Tag Archives: Josh Harvey

NEF RETURNS TO MAINE WITH STACKED FIGHT CARD FEATURING FOUR TITLE FIGHTS

NEF RETURNS TO MAINE WITH STACKED FIGHT CARD FEATURING FOUR TITLE FIGHTS

VIR ONMIDDELLIKE VRYSTELLING: Portland, Maine (Oktober 22, 2021) – When the bell rings at 7 pm EST to start the show on Friday, November 5, it will be the first time New England Fights (NEF) has presented a mixed-martial-arts (Plaasmoorde) event in its home state of Maine in 21 months. Shortly after the venerable fight promotion held “NEF 42” at Merrill Auditorium in Portland on February 8, 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the state and the nation. The resulting shutdown forced the indefinite postponement of “NEF 43” which was scheduled to take place in Orono, Maine later that spring. With the state not fully opening for combat sports events until well into 2021, NEF decided to turn to neighboring New Hampshire to hold “NEF 44” last summer. “NEF 45: Uprising” on November 5 will see the fight promotion make its long-awaited return to action in Maine, as well as close out its first decade of business. The event will originate from Aura in Portland.

Vroeër vandag, NEF announced the full fight card for “NEF 45.” It is scheduled to feature a total of 21 bouts with four championships to be decided.

In die belangrikste gebeurtenis van die aand, Josh “Hook On” Harvey(7-1-1) will defend the NEF Professional Featherweight Title against the challenge ofAguilando Brandao(9-8).  Harvey has held the championship since February 2019. Brandao is a tough veteran with more than 15 years of cage experience.

The co-main event will seeMark “Pockets” Gardner(1-2)aanvatNick Alley (7-4) in a professional welterweight contest. Both competitors are veterans of global promotion Bellator’s cage. Both will be looking to bounce back from losses in their respective previous bouts.

Zac “Rocky” Richard (0-0) sal sy professionele debuut maak teenCarl Langston(0-5) after a successful amateur career that saw Richard capture the NEF 155-pound title. Langston seeks his first win as a professional fighter.

In other pro boutsMatt “Ken Doll” Denning(5-10) meets former University of Southern Maine wrestling standoutJon Deupree (0-0) in Deupree’s pro debut, while former NEF Professional Middleweight ChampionCJ Ewer(3-3) gevegteShaun Ray (2-1) in die afdeling welterweight.

The amateur portion of the fight card will be headlined by three title fightsCaleb Austin(5-0) gesigteTyler Smythe (2-1) for the vacant flyweight beltFelipe Günter(3-0) is scheduled to square off withTeddy Politis (2-0) for the vacant bantamweight championship; enNathaniel Grimard(4-0) will defend his newly-won featherweight strap againstBilly Wilson(6-1).

The sole women’s fight of the evening will also take place on the amateur card asBJ Garceau(1-1) voldoen aan die debutHayley Martin (0-0) in a strawweight bout. Garceau last appeared in the NEF cage three years earlier at “NEF 36.”

“It feels like forever since we had a fight in Maine—and what a card to come back with,"Sê NEF mede-eienaar en Match Matt Peterson.  “So many prospects in this lineup, so many undefeated fighters putting their perfect records on the line, so much at stake for so many impressive athletes putting themselves to the test on November 5th. Four title fights. For headliner Josh Harvey, his next fight could be the last chance to see him compete before he gets the call to the UFC —he’s that close. Leading up to the main event we have several undefeated amateur athletes that are on the cusp of turning pro and trying to follow in Harvey’s footsteps. AURA is the place to be November 5th!"

The full “NEF 45” fight card (onderhewig aan verandering):

PROFESSIONELE MMA

145 POUND TITLE: Josh Harvey (c) vs. Aguilando Brandao

170 Pond: Nick Alley vs. Mark Gardner

140 Pond: Carl Langston vs. Zac Richard

170 Pond: Jon Deupree vs. Matt Denning

160 Pond: Jay Ellis vs. Rodrigo Almeida

170 Pond: CJ Ewer vs. Shaun Ray

AMATEUR MMA

125 POUND TITLE: Caleb Austin vs. Tyler Smythe

145 POUND TITLE: Billy Wilson vs. Nathaniel Grimard (c)

135 POUND TITLE: Felipe Günter vs. Teddy Politis

115 Pond: BJ Garceau vs. Hayley Martin

200 Pond: David McCarthy vs. Danny Dray

170 Pond: Brian Cosco vs. Tyler Kingsbury

265 Pond: Tucker Olinsky vs. George Pissimissis

170 Pond: Curtis Ouellette vs. Derek Lambert

185 Pond: Bryant Wade vs. Brandon Oldenberg

185 Pond: Brett Martin vs. Justin Philbrook

155 Pond: Jonas Ryerson vs. RJ Janeczek

165 Pond: Austin Hamilton vs. David Hart

115 Pond: Julian Menjivar vs. Matt Miles

155 Pond: Jacob Routon vs. Emmett Huber

135 Pond: Tyler Parent vs. Randall Hathorn

"NEF 45: Uprising” takes place on Friday, November 5, 2021, at Aura in Portland, Maine. Doors open at 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now atwww.Ticketmaster.comThe event will also be live streamed on pay-per-view for the price of $29.99 bywww.CombatSportsNow.com.

Oor New England Fights

New England Fights ("NEF") is 'n stryd gebeure promosies maatskappy. NEF se missie is om geleenthede van die hoogste gehalte vir vegters en aanhangers te skep. NEF se uitvoerende span het uitgebreide ondervinding in 'n geveg sport bestuur, gebeure produksie, media verhoudings, bemarking, wetlike en advertensies.

