Tag Archives: Jarod Lawton

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.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FLYWEIGHT AMATEUR BOUT ADDED TO LEWISTON FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (March 13, 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 an amateur flyweight bout to the fight card.  “Sleepy” Norman Fox (3-1) is scheduled to do battle with “Downtown” Dave Brown(1-2) at a fight weight of 125-pounds.

 

Fox is a product of Ryan Cowette’s MMA Athletix gym in Bath, Maine.  He is also a devoted member of Cowette’s Victory Church. Fox made his debut with NEF MMA in August of 2013, dropping Dustin Veinott (3-3) in the first round of a bout in Biddeford, Maine.  He would go on to finish his next opponent, Mike Brown (2-3), not once but twice in the months that followed.  In the summer of 2014, Fox would suffer his first loss in the cage to Kris Moutinho (3-2) on a fight card in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  He will look to get back on the winning track on April 11 when he meets Dave Brown in Lewiston.

 

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” said Fox quoting Philippians 4:13, King James Version.

 

“Downtown” Dave Brown will also look to get back in the win column against Fox.  Brown lost by submission to Dustin Veinott last month at “NEF XVI.”  His previous appearance for the fight promotion saw Brown defeat Doug Bailey (0-1) at “NEF XV” last fall.  Brown is a native of North Andover, Massachusetts.  An accomplished wrestler, Brown competed for Plymouth State University where he was a four-time All-New England winner and is currently a member of the Plymouth Fight Club.

 

“I love fighting in front of the NEF fans,” said Brown.  “It’s such a rush stepping out into that packed arena.  As for my opponent, I’ve watched him fight and I have a lot of respect for his abilities.  But on April 11, I’m going to come in and take him down… take himdowntown!”

 

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

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.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights, women's MMA

MAINE’S FIRST COUPLE OF THE NEF MMA CAGE

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Randi Beth Knowles and Bruce Boyington

Lewiston, Maine (March 5, 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.  The fight card will feature Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) defending the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1) in the main event.  In addition, Boyington’s wife, Randi Beth Knowles (0-0), will make her amateur MMA debut against Alex Walker (0-0) in the female 115-pound strawweight division.  It will be the first time a couple has competed together on an NEF fight card.

 

Knowles is currently training under her husband at Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy and Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  A regular at bodybuilding and fitness competitions across the region, Knowles is no stranger to performing before large audiences.  She has been cage-side for many of Boyington’s past bouts, and she welcomes the challenge that will come when she finds herself on the other side of the cage wall on April 11.

 

“After watching so many of Bruce’s fights, I couldn’t be more excited to get a taste of what it’s like on the inside of the cage,” exclaimed Knowles.  “I’ve always liked being tested with the toughest challenges possible.  I thank NEF for bringing women’s MMA to Maine as well as big thank you to Portland Nutrition Corner, Abbott Insulation Plus, Lewis Used Car Sales, Jes & Toby for all their support.”

 

Knowles’ opponent, Alex Walker, is not to be taken lightly.  Walker trains out of the Kaze Dojo in Lancaster, New Hampshire.  Coming in from out-of-town for the fight, Walker relishes in playing the role of underdog and hopes to also play the role of spoiler on April 11.

 

“I come from a town of 2,500 people,” said Walker.  “Nobody expects me to do well. Nobody ever expects our team to be able to hang with bigger gyms. I like it when people underestimate us, it motivates 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 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, women's MMA

HISTORY TO BE MADE APRIL 11 WITH FIRST PRO WOMEN’S FIGHT IN MAINE

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Lewiston, Maine (February 25, 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 female strawweight bout to the fight card.  Kaline “The Dark Angel” Medeiros (3-4) has signed to face Calie “The Honey Badger” Cutler (3-0) at a fight weight of 115-pounds.  It will be the first professional women’s fight in Maine since the state legislature legalized the sport of MMA in 2009.

 

“It’s really sad that it’s taken this long,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “We’re huge fans of women’s MMA in NEF.  We’ve tried numerous times to put pro women’s fights together, but they’ve always fallen through.  History will finally be made on April 11 and, once again, NEF is at the forefront.  We hope the fans will come out and support this fight, support women’s MMA.  This is a very proud moment for everyone involved.  It is a step in the right direction for MMA in Maine.”

