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Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

RECENTLY VACATED FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE TO BE FILLED AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (March 11, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur featherweight title bout to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Caleb Hall (6-3) will take on Erik Nelson (2-2) for the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title.  The championship was vacated earlier this week when previous champion Aaron Lacey (6-1) announced that he would enter the professional ranks at “NEF 22.”

 

Caleb Hall is a member of the Choi Institute of Portland, Maine.  He was a two-time Maine state champion wrestling for Dirigo High School in Dixfield.  Hall later wrestled for both Plymouth State University (PSU) in New Hampshire and the University of Southern Maine (USM).  He began competing in MMA in September 2012, making his debut at “NEF IV.”   Hall last appeared in the NEF cage this past fall, scoring an impressive first-round submission victory over Matt Tamayo (0-1).  He feels that his wrestling experience will carry him to the featherweight title on April 23rd against Nelson.

 

“I’m very excited to fight for the belt I have worked for,” said Hall.  “My wrestling and constant pressure will be a big problem for Nelson.  The scrambles and pressure will fold him and I’ll get the finish.”

 

Erik Nelson is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) located in Lewiston, Maine where he is a jiu-jitsu instructor.  In December, he was awarded his brown belt by head coach Travis Wells.  A few weeks later, Nelson would go on to defeat Julio Martinez (0-2) at “NEF 21.”  Nelson believes his jiu-jitsu will be the deciding factor when he meets Caleb Hall for the amateur featherweight title on April 23rd.

 

“I am very excited for the opportunity to fight for a title in my hometown,” said Nelson.  “Caleb is a talented wrestler, but I feel my jiu-jitsu is far superior.  No matter where the fight goes, I see my hand being raised at the end.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH ADDED TO NEF 22 FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (March 10, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur heavyweight bout to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Nick Gulliver (2-0) will meet Dave Smith (2-1) at a fight weight of 265-pounds.

 

Nick Gulliver is a product of John Raio’s First Class MMA gym of Brunswick, Maine, as well as the Foundry – a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) academy located in Farmington, Maine.  He made his amateur debut last June at “NEF XVIII,” submitting Sonny Spratt (0-2) in the first round.  Gulliver followed up that victory with a technical knockout (TKO) win over Jason Field (0-2) this past November a mere 12-seconds into the first round.  He hopes another win on April 23rd will put him in line for a shot at the NEF MMA Amateur Heavyweight Title currently held by Billy Leahy (3-1).

 

“I’m looking forward to fighting again for NEF on April 23rd, and I’m thankful for the opportunity that Matt Peterson and Nick Disalvo give me to fight for their amazing organization,” said Gulliver.  “I’ll be fighting who I think is now the number one heavyweight fighter fighting for NEF, Dave Smith.  This kid is a great fighter and good athlete.  I’m looking forward to a great fight.  I fight for two amazing schools and organizations, the Foundry and First Class MMA.  This fight will be the first time I won’t be fighting in front of my father who is sick.  It’s a lot for him to go to these events being so sick and on oxygen all the time.  But my father stated he would make it to one last fight if I get a title shot.  I think fighting Dave Smith and winning would put me in a good spot to fight for a title.  I’m looking to get that fight in front of my father who pushes me to be the man I am today.  So, for three rounds on April 23rd, I’ll be pushing harder than I have in the past to get that opportunity.  I’m always looking to impress the crowd.  I think fighting someone like Smith will keep the crowd on their feet.”

 

Dave Smith is a member of Berserkers MMA based out of Rumford, Maine.  Smith has an extensive wrestling background, having gone 147-17 while competing for Mountain Valley High School (MVHS) and winning two state titles in the process.  He also wrestled for Plymouth State University (PSU) in New Hampshire.  Like Gulliver, Smith finished his first two opponents in the opening round.  He is looking to bounce back from a loss to Brendan Battles (2-0) at “NEF 21” last month.

 

“I’m glad to be on another NEF card,” exclaimed Smith.  “I am also very excited to be fighting Nick Gully.  Nick has had a couple impressive wins and I think this will be a good fight!  So get ready because it’s going to be a hell of a show.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

AMATEUR MMA CHAMPION VACATES TITLE TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL DEBUT AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (March 9, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight contest to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (0-0) will make his professional debut against tough veteran “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey(3-5) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

 

Aaron Lacey leaves behind a legacy of victory in the amateur ranks.  He put together an impressive record of 6-1 since his debut in the fall of 2012.  Lacey capped off his amateur stint by winning the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Championship last November, handing Caleb Horner (4-1) the first loss of his career in the process.  Lacey is currently the number-one ranked amateur featherweight in the northeast.  He is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine, and on April 23rd Lacey will make his professional debut alongside training partner, and NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion, Josh Harvey (0-0).  Lacey will vacate the amateur featherweight title to enter the professional division.  NEF executives are expected to make an announcement on the status of that championship in the very near future.