NEF ANNOUNCES FIGHT CARD FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE DEBUT, FIRST PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT

VIR ONMIDDELLIKE VRYSTELLING: Milford, New Hampshire (Augustus 13, 2021) - New England Fights (NEF) returns with its next event, "NEF 44: Back in Black,” on August 21, 2021, at the Hampshire Dome in Milford, New Hampshire. The show will feature both mixed-martial-arts (Plaasmoorde) and kickboxing fights. Earlier today, NEF announced the full fight card for the event which will be the promotion’s first since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and its first foray into the Granite State.

On the professional portion of the cardGlory Watson (0-1) enRebecca Bryggman(0-1) will both seek their respective first pro victories in a women’s strawweight contest. Watson, a former NEF amateur flyweight champion, lost her pro debut earlier this year in Florida. Likewise, Bryggman came up short in her professional debut at Bellator 231 in the fall of 2019.

Kaleb Hall(3-0) enShaun Ray(2-0) will put their respective unblemished pro records on the line in a lightweight bout, as wilJacob Deppmeyer (1-0) enAaron Hughes (1-0) who are scheduled to meet in the 145-pound featherweight division.

Also in action on the professional portion of the card will be NEF fan-favoriteJosh Harvey(7-1-1).  Harvey will look to bounce back after suffering the first loss of his pro career to veteran Jesse Erickson (10-8) verlede jaar.

Two title fights top the amateur portion of the card asMike Bezanson (5-0) challenges longtime NEF Amateur Welterweight ChampionDuncan Smith(6-3) for his strap andNathaniel Grimard (3-0) enBrandon Maillet-Fevens (3-1) contest for the vacant NEF Amateur Featherweight Title.

Also featured on the amateur card will be a long-awaited rematch betweenCaleb Austin (4-0) enJames Ploss(1-2) in the 125-pound flyweight division. Their first bout, won by Austin in April 2017 at “NEF 28,” was mired in controversy and received national attention on social media.

Daarbenewens, NEF announced today that it had partnered with Combat Sports Now to provide a pay-per-view stream of “NEF 44: Back in Black.” The event will stream live in its entirety athttps://combatsportsnow.com/event/new-england-fights-44 vir $29.99.

The full “NEF 44” fight card:

PROFESSIONELE

155 Kaleb Hall (Syndicate) vs Shaun Ray (Onafhanklike)

145 Josh Harvey (Vision Quest) vs Ian Beatease (KOV Gym)

145 Jacob Deppmeyer (Eerste Klas MMA) vs Aaron Hughes (Regiment)

115 Rebecca Bryggman (Kai MMA) vs Glory Watson (Young se MMA)

AMATEUR

205 Henry Jeffs (Onafhanklike) vs Brandon Oldenburg (Vision Quest)

170*TITLE Duncan Smith (Evolution Athletix) vs Mike Bezanson (Kaze)

170 Curtis Ouellette (CMBJJ) vs Zach Faulkner (Recon)

170 Austin Hamilton (Onafhanklike) vs Jon Assam (CMBJJ)

155 Ryan Savage (Eerste Klas MMA) vs Kyle Pufahl (Nostos)

155 Lucas Donald (Onafhanklike) vs Evan Piette (Kaze)

155 Kaleb Kenney (Span Nitemare) vs Isaac Piette (Kaze)

145*TITLE Nathaniel Grimard (Nostos) vs Branon Maillet-Fevens (CMBJJ)

145 Cody Kilton (Eerste Klas MMA) vs Cam Hoyt (Kaze)

140 Mike Caron (SSSF) vs Key Baltazar (Nostos)

135 Teddy Politis (Evolution Athletix) vs Tyler Parent (CMBJJ)

130 Hannon Sanford (CMBJJ) vs Richard Martell (Young se MMA)

125 Caleb Austin (CMBJJ) vs James Ploss (Kaze)

125 Tim Murray (Vision Quest) vs Guiliano Rossi(Kaze)

115 Matt Miles (Onafhanklike) vs Juan Quinom (UFC Gym)

130 KICKBOXING Dustin Veinott (CMBJJ) vs Geraldo Reyes (Span Link)

Tickets for “NEF 44: Back in Black” are on sale now atwww.NewEnglandFights.com/Tickets/The MMA and kickboxing event will take place at the Hampshire Dome in Milford, New Hampshire on Saturday, Augustus 21, 2021, met 'n kloktyd van 7 pm.

Oor New England Fights

New England Fights ("NEF") is 'n stryd gebeure promosies maatskappy. NEF se missie is om geleenthede van die hoogste gehalte vir vegters en aanhangers te skep. NEF se uitvoerende span het uitgebreide ondervinding in 'n geveg sport bestuur, gebeure produksie, media verhoudings, bemarking, wetlike en advertensies.

BERMUDEZ OORWINDEND, ERICKSON WERK OP 'N KLINIEK AS NEF' N SIMFONIE VAN VERNIETIGING TOT DIE MERRILL-OUDITORIUMSTADIE

VIR ONMIDDELLIKE VRYSTELLING: Portland, Maine (Februarie 10, 2020) - Meer as 2000 het ysige temperature Saterdagaand getrotseer terwyl New England veg (NEF) het sy mees onlangse gemengde vegkuns gebring (Plaasmoorde) geleentheid tot die verhoog van Merrill Auditorium in Portland. 22 gevegte het plaasgevind in die skadu van die wêreldbekende 1911 Kotzschmar-gedenkorgel. Dit was NEF se debuut op die eeu-oue lokaal, en die geleentheid het die eerbiedwaardige gevegspromosie se negende seisoen van MMA-kompetisie geopen.

In die belangrikste gebeurtenis van die aand, UFC veteraanManny "Die Bermudez-driehoek" Bermudez(15-2) voorgelêBruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (19-12) met 'n guillotine verstikking in die eerste ronde. Die wedstryd sou oorspronklik vir die NEF Professionele liggewig-titel betwis word, maar met Bermudez se kampioenskapgewig, hy kon nie die gordel wen nie. Die titel bly tans vakant.

