Tag Archives: Maine

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

OF CROWS & BULLS: FIRST BOXING MATCH ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (December 9, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the first professional boxing match officially signed for the “NEF 21” fight card.  Joel “Baby Bull” Bishop (0-0-1) will meet Crowsneck Boutin (0-0) in a four-round light-heavyweight contest.

 

Joel Bishop is a 2004 graduate of Upper Kennebec Valley Senior High School in Bingham, Maine.  It was during high school that Bishop began boxing.  He put together an amateur boxing record of 10-4, and in 2009 won the New England Tournament of Champions Heavyweight Sub Novice championship.  Bishop has twice made it to the finals of the Northern New England Golden Gloves.  In October 2014, Bishop made his professional debut against another NEF MMA regular, Jarod Lawton (0-0-1) and fought to a draw in Lewiston in what was a back-and-forth slugfest.

 

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring at NEF 21,” exclaimed Bishop.  “I was at the last dual show and there was a ton of energy and excitement.  On February 6th, I’ll be fighting a very tough, active fighter in Crowsneck Boutin, and I will do my best to give the fans an exciting bout.”

 

Crowsneck Boutin is a mainstay of the NEF roster, having competed in no less than 14 of the promotion’s previous MMA events as both an amateur and a professional.  In 2014, he was voted “Fighter of the Year” by the NEF fans after going undefeated with three wins that year.  Boutin will be making his professional boxing debut at “NEF 21,” but he will undoubtedly be prepared for the task, training under boxing coach Jon Pinette, an international boxing champion himself, at the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine.
“Very thankful, very fortunate for this opportunity,” said Boutin.  “Joel is a tough opponent, but it isn’t my intention to let this fight reach the scorecards. It will be my pleasure to stand and gun.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

FINALLY!  LONG-AWAITED BATTLE FOR BANGOR TO TAKE PLACE AT NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (December 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the main event of the MMA portion of the fight card. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship against the challenge of number-one contender Jon Lemke (5-3).  Both Boyington and Lemke are veterans of the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

 

Boyington is riding high on a three-fight win streak.  Earlier this fall, he made his debut on the national stage, defeating Rodrigo Almeida (13-3) on a World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card in Connecticut.  Boyington followed up that win with a decisive third-round TKO victory over Jimmy Davidson (7-2) last month at “NEF XX” in a successful defense of his title.  A product of Young’s MMA, and the head of Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy, both located in Bangor, Maine, Boyington has been on an unstoppable tear since losing a non-title fight to Jamie Harrison (6-1) early in 2015.  He has won six of his last seven in the MMA cage, and holds another victory in the NEF boxing ring during the course of that run.

 

“I wouldn’t want to be Jon Lemke going into that cage with me right about now, that’s what I’m thinking, if I’m being honest,” said Boyington.  “I don’t really understand why he would want a fight with me right now, and I do believe he will show up and give his best effort, but I wouldn’t want to fight me right now. I’m dangerous, and my confidence is through the roof and when it’s like this, it is going to take a world-class athlete to stop me, and my focus this whole camp will be on remaining humble and focused. When February 6th comes, I will be the most dangerous Bruce Boyington that has ever stepped foot in the cage, and I know if I want to be in there right now, I’m really going to be hungry by then.”

 

The bout is one that Maine fight fans have waited a long time to see.  Boyington and Lemke have stood atop the NEF lightweight division together for several years now, their careers paralleling one another.  With Lemke competing out of Marcus Davis’ Team Irish in nearby Brewer, Maine, the cross-town rival of Young’s MMA, Boyington and Lemke seemed like natural rivals.  But they often passed like ships in the night, and the stars never aligned for an encounter between the two.  That was until “NEF XX” last month when, just moments before Boyington took to the cage against Davidson, Lemke vanquished Matt Denning (2-1) in that evening’s co-main event.  It was an impressive performance that saw Lemke overwhelm a game Denning as the first round went on.  With both Lemke and Boyington scheduled to appear on the February card, and neither having an opponent signed, the time was ripe for the “Battle for Bangor,” as fans have dubbed it, to finally take place.

