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

FUN lẹsẹkẹsẹ Tu: Portland, Maine (October 22, 2021) – When the bell rings at 7 pm EST to start the show on Friday, Kọkànlá Oṣù 5, it will be the first time New England Fights (NEF) has presented a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) 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.

Sẹyìn loni, 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.

Ninu awọn ifilelẹ ti awọn iṣẹlẹ ti aṣalẹ, 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)ya onNick 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) yoo ṣe rẹ ọjọgbọn Uncomfortable lodi siCarl 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) ogunShaun Ray (2-1) in the welterweight division.

The amateur portion of the fight card will be headlined by three title fightsCaleb Austin(5-0) ojuTyler 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; atiNathaniel 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) meets the debutingHayley 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,"Wi NEF àjọ-eni ati matchmaker 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 (koko lati yi):

Ọjọgbọn MMA

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

170 Poun: Nick Ale la. Mark Gardner

140 Poun: Carl Langston vs. Zac Richard

170 Poun: Jon Deupree vs. Matt Denning

160 Poun: Jay Ellis vs. Rodrigo Almeida

170 Poun: 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 Poun: BJ Garceau vs. Hayley Martin

200 Poun: David McCarthy vs. Danny Dray

170 Poun: Brian Cosco vs. Tyler Kingsbury

265 Poun: Tucker Olinsky vs. George Pissimissis

170 Poun: Curtis Ouellette vs. Derek Lambert

185 Poun: Bryant Wade vs. Brandon Oldenberg

185 Poun: Brett Martin vs. Justin Philbrook

155 Poun: Jonas Ryerson vs. RJ Janeczek

165 Poun: Austin Hamilton vs. David Hart

115 Poun: Julian Menjivar vs. Matt Miles

155 Poun: Jacob Routon vs. Emmett Huber

135 Poun: Tyler Parent vs. Randall Hathorn

"NEF 45: Uprising” takes place on Friday, Kọkànlá Oṣù 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 niwww.CombatSportsNow.com.

Nipa New England njà

New England njà ("NEF") ni a ija iṣẹlẹ ni igbega ile. Iṣẹ NEF ni lati ṣẹda awọn iṣẹlẹ didara ti o ga julọ fun awọn onija ati awọn onijakidijagan bakanna. NEF ká executive egbe ni o ni sanlalu iriri ni ija ogun idaraya isakoso, isele gbóògì, media ajosepo, tita, ofin ati ipolongo.

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

FUN lẹsẹkẹsẹ Tu: Milford, New Hampshire (August 13, 2021) - New England njà (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 (MMA) 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) atiRebecca 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 ninu isubu ti 2019.

Kalebu Hall(3-0) atiShaun Ray(2-0) will put their respective unblemished pro records on the line in a lightweight bout, bi ifeJacob Deppmeyer (1-0) atiAaron 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) esi.

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) atiBrandon 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) atiJames 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.

Afikun ohun ti, 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 fun $29.99.

The full “NEF 44” fight card:

Ọjọgbọn

155 Kalebu Hall (Syndicate) vs Shaun Ray (Ominira)

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

145 Jacob Deppmeyer (First Kíláásì MMA) vs Aaron Hughes (Regiment)

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

Magbowo

205 Henry Jeffs (Ominira) 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 (Ominira) vs Jon Assam (CMBJJ)

155 Ryan Savage (First Kíláásì MMA) vs Kyle Pufahl (Nostos)

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

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

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

145 Cody Kilton (First Kíláásì 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 ká MMA)

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

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

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

130 KICKBOXING Dustin Veinott (CMBJJ) vs Geraldo Reyes (Team ọna asopọ)

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, August 21, 2021, pẹlu kan Belii-akoko ti 7 pm.

Nipa New England njà

New England njà ("NEF") ni a ija iṣẹlẹ ni igbega ile. Iṣẹ NEF ni lati ṣẹda awọn iṣẹlẹ didara ti o ga julọ fun awọn onija ati awọn onijakidijagan bakanna. NEF ká executive egbe ni o ni sanlalu iriri ni ija ogun idaraya isakoso, isele gbóògì, media ajosepo, tita, ofin ati ipolongo.

BERMUDEZ VICTORIOUS, ERICKSON PUTS ON A CLINIC AS NEF BRINGS A SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION TO THE MERRILL AUDITORIUM STAGE

FUN lẹsẹkẹsẹ Tu: Portland, Maine (Kínní 10, 2020) – More than 2000 braved frigid temperatures on Saturday night as New England Fights (NEF) brought its most recent mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event to the stage of Merrill Auditorium in Portland. 22 fights took place under the shadow of the world-famous 1911 Kotzschmar Memorial Organ. It was NEF’s debut at the century-old venue, and the event opened the venerable fight promotion’s ninth season of MMA competition.

