Tag Archives: Bruce Boyington

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

MMA MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF XX CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (September 14, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  As announced this past Saturday night at “NEF XIX,” the MMA portion of the card will be headlined by NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) defending his title against Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-1).

 

For the second time this year, Boyington will fight alongside his wife, Randi Beth Boyington (1-1), on an NEF card.  Boyington has held the lightweight championship since September 2014 when he defeated Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (6-4) for the then-vacant strap.  A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), Boyington has electrified NEF audiences for nearly four years now with his brand of Taekwondo.  He splits time training between Young’s MMA and his own gym, Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy, both located in Bangor, Maine.  Always fueled by a competitive spirit, Boyington went to NEF executives immediately after his last victory and asked them to find him the toughest opponent possible.  The promotion delivered with one of New England’s top lightweights in the form of Davidson.

 

“I’m thrilled to get back in the cage where I’m at my happiest and the opportunity to share this experience once again with my wife is something I will cherish forever,” said Boyington.  “I have set out for the toughest challenge available because I want there to be no doubt what I’m capable of after November 21st is over.  I’m sure there will still be some doubters, but I know there will be many more believers.  Jimmy comes from one of the best camps and coaches around, so I know he will be hungry and at his best – just the way I want him.  I have the utmost respect to all those guys, but it’s my belt and it’s my home and it’s my time and I do not intend on letting anymore slip away from me.”

 

Davidson does, indeed, come from one of the most well-respected teams not only in the region but in the entire country.  He is a product of Mark Dellagrotte’s Team Sityodtong.  Davidson holds victories over some of New England’s most outstanding MMA competitors like Aniss Alhajjajy (7-4).  All seven of Davidson’s professional victories have been finishes.  His only loss to date was against a very tough Leon Davis (7-3).

 

“It’s an honor to fight on Maine’s first ever Boxing/MMA show,” said Davidson.  “There’s been some epic fights in the Colisee and this title fight against Bruce will be no different.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” 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.

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

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES FULL NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

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Displaying NEF_FNVXIII_Boyington_Raio_viral2.jpg

Lewiston, Maine (May 19, 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 full fight card for the event.

 

In a highly-anticipated rematch, NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) takes on rivalJohn “First Class” Raio (2-7) in a non-title catchweight contest. Raio scored a victory over Boyington by rear-naked choke in their initial meeting in February 2014.  That win, however, was marred in controversy as Boyington contends the referee mistook his wave to his fans in the crowd as a sign of submission.  Regardless, Boyington and Raio will look to settle the score on June 13 in Lewiston.

 

NEF homegrown talent, and 2014 “Fighter of the Year,” Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) will debut in the professional ranks against “The Junkyard Dog” Ryan Cowette (2-2) in a middleweight bout. Boutin has developed over the course of three years from a street brawler to a well-disciplined martial artist.  Cowette is the head coach of MMA Athletix and the preacher of Victory Church in Bath, Maine.

 

In other professional bouts: Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (4-4) looks to follow up his commanding performance last month at “NEF XVII” with another victory when he takes on Zenon Herrera(0-0); “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (2-1) will also try to make it two-in-a-row when he meets Canada’s Jeremy DiChiara (1-0) in a bantamweight battle; and Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) hopes to rebound from a loss last month when he fights Chad “Machine Gun” Kelly (3-2) in what many are predicting to steal the show on the professional side of the card.

 

“NEF XVIII” will mark the first time NEF has crowned a set of amateur champions.  The amateur card will feature five championship title bouts.  Among those bouts will be a heavyweight title fight between the popular Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (2-1) andRyan Glover (1-0).  Glover won a 2011 state championship wrestling for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine.

 

In another amateur title fight, Ricky Dexter (3-0) squares off against Josh Harvey (3-1) for the lightweight championship. Dexter will represent Team Irish while Harvey will represent Irish’s Bangor-area rival Young’s MMA.

 

A women’s fight will also be featured on the amateur card withAlex Walker (0-1) facing Kendra Streeter (0-0).  Walker thrilled the Lewiston crowd of more than 2,000 at “NEF XVII” last month with her “Fight of the Night” performance against Randi Knowles (1-0).