“I am so incredibly grateful and excited to be fighting for NEF once again and especially an opportunity to fight for the title,” said Lemke.  “Those who know my story know what a long road this has been for me, which makes it all the more special.  Bruce is the man and has done a phenomenal job promoting himself as champion, and in the process brought a lot of attention to the rest of the MMA community in the area.  He has a couple of titles with different promotions and had fights on the national stage.  He presents a unique and explosive set of challenges that I very much look forward to rising up and meeting that challenge head on. This is going to be a great fight that fans are not going to want to miss, so get your tickets and come on down.”

 

“I don’t know if there’s any single fight fans ask us to see more than this one,” exclaimed NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “It seems like at least a few times a week we’re getting messages asking ‘when are we going to see the Battle for Bangor between Lemke and Boyington?’  Well, it’s happening onFebruary 6 at ‘NEF 21,’ and everyone within our organization is just as excited as the fans to see it!”

 

“The back story to this bout is incredible,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “Nothing is manufactured – it’s completely authentic and gut wrenching.  This fight has been a long time coming, and I have a feeling that the lead-in to February 6th will be unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed in the countdown to a showdown of this magnitude where so much more than just bragging rights are on the line.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

POPULAR DEMAND WINS OUT; IMMEDIATE REMATCH ORDERED FOR NEF 21

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Lewiston, Maine (December 2, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur female strawweight fight to the MMA portion of the card.  Randi Beth Boyington (1-2) is scheduled to face Erin Lamonte (5-0).

 

The bout will be a rematch from “NEF XX” last month in Lewiston.  The previous fight ended with a first-round submission victory for Lamonte.  Veteran referee John English stopped the bout when it appeared as though Lamonte had an armbar locked in deep on Boyington.  Per the Unified Rules of Amateur MMA, as adopted in Maine, a referee is allowed to stop a bout on a technical submission to prevent injury to a fighter.

 

Shortly after English stopped the fight, Boyington popped out of the armbar and began to vehemently protest the call.  Her fans and supporters in the audience were incensed.  They contended that Boyington was in the process of breaking free of the hold, and therefore the fight should have continued.

 

“Before the next fight even made it to the cage, we had at least a half-dozen messages on our Facebook page demanding a rematch,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Our fans are passionate.  If the fans want it, and the fighters want it, then we will do a rematch.  It’s as simple as that.”

 

The February 6th rematch will not be the first time a Boyington has had the opportunity to avenge a controversial submission finish in the NEF cage.  Randi’s husband and trainer, current NEF MMA Professional MMA Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (12-8), defeated John “First Class” Raio (2-8) earlier this year via second-round TKO.  That bout was a rematch of a February 2014 fight in which Raio submitted Bruce in a controversial stoppage by referee Jimmy Bickford.

 

Lamonte sees things quite differently, and is certain that she will defeat Randi for the second time at “NEF 21.”

 

“I’m excited to get back in there with Randi Beth for NEF 21,” said Lamonte.  “I submitted her in front of her fans once before, I sure don’t mind doing it again. This time I will lose the empathy factor as I see the ref circling, and I’ll just go at the finish 100%. She should be thanking me and the ref that she wasn’t maimed that night. I could be a poor sport and say a few things about Randi, as she and her fans have about me and the finish, but my mother taught me better than that.February 6th, I will prove, again, who the better fighter is in the NEF cage.”

 

I’m ecstatic to be closed in the cage with Erin Lamonte on Feb 6th,” exclaimed Randi Beth Boyington when reached for comment.  “I’ll be returning with a vengeance to correct a fight that was stopped too early. I’m looking to end this fight the way it should have ended on November 21st because my parents taught me: when you start something, finish it!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES THE RESULTS OF NEF XX

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Lewiston, Maine (November 22, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, held its latest event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Some 2,500 packed the Colisée for the historic first-ever hybrid mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing card in Maine.

 

In the boxing main event of the evening, Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (10-1) went eight-rounds for the first time in his career, defeating gritty Mexican veteran Roberto Valenzuela (72-70-1) via unanimous decision.

 

On the professional MMA portion of the card, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(12-8) was victorious in defending the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship against Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-2).