 

“I am super excited to finally be making my pro debut come April,” said Lacey.  “This is a goal I have had for a long time and something I have always been working towards.  Derek Shorey is a very tough challenge as a debut fight.  He has a tremendous skill set and a ton of experience.  As far as vacating my belt, I had always viewed capturing the title as the capstone to my amateur career. In the moment, it was an incredible feeling and it is something I will always be proud of.  Part of what has made me successful is that I always keep looking forward for my next big challenge and my coaches along with myself believe that those challenges are within the professional ranks.”

 

After getting off to a 3-2 start in his professional career, Derek Shorey is looking to bounce back from a three-fight skid.  Last September, Shorey scored a career-defining, highlight-reel knockout of Tollison Lewis (0-5), but would go on to taste defeat in his next three matchups.  A 1998 Class-C Maine state wrestling champion for Foxcroft Academy, Shorey is the founder and head coach of the Shatterproof Combat Club based out of Dexter, Maine.  He served his country in the United States Navy for four years of active duty and did a tour of Iraq with SEABEE Battalion NMCB 27.  Shorey is hoping to find his rhythm in the cage against Lacey at “NEF 22.”

 

“Aaron is an incredibly tough, resilient fighter,” noted Shorey.  “He keeps coming at you, solid technique.  Nothing but respect for him and his skills.  That being said, I’ve been growing rapidly under new instruction, but have been unable to find my rhythm in the cage.  I feel that Aaron will bring his steady, solid pace and be met by my speed and power.  I’m excited to welcome him into the professional ranks.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

FIGHTERS HOPE TO SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES IN THE CAGE AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (March 4, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight contest to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-1) will meet Josh “Hook On” Harvey (0-0) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

 

Lewiston’s Matt Denning is coming off the first loss of his professional career this past November against Jon Lemke (5-4).  Prior to that defeat, Denning was riding a four-fight win streak, all four of those wins coming by way of submission.  He is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).  Denning acknowledges personal issues have existed in the past between he and Harvey, culminating in a cageside confrontation between the two athletes at the close of “NEF XV” in the fall of 2014.

 

“I’m honored to have been asked specifically for this fight,” said Denning.  “Josh is the 155 ammy champ and is an amazing fighter.  I’m excited to watch him continue his career as a pro and move up to the top of the professional rankings.  We had some personal issues between the two of us because of a poor decision I made, and I hope with us fighting it will clear the air and I’ll be able to cross train with him and Young’s MMA.  We gotta give the fans what they want and this is what they wanted.  I look forward to seeing everyone April 23rd.”

 

The bout will indeed be the professional debut for Harvey after an amateur career in which he went 5-1.  He is the reigning NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion, a title which he will now vacate as a professional.  Harvey capped off his amateur stint with a highlight reel knockout over Ryan Dibartolomeo (4-4), a victory that solidified his position as the northeast region’s top-ranked amateur lightweight.  Harvey is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  He recently signed a long-term NEF developmental deal.

 

“I’m feeling blessed to be a signed professional cage fighter,” said Harvey.  “I’m one step closer to my goal and April 23rd I’ll take another.  I’ve wanted a chance to fight ‘Ken Doll’ ever since I met him – he is just one of those guys.  I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

 

“One thing is very clear in this matchup – Josh and Matt don’t like each other,” stated NEF matchmaker and co-owner Matt Peterson.  “There is some deep, pent-up frustration that has been percolating between these two for a long time – and on April 23rd, the cork comes out.  It’s going to be spectacular.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

CAPE COD GETS ITS FIRST MMA CAGEFIGHTING EVENT; BATTLES & LAMONTE TO MAKE PRO DEBUTS

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Hyannis, Massachusetts (March 4, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, announced today that it will bring Cape Cod its first-ever mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event this spring.  The event, entitled “NEF 23: NEF CAGES THE CAPE,” will take place on May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC) in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Both professional and amateur MMA bouts will be presented that evening.

