FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (July 11, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will debut in Orono on September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts with the promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: School of Hard Knocks.” Earlier today, NEF announced the first professional fight signed for the card. “The Jamaican Shamrock” Ras “Rasquatch” Hylton (4-2) will take on Chris Sarro (0-0) in a cruiserweight bout.
Ras Hylton is coming off a big win last April over Charles Penn (0-1) in Portland, Maine. The doctor stopped that fight in the first round when a cut over Penn’s eye could not be closed. Hylton opened the gash with a straight right hand that left blood pouring down to the mat.
Hylton is a mainstay of the NEF heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. The 6’6″ athlete holds a second-degree black belt in Shotokan karate. He currently trains with Dragon Fire Martial Arts in Portland and First Class MMA in Brunswick, Maine.
“I am quite fortunate to be at the point in my career when I’m called upon to introduce new professionals to our work experience,” said Hylton. “Boxers like my opponent offer a great risk with their familiarity in the pocket and at distance, so of course we’ll both be more than happy to trade our best shots for the win! I love the arts, but it’s in the fighting aspects of martial arts that competitors like us truly live and find purpose. So we train like our lives depend on it, because to us, that’s how it is. Welcome to the school of hard knocks, Chris. MMA 101 is now in session.”
As noted by Hylton, his opponent Chris Sarro may be a newcomer to the MMA cage, but he is no stranger to the world of combat sports. Sarro made a name for himself as an amateur boxer with a record of 7-1. He captured the 2019 Northern New England Golden Gloves championship in the superheavyweight division. A native of Ellsworth, Maine, Sarro currently represents Acadia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
“I’m just excited to fight close to home,” said Sarro. “Orono feels like my backyard. Come September 7th, I’m going to show the world there’s a new heavyweight in town. This is my time.”
New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS,” will take place Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine as the promotion debuts in Orono, Maine. Tickets are on sale now atwww.collinscenterforthearts.com.
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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.