Die oorwinning van Bermudez was 'n perfekte aand vir die South Shore Sportfighting-span van Rockland, Massachusetts. Spanmaats Darryl Andrews (1-0) en Tim Birkenhead (2-0) was albei suksesvol in hul onderskeie gevegte om hul gimnasium na 'n 3-0 rekord op die geleentheid.

Gaan ook 3-0 die aand was die span van Evolution Athletix in Saco, Maine.Teddy Politis (1-0), Ek is Grady (1-0), enTyler Smythe (1-0) almal het hul teenstanders binne die eerste minuut van die eerste ronde van hul onderskeie gevegte gestop om hul onderskeie amateur-debute te wen.

Die grootste storie van die nag, ongetwyfeld, het in die mede-hoofbyeenkoms gekom as 'n jarelange NEF-veteraanJesse “The Viking” Erickson(10-8) handedJosh “Hook On” Harvey(7-1-1) die eerste verlies van sy professionele loopbaan. Erickson, wat beide die Brasiliaanse Jiu-Jitsu in Central Maine en Recon Fitness verteenwoordig, hou 'n briljante jiu-jitsu-kliniek aan wat nog jare lank onthou sal word. Vasgevang teen die hok deur Harvey vroeg in die eerste ronde, Erickson het die wag getrek en deur 'n reeks voorleggings oorgegaan voordat hy uiteindelik met 'n armstang begin het om die uitspanning te dwing, die Portland-skare in 'n absolute waansin te stuur.

In 'n wilde swaargewig slakfees wat ook op die professionele gedeelte van die kaart plaasgevind het, Ras “Rasquatch” Hylton (5-3) neergewerpBrad Lee(0-1) via tegniese uitklophou in die tweede ronde. Na 'n paar minute van mekaar voel, die paar het in die slotoomblikke van die eerste ronde in 'n heen-en-weer-klopstoker gewissel. 'N Bietjie meer as 'n minuut in die tweede ronde, die skeidsregter het die aksie tot stilstand gebring ná verskeie onbeantwoorde stakings van die 6'6 ”Hylton.

Hylton se eersteklas MMA-spanmaatJacob Deppmeyer(1-0) 'n suksesvolle pro-debuut gehad, verslaanCarl Langston(0-5) via die eerste ronde tegniese uitklophou. Deppmeyer, Langston in 'n omgekeerde driehoek vasgekeer en 'n reeks onbeantwoorde elmboë laat reën, om die skeidsregter geen ander keuse te gee as om die stryd op daardie stadium te stop nie.

Op die amateurkaart, top vooruitsigMike Bezanson (5-0) van Kaze Dojo onoorwonne gebly met 'n tegniese oorwinningGreg Ishihara(2-2) in die eerste ronde.

Ook in die amateur-geledere was daar onoorwonneNate “The Mule” White(5-0) enCaleb “Dr.. Feelgood ”Austin (4-0), albei veg uit CMBJJ, wat hul onderskeie teenstanders in die eerste ronde afgesluit het.

Nog 'n CMBJJ-produk, Garry Carr (3-1), het sy eie rekord vir 'n tweede agtereenvolgende keer gebreek toe hy geword het, weereens, die oudste atleet wat 'n geveg in die NEF-hok gewen het. Op 58-jarige ouderdom, Carr het 'n eenparige beslissende oorwinning oor die 23-jarige Austin Hamilton behaal (0-2) in 'n slaggewig amateurgeveg.

NEF het ook aangekondig dat die promosie op April na die UMaine Orono-kampus in die Collins Centre for the Arts terugkeer. 18 met “NEF 43: Rampage. ” Reeds bevestig vir die geleentheid, Zac “Rocky” Richard(6-2-1) sal die NEF amateur liggewig titel verdedig teenDevin Corson(3-1), terwylChelsea Tucker(3-3) is geskeduleer om Oregon's te ontmoetCaree Hill(6-2) vir die NEF Amateur Women’s Flyweight Championship, en Caleb Austin in die gesig staarJames Ploss (1-2) in 'n langverwagte herontmoeting van hul omstrede 2017 einde.

Die volledige “NEF 42” -uitslae van Portland, Maine:

PROFESSIONELE

Manny Bermudez verslaan. Bruce Boyington via kraan na guillotine, ronde 1

Jesse Erickson def. Josh Harvey via die kraan na die armbalk, ronde 1

Ras Hylton def. Brad Lee via tegniese uitklophou, ronde 2

Chris Caterino verslaan. Nate Boucher via kraan na die armbalk, ronde 1

Jacob Deppmeyer verslaan. Carl Langston via tegniese uitklophou, ronde 1

AMATEUR

Tim Birkenhead verslaan. Mike Murray via kraan tot kniebalk, ronde 2

Joe Howard verslaan. Justin Kangas via KO, ronde 1

Mike Bezanson verslaan. Greg Ishihara via tegniese uitklophou, ronde 1

Felipe Gunter verslaan. Hannon Sanford via eenparige besluit

Nate White verslaan. Brian Cosco via tegniese uitklophou, ronde 1

Darryl Andrews verslaan. Titus Pannell via eenparige besluit

Jason Landry verslaan. Dustin Carrier via tegniese uitklophou, ronde 2

Tyler Smythe verdedig. Clifford Redman via tegniese voorlegging, ronde 1

Garry Carr verslaan. Austin Hamilton via eenparige besluit

Ryan Fogg verslaan. Giuliano Rossi via dokterstaking, ronde 2

Ben Grady verslaan. Jon Assam via KO, ronde 1

Tim Bergeron verslaan. Henry Jeffs via tegniese uitklophou, ronde 1

Caleb Austin verslaan. Dillon Henry via kraan tot agternaakte verstikking, ronde 1

Dylan Williams verslaan. Wyatt Sochin via gesplete besluit

Randall Hathorn verslaan. Tim Murray via tegniese uitklophou, ronde 1

Henry Clark verslaan. Taylor Bartlett via tegniese voorlegging, ronde 1

Teddy Politis def. Kevin Lamay via kraan na Kimura, ronde 1

New England Fights’ volgende geleentheid vir gemengde vegkuns, “NEF 43: Rampage,” vind Saterdag plaas, April 18, 2020, by die Collins Centre for the Arts by UMaine Orono. Kaartjies is hierdie week te koop bywww.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.  

