Tag Archives: Elias Leland

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

DANGER MOUSE LOOKS TO CONTINUE HIS WINNING WAYS AT NEF 28

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Lewiston, Maine (March 13, 2017) – New England Fights (NEF) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE” on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card.  Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (3-2) returns to take on Andre “The Finisher” Belcarris (0-0) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

Leland, a resident of South Portland, Maine, is a mainstay of the NEF cage.  He fought his sophomore amateur contest at “NEF I” back in February 2012 and has competed on eight of the promotion’s cards since, including one appearance as a professional boxer.  Holding a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from the Academy of MMA in Portland, it should come as no surprise that all three of Leland’s professional victories have come by way of submission.  He forced veteran Nick Santos to tap to an arm triangle choke last month at “NEF 27.”  In doing so, Leland snapped a two-fight losing streak.  He will look to stay on the winning track on April 29.

“I’m very excited to get back in the cage once again,” said Leland.  “I want to keep this momentum going.  I’m ready for war and putting in more work this year than I ever have before.  Be prepared for a hell of a fight – you will be sorry if you miss it! Mother f**king beast mode!”

Andre Belcarris will make his professional debut at “NEF 28,” but he already has a wealth of experience in the MMA cage.  He began competing in the sport as an amateur in 2010 and has had more than 30 fights since – an astounding number for an amateur mixed-martial-artist.  Belcarris fights out of Bennington, Vermont where he is a member of team Northeast Assassins.  In direct contrast to Leland’s mat skills, Belcarris is a striker with 11 knockout wins to his credit in the amateur ranks.

“I am honored to share the cage with a fighter of Eli’s caliber,” stated Belcarris when reached for comment.  “It means that my time has finally come. Expect fireworks!”

New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 28: INVINCIBLE,” on Saturday, April 29, 2017.  Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website atwww.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA/, follow the promotion on Twitter and Instagram @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, regulatory affairs and advertising.

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

THREE WOMEN’S FIGHTS, TWO TITLE FIGHTS AND NEW FACES FIND A HOME ON NEF 25 CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (August 19, 2016) –New England Fights (NEF) today announced the full fight card for the promotion’s next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  It is scheduled to take place onSaturday, September 10, 2016 in Lewiston.   The dynamic card will feature professional boxing bouts, as well as both professional and amateur mixed-martial-arts (MMA) contests.

 

On the boxing portion of the card, Brandon Montella (4-0) will meet Tollison Lewis (2-1) in a four-round light-heavyweight contest, while longtime Maine middleweight John “Rumble” Webster (8-7-1) returns on the eve of his 48th birthday to battle Zenon “K-Bar” Herrera (0-2).  Rounding out the pro boxing portion of the card will be Casey “Buzzsaw” Kramlich (4-0-1) and Connor Barry (0-1) in a four-round bout.

 

The professional side of the MMA card will feature a total of three Bellator and one Invicta veterans.  Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (7-5) and Jon Lemke(5-6) will rematch their previous bout won by Lemke at Bellator 93 in 2013.  Bellator 144 competitor Walter Smith Cotito (3-4) returns to Maine after a three-year absence to meet Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1), while Valerie “Valociraptor” Aspaas (0-0) herself returns to Maine after three years to make her pro debut against Invicta 16 veteran Sarah “SwitchKick” Click (0-1).

 

The amateur MMA card will be headlined by two title fights.  Rafael “Deez Nuts” Velado (3-0) takes on Jimmy Jackson (3-2) for the vacant amateur lightweight title.  Amateur bantamweight champion Johnny Crafts (4-0) steps up in weight to challenge Caleb Hall (7-3) for Hall’s featherweight crown.

 

The amateur card will also feature two women’s bantamweight bouts with Brianne Genschell (0-0) and Melissa Trahan (0-0) making their respective cage debut against one another, while Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga(2-1) is scheduled to meet Rachael Joyce (1-0).