 

To date, NEF has held twenty-two events, a mix of MMA and boxing shows, in the state of Maine.  The promotion was formed in 2012 by business partners Nick DiSalvo and Matt Peterson.  NEF has a reputation of putting on action-packed events in venues filled with thousands of rabid fight fans.  The promotion has a large, dedicated fan base unmatched by any of its competitors on the regional level.  Over the years, NEF’s cage has played host to UFC veterans such as Marcus Davis (22-11) and two-time UFC World Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia (31-10), among others.  NEF co-promoted a nationally-televised event with Bellator in the spring of 2013.  Its fight highlights have been featured prominently on AXS TV, TUFF TV and the “World’s Greatest Knockouts” on Spike TV.

 

“The NEF brand is expanding,” noted DiSalvo.  “Cape Cod is hungry for an MMA event.  I’m surprised it’s taken this long to happen with so many great teams located in the area.  NEF is honored to be the first to present an MMA show on the Cape.”

 

One MMA team whose fighters will be featured prominently on the May 14 card will be Hyannis-based Team Juniko.

 

“This show will be the first MMA show on Cape Cod in Team Juniko’s backyard,” remarked Team Juniko coach Mike Gresh.  “Congrats NEF!”

 

Gresh is a longtime, respected leader in the New England MMA community.  Two of his team’s members have been confirmed as making their professional debuts on May 14 – Erin “Fun Size” Lamonte and Brendan “Lockdown” Battles.

 

Scituate’s Erin Lamonte put together a perfect 6-0 record as an amateur competitor.  She is coming off back-to-back submission victories in Lewiston, Maine.

 

“I cannot wait for NEF to come to the Cape,” exclaimed Lamonte.  “All but one of my fights have been out of state, so I am so excited to fight in front of all my family and friends in my own backyard!  Don’t miss it.  May 14th ‘Fun Size’ goes pro and makes her presence known in the women’s straweight division!”

 

Brendan Battles is a native of nearby Eastham, Massachusetts where he was a three-time All-American wrestler for Nauset Regional High School.  Battles won two state championships and three New England regional championships while amassing a total of 161 wins over the course of his high school wrestling career.  Later, Battles played defensive end and tackle for the University of Connecticut.

 

“It’s an honor to fight down the street from my hometown and the gym where I train,” said Battles.  “It gives me the chills to fight my very first professional fight on my home turf, with my family, friends, and all who supports me to see the work I’ve put in and the fighter I have evolved into at this point of my career.”

 

“NEF 23: NEF CAGES THE CAPE,” takes place Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Tickets for “NEF 23” are $40 for general admission and $60 for cageside.  They are on sale now at www.NewEnglandFights.com/Tickets/ .

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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 New England’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BOXING HEADLINER ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (February 22, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 22, 2016at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the boxing portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (11-1, 7 KOs) will take on James Lester (10-9, 4 KOs) in a non-title, six-round bout at 140-pounds.

 

Berry, the pride of small-town West Forks, Maine, has shined since returning from a shoulder injury last year.  He has won his last three in a row, including a technical knockout (TKO) stoppage of Tollison Lewis (2-1, 1 KO) earlier this month in Lewiston.  The upcoming fight with Lester will see Berry return to his native 140-pound junior welterweight division for the first time since his injury.  All three of his recent wins have come in the heavier welterweight and super welterweight divisions.

 

“April 23rd will be a big turning point in my boxing career,” said Berry when reached for comment.  “This will be my fourth time headlining NEF’s boxing portion of the event, and I want to thank Nick (DiSalvo, NEF promoter), Matt (Peterson, NEF matchmaker) and Pete (Czymbor, NEF Director of Boxing Operations) for the opportunity.  I asked for a challenge and to make it back down to my regular fight weight of 140-pounds, and that’s what I’m getting with Detroit’s James Lester.  I think the crowd will be very happy and impressed with the talent level James brings. This is a big test for me and I hope that with nine weeks to prepare it’s a test that I can pass.  He brings so much to the table that can give me problems in the ring, so me showing up anything less than 100% will be unacceptable.

 

“I know that Tommy (Duquette), Ed (LaVache), Luke (Yetten) and the rest of Boston Boxing will push me to the limit and bring me into the ring prepared.  James Lester has been around and fought some very good fighters.  He had an amazing amateur career, and has spent years training at one of the most legendary boxing facility’s in the world, the Kronk Gym.  Who doesn’t want to see this fight?  See you all April 23rd, and as always thank you all so much for the amazing support.  The tickets sales are unreal.”