 

This will not be the first time Kaline Medeiros has made history in the cage.  In 2013, Medeiros fought in, and won, the first-ever women’s MMA bout to be contested in Rhode Island.  Fighting out of Fall River, Massachusetts, Medeiros is a native of Brazil and has been training in MMA since 2008.  Having faced top female competitors since arriving in the professional ranks, such as Invicta FC veterans Peggy Morgan (3-2) and Stephanie Eggink (4-2), who she knocked out in just seven-seconds, Medeiros certainly has the experience and pedigree to get to the next level in the sport.

 

“It’s a pleasure to invite all my fans for my upcoming fighting onApril 11,” said Medeiros.  “NEF is bringing me to be the first ever  professional female fighter stepping in the cage, it’s an honor for me. Thanks NEF for the recognition, and I can’t wait to bring an exciting fight for the fans.”

 

Michigan’s Calie Cutler has raised a lot of eyebrows since making her MMA debut in 2012.  Cutler amassed an impressive 7-1 record as an amateur prior to turning pro.  She has finished all three of her opponents as a professional, including a second-round submission victory over Nikki Duncan (0-1) last weekend on a fight card in Michigan.  Cutler will look to continue her undefeated streak as a professional on her path towards the big leagues of the sport when she meets Kaline Medeiros on April 11 in Lewiston.

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place on April 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

FIGHTING PASTOR RETURNS TO MMA CAGE IN LEWISTON ON APRIL 11

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Lewiston, Maine (February 13, 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 middleweight bout to the fight card.  Ryan “The Junkyard Dog” Cowette 2-2 will take on John Daniels (0-2) at a fight weight of 185-pounds.

 

Cowette is the owner and head coach of MMA Athletix gym located in Bath, Maine.  He is a veteran of the NEF MMA cage, having contested all four of his professional bouts for the promotion. Cowette rides a two-fight win streak into “NEF XVII,” having vanquished Dave Claroni (0-2) and Jesse Erickson (3-4) in the previous 18-months.  April 11 will be Cowette’s return to the cage after more than a year’s absence.  During that time, he has concentrated on operating his school, training his fighters, and building his ministry through Victory Church in Bath.  Cowette is currently the only professional fighting pastor in America.  He says that he will be looking to finish Daniels on April 11 in Lewiston.

 

“I like fighting,” said Cowette.  “I like the journey of a fight camp, being pushed, and the lessons learned.  I also miss the opportunity of having a good finish.  I will be looking to finish this fight.  When I started Victory Church I found it hard to balance  spiritual training and training for the cage.  At 185 I feel that I can find my spot.  Thanks to NEF for calling me back to the cage. ”

 

John Daniels is not a stranger to the NEF MMA cage.  Currently signed to a multi-fight contract with the promotion, Daniels lost to Jesse Erickson last spring at “NEF XIII.”  He will look to avenge that loss on April 11.  A six year veteran of MMA, and a former high school wrestling champion in Connecticut, Daniels currently trains out of Rock City MMA in Rockland, Maine.  He predicts a tough battle at “NEF XVII.”

 

“I am excited to be fighting for  New England Fights and their fans,” stated Daniels.  “They put on the best events.  I am fighting Ryan Cowette.  He is a great fighter.  I have a lot of respect for him.  This will be my toughest fight to date.  I am looking to push the pace and stay in his face the whole fight.  This will be a battle.”

 

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

RUBBER MATCH WILL FEATURE THE RETURN OF POPULAR ATHLETE

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Lewiston, Maine (February 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 catchweight bout to the fight card.  “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (1-1) will meet the returning John “First Class” Raio (2-6) in a “rubber match” at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

 

Shorey won the last meeting between the two at “NEF XIV” last September via first-round submission.  He gained revenge for a submission loss suffered at the hands of Raio when the pair had fought as amateurs two years earlier.  The “NEF XIV” bout was promoted as a retirement match for Raio who had decided to step away from active competition to focus on his family and gym First Class MMA in Topsham, Maine.  Raio says that he has now found the balance in his life to return to the NEF MMA cage.

