Tag Archives: New England Fights

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

PRO WOMEN’S BOUT HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF A FIGHT OF THE NIGHT CONTENDER AT NEF 25

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Lewiston, Maine (August 17, 2016) – For the second time in New England Fights (NEF) history, a professional women’s mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bout will take to the fight promotion’s cage.  OnSeptember 10, 2016 when NEF returns to Lewiston with its next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” the professional portion of the MMA card will feature a women’s flyweight bout between Sarah “SwitchKick” Click (0-1) and  Valerie “Valociraptor” Aspaas (0-0).  Click and Aspaas will look to continue the recent tradition of women’s fights taking “Fight of the Night” honors at NEF events.  Judging from the extensive martial arts backgrounds of both competitors, the fight could very well do just that.

 

Sarah Click made her initial foray into the martial arts world at just eight-years-old when she began training in Taekwondo.  Now a sergeant in the United States Army, Click began competing in MMA in 2014 after returning from a tour of Afghanistan.  Over the course of her amateur career, Click captured several regional titles throughout New England and New York.  She made her professional debut for national promotion Invicta last spring.  Click is a member of Team Juniko of Hyannis, Massachusetts.

 

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to fight at one of New England’s best promotions,” said Click of NEF.  “They are doing big things for fighters, and they are coming off one of their best shows to date. Valerie has fought some of the best 125 talent, going the distance with KGB and Kaitlyn Chookagain. I’m going to do what I do best and bring a war that you won’t want to miss!”

 

Like her opponent, Valerie Aspaas got her start in martial arts at a young age, training in Isshin-Ryu Karate.  She currently holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).  In 2014, Aspaas won the Buffalo, New York version of the Golden Gloves.  She made her NEF debut at “NEF IX” in Biddeford, Maine, defeating Maria Rios (2-3) via unanimous decision.  The fight was a brutal bloodbath that had the capacity crowd on the edge of its collective seat for the duration.  Aspaas will enter the professional ranks at “NEF 25.”

 

“My professional debut has been a long time coming, and I am honored to have the opportunity to do it under NEF,” said Aspaas when reached for comment.  “I fought for them a few years back, and I believe that the promotion and the people of Maine remember the bloody, exciting battle I fought against Maria Rios.  They should expect to see more of the same ferocity and grit from a more evolved version of the Valociraptor when I step back into the cage on September 10th.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.”

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

DENNING INKS NEW NEF DEAL; WILL FACE TRAHAN AT NEF 25

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Lewiston, Maine (August 15, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on September 10, 2016 with the fight promotion’s next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  Earlier today, NEF executives announced the re-signing of Lewiston featherweight mixed-martial-artist Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (3-3) to a new developmental deal.  The first fight of the deal will see Denning face Taylor Trahan (5-6) on the main card of “NEF 25.”

 

“I’m excited to have signed another contract with NEF,” said Denning. “I was planning on retiring, but I still have too much fight left in me. I haven’t been doing great record-wise, but if people have seen the opponents I have faced and the performances I put on, they know I’m evolving.”

 

Denning, a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), has had eleven of his thirteen combined amateur and professional fights in the NEF MMA cage.  He signed his first developmental deal with the promotion in the fall of 2014.  Denning got off to a 2-0 start as a pro before dropping three of his next four.  He says that his new focus will be on improving his abilities through tough fights rather than trying to pad his record.

 

“I’m excited to fight Taylor Trahan. He’s a tough, tough fight, but I wanted it. I need the motivation to get back in prime shape like I was when I fought Jeremy Tyler and made my pro debut against Derek Shorey. I’m over records. I’m done with everyone’s opinions. I talked to my coaches and team and I’m going to fight tough guys and do my best to beat them and get better. When I am finally done fighting, I want people to remember that I fought extremely tough opponents and did very well. Thanks to Matt and Nick for asking for me back. I plan on putting on a great show come September 10th. Who knows–maybe the NEF fans will see me in the boxing ring soon! Oss.”

