Tag Archives: Mixed Martial Arts

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

THIRD NEF CHAMPION THIS WEEK TO FIGHT ON NATIONAL STAGE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (October 20, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, is proud to announce that the promotion’s reigning professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) middleweight champion will compete on the Bellator card this Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.  Reigning NEF MMA Professional Middleweight Champion “Ruthless” Mike Zichelle (7-3) will face Kevin Haley (3-3) on the preliminary card of “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho.”  The bout will take place in the light-heavyweight division at a weight of 205-pounds.  For those unable to make it to Mohegan Sun this Friday, the preliminary card will begin streaming live at 7:00 pm on www.Bellator.com.

 

Zichelle joins NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (11-8) and NEF MMA Professional Heavyweight ChampionTyler “The Marauder” King (9-4) as the third NEF titleholder to compete on a national fight card in a six-day period.  Both Boyington and King fought on the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) event last Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  Zichelle has held the NEF middleweight title since winning it at “NEF XII” in February 2014.  He is a member of Boston BJJ of Nashua, New Hampshire.

 

“Fighting for NEF gave me a platform to make a name far from home, and it gave me a chance to establish relationships with some amazing people from the state of Maine,” said Zichelle. “I am honored to represent the people of Maine because I absolutely love how passionate they are about fighting, so to be their champion is awesome. Time and time again, champions from NEF get the call to fight in the big show and I’m another example of that. I have only been taking this sport seriously for three fights and with a 3-0 record and being the NEF Middleweight Champion, I got the call up to the big leagues! I am so excited to showcase everything that I have been working on and if there is anything I look forward to, it’s the reaction from everyone when they see me fight in just a couple weeks and people compare the version of me that fought for the title in 2014 because a lot has changed between now and then. Thank you to Matt Peterson (NEF co-owner and matchmaker) and thank you to NEF for the opportunity to become a champion in this sport and most importantly thank you to the fans! Stay passionate! I look forward to putting on a show for Maine down the road!”

 

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, Las Vegas, mixed martial arts, Tuff-N-Uff

TUFF-N-UFF TEAMS UP WITH RANDY COUTURE TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

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​

 

ROUND 6: OPERATION KNOCKOUT
TO BE HELD AT BROOKLYN BOWL

Sixth annual event raises funds for wounded soldiers and their families

Saturday, October 17, 2015 Doors open at 5 p.m.

 

Tickets On Sale Now!!!

 

To purchase tickets, please visit www.tuffnuff.com or the Brooklyn Bowl box office.

 

LAS VEGAS – The nation’s premier amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, Tuff-N-Uff Uff is teaming up with Randy Couture for its sixth annual Round 6: Operation Knockout event Saturday, October 17, 2015.

 

Now in its sixth year, “Round 6: Operation Knockout” is an annual Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event that was created to help raise funds and awareness for wounded soldiers and their families. This year’s event will be held at the Brooklyn Bowl.  Doors open at 5 p.m. and tickets are available starting at just $25 through www.tuffnuff.com or online http://www.brooklynbowl.com at Brooklyn Bowl or by visiting the Brooklyn Bowlir box office.

 

Following five successful years, Operation Knockout continues to grow in size and finds a new home at the Brooklyn Bowl. This exciting, unique charity event features a night of amazing fights and a fabulous silent auction. There will be something for everyone with eight amateur MMA bouts.  

 

Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation provides necessary support and services for wounded soldiers and their families, many of whom return with traumatic amputations, gunshot wounds, burns and blast injuries.

 

Operation Knockout continues to build on its efforts to raise more money and help more wounded soldiers and their families. The event has raised over $133,000 since its first year and with help of their generous sponsors and donations, the event returns this October 17th at the Brooklyn Bowl for its biggest year to date. For more information about this great event, contact Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation at 702-616-1022 or please visit www.xcgif.org.

 

ABOUT XTREME COUTURE GI FOUNDATION:

 

The Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, was founded by Randy Couture in 2009 to honor the veterans of America’s armed forces. The foundation was especially formed to raise money and awareness for those wounded in action and their families.