 

In addition, NEF announced its next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS” will take place on February 6, 2016 in Lewiston.  Another hybrid MMA-pro boxing event, “NEF 21” will feature Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (6-4) taking on Devin Powell (4-1) in a lightweight contest.  Already announced to be competing the boxing card are Brandon Berry and Joel “The Baby Bull” Bishop (0-0-1).  Erin “Fun Size” Lamonte, who improved to 5-0 tonight, will return on the amateur MMA portion of the February 6 card.

 

The results from Lewiston, Maine:

 

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

 

150 Brandon Berry def. Roberto Valenzuela via unanimous decision

155 Tollison Lewis def. Zenon Herrera via TKO, round 3

135 Josh Parker  drew  Elias Leland

CATCH Ernesto Ornelas def. Brandon Ali Garvin via TKO, round 2

 

PROFESSIONAL MMA

 

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington (c) def. Jimmy Davidson via TKO, round 3

CATCH Jon Lemke def. Matt Denning via TKO, round 1

170 Matt Bordonaro def. Crowsneck Boutin via knee bar, round 1

CATCH Matt Andrikut def. Jesse Baughman via TKO, round 1

145 Damon Owens def. Derek Shorey via Gogoplata, round 1

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

125*TITLE Ryan Burgess def. Dustin Veinott (c) via unanimious decision

145*TITLE Aaron Lacey def. Caleb Horner via unanimous decision

125 Justin Witham def. Brent Ouellette via TKO, round 2

155 Rafael Velado def. Ken Dunn via Kimura, round 1

155 CJ Ewer def. Jason Lachance via unanimous decision

S.HWT Nick Gulliver def. Jason Field via TKO, round 1

145 Caleb Hall def. Matt Tamayo via armbar, round 1

265 Mike Williams def. Joe Krech via armbar, round 1

200  Victor Irwin def. Anthony Spires via TKO, round 1

CATCH Ricky Dexter def. Steve Bang via KO, round 1

140 David Thompson def. Richmond Pierce Wiegman via TKO, round 1

121 Erin Lamonte def. Randi Beth Boyington via armbar, round 1

185 Caleb Farrington def. Ruben Redman via guillotine, round 2

265 Bryce Bamford def. Bryce Locke via TKO, round 1

170 Caleb Swoveland def. Taylor Carey via arm triangle, round 2

155 Levi Sewall def. Matt Hanning via TKO, round 2

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS,” takes placeSaturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF 21” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

UFC STAR TO BE GUEST OF HONOR AT NEF XX; MEET-AND-GREET ANNOUNCED

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Lewiston, Maine (November 18, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  The fight promotion announced earlier today that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch (18-9) would be the guest of honor at the event.  It was further announced that Boetsch will be available to meet fans in attendance and sign autographs from 6:00 to 7:00 pmprior to the first fight.

 

Boetsch is a native of Lincolnville, Maine.  He is a lifelong wrestler, having won four state championships while attending Camden Hills Regional High School.  Boetsch was inducted into the Maine Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.  After high school, Boetsch would go on to compete for Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice.

 

He is currently in his second stint with the UFC.  Boetsch holds victories over many of the sport’s biggest names like Kendall Grove (22-15), Brad Tavares (13-4) and Yushin Okami (30-10) just to name a few.  Most recently, he headlined “UFC Fight Night 68” in New Orleans, Louisiana against Dan Henderson (31-14).  Boetsch is scheduled to face Ed Herman (23-11) at “UFC Fight Night 81” onJanuary 17, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.  He is currently training with fellow UFC veteran Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis at Davis’ Team Irish facility in Brewer, Maine in preparation for the upcoming bout.

 

“Very excited to be supporting Maine MMA,” exclaimed Boetsch of his upcoming appearance at NEF XX.  “Looking forward to watching a full card of great fights and meeting all the fans that come out to see an exciting show!”