Oor New England Fights

New England Fights ("NEF") is 'n stryd gebeure promosies maatskappy. NEF se missie is om geleenthede van die hoogste gehalte vir vegters en aanhangers te skep. NEF se uitvoerende span het uitgebreide ondervinding in 'n geveg sport bestuur, gebeure produksie, media verhoudings, bemarking, wetlike en advertensies.

FOURTH PRO BOUT ANNOUNCED FOR FEBRUARY 8 MMA EVENT IN PORTLAND

VIR ONMIDDELLIKE VRYSTELLING: Portland, Maine (Desember 10, 2019) - New England Fights (NEF) sal sy volgende gemengde vegkuns hou (Plaasmoorde) gebeurtenis, “NEF 42: Simfonie van vernietiging,” Saterdag, Februarie 8, 2020 by Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Vroeër vandag, NEF announced the addition of a professional catchweight fight to the card.Nate “Backpack” Boucher sal sy professionele debuut maak teen“Sleepy” Norman Fox (0-1) op 'n stryd gewig van 130-pond.

2019 was a banner year for Boucher. He finished his amateur career with a stellar 6-3 record and captured NEF’s amateur flyweight title at “NEF 41” last month in what would be his final amateur fight. Boucher has won his last four fights in a row – all by first round rear-naked choke submission. Shortly after his title victory, Boucher engaged in a heated exchange on Facebook with Fox who challenged Boucher to enter the pro ranks to fight him. Boucher was quick to accept the challenge. He currently represents Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) van Lewiston, Maine.

“I closed out 2019 by doing exactly what I said I was going to do,” stated Boucher.  “I went 3-0 and won the New England Fights Amateur Flyweight Title. I planned on taking time off to focus on my unborn child’s arrival. Egter, Norman had quite a mouthful to say and asked for the fight. So, I did what fighters do and took the fight immediately. Norman is in for a long night on February 8th. I hope for his sake that he fully prepares for this. The way I see it, I was given a gift to kick off my pro career. Thank you to Cure Cannabis and the rest of my loyal sponsors and supporters for helping me get to this point in my career—I look forward to the next level with all of you.”

Norman Fox returns to the NEF cage after a four year hiatus from competition. He was last seen at “NEF 21” in February 2016 in a losing effort in his professional debut. Fox went 4-2 as 'n amateur, finishing his opponents in all four of his wins. Fox is currently a member of First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.

Nate is one-dimensional,” declared Fox.  “All he can do is wrestle. If he doesn’t immediately shoot for a takedown, he will as soon as my hands touch his face. I’m dangerous everywhere. If he does get the fight to the ground, he will regret it.

The catchweight bout joins an already star-studded lineup on the professional portion of the card. Previously announced for “NEF 42” is a five-round professional lightweight title fight between former NEF champion and World Series of Fighting veteranBruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (17-11) and WEC and UFC veteranJosh “The Fluke” Grispi(14-5).  Another lightweight fight announced for “NEF 42” will feature two Maine fan-favorites as reigning NEF Professional Featherweight ChampionJosh “Hook On” Harvey(7-0-1) sit sy onoorwonne rekord op die lyn teenJesse “The Viking” Erickson (9-8) in a non-title encounter. And Bellator veteranDominic “Domnation” Jones (2-3) enCarl Langston (0-4) will square off in a professional featherweight contest.

New England Fights’ volgende geleentheid vir gemengde vegkuns, “NEF 42: Simfonie van vernietiging,” vind Saterdag plaas, Februarie 8, 2020 by Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. Kaartjies is te koop nou opwww.PortTix.com.

A NEW MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED AT NEF 39

VIR ONMIDDELLIKE VRYSTELLING: Lewiston, Maine (Mei 22, 2019) - New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, Junie 22 met sy volgende geleentheid vir gemengde vegkuns, “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN.” Vroeër vandag, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur title fight to the card. Carlton Charles (3-2) sal in die gesig staar Jordan Norman (2-1) for the vacant amateur middleweight belt.

Prior to entering the MMA ranks, Carlton Charles made his mark on the football field. He played for Windham High School in Windham, Maine and later led the team to a Class A title as an assistant coach. Charles went on to play fullback for the University of Maine Black Bears. He made his NEF debut in the summer of 2017 with a 23-second knockout win. He would top that performance with a 12-second knockout victory in February 2018. After an unsuccessful attempt at capturing the amateur welterweight title against Duncan Smith (5-3) last June, Charles returned to the cage one month ago in New Hampshire and picked up yet another first-round knockout win.

“Soos altyd, I feel blessed and very grateful for the opportunity to fight for the belt,” said Charles.  “I know Jordan has come a long way in this sport and is always training hard and improving. I will be looking to not be caught by one of those big meat hooks that he has for hands. He’s a big powerful guy, and I’m going to be training hard as always to be able to go out and perform to my best ability. I know my coaches will have me ready for this one! have no doubt in my mind the fans will be in for a real treat with this one.

Jordan Norman has indeed come a long way since his NEF debut last June. He lost that evening via first-round knockout, but Norman would come firing back in his next two bouts. He won a split decision over John Assam (0-1) laaste val, and just last month finished Greg Ishihara (0-1) in the second round. Norman represents the Bad Little Falls Dojo.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to get into the NEF cage and compete for the amateur title against someone like Carlton,” exclaimed Norman. “He and I will put on one hell of a show for the Lewiston crowd. Both of us come to fight and it won’t be any different on June 22nd. I have nothing but respect for him and his team. I’m excited for the task at hand and scrapping it out for the middleweight title.”

