Lewiston, Maine (January 29, 2015) – One week from this Saturday, New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, presents its sixteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVI,” in Lewiston, Maine. The event is scheduled to originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. The show will mark the three-year anniversary of the company’s inception. NEF executives announced today that they were expecting one of the largest crowds ever for the wildly-popular fight promotion’s event.
“Our February events have always been our flagship,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “Coupled with the fact that this card is loaded with UFC, Bellator, NFL veterans, two title fights, and the return of Ray Wood (5-0), it’s no surprise that ticket sales have been going the way they’ve been going.”
Indeed, ticket sales have been at an all-time high for this event. It is not unusual for the fight promotion to sell out their floor seats for any given show. The sell-out, however, has always come on fight night. The floor seats for “NEF XVI” were sold out a full 17 days prior to the event. NEF executives give partial credit for the quick sales to the addition of complimentary waitress drink service for all cage-side ticketholders. They did not confirm whether or not the promotion was considering adding more floor seats for the event.
As DiSalvo indicated, fans are clamoring for the return of Ray “All Business” Wood who will defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) veteranAnthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (16-9). This will be Wood’s first homecoming after moving from Maine to South Carolina in late-2014.
“I’m excited for this fight,” said Wood when reached for comment. “I have absolutely nothing to lose. Anthony Morrison has fought some of the best fighters in the world and I have an opportunity to make a statement with this fight. I improve my skills each time I step in the cage and I know that this showing will be no exception. I have respect for Anthony and where he’s been in this sport and I am honored to have the opportunity to fight him.”
Wood’s teammate at Young’s MMA, Fred Lear (2-0), will be featured on the amateur portion of the card in a catchweight bout against Bryant Orrick (3-5) from Ruthless MMA and Boxing. The fight will be contested at 140-pounds.
“These people push me to be a better fighter, student, and person,” said Lear of his teammates and coaches at Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine. “I am grateful for their presence in my life, it is something I will treasure forever. I am honored to be fighting for Young’s MMA.”
Not looking beyond his own fight, Lear points out three exciting matchups his teammates Josh Harvey (2-1), Mike Peitersen (1-0) and Aaron Lacey (4-1) will contest against members of the Choi Institute of Portland, Maine.
“Leading up to ‘NEF XVI,’ I can’t help but highlight our matchups with Choi’s,” Lear continued. “Nick Spencer [Lacey’s opponent (7-4)] is dangerous everywhere, Henry Clark [Peitersen’s opponent (1-0)] is coming off of an impressive debut, and I’ve known Caleb[Hall – Harvey’s opponent (5-1)] since high school and there is no doubt about his grit and talent. The atmosphere at the Colisee will be electrifying as six high-caliber fighters look to leave their mark.”
Hall and Harvey are set to open the show in a featherweight bout at 7:00 pm sharp. Hall has competed on six previous NEF MMA events, and he has definitely noticed an increased excitement from fans leading into “NEF XVI.”
“The anticipation is at an all time high because of all the good match ups on the card,” noted Hall. “On February 7th, I’m expecting it to be the most exciting night yet.”
Having fought for smaller promotions in the past, Harvey is clear that the size of the crowd does not matter to him. He will bring his A-game to the cage whether the fight be under the big lights in a world-famous arena like the Androscoggin Bank Colisee or held in a tiny, poorly-lit room with a few chairs set up around a cage.
“Personally it doesn’t matter who or how many people are watching,” stated Harvey. “I’m going to put on a show whether there are 20 people or 20,000. I love to entertain. After Caleb hooks on to me he’ll know he’s been in a fight.”
Jason Lachance (0-1) from MMA Athletix in Bath, Maine is scheduled to meet Steven Bang (3-2) of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Auburn, Maine at “NEF XVI.” Lachance credits the level of talent on the NEF roster with bringing in large crowds like the crowd expected on February 7.
“NEF has a lot of talent on this night of fights, as they always do,” said Lachance. “I expect nothing less than an exciting night for the fans. The support from our fans means everything, and my fellow fighters and I come ready to throw down and send everyone home with even more anticipation for the next event. God has blessed us with another opportunity to do what we love to do in front of so many.”
Billy “Bigfoot” Leahy (1-1) will also see action at “NEF XVI” when he steps into the cage to face debuting independent fighterBrandon Lessard (0-0) in a heavyweight bout. Leahy got the first win of his MMA career this past September at “NEF XIV” before some 2,000-plus fans at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. As such, he is familiar with the feeling that comes from performing for a massive, ravenous fight crowd.
“I’m expecting a great night of fights,” exclaimed Leahy. “I am honored to be on such a great card. The NEF fans are like no other, and I can’t wait to put on a great show in front of my family, friends and fans.”
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVI,” takes place on February 7, 2015with an all-star lineup of fights scheduled. Ray “All Business” Wood (5-0) returns that night to defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and WEC veteran Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (16-9). NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighterveteran Tyler King (7-2) puts the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title on the line against Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-2). In the feature bout of the evening, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteranNah-Shon Burrell (10-5) makes his NEF MMA debut against Ryan Hodge (6-9). Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee 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.