 

“I’ve been watching Tim compete as a wrestler and mixed martial artist for almost 20 years,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “I watched him cement his legacy in Maine amateur wrestling by winning four high school state championships and cheered him on as he fought his way to becoming one of the baddest men on the planet in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Tim, along with Marcus Davis, Mike Brown and Tim Sylvia, makes up the Mount Rushmore of Maine MMA and it will be an honor to have him and Marcus both in attendance at the 20th installment of New England Fights on November 21st.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

JASON LACHANCE: “I WAS BLESSED WITH AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY”

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Lewiston, Maine (November 16, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  In a featured lightweight amateur MMA bout, Jason “2nd Chance” Lachance (2-2) will take on CJ Ewer (4-2) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

Lachance is coming off a first-round submission victory over David Thompson (0-1) at “NEF XIX” this past September.  He is confident in his abilities and predicts victory over Ewer when they meet this weekend.  While Lachance’s future in the sport appears brighter every day, he vows not to overlook the task at hand and to let his Christian faith guide him through his career.

 

“I will beat CJ in any way possible,” said Lachance.  “MMA is a sport where anything can happen.  I am fully prepared for whatever may come on the 21st.  I will focus on my next opponent when this fight is out of my way. I will not overlook my opponent. God will set up the future for me, as he has thus far.”

 

Lachance credits his faith and the sport of MMA with helping him conquer his much-publicized addiction to heroin.  He began training over two years ago at MMA Athletix in Bath, Maine, where he also joined the Victory Church ministry of the gym’s then-owner Ryan Cowette (2-3).

 

“I was blessed with an amazing opportunity, and I couldn’t be more grateful.  The fight game is the highest of highs and lowest of lows. The most defining moments of my short career have not come from inside the cage, but from learning and growing day to day as a man and as a fighter.”

 

Recently, Lachance and teammate Norman Fox (4-2) purchased the MMA Athletix gym from Cowette after Cowette decided to redirect his focus to his roofing business.  When the challenges of small business ownership reared its head, Lachance once again lets his faith guide him.

 

“Purchasing the gym was a huge moment for both Norman and myself,” stated Lachance.  “We had to sit back and really evaluate what we wanted out of our careers, and also out of our business.  We quickly realized that with full time jobs, we don’t have time to be coaches, trainers, fighters and business owners and still expect to succeed.  We prayed on it and God sent us the perfect team of coaches and trainers, along with a new group of up and coming fighters.

 

“MMA has already changed my life in many ways. I expect to take it to the top, as a business owner and as a fighter. God has given me the opportunity to live my dream, day after day.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

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

BOUTIN IS PREPARED FOR REMATCH, NEW WEIGHT DIVISION

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Lewiston, Maine (November 13, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  In a featured professional welterweight MMA bout, Crowsneck Boutin (1-1) will meet Matt Bordonaro (2-0) at a fight weight of 170-pounds.

 

It will not be the first meeting between Lubec, Maine-native Boutin and Buffalo, New York’s Bordonaro.  The two faced each other as amateurs at “NEF IX” in Biddeford, Maine.  Bordonaro came away with the victory that warm summer night in 2013, submitting Boutin in the first round.

 

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to fight Matt again,” said Boutin.  “Bordanaro is a tough fighter that is game to go the distance, which are the kind of fights I’ve grown to enjoy the most – wars that push us to the edge as athletes and competitors. Exciting the fans means everything.  With my body and mind where they need to be, I’m ready to finish this year with a bloody war.  I want to earn that ‘W.’”

 

After a successful professional debut this past summer, Boutin would drop his second professional bout to Mike Hansen (3-2).  Not satisfied with the outcome of the first fight, Boutin has requested a rematch with Hansen next year.

 

“In 2016, I would appreciate a rematch with Mike Hansen,” stated Boutin.  “I don’t care what weight. I really want that fight back, and if he isn’t scared, he’ll stop making excuses and lock on.”

 

Boutin cut his teeth on the New England amateur MMA circuit prior to turning professional.  He competed in a total of thirteen amateur contests to gain experience in the sport.  In 2014, at the close of his amateur career, Boutin was voted the “Fighter of the Year” by NEF fans after putting together an impressive 3-0 record with the promotion that year.  He rode that win streak into the pro ranks where he downed veteran Ryan Cowette (2-3) at “NEF XVIII.”  Boutin notes the stark difference between competing as an amateur and competing as a professional.

 

“Each level presents its own particular challenges, both inside and outside the cage, but fighting professionally bears with it greater risks and greater rewards, I feel. Everyone is someone that can potentially hurt you and steal your glory, not to say that those cats don’t exist at the amateur level, because they do, but perhaps fewer and further in-between, and with safer rules and restrictions.”