The middleweight title fight between Charles and Norman is the fourth already announced for theNEF 39card. JoshHook OnHarvey (6-0-1) is scheduled to defend the professional featherweight title against Jordan Downey (5-4), while Nate Boucher (4-3) will square off with Robert Presley (5-4) for the vacant amateur men’s flyweight belt, and undefeated Glory Watson (4-0) takes on Caree Hill (4-1) to crown NEF’s first amateur women’s flyweight champion. Also announced for the card, Jesse “Die Viking” Erickson (9-7) faces Lewis Corapi (8-5) in a professional lightweight bout.

“NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN,” vind Saterdag plaas, Junie 22, 2019 by die Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Kaartjies is te koop nou op www.TheColisee.com.

Oor New England Fights

New England Fights ("NEF") is 'n stryd gebeure promosies maatskappy. NEF se missie is om geleenthede van die hoogste gehalte vir vegters en aanhangers te skep. NEF se uitvoerende span het uitgebreide ondervinding in 'n geveg sport bestuur, gebeure produksie, media verhoudings, bemarking, wetlike en advertensies.

TITLE FIGHT DRAW LEAVES ZAC RICHARD WITH A SENSE OF PRIDE

Three prior forays into the New England Fights cage demanded all of five minutes and nine seconds from Zac Richard.

That was the aggregate time it took for the native of Waterboro, Maine, to accumulate three wins by knockout or submission and earn a shot at the vacant NEF amateur featherweight title at NEF 37 Vrydag, Februarie 1.

Richard probably only now fully appreciates how the odds were stacked against him that frosty evening. He was paired with Fred Lear, a veteran of eight previous fights who won the bantamweight belt in his previous outing. Both Lear’s home and training center sit a stone’s throw away from the Cross Insurance Center, scene of the showdown.

While draws are a rare turn of events in mixed martial arts, and ties are universally maligned as an unsatisfying outcome to any sporting endeavor, Richard can appreciate the judgesindecision after the first true donnybrook of his budding career.

“Before the fight when they announced our names, I thought the place was going to explode. It was wild,” Richard said. “And then the fight was pretty even the whole time. I kept thinking to myself, you’re not losing, but you’re not winning by much. That’s all I kept thinking about.”

Richard, a Maine state wrestling champion in high school, has worked on the finer points of his stand-up game with UFC veteran Devin Powell and other instructors at Nostos MMA in Somersworth, New Hampshire.

Pride and practicality persuaded Richard to engage in slug-it-out tactics with Lear, but old habits die hard.

“It started out good. I felt in control from the beginning. I wanted to stay on my feet and really show off how much my striking has come,” Richard said. “And I knew Fred was a really game opponent on the ground and has been training a lot longer than I have. So I wanted to keep it on my feet. But staying a wrestler is such habit. The first combination I threw, I went down for a shot.”

Lear’s assault to the body admittedly took a physical toll on Richard. The newcomer obviously never experienced such blunt trauma in his pre-MMA combat days and hadn’t been touched in his career-opening win streak against Gabriel Diaz, Clifford Redman and Chris Lachcik.

“I got really gassed and winded, because he kept landing knees and punches to the body,” Richard said, “I kept waiting for my second wind to come and it never did. I tried to get in a combination or a good slam every once in a while.”

Even sitting on the stool in his corner between rounds was surreal.

Of course there were thoughts of Richard’s sister, Lacy, who lost her battle with cancer in 2012 but continues to inspire Zac with her fighting spirit. Having time to get in touch with one’s thoughts and survey the scenery aren’t the norm when you’re finishing opponents before the echo of the opening bell fades.

“Most of my fights have been pretty quick. It was definitely a weird experience,” Richard said. “I’ve never had that between rounds. I was looking out in the crowd and would see one certain friend or family member or training partner every time. It was a lot bigger deal than what I’m used to.”

When it became obvious Lear wasn’t ripe to be knocked out, Richard tried to balance self-defense while keeping the scorecards in mind.

“Going into the fourth and fifth round, I knew I was tired, and I knew Fred could punch and kick just as well,"Het hy gesê. “I was thinking to myself, ‘You’ve got to keep your hands up. This is dangerous when you’re tired.All I kept thinking about was don’t get hit. Hit him.

“Every time the clackers went off, when there was 10 seconds left, I tried to get up from the bottom or get in a kick or land one last good strike. That was different, because I never had that—I’ve never even heard the 10-second clackers. I definitely could hear it more than the buzzer, because the last few seconds it would get so chaotic and everyone would get so loud. The ref would just grab us I’m like, ‘Is it over?’ I never experienced anything like that in wrestling.”

Those back-and-forth battles in regional and state mat affairs did serve Richard well. He felt that he was mentally prepared for the championship rounds, even as the physical toll increased.

Richard acknowledged that he has a bad habit of training without using his mouth guard and that it may have affected his breathing in the bout.

“I’ve been in some pretty long wrestling matches, as many different types as you can get in,” Richard said. “I was always a really good wrestler in overtime. I don’t think I ever lost in overtime. If I did, it was like once. But the thing with wrestling is you’re not getting punched and kneed in the stomach and other things that are taking your wind. I was just so tired. I knew the whole time I wasn’t proud of my performance, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I kept telling myself I had to get up and do something.”

While unhappy with the draw, Richard takes encouragement from many details that have come to light in the aftermath of the fight.

The mixed result surely entitled Richard to an immediate rematch. That won’t explicitly happen, as Lear informed him that he intends to turn professional.