 

As Berry noted, James Lester is a product of the world-famous Kronk Gym of Detroit, Michigan.  It was there he honed his craft alongside world champions like Thomas “Hitman” Hearns (61-5-1, 48 KOs), Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs), Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs) and Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs), to name a few, under legendary trainer Emanuel Steward.  As an amateur, Lester was ranked nationally at number-two.  He competed against the likes of future Olympian Andre Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) and future WBC Super Middleweight Champion Anthony Dirrell (28-1-1, 22 KOs) while in the amateur ranks.   The bout with Berry will mark the second time Lester has ventured to New England in his professional career.  He competed on a card in Worcester, Massachusetts in 2011.  Lester looks forward to making his return to the region.

 

“Fighting Brandon will be exciting, and I’m ready for anything he has to bring,” said Lester.  “Fighting in New England was awesome a few years ago against Ryan Kielczewski (24-1, 7 KOs).  I met some real good people there and can’t wait to come put on a show for them again.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA

TRASH TALK BEGINS AROUND FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (February 12, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 22, 2016at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a featherweight contest to the amateur portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Bantamweight Champion Johnny Crafts (4-0) will move up in weight to face Taylor Costantino (2-1) at 145-pounds.

 

Crafts was successful last Saturday in his attempt to capture the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Title.  He took out Henry Clark (3-2) in the third round of their bout in Lewiston.  Crafts is a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) brown belt out of Team New England United (NEU).  He also cross-trains with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston.

 

“I’m excited to step up to 145 to fight Taylor,” said Crafts of the upcoming matchup with Costantino.  “I will be very strong at that weight seeing as I cut pretty extensively to make 135.  It will allow me to focus on different areas this camp instead of putting a lot of my energy into cutting weight.”

 

Costantino is himself coming off a big win last Saturday at “NEF 21.”  It took him a mere 25-seconds to down Frank Johanson (0-1), a training partner of Crafts at CMBJJ, in the first round.  Costantino is clear that he is coming to fight on April 23, and he does not plan on engaging in a  grappling contest with Crafts.

 

“Respect to him for coming up in weight,” said Costantino of Crafts.  “He’s a glorified pajama warrior that has never been punched in the face with any type of authority. He will clinch quickly and look for the takedown. He’ll realize real quick that he has never fought or trained with anybody like me.”

 

Crafts and Costantino are not strangers to one another.  Several years ago, the two met in a jiu-jitsu tournament with Crafts coming out on top.

 

“Taylor and I have competed before in a sport jiu-jitsu tournament,” recalled Crafts.  “Taylor says I am a glorified pajama warrior who has never been punched in the face, but if I recall correctly, I submitted him without my ‘pajamas’ no-gi in that tournament pretty quickly. I train with a lot of very talented and tough fighters daily who punch me in the face very hard. People say the same thing about me not getting punched – well, I have had four fights and they just haven’t had the chance to. Anyone who has trained with high-level fighters will tell you that gi jiu-jitsu only makes you more of a technical fighter.  If he doesn’t believe that, that is fine – he will feel it on April 23rd.”

 

“Johnny did submit me when I first moved to Maine,” Costantino admitted.  “Legit submission, and his pure grappling is definitely high level.  My grappling is MMA based, not slow jitsu.  It’s grimy, grueling and punishing. Pure grappling, I would worry about his game.  But it’s a fight, sport jiu-jitsu means next to nothing to me.

 

“I wish I could say people will get to see my whole game, but I can’t guarantee that. Johnny will feel my power and look to go to his comfort zone. I will break him, you will see quit in his eyes.”

 

“After Taylor won in impressive fashion at NEF 21, he immediately screamed at me while still inside the cage that he wanted a black belt for his next challenge,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “Well, he’s getting a brown belt in Johnny Crafts who, by all accounts, is due to receive his black belt any day, is a perfect 4-0 in the cage and is the current NEF amateur bantamweight champion. This fight is dripping with drama and will define a future top contender for the featherweight title in NEF’s stacked 145-pound division.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA

GLOVER AND WILLIAMS TO FACE OFF FOR NEF GOLD

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Lewiston, Maine (February 1, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” this Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed martial arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur light heavyweight championship bout to the card. Ryan Glover (2-1) will face Mike Williams (1-0) for the inaugural NEF amateur 205-pound title.