 

The full “NEF 25” fight card (subject to change):

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

175 POUNDS: Brandon Montella vs. Tollison Lewis

160 POUNDS: John Webster vs. Zenon Herrera

155 POUNDS: Casey Kramlich vs. Connor Barry

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

205 POUNDS: Mike Hansen vs. Matt Andrikut

155 POUNDS: Jesse Erickson vs. Jon Lemke

145 POUNDS: Matt Denning vs. Taylor Trahan

135 POUNDS: Elias Leland vs. Walter Smith Cotito

125 POUNDS: Sarah Click vs. Valerie Aspaas

 

AMATEUR MMA

155 POUND*TITLE: Rafael Velado vs. Jimmy Jackson

145 POUND*TITLE: Caleb Hall (c) vs. Johnny Crafts

155 POUNDS: Caleb Swoveland vs. Frank Johanson

135 POUNDS: Walt Shea vs. Joel Downing

135 POUNDS: Brianne Genschell vs. Melissa Trahan

135 POUNDS: Jessica Borga vs. Rachael Joyce

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.”

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LELAND TO FACE RETURNING BELLATOR VETERAN AT NEF 25

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Lewiston, Maine (August 18, 2016) – OnSeptember 10, 2016 New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston with its next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional bantamweight mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bout to the fight card.  Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) has signed to meet Walter Smith Cotito (3-4) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

Six of Leland’s combined seven amateur and professional MMA fights have taken place in the NEF cage.  The Portland, Maine resident’s only loss to date in NEF was in his last fight against Jay Perrin (2-2) in the spring of 2015.  Late last year, Leland made his pro boxing debut in the NEF ring, taking Josh Parker (0-3-1) to a draw on the judges’ scorecards.  He has proven to be strong in both his standup and on the mat.  Leland, a member of Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner’s The Academy of MMA in Portland, is a dangerous opponent no matter where a fight ends up.

 

“I have been working hard since last year to become better in every aspect of my game,” said Leland.  “I can’t wait to test myself on this tough dude.  Good luck, Walter – and prepare yourself for a hell of a show!”

 

Walter Smith Cotito is no stranger to the NEF cage.  In September 2013, Cotito shocked Maine fans by submitting former NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion Bruce Boyington (13-8) in the first round of a bout at “NEF X.”  Most recently, Cotito competed at Bellator 144 in Connecticut.  He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is based out of Team Link in Hooksett, New Hampshire.

 

“I think this kid is really brave to take a fight with me, but I will make sure I’m his worst nightmare,” exclaimed Cotito when reached for comment.

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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

NEW SPORT, SAME FIGHTING PASSION FOR JOSH PARKER

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Lewiston, Maine (November 5, 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.  In a featured lightweight professional boxing match, Josh Parker (0-1) has signed to face Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (0-0) in a four-round contest.

 

While the bout will be Parker’s first boxing match with NEF, he is no stranger to longtime fans of the promotion.  Parker was a regular on NEF MMA cards during the early days of the company. He put together a record of 4-8 as a professional MMA competitor over the course of five years.  Parker feels that he has found his true home not in the MMA cage, but in the boxing ring.

 

“Boxing is a better fit for me because I’ve always loved the standup part of MMA,” noted Parker.  “When I was offered the Brandon Berry (9-1) fight and started focusing on that alone, I knew I had found my true calling. I quit my job, started building a fight team, and have done nothing but study and train since.  My plan is to stay very active, I’d like to fight every couple months if possible.”

 

As noted, Parker began his boxing career in the spring of 2014 when he accepted a bout with Brandon Berry in North Anson, Maine.  Parker held his own in the bout, eventually dropping a four-round decision.  Fans have speculated that there would be a rematch at some point down the road between the two.

 

“You know, people always ask that, but I really don’t care about fighting Brandon again,” said Parker.  “You watch the fight and tell me how the judges came up with the scores they did. That fight was on five weeks of boxing training.  Now I’ve had a year and a half.  If he’s standing in the path on the way to the top then so be it, but it’s not something I’m thinking about.”

 

What is on Parker’s mind is his fight team – Ruthless MMA & Boxing.  Opened in 2014 and based out of Benton, Maine, Ruthless is one of the standout new teams emerging on the Maine fight scene consisting of scrappy young athletes.  In founding the team, Parker is very clear that he is only interested in training those who are serious about competing as fighters.