“I remember February 14 of last year was the first NEF fight I ever went to. I had only been training for a month and (NEF mede-eienaar en Match) Matt Peterson asked me to go,” Richard said. “So I went, and here it is a year later I’m fighting for a belt against a kid that fought for the belt a year and a half ago. Finding out after the fight that he’s going pro, it really made me a lot prouder of how I did. If he can pro after that fight, and I’ve only been fighting for a year, then I’ve got pretty good hope for my future.”

That future will include another crack at the belt, April 27ste.

“I’m the Number 1 aanspraakmaker, and he’s going pro, so it’s whoever’s next,” Richard said. “I don’t know if they’re going to bring in someone from somewhere else or what. Matt said he’s working on opponent. I’ll be ready.”

NEF se volgende gemengde martial-kuns gebeurtenis, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” vind Saterdag plaas, April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now atwww.AuraMaine.com.

NEF DELIVERS SCORCHING-HOT MMA EVENT IN SUB ZERO WEATHER


Bangor, Maine (Februarie 2, 2019) – While the polar vortex froze solid the nearby Penobscot River, New England Fights (NEF) had the mercury rising with some wild mixed-martial-arts (Plaasmoorde) action inside the Cross Insurance Center on Friday night. The popular fight promotion brought its latest event to Bangor with yet another sold-out crowd of more than 1200 on hand. It was the fourth event, and fourth sell-out, in Bangor for NEF since 2016. The event was aptly titledSUB ZEROin anticipation of the bone-chilling weather raging outside.

The main event saw Josh Harvey (6-0-1) claim the NEF Professional Featherweight strap when he defeated Bill Jones (13-11) in the first round via technical submission. In so doing, Harvey made history as the first competitor to win titles in two different weight divisions in NEF. He previously held the NEF Amateur Lightweight title.

Mark Gardner (1-0) was victorious over CJ Ewer (3-3) in Gardner’s professional debut. Ewer was unable to continue after the first round due to a cut above his eye.

In the amateur headliner, Fred Lear (6-2-1) and Zac Richard (3-0-1) fought to a five-round draw on the judgesscorecards in a bout for the vacant NEF Amateur Featherweight Title. Lear had a point taken away in the first round by referee John English for grabbing the cage. The amateur featherweight championship remains vacant.

Catie Denning (2-1) and Glory Watson (3-0) both picked up wins for Young’s MMA in their respective women’s bouts. Denning defeated Amanda Bennett (0-1) via split decision while Watson submitted Wisconsin’s Rachael Lippert (4-3) in die derde ronde.

The results from Bangor, Maine:

PROFESSIONELE


Josh Harvey def. Bill Jones via technical submission, ronde 1


Mark Gardner def. CJ Ewer via technical knockout, ronde 2

AMATEUR


Fred Lear fought Zac Richard to a five-round draw


Devin Corson def. Taylor Bartlett via unanimous decision

Catie Denning def. Amanda Bennett via split decision

Jake Bagley def. Brady MacDonald via unanimous decision

Bryce Bamford def. Roger Ewer via KO, ronde 1

Glory Watson def. Rachael Lippert via guillotine submission, ronde 3

Nate Boucher def. Dillon Henry via rear-naked submission, ronde 1

Jordan Young def. Clifford Redman via rear-naked submission, ronde 1

Rob Kiah def. Joe Howard via rear-naked choke submission, ronde 2


NEF se volgende gemengde martial-kuns gebeurtenis, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” vind Saterdag plaas, April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Kaartjies is te koop nou op www.AuraMaine.com.

TITLE CONTENDER JONES SPITTING FIRE AHEAD OF MAIN EVENT WITH UNDEFEATED HARVEY

Bangor, Maine (Januarie 27, 2019) – Similar to his scheduled opponent in the February 1st main event of New England Fights’ “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” card at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine, Bill “Jonesi” Jones is known as a hardworking entrepreneur that is focused on getting ahead in life.

As Jones himself recently stated bluntly: “I’m on a mission to get rich.”

Jones’ opponent for Friday night, undefeated hammer Josh “Hook-On” Harvey, is also known within the Penobscot County region where he resides as a sun-up to sun-down grinder that doesn’t stop until he crams 25-hours worth of work into a 24-hour day.

That is where their similarities end, egter.

In the lead-in to their fight, Jones has been vocal in his predictions that he will finish Harvey quickly by knocking him out in the first round if the fight stays standing.

Harvey, Aan die ander kant, has been relatively quiet before their five-round Featherweight Championship bout.

Jones was at it again recently when he joined Craig Allen onFight Night Picks to talk about his upcoming showdown with Harvey.

“I think Harvey likes to look good,” Jones stated. “I think he likes to protect his face and look pretty. So, I think when I start smashing on him, he’s going to cover up and bail out really quick.”

The lone blemish on Harvey’s record-to-date came back in November when he fought to a draw withDie uiteindelike Fighter finalist Joe Giannetti at a show in Massachusetts. Many in attendance felt that Harvey won the bout.

Jones, meanwhile, saw the fight and wasn’t impressed with Harvey’s performance.

"[Harvey’s fight with] Giannetti was more of a hugging match,” Jones told Allen. “Two guys just kind-of hanging on to each other for 15-minutes, no damage done. I’m going to throw down and fire until there’s no more bullets to come out. It’s going to be exciting, I can’t wait.”

At 40-years old, Jones knows that age eventually gets the better of every combat sports athlete and that, realisties, he’s looking at his final few fights. Fully aware of this, Jones is pleased to be finishing out his career back home with New England Fights.

“It’s good to bring it back home toward the end of my career,” Jones stated. “It will be nice to bang out Harvey here and maybe get that fight with Lacey, like they were talking about, and close it out with him. We’ll see where it goes.”

“It’s not about the money for me anymore—it’s not about the sponsors. It’s about the competition,” Jones concluded. “I want to go out there and kick some more ass. I make plenty of money doing my day job, so it is what it is—let’s go beat people up.”

