Tag Archives: amateur MMA

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

MMA COACH’S WIFE TO MAKE CAGE DEBUT AT NEF XIX

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Lewiston, Maine (July 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a women’s amateur fight to the card. Angela Young (0-0) will make her debut against Rachel Reinheimer (1-0) at a fight weight of 130-pounds.

 

Angela is the wife of Chris Young, the founder, owner and head coach of Bangor, Maine-based gym Young’s MMA.  She has spent the last several years being trained by her husband in combat sports.  Her debut fight is a moment Angela has prepared for for some time, and she is excited to finally step into the NEF cage.  OnSeptember 12, she will look to continue the tradition of success Young’s MMA has come to be known for on NEF events.

 

“Chris, my husband, has been my coach from the very beginning, and I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to test myself in the sport I’ve loved for so long,” said Angela. “My opponent comes out of a great gym, but then again, so do I.”

 

Rachel Reinheimer does, in fact, come from one of the longest active and most respected fight camps in New England – Sityodtong in Somerville, Massachusetts.  A graduate of Simmons College in Boston, a mother and employee of the United States Department of Labor, Reinheimer has trained with Sityodtong for the past six years, honing her skills in all areas of the martial arts.  This past spring, she made her MMA debut, decimating Hillary Cooledge (0-2) on her way to a unanimous decision victory.

 

“My first amateur fight was an incredible experience, and I owe everything to my Sityodtong family who pushes me every step of the way,” said Reinheimer.  “I love this sport, and I am completely driven to keep evolving and getting better every day. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to fight for NEF in September.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” 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.”

 

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, New England Fights

A FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED AT NEF XIX

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Lewiston, Maine (July 7, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced a fight on the card that will determine the first-ever NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Champion.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) is scheduled to face Dylan Lockard (3-0) at a fight weight of 145-pounds with the winner to be crowned the inaugural amateur featherweight kingpin.

 

Aaron Lacey has been a standout of the NEF amateur roster since debuting with the promotion in the fall of 2013.  He is undefeated in the NEF cage, holding victories over the likes of Dom Cofone (6-5) and Caleb Hall (5-3).  His only loss to date was on a fight card in New Hampshire to Matt Tullos (7-0).  Lacey represents Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

“I’m super excited for this fight,” exclaimed Lacey.  “It’s a tough matchup between two top ten guys.  I have a new secret weapon on my side and her name is Vanessa Sanders.  Vanessa has been transforming my strength and conditioning, so come September 12th,  I’m going to display a side of me that no one has seen before. I’m a different, more dangerous fighter.  Don’t miss this one – I’m bringing that belt home.”

 

Dylan Lockard holds the only victory to date over Lacey’s teammate, and reigning NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion, Josh Harvey (4-1).  Lockard burst onto the regional scene last year and, like Lacey, also holds a win over Caleb Hall.  He is a member of Tim Barchard’s Professional Martial Arts Academy (PMA) in Derry, New Hampshire.  Prior to competing in MMA, Lockard wrestled for Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire and later the University of New Hampshire (UNH).

 

“I’m excited to come up and fight for the NEF belt against a tough opponent like Aaron Lacey,” said Lockard.  “I haven’t had an easy fight yet, and this one is no different.  We’re going to steal the show on September 12th.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” 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, New England Fights

WELTERWEIGHT TITLE QUALIFIER ADDED TO NEF XIX FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (July 6, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced an amateur welterweight title qualifier had been added to the fight card.  Ricky Dexter (3-1) will meet CJ Ewer (3-2) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.  The winner of the bout will get a shot at becoming the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion at a later date.

 

Ricky Dexter is a member of Team Irish in Brewer, Maine and a protégé of the legendary Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-11).  Dexter got off to a remarkable 3-0 start in his amateur career, finishing all three of his opponents in the first round.  Last month, Dexter faced CJ Ewer’s teammate Josh Harvey (4-1) in a losing effort for the NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Title.  Dexter will look to avenge that loss on September 12.

 

“The taste of defeat definitely left a foul taste in my mouth,” recalled Dexter of his most recent fight.  “You better believe I’m more hungry than ever to get this win.  Expect to see a Ricky Dexter you’ve never seen before.”