 

The full fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

150 Bruce Boyington 10-8 (Young’s MMA/Boyington’s TKD) vs John Raio 2-7 (First Class/Choi)

185 Ryan Cowette 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs Crowsneck Boutin 0-0 (Choi Institute)

155 Jesse Erickson 4-4 (CMBJJ – Team NEU) vs Zenon Herrera 0-0 (Independent)

135 Derek Shorey 2-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Jeremy DiChiara 1-0 (Wulfrun MMA)

135 Elias Leland 2-1 (The Academy) vs Chad Kelly 3-2 (Fighting Arts Academy)

265 Michael Hansen 2-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs TBD

 

AMATEUR

 

265*Title Billy Leahy 2-1  (CMBJJ/Young’s MMA) vs Ryan Glover 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)

155*Title Ricky Dexter 3-0 (Team Irish) vs Josh Harvey 3-1 (Young’s MMA)

145*Title Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Alex Johnson 2-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing)

125*Title Norman Fox 4-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Dustin Veinott 3-3 (CMBJJ – Team NEU)

135 *Title Johnny Crafts 3-0 (Team NEU) vs TBD

S.HWT Gravin Guillen 2-2 (Independent) vs Dave Smith 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)

265 “Sonny” Ora Spratt IV 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Nick Gulliver 0-0 (First Class MMA)

185 Heath Hanson 1-2 (3Ronin Athletics) vs Ruben Redman 0-2 (Independent)

170 Mike Bazanson 0-0 (Team Kaze) vs Jeff Dustin 0-0 (Independent)

170 Alex Bronish 0-0 (Berserkers MMA) vs Alex Payson 0-0 (MMA Athletix)

160 Pat Kelly 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Dr. Steve Bang 1-0 (CMBJJ – Team NEU)

155 Corey Hinkley 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Cory Trial 0-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing)

155 Dom Cofone 5-5 vs Jason Lachance 2-1 (MMA Athletix)

145 Dustin Shorey 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Rob Robinson 0-0 (First Class MMA)

135 Mike Crespo 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs Caleb Costello 2-3 (Team Irish)

125 Justin Witham 0-2 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Ryan Burgess 0-0 (Berserkers MMA)

125 David Brown 1-3 (Plymouth Fight Cluib) vs Steve Desjardins 4-3 (Team Irish)

125 Alex Walker 0-1 (Team Kaze) vs Kendra Streeter 0-0 (Independent)

145  Jimmy Jackson 2-2(Young’s MMA) vs TBD

145  Mike Peitersen 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs TBD

 

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

UNFINISHED BUSINESS LEADS TO LONG-AWAITED REMATCH

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Bruce Boyington protests to referee Jimmy Bickford after his first fight with John Raio is stopped

Lewiston, Maine (April 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 that NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) will meet John “First Class” Raio (2-7) on the card in a non-title bout at a weight of 150-pounds.

 

Boyington and Raio first met in February 2014 at “NEF XII” in Lewiston.  Boyington dominated the early moments with his striking.  Coming towards the end of the first round, Raio would take Boyington’s back and apply a rear-naked choke on the mat. The future lightweight champion waved his hand in the air, a signal which referee Jimmy Bickford took to indicate Boyington’s submission.  Bickford stopped the bout and awarded the fight to Raio, drawing an immediate protest from Boyington who stated he was waving to his fans in the crowd as a sign that he was not in danger.

 

In the days that followed, a heated debate would rage on social media over the controversial finish to the fight.  Both fighters, boasting arguably the two largest fan bases in all of New England, were at the center of an epic war of words between their respective supporters.  It seemed as though everyone had an opinion, and the entire state of Maine was split.

 

“Things were crazy that week after the bout,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Our Facebook page was flooded with comments and private messages.  Everybody and their mother was weighing in.  It’s probably the most controversial moment in NEF history.  Fans have been asking us for over a year when the rematch would happen.  The time has finally come, June 13 in Lewiston!”

 

Boyington would go on to have a highly successful finish to 2014, winning not one but two regional MMA titles, including the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship.  He would also win his professional boxing debut at NEF’s inaugural boxing event in October 2014.  Boyington has, in fact, won four of his last five since the Raio loss.