Many of the injuries are traumatic amputations, gunshot wounds, burns and blast injuries that will retire these brave men and woman from the armed forces. Even though some of these men and woman are severely injured, they have the courage, strength and determination to win this battle.

For more information on the foundation please visit: http://www.xcgif.org.

ABOUT RANDY COUTURE:
Randy Couture served in the Army for 6 years within the 101st Airborne, is a former 6x World MMA Champion, TV and Actor Movie star who was in the Sylvester Stallone movie series – The Expendables I, II and III.

 

ABOUT TUFF-N-UFF:

A 21-year old combat sports organization, the Las Vegas-based Tuff-N-Uff has presented the best amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) action in the nation since 2003, giving rise to the biggest star in the sport today, UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, as well UFC and Strikeforce veteran Ryan Couture and newly-signed UFC welterweight Alan Jouban. Tuff-N-Uff has helped grow the careers of many other MMA athletes including Jessamyn Duke, Ashlee Evans-Smith, Tonya Evinger, Jon Fitch, Jesse Forbes, Chris Holdsworth, Brad Imes, Jimmy Jones and Jesse Taylor. In 2013, Tuff-N-Uff became the first combat sports organization to be included on the UFC International Fight Week schedule of events. In 2014, Tuff-N-Uff presented a second event Thursday, July 3 live from Texas Station, earning status as the first event promotion to be listed on the UFC International Fight Week schedule three years in a row. Tuff-N-Uff celebrated its historic 21st anniversary Saturday, June 27, 2015, with over 16,000 fans, in a sold-out live event inside the Thomas and Mack Center. In 2014, Tuff-N-Uff partnered with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) to present, as part of UFC International Fight Week 2014, the first-ever amateur MMA World Championships. Also in 2014, Tuff-N-Uff’s CEO, Jeff Meyer, was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and honored with the Crystal Award for his contributions to martial arts. Dedicated to its founder, the late Barry Meyer, Tuff-N-Uff is committed to the sport of MMA and building the “Future Stars of MMA.”

 

For more information, visit TuffNUff.com and Follow on Twitter and Instagram/Facebook @TuffNuff and LIKE us on Facebook.com/TuffNUff.

 

ABOUT OPERATION KNOCKOUT:

During Operation Knockout’s ’first year in 2010, the event drew close to 300 people at Randy Couture’s Xtreme Couture Gym that featured a 10-fight exhibition with up-and-coming fighters. Additional entertainment and auction items donated from sponsors, including gym owner and MMA legend Randy Couture, helped to raise $12,000 for the charity. The event proved that MMA supporters were not only very interested in seeing excellent fights, but also in supporting those in need in their community. Continuing to grow, year two brought a partnership with Tuff-N-Uff showcasing 10 fights sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commissioner, adding a new layer of legitimacy for the event. The event was also televised for the first time. Due to these efforts and great people volunteering their time and services, the event raised more than $17,000 with close to 700 people in attendance. In year three, the event brought on a new partner and a new venue with The Pearl Theatre and The Palms Hotel & Casino. The third annual event raised even more money with $34,000 and more than 750 people in attendance.  The fourth annual event was at the Texas Station in which it raised $42,000 and more than 850 people in attendance.

 

ABOUT BROOKLYN BOWL:

Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas is where locals and tourists go for a nightly eclectic blend of live music, 32 bowling lanes and five bars with an all-house made menu created and executed by brothers’ Bruce and Eric Bromberg’s Blue Ribbon Restaurants. When there is a live show, there can be more than 2,000 concertgoers enjoying live music programming from the general admission area, as well as the multimedia bowlers’ lounges adjacent to the lanes, or the private lounge boxes overlooking it all. Since opening in March 2014, notable performances include Elvis Costello & The Roots, Jane’s Addiction, Phil Lesh & Friends, O.A.R., Smashing Pumpkins Robert Plant, and Jack White. Brooklyn Bowl is also located in Brooklyn and London, making Las Vegas its third location. Rolling Stone calls Brooklyn Bowl “one of the most incredible places on Earth” while USA Today says “Music lovers and food lovers finally have a spot to share the night: Brooklyn Bowl at The LINQ.” For additional information, including the most up- to-date show lineup, visit www.BrooklynBowl.com. To be added  to the email list for information regarding upcoming shows, email LasVegasNewsletter@BrooklynBowl.com. 

