Portland, Maine (April 28, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) returned to Aura in Portland on Saturday night with its latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 38: STORMBORN.” The event was in homage to the HBO series Game of Thrones complete with ring girls attired as the “Mother of Dragons” Daenerys Targaryen and Sansa Stark, as well as a cello player opening the event with music from the hit show’s soundtrack. A capacity crowd of over 1100 was on hand for the action.
In the main event, Ras Hylton (4-2) defeated Charles Penn (0-1) in a heavyweight contest. The ringside physician stopped the bout in the first round when a cut on Penn’s forehead could not be closed. Hylton landed a perfectly-placed straight right hand that opened the gash on Penn’s head and left blood pouring to the mat in a gruesome stream of crimson.
Caleb Hall (3-0) remained undefeated to start his professional career with his third straight win. Hall submitted journeyman Jay Ellis (15-86) in the first round of the co-main event of the evening.
On the amateur portion of the fight card, four titles were at stake.
In the first championship bout of the evening, Tom Pagliarulo (3-1) captured the vacant NEF Amateur Featherweight strap with a unanimous decision victory over Zac Richard (3-1-1). In doing so, Pagliarulo, a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, handed Richard the first loss of his career.
Duncan Smith (5-3) defended the NEF Amateur Welterweight Title against Jon Tefft (2-1). After five hard-fought rounds, Smith was declared the winner on all three judges’ scorecards. It was a good night for Smith’s team of Evolution Athletix. The Saco, Maine-based team went 4-0 on the evening with Smith’s teammates Adina Beaudry (3-0), Keegan Hornstra (4-11), and Megan Rosado (1-1) all picking up wins.
Taylor Thompson (4-0) made short work of Michigan’s Andrea Howland (2-1) to become the first-ever NEF Women’s Amateur Bantamweight Champion. Thompson submitted Howland in the first round with an armbar. The fight was brought to Portland by NEF in conjunction with Queen MMA Media.
In the fourth, and final, championship bout on the amateur card, Kam Arnold (5-0) kept his knockout streak alive with a first-round downing of Henry Clark (5-5). It was the fifth straight knockout for Arnold who retained the amateur bantamweight belt.
The fight promotion also announced several fights for its long-awaited return to Lewiston on June 22 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. The event is titled “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN.”
Hometown favorite Jesse Erickson (9-7) will take on Lewis Corapi (8-5) that evening in a lightweight contest. Erickson is a mainstay of the NEF cage and a perpetual top contender to the promotion’s professional 155-pound title. Massachusetts’ Corapi is a seasoned veteran of the New England MMA circuit, finally making his NEF debut on June 22.
Josh Harvey (6-0-1) announced that he would return to the cage at “NEF 39” to take on Jordan Downey (5-4) from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Harvey will defend the NEF Pro Featherweight Title that evening looking for his first successful defense since capturing the belt last February in Bangor. Downey is on a two-fight win streak.
Nate Boucher (4-3) will take on Robert Presley (5-4) for the vacant NEF Amateur Flyweight Title. Boucher has finished his last two opponents in the first round to move himself back into contention for another shot at the 125-pound belt. Presley represents the Lancaster Academy of MMA in Lancaster, Ohio.
In a solemn moment to open the event, NEF paid tribute to longtime staff member Casey Main with a ten-bell salute. The Wiscasset, Maine resident passed away unexpectedly late last week. The promotion dedicated the event to his memory.
The full results from Portland, Maine:
PROFESSIONAL
Ras Hylton def. Charles Penn via doctor stoppage, round 1
Caleb Hall def. Jay Ellis via submission, round 1
Keegan Hornstra def. Zenon Herrera via submission, round 1
Bryant Bullock def. Fred Lear via submission, round 2
AMATEUR
Kam Arnold def. Henry Clark via KO, round 1
Taylor Thompson def. Andrea Howland via submission, round 1
Duncan Smith def. Jon Tefft via unanimous decision
Tom Pagliarulo def. Zac Richard via unanimous decision
Arii Fernandez def. Ryan Savage via submission, round 1
Titus Pannell def. Justin Philbrook via TKO, round 2
Brian Cosco def. Garry Carr via TKO, round 1
Megan Rosado def. Amanda Bennett via split decision
Jason Landry def. Justin Boraczek via submission, round 1
Brandon Maillet-Fevens def. Jesse Fitzsimmons via submission, round 1
Jordan Norman def. Greg Ishihara via TKO, round 2
Nate White def. Clifford Redman via tapout to strikes, round 1
Schuyler Vallaincourt def. Dillon Henry via ref stoppage, round 2
Adina Beaudry def. Traci Baldwin via TKO, round 2
NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN,” will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com.