 

Looking at the length of his career, it is hard to believe Taylor Trahan is only 25-years-old.  The native of Littleton, New Hampshire, and current resident of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, made his amateur MMA debut back in 2009, shortly after his 18th birthday.  Seven years and 26 fights later, Trahan is recognized as one of the most prolific competitors in all of New England MMA.  While he has fought in every corner of the region, Trahan has yet to step into the NEF MMA cage.  He predicts that he and Denning will put on an exciting, fight-of-the-night performance in his NEF debut.

 

“I’m looking forward to being a part of NEF 25,” said Trahan. “NEF always puts on a great show. I’ll be fighting Matt ‘Ken Doll’ Denning.  He’s a game opponent, but I see  holes in his game that I’ll be looking to exploit.  I predict the fight having a lot of fireworks and being fight of the night.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT SLUGFEST SCHEDULED FOR NEF BOXING RING

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Lewiston, Maine (August 12, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on September 10, 2016 with the fight promotion’s next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  The fight card will feature both mixed-martial-arts and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the first pro boxing bout signed for the event.  Brandon Montella (4-0, 3 KOs) will take on Tollison Lewis (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-round light-heavyweight contest.

 

Montella graduated from Carrabec High School in North Anson, Maine in 1998.  Soon after, Montella joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC).  He served in the marines until 2003 when he received an honorable discharge.  After spending the better part of a decade in Virginia, Montella moved with his wife to the Boston, Massachusetts area in 2011.  He owns and operates The Way, LLC boxing gym in Woburn, Massachusetts.  Montella has been on a tear in the boxing ring of late, scoring three knockouts in an eight-month period.

 

Tollison Lewis cut his teeth in the NEF MMA cage.  He has found more success, however, in the boxing ring.  Lewis took a fight on one day’s notice against veteran John Webster (8-7-1, 6 KOs) in the fall of 2014.  He would dominate that fight and win by decision.  Lewis followed up that performance with a stoppage of Zenon Herrera (0-2) last year, earning himself a crack at Brandon Berry’s (11-2-1, 7 KOs) Northeast Junior Welterweight Title earlier in 2016.  Lewis predicts nothing short of an all-out slugfest with Montella on September 10.

 

“I’m expecting a battle,” said Lewis.  “I know I’ll be prepared for one. Expect a war! I’m not going to talk about it – I’m going to show it, and losing isn’t an option.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.”

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

BELLATOR 93 REMATCH TO FEATURE PROMINENTLY ON NEF 25 FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (August 11, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Lewiston on September 10, 2016 with the fight promotion’s next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  NEF executives announced earlier today that Jesse “The  Viking” Erickson (7-5) and Jon Lemke (5-6) will square off for the second time in their respective careers.  Lemke won the first meeting at NEF’s co-promotion with Bellator, “Bellator 93,” in the spring of 2013.  The bout will take place in the 155-pound lightweight division.

 

Originally scheduled to take place earlier this month at “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” in Bangor, Erickson-Lemke II was postponed when Erickson suffered an injury in training.  Devin Powell (8-1) stepped in to replace Erickson in the bout.  While he was stopped late in the first round, Lemke put on a valiant performance, shattering Powell’s nose in the process.  Lemke hopes to get back on the winning track at “NEF 25.”

 

“My last couple of performances have been a bit disappointing for me as a fighter, so I wanted to fight again as soon as possible and figure this out,” said Lemke.  “I am incredibly grateful for another opportunity to fight for NEF.  I am learning how to separate who I am as a person and man versus who I am as a fighter when I step in to that cage.  This will enable me to stop holding back and really leave it all in the cage.  Jesse is a fighter through and through and this will be a great battle for sure.”

 

Erickson, on the other hand, is coming off a brutal knockout victory over Amos Collins (4-5) this past June.  It was just the latest in a string of improved striking performances from Erickson in the past couple of years.  He says that he will welcome the opportunity to stand and exchange with Lemke should the opportunity present itself.