 

The upcoming fight with Bordonaro will be Boutin’s first in the 170-pound welterweight division.  Having spent most of his career competing as a light-heavyweight and a middleweight, Boutin hopes to find a home, at least for the foreseeable future, in the lighter welterweight division.

 

“Cutting weight is a bit of a pisser, but making 170 on the 20th (November 20 – weigh-in day for the Bordonaro fight) won’t be an issue. I’m a professional and will continue to evolve.  It’s what we’re here to do.  55 (the 155-pound lightweight division) is not outside the realm of possibility, but for now and probably for a little while, I just want to focus on the welterweight division. We’ll see what the future holds.”

 

What might be the most exciting aspect of “NEF XX” for Boutin is getting to compete on the same card with two of his Choi Institute teammates, Caleb Hall (5-3) and Ernesto Ornelas (0-0).  Ornelas, an accomplished amateur boxer previously, will be making his professional boxing debut that evening after having competed in MMA for the past four years.  The three teammates have not fought on the same card together since “NEF VII” in May 2013.

 

“Ernesto and Caleb are both looking outstanding,” said Boutin.  “We all push ourselves and one another hard in training. Caleb evolves noticeably almost week to week and works like a horse, while Ernesto, I honestly feel, is a hidden gem that everybody is about to see shine.  3-0.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

TWO NEF CHAMPIONS GET THE CALL UP TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES THIS SATURDAY

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Lewiston, Maine (October 13, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, is proud to announce that two of the promotion’s reigning professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) champions will compete on the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card this Saturday, October 17, 2015.  “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” will broadcast live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut and will feature NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington(10-8) and NEF MMA Professional Heavyweight Champion Tyler “The Marauder” King (9-3) on the undercard.  The undercard is scheduled to begin at 7 pm EST and can be watched at www.WSOF.com.

 

Boyington will meet a very tough Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida (13-2) in a featherweight contest.  It will be Boyington’s first trip to the national stage of the sport after having competed in MMA regionally for some six years.  Next month, Boyington is scheduled to defend his NEF title against Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson (7-1) at “NEF XX” in Lewiston, Maine.  He is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine and also the founder and head coach of Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy (BTA).

 

“I have never been more excited in my Mixed Martial Arts career, and I have never taken camp more serious, especially when it comes to my diet and lifestyle so that in itself gives me a lot of excitement for what I’m going to get to do on the national stage Saturday night,” said Boyington.  “I have had a great team surrounding me and they have pushed me to my limits, so everyone will surely get to see the best Bruce Boyington to date and I have zero excuses for not performing.  I have one word in mind entering that cage – Volume.”

 

“New England Fights has been a staple in my career and has been the platform that I have had the privilege of performing on as they groomed me for the national stage. I want to thank Matt and Nick for always taking care of my needs and helping make me who I am today. New England Fights has all the elements in place to help fighters reach the top.”

 

Tyler King has held the NEF heavyweight title since May of 2013 when he defeated Travis Bartlett (8-4).  Earlier this year, King successfully defended the title against Terry Blackburn (4-3) at “NEF XVI.”  King was a football standout at the University of Connecticut where he recorded 19 sacks as a defensive end.  He later played in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams including the San Diego Chargers and the St. Louis Rams.  At “WSOF 24,” King will face Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Pat Walsh (6-2).

 

“I’m very excited to get the opportunity to fight on the huge stage that is World Series of Fighting vs a high level, UFC veteran opponent,” said King. “Less than a year ago I was out of the sport and had a very uncertain future as far as ever getting to compete again.  I’m grateful to Matt Peterson, Nick Disalvo and the rest of the team at New England Fights for giving me a stage to step back into the sport I love, in a main event title defense no less.  This fight has ‘Fight of the Night’ written all over it.  You have two determined fighters with competitive fire coursing through their veins ready to go out and lay it all on the line.  I look forward to having my hand raised.”