To listen to the full interview with Bill Jones visit:

NEF se volgende gemengde martial-kuns gebeurtenis, "NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, Februarie 1, 2019 by Cross Insurance Centre in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm. Tickets are on-sale now atwww.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

Oor New England Fights

New England Fights ("NEF") is 'n stryd gebeure promosies maatskappy. NEF se missie is om geleenthede van die hoogste gehalte vir vegters en aanhangers te skep. NEF se uitvoerende span het uitgebreide ondervinding in 'n geveg sport bestuur, gebeure produksie, media verhoudings, bemarking, wetlike en advertensies.

CONTENDER BILL JONES ON JOSH HARVEY: “HE’S A PRETTY BOY THAT DOESN’T WANT TO GET HURT”

Bill “Jonesi” Jones has seen and done it all during a decorated mixed martial arts (Plaasmoorde) career that spans back more than a decade. Februarie 1st, he’ll look to add another noteworthy accomplishment to his deep fight resume when he faces highly touted, undefeated prospect Josh “Hook-On” Harvey for the New England Fights (NEF) professional Featherweight Championship in the main event at “NEF 37: SUB ZERO” in Bangor, Maine. Jones recently discussed his storied record and his upcoming championship bout with Ryan Jarrell and Bryan Stackpole on the Between Rounds Radio podcast.

Jones made his MMA debut in September 2007. Over the course of more than 20-bouts, he fought and defeated a who’s-who of New England’s top-tier combat sports athletes, including multiple opponents that went on to compete in the world’s largest promotions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Professionele vegters League (formally known as WSOF), and Bellator. Jones holds wins over UFC veterans Matt Bessette and Tateki Matsuda. It’s this experience against high-level competition that Jones believes will give him an edge over Harvey on February 1st.

“I’ve won fights and I’ve lost fights in the Northeast, but a good portion of my fights were top contenders at 155 or 145,” Jones told Jarrell and Stackpole. “Harvey’s never really fought—other than his last fight that he fought to a decision and he didn’t really show anything in—he’s never fought anybody to the caliber of the guys that I’ve fought. So, I feel really good about that going into this fight.”

“I’m going to bust ass and smash through this guy,” Jones added.

Bill made his highly anticipated debut with NEF in April 2018, finishing Matt Denning in the second round via technical knockout.

“Beating Denning pretty decisively the way I did—it felt good to get back in the win column, but it still doesn’t show me,” Jones said. “I feel like I should have beat him in the first round, not the second round.”

The win set-up Jones for a title match showdown with Aaron Lacey for the vacant professional featherweight championship in November 2018, but the bout was scrapped when Lacey sustained an injury that forced him to withdraw.

“When he backed out, I was super, extremely disappointed,” Jones explained. “I was extremely disappointed… Lacey’s more of a 145-pound fighter. Harvey, if he makes weight at 145, he is going to have a really rough night because it’s just going to be a lot of weight for him to cut. After the first round, if he makes it out of it, it’s going to wear on him.”

“In my brain, I knew he [Lacey] wasn’t going to make it out of the first round with me—it was a win,” Jones continued. “It was just one of those fights where you knew, you walked in there, and you walked out victorious. I know it’s a tougher fight with Harvey, but in my mind, it’s the same fight.”

With Lacey currently on the sidelines, Lacey’s teammate, fast rising Josh “Hook-On” Harvey, agreed to step in and put his 5-0-1 record on the line against Jones in the feature fight for NEF’s 2019 return to Bangor.

“Every fight that I’ve watched him [Harvey] stryd, it seems like he comes out and tries to stand with them, but then as soon as they start throwing back, I feel like he gets nervous and shoots,” Jones said. “So, he flashes off like he’s a standup fighter, but then as soon as they start to attack, he instantly shoots. So that, in my gedagte, makes me feel like he’s a pretty boy that doesn’t want to get hurt. He doesn’t want to get hit.”

“I feel like he’s going to crumble under the pace that I put on him. I’m a more of an attack, in-your-face fighter and I feel like he’s going to fold under that.”

When “Jonesi” and Hook-On” face-off on February 1st, it will be in the heart of winter in Maine, hence the title of the aptly named event, “Sub Zero.” Unlike many combat athletes that try to avoid cutting weight over the long holiday season, Jones, who works full-time during the day as a roofing foreman supervising a crew of 12 laborers, prefers competing during the winter months.

“Wintertime is always a good time for me to train,” Jones explained to Jarrell and Stackpole. “I get out of work fairly early in the wintertime. We work dark-to-dark in the summer, so I don’t get home until 6, 7, 8 o’clock—so it’s hard to make it to the gym. So winter time is a real good training schedule for me.”

Jones, who normally walks around at 155-pounds despite the admission that he normally “eats out of gas stations” when he’s not in fight camp, predicts no problems whatsoever in terms of making the championship scratch weight limit of 145-pounds. When asked, egter, on whether he thinks his opponent will make the weight, he couldn’t express the same confidence.

“I have trouble seeing Harvey making weight for the fight,” Jones said. “I’m going to fight him either way, whatever weight he walks in at. Maar, I believe that Lacey is really the one that is in line for it. Ek bedoel, Harvey hasn’t made weight for a fight at 45 in 'n rukkie. The fight he just had with Joe-Joe [Gianetti] that he just kind-of held on to the whole time, he missed weight by four or five pounds…. He’s going to have a tough time making that weight.”

Regardless of the weight, Jones is unwavering in his belief that he has the tools to put the first loss on Harvey’s record. Harvey, not known for losing frequently in any combat sport, was also a multiple-time state champion wrestler.

“I think he’s going to try to wrestle me,” Jones said. “I think he’s going to try to take me down and win by wearing me out… If he lets it stay standing, I’ll probably knock him out in the first round.”