 

Similarly, CJ Ewer also got off to a 3-0 start in his amateur career.  The summer of 2013 saw Ewer defeat his first three opponents in a matter of a mere ten weeks.  He would put his MMA career on hold to serve his country in the United States Air Force security forces before returning to NEF this past spring to face Connor Barry (5-1).  Barry would be Ewer’s second loss in a row.  He recognizes that to get back on the winning track will not be easy with Dexter standing in his way.  Ewer is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

“Ricky  Dexter seems like a really tough fighter,” said Ewer.  “You can’t judge him on his last fight because Josh Harvey is elite – he’s the next Ray Wood.  I feel like this will be a great match up.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” 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, New England Fights

POPULAR FIGHTER TO MAKE LONG-AWAITED RETURN AT NEF XIX

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Lewiston, Maine (July 1, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card.  Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (1-0) will return after a lengthy absence to face Zenon “Kabar” Herrera (0-1) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

Denning last appeared for NEF in November 2014.  After a 4-1 career in NEF as an amateur, Denning debuted in the professional ranks that evening against Derek Shorey (2-2).  He would win the fight by first-round submission.  Denning will make the move up to 155-pounds from 145-pounds for this fight.  He is a member of Lewiston’s Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).

 

“After taking some time off, it feels good to be back for NEF,” said Denning.  “It’s going to be a tough fight-Zenon has had over ten ammy fights and made his pro debut against my coach, who is a really tough opponent. The only loss I’ve had for NEF was at 155 and it’s going to be a test for me to come back and see how I do. I’m a small 155er and I’m ready to show skills win over size. This will probably be the longest dog fight I’ve had, but I’m ready for it.”

 

Zenon Herrera is hungry for a win after dropping his last two fights in a row.  Herrera made his professional debut at “NEF XVIII” last month in a losing effort to CMBJJ coach Jesse Erickson (5-4). He is an independent fighter out of Skowhegan, Maine.  Herrera is a veteran of both the United States Army and Marine Corps, having served a combined nine years between the two military branches.

 

“My biggest goal, aside from getting a win, is providing the MMA fans with a fight that they enjoy and hope to see again and again,” said Herrera.  “Last time, I honestly feel that I let those fans down.  I know that I am able to do much more than what I showcased the last time I was in the NEF cage.  This upcoming match with Matt Denning, I honestly believe that everyone will see a new and very different Zenon ‘Kabar’ Herrera.  I have all of the respect in the world for Matt Denning -I do for everyone I face in this sport.  But this time, I not only have to prove to the fans what I can do – I have to prove it to myself as well.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.”

 

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, New England Fights

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS HAS STRONG FIRST HALF OF 2015

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (June 30, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” a little over two weeks ago at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The event was the third held by the fight promotion at the venue in just a four-month stretch, and it capped the most successful half-year period in the promotion’s history.

 

NEF is the brainchild of Massachusetts attorney Nick DiSalvo and Maine State Representative Matt Peterson (D-Rumford).  The pair met in the fall of 2011 and formed a business partnership with the intent of promoting MMA events.  Both being avid, lifelong fans of combat sports, DiSalvo and Peterson decided to setup shop in Lewiston, Maine, the famed home of the Muhammad Ali-Sonny Liston world heavyweight championship rematch of 1965.  NEF’s first event in Lewiston, held in February 2012, outdrew Ali-Liston II by more than 800 fans with over 3200 in attendance.

 

Since that time, and in a marketplace where competitors have floundered, NEF has continued to draw huge crowds to its events. The promotion has hosted fights of many UFC veterans, including former two-time world heavyweight champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (31-10).  In 2013, NEF co-promoted an event in Lewiston with national promotion Bellator.  That event was broadcast live on Spike TV.  Additionally, NEF’s videos on Youtube have millions of views worldwide, and the promotion’s event highlights can often be seen on AXS TV’s Inside MMA program.

 

In the first half of 2015, more than 6,000 people have been drawn to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee for three NEF events.  It is the largest attendance number the promotion has accumulated in such a brief period of time – a mere 18 weeks from “NEF XVI” onFebruary 7 to “NEF XVIII” on June 13.  It is also another example of NEF thriving in a time when other regional fight promotions struggle.

 

“It’s really just the result of a lot of hard work and business experience,” said DiSalvo, a 1999 graduate summa cum laude of Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, where he was a Presidential Scholar, and later a graduate of Suffolk University Law School in Boston, MA.  “NEF succeeds because Matt and I have a real passion for fight promotion, and we’re willing to do the not-so-glamorous grunt work that others shy away from.  You need to understand your audience.  You need to know your way around a spreadsheet, a check register, and have a good grasp on finance and budgeting.  It’s a business like any other.”

 

Due to the growth of the business, DiSalvo and Peterson decided to add a third executive to the mix earlier this year.  They hired longtime Bellator Vice President of Talent Relations Sam Caplan to serve as NEF’s Director of National Business Development.