 

“This fight is solely about redemption and giving the fans what they have been wanting to see,” stated Boyington when reached for comment. “Sometimes you have to step outside of what is best for you in this sport and entertain and that’s what I’m doing.  I like a challenge—the biggest challenge—and that time will come, but for now, its about showing people what was about to happen last time and I can still show I’m three-levels above him by making the statement I’m about to embark on.  I’m done with mishaps in that cage.  I’m seizing every opportunity and will not let something slip again.  Mark my words, its about to get real in my fight.”

Raio is coming off two losses in a row to his archrival, Derek Shorey (2-1), including one defeat earlier this month at “NEF XVII.” In need of a win, the founder of First Class MMA may now be more determined than ever to return to the NEF cage.

 

“I know this is a fight that I want, Bruce wants, and a lot of MMA fans have asked for,” stated Raio when reached for comment. “I look forward to fighting Bruce. Hopefully when the fight is over, there will be no controversy.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” 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 ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS OF NEF XVII

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Lewiston, Maine (April 12, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF XVII,” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.   A crowd of more than 2,000 was on hand to take in the action.

 

The co-main event of the evening saw Dennis “The Menace” Olson (13-7) win a split decision victory over Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-2).   Jamie Harrison  (6-1) stopped NEF MMA Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) via first-round submission in a non-title bout in the card’s main event. In a women’s amateur bout earlier in the evening, Boyington’s wife Randi Beth Knowles (1-0) defeated Alex Walker (0-1) via unanimous decision in a thrilling back-and-forth contest.

 

In addition, NEF announced that the promotion’s next MMA event would take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on June 13, 2015.  The event is titled “NEF XVIII: Made in America” and it will feature the professional debut of Crowsneck Boutin (6-7 amateur) as he meets “The Junkyard Dog” Ryan Cowette (3-2) in a middleweight contest.  It was further announced that Ryan Glover(1-0) and Billy Leahy (2-1) will fight for the first ever NEF MMA amateur title in the heavyweight division on June 13.

 

The full results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

CATCH Jamie Harrison def. Bruce Boyington via rear-naked choke, round 1
170 Dennis Olson def. Jarod Lawton via split decision
CATCH Kaline Medeiros def. Calie Cutler via unanimous decision

150 Derek Shorey def. John Raio via TKO, round 1

CATCH Jesse Erickson def. Mark Deford via KO, round 1

CATCH Jay Perrin def. Elias Leland via TKO, round 2

 

AMATEUR

CATCH Norman Fox def. Dave Brown via guillotine choke submission, round 1
165 Connor Barry def. CJ Ewer via triangle choke submission, round 1
155 Matthew Hanning def. Rick Matthews via KO, round 1

S.HWT Dave Smith def. Ora Spratt IV via TKO, round 1

185 Heath Hanson def. Brandon Russell via TKO, round 1
CATCH Caleb Serra def. Clifford Redman via armbar submission, round 3
135 Sheldon Bang def. Mike Crespo via unanimous decision
115 Randi Beth Knowles def. Alex Walker via unanimous decision

155 Ricky Dexter def. Zenon Herrera via Kimura submission, round 1

185 Chris Rideout def. Ruben Redman via unanimous decision

185 Chris Smith def. Dan Meuse via TKO, round 1

135 Caleb Costello def. Wilmer Carrero via guillotine choke submission, round 1

150 Alex Johnson  def. Dustin Shorey via guillotine choke submission, round 1

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015.  Tickets for “NEF XVIII” 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

NEF MMA ANNOUNCES WEIGH-IN RESULTS FROM LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (April 10, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held weigh-ins for its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF XVII,” earlier today at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in Lewiston, Maine.   “NEF XVII” will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee located at 190 Birch Street in Lewiston tomorrow, Saturday, April 11 with doors opening at 6:00 pm.  The first fight is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.

 

The professional NEF MMA Lightweight Title bout between Bruce Boyington (10-7) and Jamie Harrison (5-1) is now a non-title catchweight fight after Harrison was unable to make the lightweight limit of 155-pounds.