 

“Ruthless is different because I’m not in it for the money.  I don’t take people who are just trying to get in shape or learn about MMA or boxing.  We don’t do ‘classes.’  We fight, every day.  I’m building a fight team.  When we fight, we’re looking for the finish.”

 

Unfortunately for Parker, he has had some trouble finding boxing matches in the past year-and-a-half following the Berry fight.  With NEF now operating as an MMA and boxing promotion, Parker, and others like him, are destined to benefit from the company’s stability and consistent events schedule.

 

“It’s been very frustrating,” said Parker of trying to find boxing matches.  “I’ve tried setting up a couple fights through other promotions out of state and they’ve fallen through.  I know I can always count on NEF to give me the opportunity to showcase my skills.  I’m extremely excited for November 21st, especially to be a part of the first dual MMA and boxing show.  It’s been a year-and-a-half since my boxing debut. I’ve done nothing but train since.  I can’t wait to finally be able to put all that hard work to the test.”

 

And Parker will, no doubt, be tested on November 21 at “NEF XX.” His opponent, Elias Leland, is a member of Jay Jack’s Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.  Leland is a talented mixed-martial-artist who has competed regularly on NEF cards.  He is currently 2-1 as a professional MMA fighter after putting together a 3-1 record as an amateur.  While Leland has established himself as a submission specialist, he has shown very good hands and standup abilities to date in MMA bouts.

 

“I expect it to be a good fight for the fans,” said Parker of the upcoming boxing match with Leland.  “I’ve never been one to trash talk before a fight.  I’ll let my hands do the talking on November 21st.  Fans can expect to see me looking for a knockout for as long as it lasts. It’s going to be an exciting fight.”

 

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 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

EPIC FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR MILESTONE TWENTIETH NEF EVENT

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Lewiston, Maine (October 23, 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.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the full fight card for the event.

 

The professional boxing portion of the card will be headlined by Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (9-1) in an eight-round bout against former Mexican Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Champion Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (73-69-2, 56 KOs).  Berry triumphantly returned to action last summer after suffering a severe shoulder injury in a November 2014 bout.

 

A very hungry Josh Parker (0-1) returns to the ring to face Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (0-0) in a four-rounder.  Parker and Leland are well known to NEF fans as regulars on the promotion’s MMA events.  Parker is the founder and head coach of Ruthless MMA & Boxing in Benton, Maine.  Leland is a member of Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner’s Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.

 

In addition, Ernesto Ornelas (0-0), a professional MMA fighter from the Choi Institute in Portland, returns to his boxing roots in his pro ring debut against Brandon Ali Garvin (0-4).  Ornelas was a multiple time Golden Gloves champion as an amateur boxer in his native state of California.

 

Middleweights Tollison Lewis (1-0) and Zenon “Ka’Bar” Herrera (0-0) will round out the boxing card.  Lewis won his pro boxing debut in the first NEF boxing event in October 2014 over veteran John Webster (8-7-1), while Herrera, an experienced MMA fighter and kickboxer, is a nine-year veteran of the US military, having completed numerous tours of the Middle East where he saw combat in the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq.

 

On the professional MMA portion of the fight card, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (11-8) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title in a five-round bout against the challenge of Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-1).  Boyington is coming off a huge win last weekend against Rodrigo Almeida (12-3) on the undercard of a World Series of Fighting (WSOF) nationally-televised event.  The challenger Davidson is no stranger to gold, having captured other MMA titles in the New England region.  He represents world-renown Muay Thai team Sityodtong.

 

In one of the most highly anticipated MMA fights in New England history, former NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Champion Ray “All Business” Wood (6-1) takes on Vovka “KGB” Clay (3-0).  Recognized as two of the most promising prospects in the area, Wood and Clay are both predicted by pundits to be future candidates for the major leagues of the sport.

 

Crowsneck Boutin (1-1) will look to rebound from his first professional loss last month when he meets Matt Bordonaro (2-0).  The bout will be a rematch from their amateur days when Bordonaro defeated Boutin by submission at “NEF IX” in Biddeford, Maine.  It will also be Boutin’s debut in the 170-pound welterweight division.

