fights in general. MMA is just not very big there,” Gallo said. “Down in Tampa there is a lot more promotion of the sport, but it’s still hard. All the fighters kind of know each other.”

 

 

 

At this rate, Gallo and Vizza may become a well-known power couple – some 1,450 miles from home – in no time.

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

 

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

FIRST WOMEN’S MMA BOUT ANNOUNCED FOR PORTLAND FIGHT CARD

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Portland, Maine (April 24, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur women’s bantamweight bout to the card.  Brianne Genschel (0-1) will return to take on Amanda Gallo (1-1) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

 

 

Genschel made her MMA debut at “NEF 26” in the fall of 2016 in a losing effort to a much more experienced Jessica Borga who already had five amateur fights to her credit.  Despite the disadvantage in cage experience, Genschel held her own for a full three rounds and forced Borga to the judges’ scorecards.  Genschel is the owner and operator of the Farmington branch of The Foundry Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) school.  She has practiced BJJ for more than a decade and holds a black belt in the martial art.  Genschel is also a member of First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.

 

 

 

“I’m really excited to get back in the cage,” said Genschel. “I have a feeling Amanda Gallo will be a great opponent, and certainly won’t make this an easy fight. I’m up for the challenge, and definitely respect anyone who puts in the time and dedication it takes to get out there. Thank you to Amanda for committing to this fight, and I plan to leave it all in the cage putting on a good show in the process!”

 

 

 

Amanda Gallo, like Genschel, is a one-fight veteran of the NEF cage.  In February of this year, she stunned the Maine fight community by handing top-prospect Jayda Bailey (1-1) her first loss in dominant fashion.  Gallo will make her second trip to Maine to fight on June 16 from her home state of Florida where she trains at the Tampa branch of Robson Moura Nations United (RMNU).

 

 

 

“Thank you to NEF for allowing me to fight for them again,” said Gallo. “I had a lot of fun fighting Jayda at NEF 32 – she was a tough opponent. I’m sure Brianne will also be a fun match. I’m looking forward to putting on a good show for Maine and hopefully bringing home another win to Florida.”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF RETURNS TO LEWISTON ON SUPER BOWL WEEKEND WITH AN MMA SUPER CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (January 19, 2018) – The night before the National Football League (NFL) delivers its 2017-2018 season finale, New England Fights (NEF) will return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston for the first time in eight months as the fight promotion presents “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  And while New England football fans will have to wait until this Sunday’s AFC championship game to find out whether their beloved Patriots will play in the Super Bowl, area mixed-martial-arts fans learned today which of their favorites will compete at “NEF 32” as promotion executives released the full fight card for the February 3rd event.

 

 

In the main event of the evening, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (14-11) takes on Taylor Trahan (7-8) at a catchweight of 150-pounds.  One of the biggest MMA stars ever to come out of Maine, Boyington will make his return to the NEF cage after a two-year absence that saw him compete on the global stage in places like Russia and New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden. Trahan makes his third trip to Maine to compete.  He is coming off a win over Connor Barry (3-2) last fall.

 

 

Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (4-1) faces off with Josh Parker (6-9) in a featherweight bout.  Lacey suffered the first loss of his pro career in November when a fight he was arguably on the way to winning was stopped by a doctor due to a cut on Lacey’s head.  Parker will look to continue his recent success in the MMA cage after recent victories over Andre Belcarris (0-2) and Derek Shorey (4-9).

 

 

CJ Ewer (3-0) is out to make history by becoming the first competitor to hold NEF championships simultaneously in multiple weight divisions.  Ewer is the reigning NEF Pro Middleweight Champion.  At “NEF 32,” he has the opportunity to capture the NEF Pro Welterweight Title when he meets Kemran Lachinov (5-2) for the vacant strap.

 

 

Also in professional welterweight action will be Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (5-8) and Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (9-7) in a fight billed as “The Berserker vs. The Viking.”  Hansen and Erickson have developed a rivalry as coaches of local gyms Berserkers MMA and Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), respectively.