 

“I can’t wait to step into the NEF cage against Jon,” said Erickson.  “I have a lot of respect for him.  He is a talented well rounded fighter and always puts on a show. He beat me in my pro debut, but that was years ago and I’m very excited to show everyone how far I’ve come. I’m not the same fighter I was then and now that I’ve recovered from injury, I look forward to competing against him. Most people expect me to look for the takedown to utilize my jiu jitsu, but I love to strike and want to show him and everyone else that I’ve got Thor’s hammer in these hands. If he thinks the outcome will be the same and he will walk through me, it’ll be a rough night for him. Victory or Valhalla.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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, MMA, New England Fights

IT WILL BE CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION ON SEPTEMBER 10 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (August 9, 2016) – In a rare occurrence, two champions from two different weight divisions will square off onSeptember 10, 2016 when New England Fights presents “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” in Lewiston.  Reigning NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Champion Johnny Crafts (4-0) will come up in weight to challenge Caleb Hall (7-3) for Hall’s NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title.

 

Caleb Hall was a two-time Maine state champion wrestling for Dirigo High School in Dixfield.  He would go on to wrestle for Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, as well as the University of Southern Maine.  At “NEF 22” this past spring, Hall captured the vacant featherweight title by submitting Erik Nelson (2-3) in the second round.  In the upcoming bout with Crafts, Hall will be looking to not only retain his title, but to also gain a measure of revenge against Crafts who defeated Hall’s teammate Henry Clark (3-2) last fall.

 

“Johnny’s making a big mistake coming up in weight trying to take my belt,” said Hall.  “I will avenge my teammate, Henry Clark, and put him away early.”

 

Johnny Crafts is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt with Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ).  As mentioned, Crafts defeated Henry Clark of the Choi Institute last fall to claim the amateur bantamweight title.  On September 10, Crafts hopes to make history by becoming the first competitor to simultaneously hold two championships in two different weight divisions.

 

“I’m honestly just excited to get in there and have a brutal, fun fight,” said Crafts. “It’s going to be a guaranteed war versus Caleb. It’s less focus on cutting weight at 145 for me and more on the training camp. I’m going to be the most technical and strong I have ever been for this fight.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.  Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

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.”

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, wrestling

NEF ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF WRESTLING ESSAY CONTEST

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Rumford, Maine (July 20, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number one regional fight promotion, earlier today announced the winners of this year’s contest to attend the University of Southern Maine’s (USM) annual “Brawlin’ Lobster Wrestling Clinic.”

 

Isaiah Cogswell, a junior at More High School in Bath, Maine and Benjamin Mahoney, a junior at York High School in York, Maine, will both have their tuition costs covered to attend this year’s clinic and will both receive a unique NEF prize package that includes tickets to “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLIANS” to be held on September 10th at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The contest was sponsored by NEF and NEF professional featherweight mixed martial artist, Brandon “The Dream Killer” Bushaw. In order to enter, applicants needed to submit a 200-word essay outlining how attending the 2016 clinic would help them to achieve their wrestling goals. Cogswell and Mahoney were selected out of over 40 applicants.

 

“I want to attend this camp so I can achieve my goal of Maine heavyweight champion and this camp will help me not only keep my skills but to improve upon them,” wrote Mahoney, who has placed at both mid-states and the Atlantic Invitational tournament since he began wrestling on the varsity team his freshman year. “I would like to show to my coaches that I am willing to take the extra step to show leadership and experience, so that I could also be a team captain this year.”

 

“This camp would give me an opportunity to be exposed to more coaching styles and learn more about who I am as a wrestler,” Cogswell, a varsity wrestler and KVAC Champion, wrote in his essay. “I am not done, I still have work to do to reach my goals.”