Voted Best Live Music Venue in Las Vegas by Travel + Leisure

Reader’s Choice Best Live Music Venue – Las Vegas Weekly

Best Concert Calendar – Las Vegas Weekly

Top 10 New Restaurants 2014 – Las Vegas Review Journal

New Las Vegas Venue for Meetings and Events – BizBash

Best Bowling Alley – 2015 Las Vegas Review Journal “Best Of” Awards

Best Small Concert Venue – 2015 Las Vegas Review Journal “Best Of” Awards

Following in the footsteps of our original Brooklyn location, noted as “one of the most incredible places on Earth,” by Rolling Stone, we’ve stacked the deck for a truly unforgettable experience.

With three levels spanning nearly 80,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest music venues in America. Come for live concerts throughout the day and late into the night, 32 lanes of bowling, and food from New York’s famous Blue Ribbon restaurant. This is a Las Vegas experience like no other.

 

mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami  LIVE  Sat., Oct. 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET on Fight Network

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TORONTO (Oct. 16, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a live broadcast of WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okamifrom Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., this Saturday, October 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Fight Network’s World Series of Fighting broadcast will air live nationwide in Canada and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The domestic U.S. broadcast airs on NBC Sports Network.
In the star-studded welterweight main event, Jon Fitch battles Yushin “Tunder” Okami in a clash of experienced superstars.
“We are excited to return to Foxwoods Resort Casino and the state of Connecticut, where we showcased our brand of world championship MMA action in front of a highly passionate audience earlier this year,” said WSOF president Ray Sefo.
“Beginning with Jon Fitch and Yushin Okami, two of the best 170-pound athletes in our entire sport,” continued Sefo, “we are assembling another card loaded with some of the top superstars and emerging stars in MMA, and we look forward to giving fans another memorable night of fights.”
In the co-main event, WSOF heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov will put his coveted title on the line for the first time when he squares off with seasoned contender Derek “Caveman” Mehmen.
In other action on the live Fight Network telecast, superstars Vinny Magalhaes and Matt “The Hammer” Hamill will make their respective WSOF debuts against each other in a light heavyweight contest.
Also returning to the cage will be local favorite “Notorious” Nick Newell, who will take on Tom Marcellino in lightweight action.
The promotion will also crown its first flyweight champion in history as surging stars Magomed “Gladiator” Bibulatov and Donavon Frelow throw down for the crown.
All the action kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Fight Network in Canada and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

Video: Chael Sonnen Speaks with WSOF 24’s Vinny Magalhaes, Ali Abdelaziz

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Chael Sonnen speaks with WSOF 24 star Vinny Magalhaes

Click on the image above to be re-directed to the video 

 

MMA superstar and World Series of Fighting analyst Chael Sonnen spoke with light heavyweight (205 pounds) star Vinny Magalhaes as well as World Series of Fighting Senior Vice President Ali Abdelaziz before the “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” world championship doubleheader event that takes place tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 17, live on NBCSN at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Magalhaes (12-7) of Las Vegas, Nev. via Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will take on Matt “The Hammer” Hamill (11-5) of Loveland, Ohio in a featured bout on the five-bout NBCSN telecast.

Sonnen will call his second World Series of Fighting card on Saturday night, alongside veteran play-by-play man Todd Harris.
Chael Sonnen chats with
World Series of Fighting executive Ali Abdelaziz

Click on the image below to be re-directed to the video


Sonnen speaks with Abdelaziz about the star-studded “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” fight card.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE UP FOR GRABS NOVEMBER 21 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (October 15, 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 an amateur featherweight title bout to the fight card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) is scheduled to meet Caleb Horner (6-2) for the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Championship.  The bout will take place at the featherweight limit of 145-pounds.