 

Prior to competing in MMA, Ryan Glover was a standout dual sport athlete at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine. A state champion wrestler, Glover made his biggest mark on the football field where he was named the “Football Player of the Year” by the Lewiston Sun Journal in 2010.

 

Last year, Glover faced Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (3-1) for the NEF amateur heavyweight championship. Glover lost a close decision in an exciting, hard-hitting physical contest. Now, faster and more agile at a lower weight, Glover has his sights set on finally achieving NEF gold.

 

“The weight cut has not been fun, but has gone easier than expected,” stated Glover, when asked about his cut down to 205-pounds. “I feel a lot better as I approach 205 and I think I’ll like fighting at this weight. It’s going to be bittersweet to hold the belt at 205. I lost a close slugfest last June simply because I didn’t stick to our game plan. I dropped the ball that night and you can rest assured that’s not going to happen again. I hope Williams has been training as hard as I have, because, if so, it’s going to be a fight that no one wants to miss. I’ll see you February 6th and don’t be late—this is a show worth traveling 1000 miles for.”

 

Mike Williams took a collective gasp out of the Androscoggin Bank Colisee when he came out guns blazing in his debut at “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” last November. Williams, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) blue belt and member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Auburn, blasted fellow newcomer Joe Krech (0-1) out of the gate before securing a fight-ending armbar in a spectacular 26-seconds into the first round. The dizzying debut was enough to earn the impressive young Williams a shot at NEF gold.

 

“This fight is just another step and he’s in the way,” stated Williams flatly when asked for comment.

 

“This is another Easter egg of a fight on a star-studded card that is destined to deliver for the whole night,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “When I look at this fight and the skill sets that both Ryan and Mike bring to the cage, I get goose bumps. Both are athletic, aggressive, young and hungry guys that want to turn heads when they compete—and will stop at nothing to win. Based on what I’ve witnessed in their fights so far, I don’t see an ounce of quit in either fighter. I can’t wait to watch the way this one goes down on Saturday.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes place Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

PROFESSIONAL WELTERWEIGHT MMA BOUT ADDED TO NEF 21 CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (January 14, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional welterweight MMA bout to the fight card. Andrew Tripp (1-0) has signed to face Alex Henry (0-0) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.

Prior to competing in MMA, Andrew Tripp won two state championships wrestling for Massabesic High School in Waterboro, Maine. Currently a member of Team Irish, Tripp will appear in the NEF MMA cage for the first time since May 2013 when he fought at “NEF VII.” He is credited with winning the first fight in the promotion’s history over Tollison Lewis at “NEF I.” After putting together a stellar amateur record of 9-1, and holding the northeast region’s top amateur welterweight ranking, Tripp made his successful professional debut last fall. On February 6, he will be looking for his fifth win in a row.

“I am very excited,” said Tripp. “I’ve missed all the NEF fans and I’ve brought them a newer, better-rounded Tripp to watch in that cage. Alex Henry has never faced an opponent as game as me. I love the kid’s style – no dance, just fight – but he’s going to have to deal with me in that cage on February 6th, and I am going to make sure he won’t be up for the task. I’ll be surprised if we get through the first round.”

Alex Henry has yet to taste defeat in the MMA cage. He has amassed a perfect record of 6-0 since beginning his amateur career in 2013. Henry will make his professional debut at “NEF 21.” He is a member of New York State’s Team Bombsquad, a camp that has produced past NEF MMA headliners like Darrius Heyliger (4-3) and former NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion and Titan Fighting Championship Featherweight Champion Des “Predator” Green (15-5). Henry has won all three of his most recent bouts via first-round stoppage.

“Andrew and Alex have a combined 16-1 overall record between their amateur and professional careers,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “One of these two power punchers will be leaving the Colisee with their first professional loss on February 6th. This is a pick ’em fight and a dream addition to an already stellar card.”

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes place Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

amateur boxing, amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NEF TO OPEN 2016 WITH SPECTACULAR FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (January 6, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the full fight card for the event which will be the fight promotion’s first of 2016.

 

A pair of professional boxing bouts will be featured on the main card of the evening.  Joel “Baby Bull” Bishop (0-0-1) returns to action after more than a year’s absence to face MMA regular Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) in a light-heavyweight four-round bout.  Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (10-1) will attempt to make it three wins in a row when he steps in the ring to face undefeated Tollison Lewis (2-0) in a six-round, non-title, super-welterweight contest.  Both Berry and Lewis are coming off wins in the boxing ring at “NEF XX” this past November.