 

“NEF has certainly become a launching pad to the national promotions,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “We’re so proud to have not one, but two of our champions fighting on the WSOF card.  It really says something about the caliber of athlete gracing the NEF cage.  These fighters are earning their stripes with NEF and then getting the call up to the UFC, Bellator, Titan and WSOF.  Nothing gives us more satisfaction than to see these guys succeed in the sport they love.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

RECENT NEF SIGNEE MAKES HIS PRO MMA DEBUT AT NEF XX

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (October 12, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional flyweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Kevin “.50 Cal” Barrett (0-0) will meet Jimmy Alexander (1-10) at a fight weight of 125-pounds.

 

The bout will be Barrett’s professional debut in the MMA cage after going 2-1 as an amateur fighter.  Earlier this year, it was announced that Barrett had signed a multi-fight developmental deal with NEF.

 

“My mind is on one thing only,” stated Barrett.  “To be the best martial artist I can be. That’s it. Day in and day out that’s all I’m focused on. I’m not searching for fame. I’m searching to find out who I am, and so far martial arts has been kind of this light that’s guided me the last ten years to this very moment. I’ll be ready.”

 

Both of Barrett’s wins as an amateur came in the NEF cage, and he hopes to continue that success in the professional ranks.  While he has been inactive from competition for the past two years, Barrett is confident that his coaches and teammates at Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine will have him ready for his matchup with Alexander on November 21.

 

“I love my coaches and my teammates. They believe in me, which in return makes me believe in myself. I train at the best gym in New England every day. I’m blessed. But I take this sport day by day. My goal right now is to be ready for the best Jimmy Alexander anyone has ever seen. After November I’ll sit down with my coaches and go from there.”

 

Barrett insists that, while Alexander might not have a winning record, he will not take the Floridian lightly at “NEF XX.”  Alexander trains at F2 Arena under the guidance of Ryan Hodge (6-10).  Hodge and his team are recognized as dangerous opponents, and they often play the role of the “spoiler” when travelling to New England to compete.

 

“I love the fact I have a guy flying from another state to fight me,” continued Barrett. “I’m in no way looking past Jimmy. I know he has a lot of experience, he’s very explosive, he’s always down to stand and trade. You’ve got to respect that. I don’t have a prediction though. At the end of the day, all I can do is focus on what I’m doing, not what Jimmy is doing, and I’m sure he’s thinking the same thing. Win or lose I know there’s a lesson in this for me somewhere. I’m just trying to stay clear headed and open to whatever that might be.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

THE BARBARIAN ARRIVES IN NEF TO FACE THE BEAST FROM THE NORTH

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (October 9, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional light-heavyweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Matt “The Beast From the North” Andrikut (1-0) will return to Maine to take on Jesse “The Barbarian” Baughman (0-0) at a fight weight of 205-pounds.

 

Andrikut, an accomplished wrestler at the University of Southern Maine (USM) and a former finalist in the Northern New England Golden Gloves, made his NEF debut last month at “NEF XIX,” winning via technical knockout (TKO) in a mere 32-seconds of round one.  Andrikut is best known on the New England MMA scene for finishing Pat Walsh (6-2) in under a minute during their amateur meeting in 2011.  (Walsh would go on to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship [UFC] as a professional.)  Andrikut now lives in Reno, Nevada where he trains out of Conviction MMA.

 

“I am excited to come back to Maine to fight Jesse,” said Andrikut.  “He’s got a great record and trains for a great team. I love the people and the atmosphere in Maine – it’s a great place! On November 21, we will see who’s a greater fighter as we put our unblemished records on the line. I am sure we will both be ready and it will certainly be a crowd pleaser!”

 

The Lewiston bout will be the professional debut for Baughman, as well as his first fight with NEF in the state of Maine.  Baughman leaves the amateur division having amassed a perfect 5-0 record.  He has claimed regional championships while attaining the number-one ranking for New England amateur light-heavyweights.  A resident of Littleton, New Hampshire, Baughman trains at Team Link North in nearby Whitefield.

 

“Making my pro debut with NEF is nothing less than exciting,” said Baughman. “Being a New England native, I recognize the passion and support our fans have for the sport of MMA. As the top ranked light heavyweight amateur in New England, I expect to be put up against the toughest guys around in my division. Huge thanks to Matt Peterson for the opportunity and my manager Taylor Trahan. Barbarian is ready for war!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.