 

Two title bouts will headline the amateur MMA portion of the “NEF XX” fight card.  Dustin Veinott (4-3) defends the NEF MMA Amateur Flyweight Title against Ryan Burgess (1-0), while Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) does battle with Caleb Horner (6-2) to crown an inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Champion.  A women’s strawweight fight will feature Randi Beth Boyington (1-1) facing Erin “Fun Size” Lamonte (3-0).

 

“This card has something for everyone,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “You like MMA?  We got it.  You like boxing?  We got it.  You like the heavyweights?  We got ’em.  You like women’s fights?  We got ’em.  This is like the Super Bowl of NEF events.  This is the one event you simply cannot afford to miss.”

 

Promotion executives further announced that the “NEF XX” event will be dedicated to the memory of NEF staff member Susan Isham, 47, who lost her life in a tragic car accident last weekend in Bethel, Maine.  Susan had worked backstage for the promotion beginning in 2013, handling check-ins at the backdoor of the Colisée.  She was a beloved mother and grandmother, known for her hard work ethic and charming, upbeat personality.  Susan was involved in many causes in the Bethel community.

 

“We’re all still in shock at Susan’s sudden passing last Friday,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “She was a valued member of the NEF team, a good friend, and a kind, charitable person.  She will be missed by all who knew her.  Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.  ‘NEF XX’ will be proudly dedicated to her memory.”

 

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

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

140 Brandon Berry 9-1 (West Forks) vs Roberto Valenzuela 73-69-2 (Romanza Gym)

155 Tollison Lewis 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Zenon Herrera 0-0 (Independent)

140 Josh Parker 0-1 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs Elias Leland 0-0 (AMMA)

118 Ernesto Ornelas 0-0 (Choi Institute) vs Brandon Ali Garvin 0-4 (Frazier’s)

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington 10-8 (c) (Boyington’s TKD) vs Jimmy Davidson 7-1 (Sityodtong)

205 Matt Andrikut 1-0 (Conviction MMA) vs Jesse Baughman 0-0 (Team Link)

170 Crowsneck Boutin 1-1 (Choi Institute) vs Matt Bordonaro 2-0 (Victory MMA)

150 Jon Lemke 4-3 (Team Irish) vs Matt Denning 2-0 (CMBJJ)

145 Ray Wood 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Vovka Clay 3-0 (Boston BJJ NH)

145 Derek Shorey 3-2 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Damon Owens 2-0 (Young’s MMA)

125 Kevin Barrett 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs James Alexander 1-10 (F2 Arena)

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

145 *TITLE Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Caleb Horner 6-2 (F2 Arena)

125 *TITLE Dustin Veinott 4-3 (c) (CMBJJ) vs Ryan Burgess 1-0 (Berserkers MMA)

265 Bryce Bamford 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Bryce Locke 0-0 (Independent)

200 Jacob Cameron 1-5 (Independent) vs Victor Irwin 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

225 Joe Krech 0-0 (Independent) vs Mike Williams 0-0 (CMBJJ)

185 Ruben Redman 1-3 (Mass Effect MMA) vs Caleb Farrington 2-0 (Team NEU)

185 Dominique Bailey 0-1 (Independent) vs Anthony Spires 0-0 (Independent)

175 Caleb Swoveland 0-0 (Ruthless MMA & Boxing) vs TBD

155 Ricky Dexter 3-2 (Team Irish) vs Steve Bang 3-3 (CMBJJ)

155 Rafael Velado 1-0 (First Class MMA) vs Ken Dunn 0-2 (Maine Kyokushin Karate)

155 CJ Ewer 4-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Jason Lachance 2-2 (MMA Athletix)

155 Matt Hanning 1-1 (Independent) vs Levi Sewall 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

145 Caleb Hall 5-3 (Choi Institute) vs Matt Tamayo 0-0 (F2 Arena)

140 David Thompson 0-1 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Pierce Wiegman 0-0 (First Class MMA)

125 Justin Witham 0-3 (Shatterproof Combat Club) vs Brent Ouellette 0-0 (CMBJJ)

115 Erin LaMonte 3-0 (Gracie Fitness) vs Randi Beth Boyington 1-1 (Boyington’s TKD)

 

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

BANTAMWEIGHTS POISED TO STEAL THE SHOW AT NEF XVIII

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (April 30, 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 bantamweight bout to the fight card.  The contest will feature Elias “Danger Mouse” Leland (2-1) stepping into the cage opposite Chad “Machine Gun” Kelly (3-2) at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.