 

The weights from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL

CATCH Bruce Boyington (154.0) vs Jamie Harrison (156.3)
170 Dennis Olson (170.9) vs Jarod Lawton (169.4)
CATCH Kaline Medeiros (116.2) vs Calie Cutler (117.9)

150 John Raio (150.4) vs Derek Shorey (149.3)

CATCH Jesse Erickson (156.3) vs Mark Deford (155.4)

CATCH Jay Perrin (139.0) vs Elias Leland (134.0)

 

AMATEUR

CATCH Dave Brown (125.4) vs Norman Fox (126.2)
165 Connor Barry (165.2) vs CJ Ewer (164.7)
155 Rick Matthews (153.7) vs Matthew Hanning (154.7)

S.HWT Dave Smith (292.6) vs Ora Spratt IV (282.7)

185 Brandon Russell (186.0) vs Heath Hanson (176.6)
CATCH Caleb Serra (147.1) vs Clifford Redman (145.0)

S.HWT Ryan Glover (227.6) vs Jason Field (271.0)
135 Sheldon Bang (135.4) vs Mike Crespo (134.1)
115 Alex Walker (115.1) vs Randi Beth Knowles (115.8)

155 Ricky Dexter (154.7) vs Zenon Herrera (153.8)

185 Chris Rideout (182.7) vs Ruben Redman (181.1)

185 Chris Smith (185.6) vs Dan Meuse (181.2)

135 Caleb Costello (134.7) vs Wilmer Carrero (136.0)

150 Alex Johnson  (149.2) vs Dustin Shorey (148.9)

 

Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com, by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525, or by visiting the Colisee box office at 190 Birch Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240.  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 XVII WEIGH-INS THIS FRIDAY; JAY JACK UNCENSORED PODCAST TO PROVIDE COVERAGE

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Lewiston, Maine (April 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, today announced that the weigh-ins for its upcoming mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVII,” will take place this Friday, April 10 at 2 pm EDT.  The weigh-ins will originate from the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center located at 490 Pleasant Street in Lewiston, Maine.   “NEF XVII” will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee located at 190 Birch Street in Lewiston this Saturday, April 11 with doors opening at 6:00 pm.  The first fight is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.

 

All of the stars for Saturday night’s event will be on hand at the weigh-in this Friday, including: NEF MMA Lightweight ChampionBruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7); Bellator veteran Dennis “The Menace” Olson (12-7); Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1); undefeated professional women’s fighter Calie “The Honey Badger” Cutler (3-0); and many others. The weigh-in is open to both the public and media free of charge. For those unable to make it to Lewiston on Friday, the Jay Jack Uncensored (JJU) podcast will be on hand recording their next episode and covering the festivities.  The podcast archives can be accessed at onlinebjjproject.com/podcast/.

 

The current “NEF XVII” fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington 10-7 (Young’s MMA) vs Jamie Harrison 5-1 (First Coast Full Contact/Riot MMA)
170 Jarod Lawton 4-1 (New England United) vs Dennis Olson 12-7 (Team Triumph/Boston BJJ)
185 Ryan Cowette 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs John Daniels 2-3 (Rock City MMA)
155 Jesse Erickson 3-4 (CMBJJ-New England United) vs Mark Deford 0-3 (F2 Arena)
150 John Raio 2-6 (First Class MMA/Choi Institute) vs Derek Shorey 1-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club)
135 Elias Leland 2-0 (The Academy of MMA) vs Jay Perrin 1-0 (Team Triumph/Boston BJJ)
115 Kaline Medeiros 3-4 (Gracie Fitness) vs Calie Cutler 3-0 (Jacked N Tan Fight Team)

 