Having kicked a 25-year smoking habit a few years ago, Jones feels revitalized and better than ever and ready for the challenge in front of him on February 1st.

“I really want to win that belt,"Het hy gesê. “I’m 40-years old. Life moves on and I don’t know how many more years I got to push into the sport, but it’s a good time for me.

“I don’t look at it as a job like everybody else, or something that I dream to do,” Jones explained. “I love to fight. I love the atmosphere of it, I love the competition of it.

“I want to end my career on a high note.”

NEF se volgende gemengde martial-kuns gebeurtenis, "NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, Februarie 1, 2019 by Cross Insurance Centre in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm. Tickets are on-sale now atwww.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

Oor New England Fights

New England Fights ("NEF") is 'n stryd gebeure promosies maatskappy. NEF se missie is om geleenthede van die hoogste gehalte vir vegters en aanhangers te skep. NEF se uitvoerende span het uitgebreide ondervinding in 'n geveg sport bestuur, gebeure produksie, media verhoudings, bemarking, wetlike en advertensies.

DESPITE SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES, NEF FIGHT CARD WILL BRING THE HEAT TO BANGOR

Bangor, Maine (Januarie 18, 2019) - New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: Sub Zero,” Vrydag, Februarie 1, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Vroeër vandag, die bevordering aangekondig dat die volle stryd kaart vir die geleentheid.

In die belangrikste gebeurtenis van die aand, Josh “Hook OnHarvey(5-0-1) sal in die gesig staarBillJonesi” Jones(13-10) for the vacant NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Title. Harvey is coming off a very controversial majority draw in Massachusetts last fall against UFC veteran Joe Giannetti (6-1-1).  Many observers felt that Harvey had dominated Giannetti for three rounds and Giannetti was only saved by a hometown decision. Prior to that time, Harvey had a perfect professional record with five straight wins in the NEF cage. Bill Jones is a pioneer of the New England MMA scene. Jones, a member of Nostos MMA, vanquished Matt Denning (5-8) last spring atNEF 33in Portland, Maine via second-round technical knockout.

Harvey’s Young’s MMA teammateCJ Ewer (3-2) will be in action in the co-main event against The Academy’sMarkPockets” Gardner (0-0) at a catchweight of 180-pounds. Ewer is the reigning NEF MMA Professional Middleweight Champion. Gardner makes his pro debut after a stellar amateur career that saw him finish all three of his opponents.

Ricky Dexter (1-0), also of Young’s MMA, rounds out the professional portion of the card against Ruben Redman (0-2) in a welterweight contest. Both fighters have not competed in the cage in two years. Dexter is the former NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion.

Fred Lear(6-2) will headline the amateur card withZac Richard(3-0) in a bout for the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title. Lear has previously held the amateur bantamweight strap and will look to make NEF history as the first athlete to win titles in different weight divisions within the promotion. Zac Richard was voted the “2018 Rookie van die Jaar” by NEF fans after cutting down all three of his previous opponents in the first round last year.

It will be a family affair asRoger Ewer(1-0), brother and Young’s MMA teammate of co-main-event competitor CJ Ewer, voldoen aanBryce Bamford (2-0) of First Class MMA in an amateur heavyweight fight. This will be the second time the Ewer brothers have fought together on a card in Bangor, the first being in August 2017 by “NEF 30.

Also featured on the amateur portion of the fight card will be two women’s fights. “2018 Rookie of the Yearrunner-upGlory Watson (2-0) will face her toughest challenge to date in the form of Wisconsin’s Rachael Lippert(4-2), terwylCatie Denning (1-1) takes on the debutingAmanda Bennett (0-0) of First Class MMA. Watson and Denning are two members of the group known affectionately among teammates and fans asChris’s Angelsas they train under Chris Young at Young’s MMA in Bangor.

Tickets are sold-out at the box office and Ticketmaster, but fans can still contact NEF through its Facebook page, “New England Fights,” as the promotion still has a very limited number of tickets available for direct sale. Tickets will be sold on a first-come/first-served basis until they run out.

die volle “NEF 37” stryd kaart (onderhewig aan verandering en goedkeuring van die Gevegsport owerheid van Maine):

PROFESSIONELE

145*TITEL Josh Harvey 5-0-1 (Young se MMA) vs Bill Jones 13-11 (Nostos)

180 CJ Ewer 3-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Mark Gardner 0-0 (Die Akademie)

170 Ricky Dexter 1-0 (Young se MMA) vs Ruben Redman 0-2 (Onafhanklike)

AMATEUR

145*TITLE Fred Lear 6-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Zac Richard 3-0 (Nostos)

155 Taylor Bartlett 1-1-1 (CMBJJ) vs Devin Corson 1-1 (die Outlet)

145 Catie Denning 1-1 (Young se MMA) vs Amanda Bennett 0-0 (Eerste Klas MMA)

130 Brady Macdonald 1-1 (Pictou County Jiu-Jitsu) vs Jake Bagley 0-0 (Nostos)

265 Roger Ewer 1-0 (Young se MMA) vs Bryce Bamford 2-0 (Eerste Klas MMA)

135 Jordan Young 1-2 (Young se MMA) vs Clifford Redman 0-7 (Onafhanklike)

135 Nate Boucher 3-3 (CMBJJ) vs Dillon Henry 0-0 (Eerste Klas MMA)

125 Glory Watson 2-0 (Young se MMA) vs Rachael Lippert 4-2 (Fearless MMA)

145 Rob Kiah 1-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Joe Howard 1-1 (CMBJJ)

NEF se volgende gemengde martial-kuns gebeurtenis, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, Februarie 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm. A very limited number of tickets are still on-sale by contacting NEF directly through its Facebook page “New England Gevegte.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights ("NEF") is 'n stryd gebeure promosies maatskappy. 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, gebeure produksie, media relations, bemarking, wetlike en advertensies. ��