 

“Chad Kelly and Eli Leland are two guys who couldn’t put on a boring fight if they tried,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Chad had the ‘Fight of the Night’ on one of the first cards I ever promoted in Massachusetts years ago.  I’ve followed his career since and have seen how far he’s come.  Eli’s fights always steal the show on the NEF events.  Fans will only need the edge of their seats for this one.”

 

Kelly last appeared in the NEF cage in the fall of 2013 at “NEF X.” That night, he defeated NEF regular Ernesto Ornelas (1-5) via second-round submission.  Kelly has regularly competed in the flyweight 125-pound division throughout his career, but he and his coaches at The Fighting Arts Academy (FAA) in Leominster, Massachusetts decided to make the transition up to bantamweight beginning with the upcoming fight against Leland.

 

“I’m very excited to be fighting for NEF in Lewiston, Maine again,” stated Kelly when reached for comment.  “I fought for them my second pro fight and I loved the way they treat their fighters and how smooth everything went – plus, getting the ‘W’ was nice.  This fight I’m moving up to bantamweight.  My coaches and I thought it was the right time.  I started fighting at 19 and just have gained weight and have a massive cut to 125, plus I train with good 35ers and 45ers and do better when I’m heavier.  Elias Leland is a tough grappler with good submissions. I’m sure he will be tough, but I think I will have an advantage everywhere the fight goes.”

 

Leland, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from the Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine, will look to avenge a loss he suffered earlier this month to Jay Perrin (2-0) at “NEF XVII.”  The loss was his first since his amateur debut against Ray Wood (5-1) in September 2011. Leland has become known as a finisher over the years, submitting four opponents and defeating one via technical knockout (TKO) at previous NEF events.

 

“I have nothing but respect for anyone that is willing to fight me,” said Leland. “However, coming off a loss, I’m pissed and hungry as hell.  This will be an exciting fight for anyone that sees it.  So you all better be there to see an amazing show.”

 

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

TOP BANTAMWEIGHT PROSPECTS TO MEET AT NEF XVII

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Lewiston, Maine (March 12, 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.  Earlier today, the company announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight card.  Elias “Dangerous Mouse” Leland (2-0) will take on Jay Perrin (1-0) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

A favorite of Maine fight fans, Eli Leland trains out of Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner’s Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.  He made his professional debut in the NEF MMA cage last fall, defeating Brandon Bushaw (1-1) via submission in the third round.  He would follow up that victory with another submission win just a few weeks later, making short work of Jimmy Alexander (1-7) in Lewiston, Maine.  After taking the first quarter of 2015 off from competition, Leland looks forward to getting back in the NEF MMA cage.

 

“I’m pleased to be fighting for NEF for my third pro fight,” said Leland.  “I train every aspect of the fight and make a lot of tough sacrifices to stay focused and ready. With that being said, I will be ready for my next opponent and look forward to meeting him in the cage.”

 

Perrin is a product of John Fain’s Boston BJJ/Team Triumph.  As an amateur, Perrin put together an impressive 5-1 record.  He was the number-one ranked amateur bantamweight in the Northeast less than a year ago.  Perrin’s sole previous NEF MMA appearance was a winning effort against Nick Spencer (5-4) in February 2013.  The fight was part of an amazing six-fight win streak that Perrin has rode into the professional ranks.  He will look to add another notch in his win column on April 11 when he meets Leland.

 

“I’m really excited to be getting back in the cage,” said Perrin.  “Eli is a game opponent.  I know he’s going to come prepared  and ready to go.  But I’ve only become a more dangerous animal with my time off, he is just an obstacle in my path.  I’m coming to punish everyone that stands across from me.”

 

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.