 

This year’s dual sponsorship to send two wrestlers to the clinic was made possible by the contribution of Brandon Bushaw, a two-time state wrestling champion and member of the Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame. After a successful career at Westbrook High School, Bushaw went on to wrestle at Michigan State University alongside teammates and UFC-standouts Rashad Evans and Gray Maynard. With almost 20 fights under his belt between his amateur and professional mixed martial arts careers, Bushaw has never forgotten his wrestling roots and the lessons he gained from competing in the sport.

 

“Wrestling has molded my life on and off the mat since my freshman year of high school,” said Bushaw.  “I look back and am so thankful to this day that Coach Walsh wouldn’t leave me alone about coming out for the Westbrook wrestling team all those years ago. If I can give back even one percent of what I got out of wrestling, it would be monumental to me. That’s why when I saw NEF was paying for a young wrestler to go to camp, I called Matt and told him I would like to send someone as well! I’m glad he accepted my offer and I hope that wrestling has the same impact on this young man’s life that it did mine!”

 

“Wrestling is one of the oldest and most effective martial arts in the world,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “Participating in the sport of wrestling has the potential to improve one’s performance in all areas of life. We’re proud to send these two deserving young men to the USM clinic this summer and hope this plays a part in helping them to achieve their goals both on and off the wrestling mat next season.”

 

“Myself and our coaching staff appreciate NEF and Brandon for sponsoring these wrestlers and giving them an opportunity to attend our camp,” stated Mike Morin, USM Head Wrestling Coach, himself a two-time All-American, when reached for comment. “We are the only NCAA program in the state and will have coaches from all over the Northeast as clinicians. These sponsorships are allowing these wrestlers to participate and learn at a high level. In turn, this only helps the state as a whole grow and get better.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight”  takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor,  Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

 

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 andwww.flocombat.com, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights, UFC

UFC PRESIDENT COMING TO BANGOR TO SCOUT NEF MMA TALENT

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Bangor, Maine (July 8, 2016) – It has been nearly a week since the news broke.  Dana White, the president of the world’s biggest mixed-martial-arts (MMA) promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), will be coming home to scout New England Fights (NEF) talent for his web show Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.  The event will originate from the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Friday, August 5, 2016.  Tickets went on sale earlier today at the box office.

 

White graduated from Hermon High School in nearby Hermon, Maine in 1987.  He has never forgotten his roots, having generously donated $100,000 five years ago to help upgrade the school’s athletic facilities.  It is well-documented that White still maintains a residence in Levant, Maine where he often vacations.  In 2014, White was instrumental in the UFC bringing “Fight Night 47” to the Cross Insurance Center.

 

On August 5, White will scout several NEF MMA competitors during a live NEF event in Bangor, each fighter hoping to impress White and score a contract with the UFC.  The fights will be recorded for a future episode of Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight which will air on White’s Youtube page and the UFC Fight Pass subscription-based video streaming service.  The premise of the reality show has White, lifelong friend Nick “The Tooth,” and retired UFC competitor Matt Serra (11-7) traveling the country looking for the next undiscovered talent to sign to the UFC.  The trio attends regional MMA events while sampling local food and culture.

 

“Obviously everyone knows I have deep roots in Bangor, Maine,” said White when reached in Las Vegas, Nevada.  “I already brought a UFC event to the Cross Center. Now, I’m very excited to bring my show Lookin’ For A Fight to scout the talent in the area and check out the local promotion New England Fights.”

 

Among the fighters already signed to compete will be “The” Ryan Sanders (10-8), Aaron Lacey (1-0), CJ Ewer (1-0) and Josh Harvey (1-0), all representing Bangor’s Young’s MMA.  An announcement on the full, all-pro fight card is expected next week.

 

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these fighters,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “This is the chance to showcase their skills in front of the most powerful figure in this sport.  I’m expecting these fighters to light up the night with fireworks on August 5.”