 

“I retired from fighting last September because I wanted to spend more time with my family,” said Raio.  “They were really supportive during my career and I owed it to them.   I have found a balance with my new job at BIW.  I am able to train, spend time with my family and operate my gym each day.  I love MMA and never stopped training.  I was not happy with the way my last fight ended and when the opportunity to compete against Derek Shorey again presented itself, I couldn’t turn it down.  The idea to fight Derek came from a post on FB that Ben Raven made on Matt Denning’s page a few months ago.  Derek seemed interested in a rubber match. After getting support from my family, I contacted Matt Petersen and he matched us up.”

 

The two previous bouts between Shorey and Raio had been agreed to at the featherweight limit of 145-pounds.  Shorey feels he will have an advantage due to the 150-pound catchweight where he will have to cut very little or even no weight at all.

 

“I’m excited to fight John again,” exclaimed Shorey.  “There’s almost no weight to cut for a fight at 150, so I’ll be fighting him at full strength, and ultimately as the best version of myself that I’ve ever known.  I’m very confident that I will be in the best shape of my life, and due to recent personal events, I think I’m a little colder now than I’ve ever been.  Training at Young’s  MMA in Bangor as often as I can, being a single parent now, will also drastically improve my game, in every aspect of the sport.  John is a really good wrestler and a lot stronger than me, but no one has ever seen what I know I’m capable of, and I plan to change that.”

 

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

WELTERWEIGHT MATCHUP HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF “FIGHT OF THE YEAR”

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Lewiston, Maine (February 11, 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.  The fight card, aptly titled “NEF XVII,” will feature a high-level professional welterweight contest between Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) and Dennis Olson (12-7).

 

“This is the kind of fight we love to make in NEF,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “It’s two exciting fighters who come with 100% each and every time they step into that cage. Neither of them could have a boring fight if they tried. Both of these athletes bring a rare intensity to their training regimens and fighting styles. When we look back at the end of 2015, I expect this fight to be in the discussion for ‘Fight of the Year.'”

 

Lawton, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt out of Augusta, Maine, recently signed a long-term promotional contract with NEF.  He has been a regular in the NEF cage for three years, four of five of his professional bouts having been for the promotion.  Lawton’s sole loss came to Darrius Heyliger (5-2) when the cage-side physician stopped the bout due to a cut.  He had been beating Heyliger soundly up until that point.

 

Lawton would go on to win his next three in a row, becoming known for his late fight finishes of opponents.  He currently owns and operates Team Lawton Martial Arts – a Team New England United (NEU) affiliate based in Farmingdale, Maine.  With the Androscoggin Bank Colisee being just down the road from his base of operations, Lawton feels that he will have the home field advantage over Olson in their April 11 bout.

 

“I hope the fans are as excited as I am about me getting back in the cage,” said Lawton.  “I plan to make this a breakout year for myself and Team Lawton-NEU.  I am ready to take this step up in competition against Olson.  We are both very durable and I am expecting fireworks for this fight, but NEF is my home –  this guy is coming to my home, my fans’ home.  When we step in that cage, it will be more than me in that cage – it will be an entire arena against him.  All my preparation will be thanks to my training partners, coaches, students and my wife and son, and NEF for all the opportunities they have given me.”

 

Dennis Olson is one of the most-respected, and feared, athletes in the history of the New England MMA scene.  He is a product of John Fain’s Team Triumph in Nashua, NH, and was, at one time, the kingpin of the region’s welterweight division.  Olson is a two-fight veteran of the Bellator cage and has spent over a decade competing in MMA.  His list of opponents reads like a “who’s who” of New England welterweights over the years, including a notable win over UFC veteran and Dolce Diet namesake Mike Dolce (4-9). Olson will undoubtedly look to avenge past losses by his Triumph teammates John Ortolani (7-9) and Cody Anderson (1-2) at the hands of Lawton.

