Portland, מיין (אַפּריל 10, 2018) – We all celebrate certain milestone birthdays in our youth that furnish a new level of freedom.

 

 

 

Perhaps the possibility of getting a driver’s license was the be-all, end-all at one point. Some eagerly await the option to vote or to serve their country through the military. And yes, many count the days to when they can toast responsibly with an adult beverage.

 

 

 

Caleb Hall’s grown-up goal, before he knew there were any restrictions against it, was to enter the mixed martial arts cage. ער איז געווען 17, a senior wrestler and football player at Dirigo High School, when he learned of an upstart enterprise known as New England Fights.

 

 

 

“Ever since I started wrestling, I started watching MMA and became obsessed with it,” Hall said. “Then when I found out the promoter (מאַט פּעטערסאָן) was from my area and that there were actually fights in Lewiston, איך קען נישט גלויבן עס. I didn’t even know I had to be 18.”

 

 

 

Eleven fights later, his face a tad more weathered but his spirit emboldened from taking on the top amateur competition in northern New England, Hall is turning professional.

 

 

 

Hall will step into the hexagon against 20-fight veteran John Ortolani at “NEF 33: Riptide.” The card will take place at Aura in Portland on Saturday, אַפּריל 14.

 

 

 

“He’s a tough opponent. He’s been a pro lacrosse player, so he’s definitely an athlete,” Hall said of Ortolani. “He’s been knocked out nine times to strikes, so I’d say he definitely has a questionable chin. That’s something I can try to capitalize on.”

 

 

 

Teenagers and young adults approached Peterson in droves when he and Nick DiSalvo launched the local organization.

 

 

 

All were enamored with the idea of taking their athletic acumen and fighter’s heart to the cage, so Hall’s interest was nothing new to the matchmaker. Taking the next step to sign a contract was always a different story.

 

 

 

“Caleb is a special athlete,” Peterson said. “He called me when he was 17 years old and asked for a fight. I had to explain to him at that time that he was too young to compete, and to call me when he reached the legal age of 18. To my surprise, he actually called me back when he turned 18, and he’s been an NEF mainstay ever since.”

 

 

 

With family, friends and former teammates packed into the cage side seats, Hall stopped John Parker in 51 seconds that September night.

 

 

 

“That was crazy,"ער האט געזאגט. “I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into.”

 

 

 

Hall went 8-3 ווי אַ ליבהאָבער, winning his last three fights. His only NEF losses were to Aaron Lacey and Josh Harvey.

 

 

 

A run that started with a few-months-premature phone call ended with championship gold. Hall picked up the vacant NEF amateur featherweight title by submission over Erik Nelson in April 2016 and defended it by split decision against Johnny Crafts in September of that year.

 

 

 

“He never shies away from a challenge,” Peterson said. “Consistently during his time in the cage, he has embraced the opportunity to face the toughest guys. Whether it was Josh Harvey or (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) brown belt Johnny Crafts, he always goes for it. I don’t think he’s ever turned down a fight that I’ve approached him with, and that’s pretty much unheard of in the combat sporting space.”

 

 

 

Hall was set to make his pro debut when NEF made its initial Portland appearance last November, but he suffered a broken hand in training. The injury required surgery to install a plate, followed by months of physical therapy.

 

 

 

 

It all makes Ortolani (8-12), a Massachusetts native fighting out of Tampa, פלאָרידאַ, an interesting choice for getting those hands dirty once again. While the veteran has lost eight of his past 10 פייץ, he owns a win over a name synonymous with NEF, Bruce “Pretty” Boy” Boyington. Ortolani also took Ultimate Fighting Championship (ופק) and Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Des Green to the cards before dropping a unanimous decision.

 

 

 

“If you want to make it in the pros, you’ve got to beat some guys, מען,” Hall said. “I think it’s a perfect situation for my first pro fight. I hope his style plays into my hands. I’m going to be head hunting and going for that knockout.”

 

 

 

The fight will take place at the 155-pound lightweight limit. With the exception of two bouts, Hall’s amateur career was contested in the featherweight (145) קלאַס.

 

 

 

Hall chalks up the change to the normal growth pattern of young adulthood, although he added that his strength and conditioning routine also played a role.