 

Lacey is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  He holds victories over tough opponents like Dom Cofone (6-5) and Caleb Hall (5-3) in the NEF cage.  His only loss to date came in New Hampshire against Matt Tullos (7-0).

 

“I’m super excited to be fighting for that belt,” exclaimed Lacey.  “It means the world to me that my hard work and dedication are paying off.  There is no possible way I’m leaving that cage without that strap around my waist.”

 

Lacey had been previously scheduled to fight for the title, but suffered an injury during training which forced cancellation of the bout.

 

“Getting injured is never fun and is almost always an inconvenience,” Lacey continued.  “It has been very frustrating having to take time off because of injuries, but it has also shown me that this is exactly what I want to do with my life.  The fans can expect a whole new animal.  I may have been injured but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working.  I have transformed my game and I will show everyone just how good I am come November 21.  Make sure not to blink this fight isn’t going the distance.”

 

Lacey’s opponent, Caleb Horner, will travel to Maine from Florida where he trains out of F2 Arena in Gainesville under Ryan Hodge (6-10).  Hodge and his students have gained a reputation as spoilers in the New England region, coming in from out of town to score upsets over local favorites.  Horner will look to continue that tradition when he meets Lacey on November 21 in Lewiston.

 

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.

mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

Video: Chael Sonnen Co-Hosts WSOF 24 Pre-Show, Interviews Jon Fitch

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“WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” pre-show
co-hosted by Chael Sonnen and Ray Sefo

Click on the image above to be re-directed to the pre-show video

MMA superstar and World Series of Fighting analyst Chael Sonnen and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo break down the “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” world championship doubleheader event that takes place on Saturday, Oct. 17, live on NBCSN at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Headlined by a welterweight (170 pounds) showdown between rival superstarsJon Fitch (26-7-1) and Yushin “Thunder” Okami (30-9), the five-bout NBCSN telecast of WSOF 24 also features two world title fights.

Reigning heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (12-1) will defend his crown against veteran KO artist Derek “Caveman” Mehman (19-6) and, in the first World Series of Fighting flyweight (125 pounds) championship bout in history, Magomed Bibulatov (9-0), will collide with fellow undefeated starDonavon Frelow (4-0).

Sonnen will call his second World Series of Fighting card on Saturday night, alongside veteran play-by-play man Todd Harris.
Chael Sonnen chats with WSOF 24 headliner Jon Fitch

Click on the image below to be re-directed to the video

Sonnen speaks with Fitch about the highly-anticipated WSOF 24 main event matchup between Fitch and rival superstar Okami.
mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING HITS THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS WITH THE RETURN OF TYRONE SPONG FRIDAY, DEC. 18, LIVE ON NBCSN

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Lance Palmer to defend world featherweight title

Tickets for WSOF 26 on sale Friday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. PST

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 14, 2015) – World Series of Fighting (WSOF) will head toThe Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for the first time ever with a star-studded, world championship event featuring the long-awaited return of Tyrone “King of the Ring” Spong as well as a title defense by reigning featherweight champion Lance Palmer, on Friday, Dec. 18, live on NBCSN at9 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST.

Spong (2-0 MMA, 2-0 boxing, 74-7-1, 1 NC, 46 KO’s kickboxing) of Boca Raton, Florida via Paramaribo, Suriname will face off with an opponent to be determined, and Palmer (10-1) will put his belt on the line against the winner of the WSOF 24 matchup between Alexandre Almeida (16-5) of Manaus, Brazil and Saul Almeida (18-5) of Boston, Mass.

Tickets to WSOF 26 go on-sale Friday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. PST. Priced at $119, $69 and $39, tickets will be available for purchase at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com , www.WSOF.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“We are looking forward to making our debut at one of the finest venues in the fight capital of the world, and to another historic night of MMA action with the return of both Tyrone Spong, one of the sport’s hottest commodities, and Lance Palmer, a prolific world champion,” said World Series of Fighting PresidentRay Sefo.

At age 30, Spong’s appearance will bring an end to the phenom’s absence from competition that was prompted by a broken leg that he sustained in the kickboxing ring in April 2014.