 

“April 11, 2015, I climb into the cage for the 22nd time, Lawton for the sixth,” said Olson.  “I respect every one of my opponents’ ability to throw a punch or snag a choke.  However, with the level of competition that I have seen leads me to believe that there is nothing Lawton can use to surprise me or catch me off guard. Knowing this information leaves me with only one option.  I have to take advantage of absolutely every second I have in order to prepare myself to prove that information as fact.  I am going to do my best to take every ounce of heart and soul from you.  I’m going to make you want to give up, make you want to die.  I’m going to do my best to dismantle you piece by piece.  To prove to you and I and everyone else that I am your alpha. I am above you, you cannot and will not defeat 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 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

BOYINGTON AND HARRISON ON APRIL 11: POWER IS LEGEND

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Lewiston, Maine (February 10, 2015) – The night was June 16, 2012.  Over 3,000 fans had filled the Androscoggin Bank Colisee for New England Fights’ (NEF) “NEF III” mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  In the main event of the evening was former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion of the World Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (31-10).  Sylvia was competing for the first time ever in his home state of Maine.   Media outlets, both local and national, descended on Lewiston that night for the big event.  National cable station HDNet (now “AXS TV”) sent a full film crew and producer to cover the pro portion of the fight card for their weekly program Inside MMA.

 

Sylvia’s 12-second knockout of Randy Smith (13-15-1), however, was not the story that night.  The real story coming out of the event was the emergence of not one, but two, new stars before a national audience.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7), already holding the first-ever knockout in Maine MMA history, added to his legend with a Taekwondo spinning-hook kick that left his opponent unconscious and earned Boyington the quickest knockout in NEF at the time at 10-seconds.  Moments later, Jamie Harrison (5-1) finished his opponent with an unorthodox ground-and-pound technique dubbed “The Lobster Punch” by Inside MMA co-host Bas Rutten (28-4-1).  Both finishes were caught on camera by AXS TV, and both were seen by fight fans the world over on television and the internet.  The road to April 11, 2015, “NEF XVII,” and a showdown between Boyington and Harrison, had been paved.

 

In the months and years to come, Boyington would become the face of NEF MMA.  Leaving a trail of broken opponents in his wake, Boyington would go on to capture the vacant NEF MMA Lightweight Championship in September 2014 by defeating Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (3-4).  Weeks later, Boyington and Erickson would rematch with Boyington once again emerging victorious. Harrison had, himself, cut through Tollison Lewis (0-3) with reckless abandon just moments earlier, leading many to speculate that the time for the Boyington-Harrison showdown had finally arrived.  In the hours that followed, both sides had agreed to the fight and the stage was set for April 11, 2015 in Lewiston at “NEF XVII.”  Both athletes squared off in the cage last Saturday at “NEF XVI” to officially announce the bout which will be a five-rounder for Boyington’s Lightweight Championship.

 

“I’m feeling on top of the world,” said Boyington when reached for comment.  “The break has served its purpose and although I feel I have strengths such as a well-rounded MMA game, more professional fights, more experience with top level opponents and comfort in this arena – I know that it’s all irrelevant because the high that I’m on right now right now and the eagerness to get in the cage and have fun , along with a strict conviction with myself NOT to lose and to entertain the crowd makes me more confident than ever to get the job done.  I respect Jamie very much. He is tough and presents challenges and I’ve had my sights on him for a long time, studying him and knowing we would cross paths eventually. Lucky for me, I’m a hell of a wrestler.  I see what’s coming.  Fans, this fight is unlike anything else you will ever see.  Make sure you’re in attendance to witness what I’m about to do.  I have no problem proving the critics wrong.  Just be there and don’t blink. This is a big stage fight, I’ll prove it.”

 

“I am extremely excited to get back in the NEF cage for this huge opportunity,” remarked Harrison.  “Bruce is on a hot streak and so am I.  The title belt around my waist has been a long time coming and it will be bittersweet to do it in front of all my family, friends, and fans.  This fight will have a lot of fireworks and you will not want to look away for a second.”

 

“These are the two alpha males of the NEF roster,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “When they walk in a room, everyone knows it.  But we all know that there can only be one alpha male in the pride.  On April 11 in Lewiston, we’ll determine which is the true alpha male when these two lions collide.”

 

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 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.”