 

 

 

“He’s a rare kind of competitor, a champion, and when he digs deep and slides it into the next gear, היט זיך,” Peterson said. “I’m looking forward to witnessing how he will define himself in the pro ranks. If his amateur career is any indication, he’s destined to make a name for himself and turn out some lights in the process.”

 

 

 

Look no farther than Hall’s recent travel itinerary for evidence of that commitment.

זאַל, who relocated to Portland to attend college and train at Choi Institute shortly after his NEF debut, recently was in Florida for a two-week stint with the renowned American Top Team.

 

 

 

The eager 17-year-old has evolved into a man with a plan.

 

 

 

“There’s a Maine connection there with (ופק וועטעראַן) מייק ברוין, who is one of the head coaches. He originally trained at Choi Institute,” Hall said. “It was two weeks, just to get some training and see where I’m at. There are all kinds of UFC guys there to train and spar with. It’s a step up in the level of competition for sure.”

 

 

 

Opening bell for “NEF 33: Riptide” is set for 7 פּ.ם. דעם שבת, אַפּריל 14. פֿאַר טיקאַץ, רופן 207.772.8274 or go to www.auramaine.com.

 

 

פֿאַר באַלדיק מעלדונג: Portland, מיין (פעברואַר 5, 2018) - ניו ענגלאַנד פייץ (נעף) returns to Aura in Portland on אַפּריל 14, 2018 מיט דעם קאַמף העכערונג ס ווייַטער געמישט-מאַרשאַל-קונסט געשעעניש, “נעף 33: Riptide.” Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the card. John Ortolani (8-11) וועט טרעפן קאַלעב האַלל (0-0) בייַ אַ קאַמף וואָג פון 155-פּאָונדס.

 

 

 

 

John Ortolani, a native New Englander now residing in Florida, is one of the most popular athletes to ever step into the NEF cage. Ortolani has made his mark both in MMA and on the lacrosse field where he has played for several teams in the Major League Lacrosse circuit over the years. Having competed regionally in MMA since 2009, Ortolani made his NEF debut in the fall of 2012 with a submission win over Bruce Boyington (14-11). The upcoming fight with Hall will be Ortolani’s fifth trip to the NEF cage, not counting one further appearance in the NEF boxing ring. He currently trains with Robson Moura Nations United (רמנו) אין טאַמפּאַ, פלאָרידאַ.

 

 

 

 

“I’m excited for the fight with Caleb,” said Ortolani. “He’s had a great amateur career and has a lot of experience. I can’t wait to perform in front of the NEF fans again and welcome Caleb to the pro ranks the hard way!"

 

 

 

 

Caleb Hall has had a prolific amateur MMA career with an impressive record of 8-3. Prior to entering the MMA ranks, he was a two-time Maine state champion wrestling for Dirigo High School in Dixfield. Hall later wrestled for both Plymouth State University (PSU) in New Hampshire and the University of Southern Maine (וסם). He captured the NEF Amateur Featherweight Title in the spring of 2016 with a submission of Erik Nelson (2-3). He later successfully defended that title against Johnny Crafts (4-1) בייַ “NEF 25” in the fall of that year. Hall is a member of the Choi Institute in Portland, מיין.

 

 

 

 

“Every fighter’s goal is to get to the UFC,” said Hall. “To get there, you have to beat the toughest guys you can find on the regional circuit. Beating Ortolani, a 20-fight pro veteran, is a step towards my goal of where I want to go in this sport.”

 

 

 

 

NEF returns to Portland, מיין, at Aura on שבת, אַפּריל 14, 2018. טיקקעץ זענען אויף פאַרקויף איצט בייַ www.AuraMaine.com. For more information on the event, ביטע באַזוכן www.NewEnglandFights.com.

 

 

 

 

וועגן ניו ענגלאַנד פייץ

 

 

 

New ענגלאַנד פייץ ("נעף") איז אַ קאַמף געשעענישן פּראַמאָושאַנז פירמע. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. נעף ס אויספֿיר מאַנשאַפֿט האט ברייט דערפאַרונג אין קאַמבאַט ספורט פאַרוואַלטונג, געשעענישן פּראָדוקציע, מידיאַ באַציונגען, אָפּזעצערייַ, לעגאַל און גאַנצע.