Ninu awọn ifilelẹ ti awọn iṣẹlẹ ti aṣalẹ, UFC oniwosanManny “The Bermudez Triangle” Bermudez(15-2) silẹBruce "Pretty Ọmọkùnrin" Boyington (19-12) with a guillotine choke in the first round. The bout was originally scheduled to be contested for the NEF Professional Lightweight Title, but with Bermudez missing championship weight, he was not eligible to win the belt. The title currently remains vacant.

Bermudez’s victory capped a perfect night for the South Shore Sportfighting team of Rockland, Massachusetts. Teammates Darryl Andrews (1-0) ati Tim Birkenhead (2-0) were both successful in their respective fights to lift their gym to a 3-0 record on the event.

Also going 3-0 on the evening was the team of Evolution Athletix based in Saco, Maine.Teddy Politis (1-0), Ben Grady (1-0), atiTyler Smythe (1-0) all stopped their opponents within the first minute of the first round of their respective fights to win their respective amateur debuts.

The biggest story of the night, undoubtedly, came in the co-main event as longtime NEF veteranJesse “The Viking” Erickson(10-8) ofoJosh “Hook On” Harvey(7-1-1) the first loss of his professional career. Erickson, who represents both Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Recon Fitness, put on a brilliant jiu-jitsu clinic that will be remembered for years to come. Trapped against the cage by Harvey early-on in the first round, Erickson pulled guard and transitioned through a chain of submissions before finally settling in with an armbar to force the tapout, sending the Portland crowd into an absolute frenzy.

In a wild heavyweight slugfest that also took place on the professional portion of the cardRas “Rasquatch” Hylton (5-3) downedBrad Lee(0-1) via technical knockout in the second round. After several minutes of feeling each other out, the pair exchanged in a back-and-forth slobber-knocker in the closing moments of the first round. A little over a minute into the second round, the referee called a halt to the action after several unanswered strikes from the 6’6” Hylton.

Hylton’s First Class MMA teammateJacob Deppmeyer(1-0) had a successful pro debut, O boriCarl Langston(0-5) via first-round technical knockout. Deppmeyer, trapped Langston in a reverse triangle and rained down a series of unanswered elbows, giving the referee no option but to stop the bout at that point.

On the amateur card, top prospectMike Bezanson (5-0) of Kaze Dojo remained undefeated with a technical knockout win overGreg Ishihara(2-2) ni akọkọ yika.

Also remaining undefeated in the amateur ranks wereNate “The Mule” White(5-0) atiCaleb “Dr. Feelgood” Austin (4-0), both fighting out of CMBJJ, who finished their respective opponents in the first round.

Another CMBJJ productGarry Carr (3-1), broke his own record for a second consecutive time when he became, yet again, the oldest athlete to win a fight in the NEF cage. At 58-years-young, Carr took a unanimous decision victory over 23-year-old Austin Hamilton (0-2) in a catchweight amateur fight.

NEF also announced that its next event would see the promotion return to the campus of UMaine Orono at the Collins Center for the Arts on April 18 with “NEF 43: Rampage.” Already confirmed for the eventZac "Rocky" Richard(6-2-1) will defend the NEF Amateur Lightweight Title againstDevin Corson(3-1), nigba tiChelsea Tucker(3-3) is scheduled to meet Oregon’sCaree Hill(6-2) for the NEF Amateur Women’s Flyweight Championship, and Caleb Austin facesJames Ploss (1-2) in a long-awaited rematch of their controversial 2017 opin.

The full “NEF 42” results from Portland, Maine:

Ọjọgbọn

Manny Bermudez def. Bruce Boyington via tap to guillotine, yika 1

Jesse Erickson defi. Josh Harvey via tap to armbar, yika 1

Ras Hylton def. Brad Lee via technical knockout, yika 2

Chris Caterino def. Nate Boucher via tap to armbar, yika 1

Jacob Deppmeyer def. Carl Langston via technical knockout, yika 1

Magbowo

Tim Birkenhead def. Mike Murray via tap to kneebar, yika 2

Joe Howard def. Justin Kangas via KO, yika 1

Mike Bezanson def. Greg Ishihara via technical knockout, yika 1

Felipe Gunter def. Hannon Sanford via unanimous decision

Nate White def. Brian Cosco via technical knockout, yika 1

Darryl Andrews def. Titus Pannell via unanimous decision

Jason Landry def. Dustin Carrier via technical knockout, yika 2

Tyler Smythe def. Clifford Redman via technical submission, yika 1

Garry Carr def. Austin Hamilton via unanimous decision

Ryan Fogg def. Giuliano Rossi via doctor stoppage, yika 2

Ben Grady def. Jon Assam via KO, yika 1

Tim Bergeron def. Henry Jeffs via technical knockout, yika 1

Caleb Austin def. Dillon Henry via tap to rear-naked choke, yika 1

Dylan Williams def. Wyatt Sochin via split decision

Randall Hathorn def. Tim Murray via technical knockout, yika 1

Henry Clark def. Taylor Bartlett via technical submission, yika 1

Teddy Politis def. Kevin Lamay via tap to Kimura, yika 1

New England njà’ iṣẹlẹ iṣẹlẹ adalu-ologun-ti-tẹle, “NEF 43: Rampage,” yoo waye ni ọjọ Satidee, April 18, 2020, ni Ile-iṣẹ Collins fun Arts ni UMaine Orono. Tiketi yoo wa ni tita ni ọsẹ yii niwww.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.  

Nipa New England njà

New England njà ("NEF") ni a ija iṣẹlẹ ni igbega ile. Iṣẹ NEF ni lati ṣẹda awọn iṣẹlẹ didara ti o ga julọ fun awọn onija ati awọn onijakidijagan bakanna. NEF ká executive egbe ni o ni sanlalu iriri ni ija ogun idaraya isakoso, isele gbóògì, media ajosepo, tita, ofin ati ipolongo.

FOURTH PRO BOUT ANNOUNCED FOR FEBRUARY 8 MMA EVENT IN PORTLAND

FUN lẹsẹkẹsẹ Tu: Portland, Maine (December 10, 2019) - New England njà (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) ìṣẹlẹ, “NEF 42: Symphony of Destruction,” lojo satide, Kínní 8, 2020 at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional catchweight fight to the card.Nate “Backpack” Boucher yoo ṣe rẹ ọjọgbọn Uncomfortable lodi si“Sleepy” Norman Fox (0-1) ni a ija àdánù ti 130 poun-.

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) of 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. Sibẹsibẹ, Norman had quite a mouthful to say and asked for the fight. Nítorí, 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 bi ohun magbowo, 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 Ọmọkùnrin" 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) yoo rẹ undefeated o gba lori awọn ila lodi siJesse “The Viking” Erickson (9-8) in a non-title encounter. And Bellator veteranDominic “Domnation” Jones (2-3) atiCarl Langston (0-4) will square off in a professional featherweight contest.

New England njà’ iṣẹlẹ iṣẹlẹ adalu-ologun-ti-tẹle, “NEF 42: Symphony of Destruction,” yoo waye ni ọjọ Satidee, Kínní 8, 2020 at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. Tiketi ni o wa lori sale bayi niwww.PortTix.com.

A NEW MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED AT NEF 39

FUN lẹsẹkẹsẹ Tu: Lewiston, Maine (Le 22, 2019) - New England njà (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 22 pẹlu iṣẹlẹ atẹle adalu-ti ologun-ọna, “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN.” Sẹyìn loni, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur title fight to the card. Carlton Charles (3-2) yoo dojuko 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.

“Bi nigbagbogbo, 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) kẹhin isubu, 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 On” Harvey (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 “Awọn Viking” Erickson (9-7) faces Lewis Corapi (8-5) in a professional lightweight bout.

“NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN,” yoo waye ni ọjọ Satidee, June 22, 2019 ni Androscoggin Bank Colisee ni Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Tiketi ni o wa lori sale bayi ni www.TheColisee.com.

Nipa New England njà

New England njà ("NEF") ni a ija iṣẹlẹ ni igbega ile. Iṣẹ NEF ni lati ṣẹda awọn iṣẹlẹ didara ti o ga julọ fun awọn onija ati awọn onijakidijagan bakanna. NEF ká executive egbe ni o ni sanlalu iriri ni ija ogun idaraya isakoso, isele gbóògì, media ajosepo, tita, ofin ati ipolongo.

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 on Friday, Kínní 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,"O si wi. “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 àjọ-eni ati matchmaker) 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, lori April 27th.