 

“At a time of great contraction and consolidation when it comes to the regional MMA space, NEF has gone in the exact opposite direction and actually increased their overall business,” stated Caplan when reached for comment.  “To say the level of growth that NEF has been experiencing lately is rare would be an understatement. The promotion’s growth is a testament to the professionalism and business discipline of its chief proprietors, Nick DiSalvo and Matt Peterson.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.”

 

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

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada collaborates with new community partners to launch “Men in Mentoring” initiative, aimed at recruiting men as Big Brothers

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The need for men to volunteer is BIG: there are currently over 550 boys waiting for a Big Brother in Southern Nevada.

LAS VEGAS – June 19th, 2015 – If you met 12 year old Ryan, he might be a little quiet at first, but once you get to know him he is funny, talkative and outgoing. He loves basketball, hiking, playing hide and seek with his younger sister Alexia and their two dogs, Zach and Zoey. Ryan has been waiting for a Big Brother for almost 15 months. “I want a guy I can look forward to hanging out with and maybe learn a new sport with,” Ryan tells the program staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada (BBBSN) when his mother enrolled him in the beginning of 2014. “Ryan’s father left us when he was an infant. I know Ryan would benefit from having a Big Brother mentor to take him to a baseball game or a super hero movie. At this point in his life, I don’t think I am making the same impact as a guy could,” Ryan’s mother tells BBBSN.

BBBSN has hundreds of boys just like Ryan that are waiting for men to step up to the plate and become Big Brothers. “We took a look at our recruiting efforts and determined that we need to place a greater emphasis on targeting men and appealing to their personalities,” said Athena Gould, Chief Program Officer for BBBSN, “All it takes is 4 hours per month and an 18 month commitment to our program to mentor one of our boys waiting and give them the extra push they may need to succeed in life.”

This is where Men in Mentoring comes into play. New community partners to BBBSN including Tuff-N-Uff, a local amateur MMA organization, Vegas Lions and Vegas Outlaws Football teams, Alston Business Consulting, Office Depot, Never Give Up Foundation and the Gianniosis Realty Group have joined forces to highlight guy-centric athletic and cultural events that will ultimately focus on male volunteer recruitment efforts.

The inaugural event will be held in conjunction with Tuff-N-Uff’s annual “Future Stars of MMA Pack the Mack” night at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, June 27th. “We are proud to host the first Men in Mentoring group at our organization’s largest event of the year,” said Jeff Meyer, CEO of Tuff-N-Uff, “Fans will receive a special meet & greet with our fighters beginning at 5PM and will have the opportunity to sit in a VIP section when the fights start at 6PM. We hope to encourage our fans and fighters to serve their community as mentors.” Anyone interested in joining the Men in Mentoring group at their first outing must RSVP to Kyle Dunlap (kdunlap@bbbsn.org / 774-571-0291) in order to attend the meet & greet and sit in the VIP section reserved for BBBSN.

Men in the Las Vegas community are encouraged to participate in future Men in Mentoring events throughout 2015 as well. Future outings include, but are not limited to: behind the scenes with the players of the Vegas Lions football team; train with local MMA fighters at local gyms; and hiking at Red Rock Canyon. Kyle Dunlap, Community Relations Manager and Big Brother with BBBSN, is looking to add more unique and exciting, guy-centric events to the Men in Mentoring roster. Please get in touch with Kyle to inquire about participating in the program, hosting an outing for a group of 20-30 individuals, or about signing up to be a mentor. Individuals looking to start the Big Brother application process may also visit: www.mentorvegas.com 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada:

BBBSN, the region’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes such as educational success, higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships and avoidance of risky behaviors. Youth mentored with BBBSN are over 75% more likely to graduate than their peers. Since 1973, BBBSN has provided over 20,000 mentors to local youth. It is the goal of BBBSN to serve 300 additional local youth in 2015. The non-profit’s mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

For more information about how to donate or volunteer, please visit their website at http://www.bbbsn.org, or call (702) 222-9000. Connect with BBBSN at www.facebook.com/BBBSSN, www.linkedin.com/company/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-southern-nevada and www.twitter.com/BBBSSN

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS OF NEF XVIII

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Lewiston, Maine (June 14, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” on Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  A crowd of 2,000 was on hand to see Crowsneck Boutin (1-0) win his professional debut over Ryan “The Junkyard Dog” Cowette (2-3) and Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (11-8) gain a measure of revenge by defeating John “First Class” Raio (2-8) in their long-awaited rematch.