 

The professional portion of the MMA card will be headlined by the long-awaited meeting between Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) and Jon Lemke (5-3).  Dubbed “The Battle for Bangor,” with both men living and training in the Bangor, Maine area, Boyington’s NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title will be on the line.  Number-one contender Lemke will be looking to capture the first championship of his MMA career.

 

The co-main event of the evening on the professional MMA card will see local Lewiston-Auburn favorite Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (6-4) taking on Devin Powell (4-1) in a lightweight matchup.  Powell returns to the NEF cage for the first time since May 2014, while Erickson will be looking for his fourth consecutive win in Lewiston.

 

A total of three title fights will headline the amateur MMA side of the card.  Young’s MMA standout Josh Harvey (5-1) defends his lightweight title against Florida’s Andrew “Ling-Ling” Tamayo (8-1).  Caleb Farrington (3-0) andRicky Dexter (4-2) will decide the first-ever NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion, while Henry Clark (3-1) and Johnny Crafts (3-0) meet to determine the inaugural amateur bantamweight titleholder.

 

In addition, Erin Lamonte (5-0) and Randi Beth Boyington (1-2) are scheduled to face off in a women’s MMA bout.  It will be a rematch of a contest won by Lamonte at “NEF XX.”  Boyington’s supporters in the audience felt that the referee stopped the bout prematurely as Boyington was about to break out of, or had already broken out of, Lamonte’s armbar submission.  After much back and forth among their respective supporters on social media, the rematch is expected to settle the issue once and for all.

 

The full “NEF 21” fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

148 Brandon Berry 10-1 (West Forks) vs Tollison Lewis 2-0 (CMBJJ)

175 Joel Bishop 0-0-1 vs Crowsneck Boutin 0-0 (Choi Institute)

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington (c) 12-8 (Young’s MMA/Boyington’s TKD) vs Jon Lemke 5-3 (Team Irish)

185 Mike Hansen 3-2 (Berserkers MMA) vs Zach Elkins 0-1 (First Coast Full Contact)

155 Zenon Herrera 0-2 (Independent) vs CJ Ewer 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

155 Jesse Erickson 6-4 (CMBJJ) vs Devin Powell 4-1 (Nostos)

145 Derek Shorey 3-3 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Josh Lange 3-2 (Bombsquad)

125 Brandon Warne 0-1 (Bombsquad) vs Norman Fox 0-0 (MMA Athletix)

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

170*TITLE Caleb Farrington 3-0 (Lawton’s/NEU) vs Ricky Dexter 4-2 (Team Irish)

155*TITLE Josh Harvey (c) 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Andrew Tamayo 8-1 (F2 Arena)

135*TITLE Henry Clark 3-1 (Choi Institute) vs John Crafts 3-0 (Team NEU)

265 Dave Smith 2-0 (Berserkers MMA) vs Brendon Battles 1-0 (Gracie Fitness)

265 Gravin Guillen 2-4 (Independent) vs Matt Glover 0-0 (Berserkers MMA)

210 Ryan Glover 2-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Mike Williams 1-0 (CMBJJ)

205 Matt McFarland 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Zak Bergeron 0-0 (CMBJJ)

170 Adam Nielsen 3-0 (Team Irish) vs Ruben Redman 1-4 (Team Mass Effect)

155 Ken Dunn 0-3 (Maine Kyokushin Karate) vs Frank Johanson 0-0 (CMBJJ)

155 Chad Murillo 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Tony Agust 0-0

145 Rafael Velado 2-0 (First Class MMA) vs Mike Pietersen 3-0 (Young’s MMA)

140 Erik Nelson 1-2 (CMBJJ) vs Julio Martinez 0-1 (Gracie Fitness)

135 David Thompson 1-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Caleb Costello 2-4 (Team Irish)

135 Richmond Pierce Wiegman 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Clifford Redman 0-3 (Mass Effect)

125 Brent Ouellette 0-1 (CMBJJ) vs John Parker 0-2 (Team Nitemare)

125 Justin Witham 1-3 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Jake Denham 0-0 (Team Lawton/NEU)

120 Erin LaMonte 5-0 (Gracie Fitness) vs Randi Beth Boyington 1-2 (Boyington’s TKD/Young’s MMA)

265 Ras Hylton 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs TBD

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

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 Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.