A veteran of 87 professional bouts collectively across MMA, kickboxing and boxing, the one-of-a-kind Spong, who began his career as a protégé of retired K-1 kickboxing legend Ernesto Hoost, has devoted his life to becoming the first fighter to capture a major world championship in each combat sport.

Palmer, a member of superstar Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male fight squad, will risk his title for the second time since the 27-year-old seized the coveted championship from rival Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn in the co-main event of WSOF 16 on Dec, 13, 2014.

With the third round (3:09) submission (rear-naked choke) victory over Glenn, Palmer snapped Glenn’s incredible, unbeaten run that spanned 13 fights over four years.

Palmer, who owns six wins by way of submission, successfully defended his belt for the first time on June 5, forcing battle-tested veteran Chris Horodeckito tap out from a neck crank in the first round (4:28) of action.

Additional matchups for WSOF 26 will be announced soon. The card is subject to change.
Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FORMER MEXICAN CHAMPION TO TEST BERRY ON NOVEMBER 21 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (October 14, 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 main event of the boxing portion of the fight card.  Reigning Northeast Junior Welterweight Champion Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (9-1, 6 KOs) will face Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (73-69-2, 56 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight contest.

 

Berry won the Northeast Junior Welterweight Title one year ago in Lewiston with a unanimous decision victory over Eric Palmer (6-8-3, 1 KO).  The title was the first in the professional career of the standout from West Forks, Maine.  Berry would, just a month later, suffer his first loss in a bout in which he severely injured his shoulder early on.  Following a successful surgery and months of rehab, Berry returned triumphantly to the ring this past summer with a second-round technical knockout (TKO) win in Skowhegan, Maine.

 

“I am very anxious as always to step back into the boxing ring on November 21stin Lewiston,” stated Berry.  “It’s exciting to be fighting for my tenth professional victory. I’m honored to have been invited back to the Colisee to headline another Pro Boxing card.  I want to thank NEF for making this possible for me, and hope to have another action packed, competitive fight like we had in October 2014.  A lot has changed for me in my boxing career, and I look forward to showing all of my fans my improvements made. As far as my opponent, the most experienced one to date, Roberto Valenzuela, it will be a good test for me while giving up size and experience. We tried to make a fight with a couple of different guys from the area but were unable to. My job is to train hard and be ready for whoever they put on the other side of the ring, one round at a time.”

 

Valenzuela is about as much of a veteran as one will find in a boxing ring.  Having begun his professional career in early 1992, Valenzuela got off to an amazing 14-0 start, competing around his home state of Sonora, Mexico.  Among the opponents Valenzuela has faced in his career are the likes of former world champions Andre Berto (30-4, 23 KOs) and Steve Forbes (35-14, 11 KOs) and current world champion Zahir Raheem (35-3, 21 KOs).  Valenzuela fought former lightweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo (66-13-1, 57 KOs) on the undercard of a 1996 Joey Gamache (55-4, 38 KOs) and Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 86 KOs) bout in Anaheim, California.  In addition, Valenzuela held the Mexican Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Title from 2003 to 2007.  He has the strongest pedigree of any opponent Berry has faced to date.

 

“I’ve fought all over the United States, but never in Maine, so I’m excited to go somewhere I’ve never been,” said Valenzuela through a translator.  “I’ve been doing this since he was a pup. I’ve been told that he has VHS tapes of some of my fights from some cards he taped on TV when he was a kid (laughing).  Thankfully, I’ve got video of him more recently on Youtube. He’s nothing I haven’t seen before in a fight or in sparring. I’ll be ready.”

 

“When Brandon signed on to the ‘NEF XX’ fight card, he was very clear that he wanted us to find him an opponent who’s been in the ring with the best,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “Roberto presents a challenge unlike any other Brandon has faced to date.  He has actively competed as a professional for nearly a quarter of a century.  He hasn’t sat on a shelf either.  He just fought this past spring and summer.  Brandon Berry will be tested onNovember 21, make no mistake about it.  But Brandon has recently been sparring several times a week all over New England with top-notch partners.  He is coming into this bout as a whole new Brandon Berry, determined to make his mark in the boxing world.”

 

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.