 

NEF crowned its first three amateur champions in the fight promotion’s history with Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (3-1) taking the heavyweight title in a wild back-and-forth brawl with Ryan Glover(1-1), Dustin Veinott (4-3) won a close split decision over“Sleepy” Norman Fox (4-2) to capture the flyweight strap, andJosh Harvey (4-1) submitted Ricky Dexter (3-1) to claim the lightweight championship.

 

It was further announced that former NEF MMA Professional Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-9) would return at “NEF XIX” on September 12, 2015 at the Colisee after a year’s absence from the cage.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

150 Bruce Boyington def. John Raio via TKO, round 2
185 Crowsneck Boutin def. Ryan Cowette via unanimous decision

135 Jeremy DiChiara def. Derek Shorey via Americana, round 1
155 Jesse Erickson def. Zenon Herrera via tap to strikes, round 1
205 Cody Anderson def. Michael Hansen via TKO, round 1

 

AMATEUR
155*TITLE Josh Harvey def. Ricky Dexter via armbar, round 1 (Harvey wins title)
125*TITLE Dustin Veinott def. Norman Fox via split decision (Veinott wins title)
S.HWT Dave Smith def. Gravin Guillen via armbar, round 1
CATCH Mike Crespo def. Caleb Costello via unanimous decision

155 Cory Trial def. Corey Hinkley via KO, round 1
125 Ryan Burgess def. Justin Witham via unanimous decision

170 Mike Bazanson def. Jeff Dustin via TKO, round 2

155 Dom Cofone def. Jason Lachance via armbar, round 2

265*TITLE Billy Leahy def. Ryan Glover via unanimous decision (Leahy wins title)

145 Rob Robinson def. Dustin Shorey via rear-naked choke, round 2

170 Alex Payson def. Alex Bronish via TKO, round 2

160 Pat Kelly def. Dr. Steve Bang via TKO, round 1

185 Ruben Redman def. Heath Hanson  via tap to strikes, round 1

265 Nick Gulliver def. Sonny Spratt via rear-naked choke, round 1

CATCH Carl Langston def. Alex Johnson via TKO, round 2

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.”

 

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, New England Fights

BOYINGTON GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH RAIO DAYS BEFORE FIGHT: “I’M GONNA GO IN THERE AND DESTROY HIM”

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Lewiston, Maine (June 10, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” this Saturday night, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Recently, headliners Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8), the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion, and John “First Class” Raio(2-7) joined NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson on a special “Head-to-Head” edition of the  NEF Podcast.  Boyington and Raio discussed the upcoming rematch and the controversy surrounding their first meeting in February 2014, among other topics.

 

The interview quickly turned to the top of the first fight.  Raio appeared to apply a rear-naked choke to Boyington on the mat late in the first round.  Boyington began waving his hand in the air and referee Jimmy Bickford quickly stepped in to stop the fight.  Much has been made of the infamous “hand wave.”  While Bickford saw it as a sign of Boyington’s submission, Boyington has contended that he was merely signaling to his fans in the crowd that the hold was not doing any damage.

 

“I can tell you how that night ended,” recalled Raio of the first bout. “Basically, Bruce had given me his back.  When I took his back, I had the hooks in and I had the rear-naked choke across his jaw line.  I was trying to pressure it under his throat, and as I grabbed my left bicep and my left hand was going behind his head, the ref stopped the fight… I was amazed that he had tapped because, honestly, I knew that I had a lot of pressure on his jaw… If in fact he was waving, that sucks for him.”

 

“In that situation, I specifically remember Bickford looking at me, I’m face up, he’s going for my neck and I’m waving,” said Boyington.  “Everybody starts roaring real loud and I remember Bickford saying, ‘No Bruce, you can’t say that’… If you think that I’m submitting or I’m in trouble or can’t breathe,  you don’t tell the fighter, “You can’t say that,” you just jump in and you stop the fight. I feel like he made a mistake.  I feel like he realizes that… I see a lot of different things that John has said online, and a lot of things other people have said, and that’s when I really started to get bothered by what had happened.  I felt like he could’ve handled it better.”

 

Prior to Boyington giving up his back, many felt he had been winning that first round.  Indeed, Boyington’s striking seemed to be on point that evening.  Peterson asked both competitors to speculate on what would have happened had the referee not stopped the bout at that point.

 

“Inevitably, I think John would’ve been knocked out,” stated Boyington emphatically.  “I don’t think I’m gonna submit him, because that would be his best chance with me.  He’s strong enough to defend a submission.”