AMATEUR

S.HWT Dave Smith 0-0 (Berzerkers MMA) vs Ora Spratt IV 0-0 (Shatterproof Combat Club)
125 Norman Fox 3-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Dave Brown 1-2 (Plymouth Fight Club)
265 Ryan Glover 1-0 (Berzerkers MMA) vs Jason Field 0-0 (Independent)
185 Ruben Redman 0-1 (Independent) vs Chris Rideout 0-0 (Independent)
185 Chris Smith 0-0 (Berzerkers MMA) vs Dan Meuse 2-0 (The Academy of MMA)
185 Heath Hanson 0-2 (3Ronin Athletics) vs Brandon Russell 0-1 (Team Nitemare)
165 CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Connor Barry 4-1 (Independent)
155 Ricky Dexter 2-0 (Team Irish) vs Zenon Herrera 3-6 (Independent)
155 Rick Matthews 1-1 (Team Irish) vs Matthew Hanning 0-1 (Independent)
145 Clifford Redman 0-1 (Independent) vs Caleb Serra 0-1 (Kaze Dojo)
150 Alex Johnson 1-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Dustin Shorey 0-0 (Shatterproof Combat Club)
135 Mike Crespo 2-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Sheldon Bang 1-2 (CMBJJ-New England United)
135 Caleb Costello 1-3 (Team Irish) vs Wilmer Carrero 0-0 (MMA Athletix)
115 Randi Beth Knowles 0-0 (Boyington’s TKD/Young’s MMA) vs Alex Walker 0-0 (Kaze Dojo)

 

Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.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

FIGHT ADDED TO NEF XVII CARD WILL FEATURE LONG-AWAITED RETURN

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Lewiston, Maine (March 24, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  NEF released the full fight card for the event last week.  Earlier today, the company announced the addition of an amateur catchweight bout to the fight card.  CJ Ewer (3-1) will face Connor “Bare Knuckle” Barry (4-1) at a fight weight of 165-pounds.

 

Ewer, a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine, took the NEF MMA amateur ranks by storm in the summer of 2013.  In the matter of just ten weeks, Ewer chalked up three victories, the last of which was over veteran Crowsneck Boutin (6-7).  His streak was brought to a halt by the tough Wayne Ahlquist (1-1) later that fall. Ewer would take more than a year off to serve his country in the United States Air Force security forces.  Now back home and training with his teammates at Young’s, Ewer looks forward to testing himself once again in the NEF MMA cage.

 

“I’m very anxious to get back to competing within NEF after being away for almost a year and a half,” said Ewer.  “And I’m thankful Young’s welcomed me back and took the time to train me. Connor looks like a very tough opponent, and it’ll be a great test for me.”

 

Connor Barry is an independent fighter currently based out of Lowell, Massachusetts.  Barry has become known as a “finisher” in the region, having defeated three of his opponents via technical knockout (TKO) and one via submission.  His only loss to date came by judge’s decision.  Already having put in two fight camps for a planned pro-debut that never happened, Barry is confident that he is in the best shape of his career and will have a successful NEF debut at Ewer’s expense.

 

“I took this fight because I have had my pro debut fall through twice,” said Barry.  “I have been training for a pro fight for five months now, so in terms of conditioning, he’s gonna be in for a surprise.  In terms of fighting, I think I outclass him in every single aspect.  From watching his fights, he looks scared to bang, and if he’s scared to bang against me, he’ll get knocked out quick.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onApril 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  In addition, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest.  Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.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, women's MMA

FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR APRIL 11 NEF MMA EVENT IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (March 18, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  Earlier today, the company announced the full fight card for the event.  The card is scheduled to feature a full slate of both professional and amateur bouts.  NEF executives report that fan reaction to the matchups already announced has been overwhelmingly positive.

 

“I can’t remember having this kind of response to a fight card before,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “There has been so much excitement over every fight we’ve announced.  We sold out of all cage-side tickets four weeks prior to the event, and the general admission are very close to being gone.  We’ve never seen that happen so early before.  It really says something about the quality of the product we’re putting on here in Lewiston. There’s no doubt NEF is the hottest ticket in town.”

 

In the main event of the evening, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(10-7) defends the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  The bout was made in the hours following “NEF XV” last November when Boyington successfully defended the title against Jesse Erickson (3-4) and Harrison manhandled Tollison Lewis (0-4) on his way to a quick submission victory.  The fight will be Boyington’s second defense of the title since winning it last September.

 

The co-main event of the evening will feature a highly-anticipated welterweight bout between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) and Bellator veteran Dennis “The Menace” Olson (12-7).  In recent weeks, Lawton and Olson have engaged in a war of words on social media which saw both athletes’ respective supporters jump in the fray.