 

 

Speaking of which, Nate Boucher (2-1), a product of CMBJJ, and Ryan Burgess (2-2) of Berserkers MMA will headline the amateur portion of the fight card.  The flyweights, former teammates on the Mountain Valley High School wrestling squad, have engaged in a recent war of words heading into the bout.  The winner will be in line for a shot at the amateur flyweight title later this spring.

 

 

2017 NEF “Rookie of the Year” Jayda “Lil Killah” Bailey (1-0) returns to the cage on February 3rd to meet Florida’s Amanda Gallo (0-1).  Bailey made history in November at “NEF 31” by becoming the youngest competitor ever to compete, (and win), in the NEF cage.  She turned 18, the legal age for competing in MMA in Maine, just a week prior to the event.

 

 

The full “NEF 32” fight card (subject to change):

 

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

 

150 Bruce Boyington 14-11 (Young’s MMA) vs Taylor Trahan 7-8 (Team Link)

 

 

170*TITLE Kemran Lachinov 5-2 (Team Link) vs CJ Ewer 3-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

170 Jesse Erickson 9-7 (CMBJJ) vs Mike Hansen 5-8 (Beserkers MMA)

 

 

155 Zenon Herrera 0-6 (Independent) vs Nate Charles 0-0 (Charles Fighting Family)

 

 

145 Josh Parker 6-9 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Aaron Lacey 4-1 (Young’s MMA)

 

 

AMATEUR

 

 

205 Ryan Glover 3-2 (Fire & Iron Athletics) vs Joe Berube 0-0 (3Ronin Athletics)

 

 

175 Carlton Charles 1-1 (Charles Fighting Family) vs Delmarkis Edwards 0-0 (Independent)

 

 

155 Stacy Lupo 0-1 (The Outlet) vs David Hart 0-2 (Kenney’s MMA)

 

 

145 Devin Corson 1-0 (The Outlet) vs Shawn Lunghi 2-0 (RMNU)

 

 

135 Chelsea Elizabeth 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Catie Denning 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

 

 

135 Kam Arnold 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Kyle Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA)

 

 

135 Jayda Bailey 1-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Amanda Gallo 0-1 (RMNU)

 

 

125 Nate Boucher 2-1 (CMBJJ) vs Ryan Burgess 2-2 (Beserkers MMA)

 

 

115 BJ Garceau 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jepha Mooi 0-0 (Gracie Brandon)

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, women's MMA

2017 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RETURNING TO THE CAGE AT NEF 32

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Lewiston, Maine (December 27, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston onSaturday, February 3, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur women’s bantamweight bout to the card.  Jayda “Lil Killah” Bailey(1-0) is scheduled to face Amanda Gallo (0-1) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

Jayda Bailey made headlines this year when she became the youngest athlete to ever compete in a sanctioned MMA fight in Maine.  A mere eight days after her 18th birthday, the legal minimum age for an MMA participant in the state, Bailey put together a dominant performance in her debut against Danae Dostie (0-1) at “NEF 31.”  It took her just over 90-seconds to pound out a TKO victory.  So impressive was the win that it earned Bailey a nomination for “Rookie of the Year.”  The fans agreed and voted the Hermon, Maine teenager as the recipient of the award.  Bailey is currently a member of Young’s MMA of Bangor.  This summer, upon graduation from high school, she plans to relocate to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she will join Jackson Wink MMA Academy – home to many top UFC stars.

“I can’t wait to step into the cage again and display my abilities,” said Bailey.  “I look to get better every time I fight, and I’m excited to be facing a new challenge.”

That new challenge will come in the form of Amanda Gallo.  Gallo trains with Robson Moura Nations United (RMNU) based in Tampa, Florida.  She made her cage debut in the fall of 2016 against Laine Orabona (2-2) on a fight card in Georgia.  The thrilling contest went the distance and saw Gallo lose a very close split decision on the judges’ scorecards.  She will come to Maine looking for the first win of her young career.

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 32: Super Saturday,” will see the company make its return to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online atwww.TheColisee.com.