 

“I think if the ref didn’t stop at the time, when I was on his jaw with my forearm and I was reaching behind his neck,” Raio speculated, “I believe my arm would’ve slid under his throat and it would’ve ended sometime soon before the round.  So, I don’t think it would’ve gone to a second round.”

 

In the days, weeks and months following the fight, both Boyington’s and Raio’s massive fan-followings have been very vocal on social media regarding the outcome of the bout.  The heated debate has raged between both sides for well over a year now.  With so much at stake for each side at “NEF XVIII,” both athletes touched on what the rematch means to them, and what they need to prove this coming weekend.

 

“I just can’t go in there and beat John,” said Boyington.  “Even his own fans are expecting that… I can’t just go in there on June 13thand beat John Raio.  I gotta go in there and destroy him.  Or I still lose out on this fight.  I know that, and I’m gonna go in there and make that statement.  And I’m gonna do it with one arm, because the other arm isn’t even working right now… I haven’t worried about this date from day one.  It’s nothing to do with John Raio.  I don’t disrespect the guy.  I don’t not like the guy.  He’s a good man. I’m just at another level.  I need to show up and prove that.  That’s what it is to me.  It’s not about me beating John.  It’s about me showing everybody where I belong.”

 

“In regard to Bruce finishing me quickly, and making it easy, and not really worrying about the fight too much, I just find it disrespectful like a lot of things he’s said to me, my family and my friends,” replied Raio.  “There were times after the last fight when people were congratulating me (on Facebook) and he’d go on like a one or two paragraph rant on every single comment everyone had put on my page for like three days straight.  So, after that I said ‘Bruce and I aren’t really friends anymore,’ so I deleted him.  I liked him before that fight… but when people disrespect me like he has it’s hard to like the guy.”

 

To listen to the NEF Podcast in its entirety, please visitwww.NewEnglandFights.com/Podcasts/.

 

To learn more about John Raio’s gym, please visit “First Class Fitness and MMA” on Facebook.  Likewise, to learn more about Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy, please visit their websitewww.BoyingtonsTKDA.com.

 

Tickets for “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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, New England Fights

PROFESSIONAL LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT ADDED TO NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (May 29, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional light-heavyweight bout to the fight card.  Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (2-1) is scheduled to meet Cody Anderson (1-2) at a fight weight of 205-pounds.

 

A native of Rumford, Maine, Hansen won a state championship in 2004 wrestling for Mountain Valley High School.  After graduation, Hansen began training in MMA and made a successful debut in 2005.  He would put his MMA career on hold to serve his country in the United States Army as a combat engineer.  Earlier this year, Hansen returned to the sport and founded Berserkers MMA in his hometown of Rumford.  His first fight in the cage in nearly a decade saw him triumph over Artie Mullen (0-11) this past February at “NEF XVI.”

 

“I’m pumped to be have an opponent like Cody,” said Hansen of the upcoming fight with Anderson.  “He is a real tough guy and this should be a great battle.”

 

Cody Anderson is a member of Team Triumph/Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in Nashua, New Hampshire.  Formerly a top-ranked amateur, Anderson put together a perfect 5-0 record over the course of his amateur career.  He turned pro in the fall of 2012, winning his debut over Hector Sanchez (3-12).  Anderson’s last appearance in NEF saw him submitted in the final moments of his bout with Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-2) at “NEF VII” two years ago.  Anderson had been winning the bout to that point, turning in a “fight of the night” performance along with his opponent.

 

“I’ve been away too long,” said Anderson.  “Even with no fight camp and only two weeks notice, I will put my hands on this guy and put him to sleep.”

 

Tickets for “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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, New England Fights

NEF THANKS MILITARY WITH FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY

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Lewiston, Maine (May 21, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   Earlier today, the promotion announced a free ticket giveaway for all past and present United States military personnel to coincide with Memorial Day weekend.

 

“This is something we’ve done in conjunction with Memorial Day and Veterans Day in the past, and we’ve given away hundreds of tickets,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “It is the most important promotion we do all year.  It’s our small way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who serve and sacrifice so much for our nation.  Come down to the Colisee box office today or Fridaymorning, present your military ID and get your free ticket.  It’s as simple as that.”

 

The ticket giveaway will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee box office from the hours of noon to 5:00 pm today, Thursday, May 21, 2015, and the hours of 9:00 am to noontomorrow, Friday, May 22, 2015.  The Colisee is located at 190 Birch Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240.  The giveaway is open to all branches of the military.  Personnel must present a valid military identification card at the box office window.  There will be a limit of one ticket per identification card.

 

Tickets for “NEF XVIII: MADE IN AMERICA” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.