 

“Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (1-1), fresh off signing a new multi-fight contract with NEF, will meet John “First Class” Raio (2-6) in a “rubber match.”  The rivalry has seen each fighter win one bout against the other.  The April 11 fight, scheduled to take place at a catchweight of 150-pounds, will determine a definitive victor in the rivalry.

 

Kaline “The Dark Angel” Medeiros (3-4) and undefeated Calie “The Honey Badger” Cutler (3-0) will make history when they contest the first professional women’s MMA fight on a regional card in Maine.  It will not be the first time Medeiros has been a part of history.  She competed in the first women’s fight in Rhode Island two years ago.

 

Also in action on the professional side of the card will be popular NEF MMA regulars Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (3-4), “The Junkyard Dog” Ryan Cowette (2-2), Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-0) and Mike “the Mustache” Hansen (2-1), among others.

 

The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by “Sleepy” Norman Fox (3-1) and “Downtown” Dave Brown (1-2) in a flyweight contest.  Fox is undefeated on Maine soil and is currently the number-three ranked amateur flyweight in the Northeast. Brown wrestled for Plymouth State University where he was a four-time All-New England winner.

 

The amateur card will also feature a lightweight bout betweenRicky Dexter (2-0) from Marcus Davis’ Team Irish and Steven Bang (3-3) from Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) – Team New England United (NEU).  Dexter’s teammate Jeremy Tyler (4-3) squares off with Alex Johnson (1-1) of Ruthless MMA & Boxing in a featherweight bout.  And Bruce Boyington’s wife, Randi Beth Knowles (0-0), will meet Alex Walker (0-0) in a double-debut strawweight fight.

 

The full fight card for “NEF XVII” (subject to change and approval of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine):

 

PROFESSIONAL

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington 10-7 (Young’s MMA) vs Jamie Harrison 5-1 (First Coast Full Contact)

170 Jarod Lawton 4-1 (Team NEU) vs Dennis Olson 12-7 (Boston BJJ/Team Triumph)

265 Brent Dillingham 1-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Mike Hansen 2-1 (BerzerkersMMA)

185 Ryan Cowette 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs John Daniels 2-3 (Rock City MMA)

155 Jesse Erickson 3-4 (Team NEU – CMBJJ) vs Mark Deford 0-3 (F2 Arena)

150 John Raio 2-6 (First Class MMA) vs Derek Shorey 1-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club)

135 Elias Leland 2-0 (The Academy) vs Jay Perrin 1-0 (Boston BJJ/Team Triumph)

115 Kaline Medeiros 3-4 (Gracie Fitness) vs Calie Cutler 3-0 (Jacked N Tan Fight Team)

 

AMATEUR

 

125 Norman Fox 3-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Dave Brown 1-2 (Plymouth Fight Club)

265 Ryan Glover 1-0 (BerzerkersMMA) vs Jason Field 0-0 (Independent)

265 Dave Smith 0-0 (BerzerkersMMA) vs Dan Marley 0-0 (Independent)

185 Ruben Redman 0-1 (Independent) vs Chris Rideout 0-0 (Independent)

185 Chris Smith 0-0 (BerzerkersMMA) vs Nash Roy 2-1 (Young’s MMA)

185 Heath Hanson 0-2 (3Ronin Athletics) vs Brandon Russell 0-1 (Team Nitemare)

155 Ricky Dexter 2-0 (Team Irish) vs Steve Bang Jr. 3-3 (Team NEU – CMBJJ)

155 Rick Matthews 1-1 (Team Irish) vs Matthew Hanning 0-1 (Independent)

155 Jason Lachance 1-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Jesse Herrick 1-0 (The Academy)

145 Clifford Redman 0-1 (Independent) vs Caleb Serra 0-1 (Team Kaze)

145 Jeremy Tyler 4-3 (Team Irish) vs Alex Johnson 1-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing)

135 Mike Crespo 2-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Sheldon Bang 1-2 (Team NEU – CMBJJ)

115 Randibeth Knowles 0-0 (Boyington’s TKD/Young’s MMA) vs Alex Walker 0-0 (Team Kaze)

 

 

Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.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.