“I’m the Number 1 contender, 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 ká tókàn adalu-ologun-ona iṣẹlẹ, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” yoo waye ni ọjọ Satidee, 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 (Kínní 2, 2019) – While the polar vortex froze solid the nearby Penobscot River, New England njà (NEF) had the mercury rising with some wild mixed-martial-arts (MMA) 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) ninu awọn kẹta yika.

The results from Bangor, Maine:

Ọjọgbọn


Josh Harvey defi. Bill Jones via technical submission, yika 1


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

Magbowo


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 defi. Roger Ewer via KO, yika 1

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

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

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

Rob Kiah defi. Joe Howard via rear-naked choke submission, yika 2


NEF ká tókàn adalu-ologun-ona iṣẹlẹ, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” yoo waye ni ọjọ Satidee, April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Tiketi ni o wa lori sale bayi ni www.AuraMaine.com.

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

Bangor, Maine (January 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, sibẹsibẹ.

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, ti a ba tun wo lo, 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. Nítorí, 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 withThe Gbẹhin Onija 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, realistically, 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 ká tókàn adalu-ologun-ona iṣẹlẹ, "NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, Kínní 1, 2019 ni Ile-iṣẹ Iṣeduro Cross ni Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm. Tickets are on-sale now atwww.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

Nipa New England njà

New England njà ("NEF") ni a ija iṣẹlẹ ni igbega ile. Iṣẹ NEF ni lati ṣẹda awọn iṣẹlẹ didara ti o ga julọ fun awọn onija ati awọn onijakidijagan bakanna. NEF ká executive egbe ni o ni sanlalu iriri ni ija ogun idaraya isakoso, isele gbóògì, media ajosepo, tita, ofin ati ipolongo.

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 (MMA) career that spans back more than a decade. Lori Kínní 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), Professional Fighters 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. Nítorí, 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] ija, 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, ninu mi lokan, 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, sibẹsibẹ, 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. Ṣugbọn, I believe that Lacey is really the one that is in line for it. Mo mọ, Harvey hasn’t made weight for a fight at 45 ni igba die. 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,"O si wi. “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 ká tókàn adalu-ologun-ona iṣẹlẹ, "NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, Kínní 1, 2019 ni Ile-iṣẹ Iṣeduro Cross ni Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm. Tickets are on-sale now atwww.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

Nipa New England njà

New England njà ("NEF") ni a ija iṣẹlẹ ni igbega ile. Iṣẹ NEF ni lati ṣẹda awọn iṣẹlẹ didara ti o ga julọ fun awọn onija ati awọn onijakidijagan bakanna. NEF ká executive egbe ni o ni sanlalu iriri ni ija ogun idaraya isakoso, isele gbóògì, media ajosepo, tita, ofin ati ipolongo.

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

Bangor, Maine (January 18, 2019) - New England njà (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 37: Sub Zero,” on Friday, Kínní 1, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Sẹyìn loni, awọn igbega kede ni kikun ija kaadi fun awọn iṣẹlẹ.

Ninu awọn ifilelẹ ti awọn iṣẹlẹ ti aṣalẹ, Josh “Hook On” Harvey(5-0-1) yoo dojukoBillJonesi” 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’sMark “PocketsGardner (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 Oṣere titun ti Odun” 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, pàdéBryce 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 ni “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), nigba tiCatie 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 njà,” 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.

The fullNEF 37” ija kaadi (koko lati yi ati alakosile ti awọn dojuko idaraya Authority ti Maine):

Ọjọgbọn

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

180 CJ Ewer 3-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Mark Gardner 0-0 (Awọn ẹkọ ijinlẹ)

170 Ricky Dexter 1-0 (Young ká MMA) la Ruben Redman 0-2 (Ominira)

Magbowo

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 (The Outlet)

145 Catie Denning 1-1 (Young ká MMA) vs Amanda Bennett 0-0 (First Kíláásì MMA)

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

265 Roger Ewer 1-0 (Young ká MMA) vs Bryce Bamford 2-0 (First Kíláásì MMA)

135 Jordan Young 1-2 (Young ká MMA) la Clifford Redman 0-7 (Ominira)

135 Nate Boucher 3-3 (CMBJJ) vs Dillon Henry 0-0 (First Kíláásì MMA)

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

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

NEF ká tókàn adalu-ologun-ona iṣẹlẹ, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, Kínní 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 njà.”

About New England Fights

New England njà ("NEF") ni a ija iṣẹlẹ ni igbega ile. 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, isele gbóògì, media relations, tita, ofin ati ipolongo. ��