 

“It’s such an honor to be selected to put this event on,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “NEF is always looking to move these fighters forward to the big stage.  So many NEF athletes have gone off to compete at the national level in the past few years, and hopefully we’ll have more going onAugust 5.  That’s the ultimate goal here for everyone.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight”  takes place on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor,  Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

 

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 and www.flocombat.com, 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, MMA, New England Fights

HANSEN AND ANDRIKUT ON COLLISION COURSE SET FOR NEF 25

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (June 29, 2016) – They are two of the top light-heavyweights currently competing in New England Fights (NEF).  Their respective most recent wins were both against Jesse Baughman (0-2).  Both are accomplished wrestlers.  At some point,  Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (4-4) and Matt “The Beast From the North” Andrikut(2-0) were bound to collide.  That collision will take place at “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” on September 10, 2016 in Lewiston.  The mixed-martial-arts (MMA) contest is set at a fight weight of 205-pounds.

 

Hansen is the founder of the Berserkers MMA fight team based out of the Greater Rumford Community Center in Rumford, Maine.  He was a Maine state champion wrestling out of Mountain Valley High School.  Hansen dropped his last fight to Brendan Battles (1-0) at “NEF 23” in Hyannis, Massachusetts.  He had a chance to avenge that loss and get back on the winning track this month at “NEF 24,” but suffered a setback when his opponent fell out the morning of weigh-ins.

 

“This should be an exciting fight,” said Hansen. “Two good wrestlers ready to throw each other around sounds like a good time to me.  This should be my last fight at 205 most likely, though.  I’m heading down to 185-170 to try my luck against guys my size.  Fighting these big guys sure is exciting, but it cost my body a lot.  Expect nothing less than me coming ready to break him.”

 

Prior to his professional MMA career, Matt Andrikut wrestled for the University of Southern Maine (USM) and also boxed as an amateur.  He was a finalist in the Northern New England Golden Gloves.  During his amateur MMA career, Andrikut famously defeated Pat Walsh.  Walsh would later go on to compete in the UFC and World Series of Fighting at the national level.  Andrikut is 2-0 in the NEF MMA cage since debuting with the promotion last year.

 

“I am ready to be in the cage again,” said Andrikut from his home in Reno, Nevada.  “I know Mike is a tough wrestler and possibly an even tougher striker.  This is a fight that no one would want to miss.  I look forward to the challenge to further enhance my career in MMA towards a much deserved title shot in NEF.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.  Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

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.”

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

YOUNG’S & FIRST CLASS MEET IN SECOND TITLE FIGHT AT NEF 25

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Lewiston, Maine (June 28, 2016) – Less than 24-hours after the announcement of the amateur light-heavyweight title fight between Young’s MMA’s Victor Irwin (2-0) and First Class MMA’s Nick Shea (2-0), fight promotion New England Fights (NEF)  released a second championship bout between the two gyms at “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS.”  Undefeated Rafael “Air Guard” Velado (3-0), Shea’s teammate at First Class MMA, is scheduled to face Jimmy Jackson (3-2), a teammate of Irwin at Young’s MMA, for the vacant NEF mixed-martial-arts (MMA) amateur lightweight title.  The title was previously held by Josh Harvey (1-0) of Young’s MMA and vacated last April when he moved up to the professional ranks.

 

“First of all, I appreciate the opportunity that NEF has given me to show my skills in the cage,” said Velado.  “There are other promotions in New England, but nobody puts on a show like NEF.  I’ve made it very clear that I am here to fight the toughest guys I can and once again I’m getting my way.”

 

In Velado’s last fight, he took on and defeated Mike Peitersen (3-1).  In doing so, Velado handed him the first loss of his career.  Peitersen is another teammate of Jimmy Jackson at Young’s MMA.

 

“Leading up to the Mike Peitersen fight, he and I respectfully challenged each other to train hard and bring it,” Velado continued.  “I believe that we did that and then some.  Now I have another Young’s fighter in front of me and I couldn’t be happier. Jimmy Jackson has been looking good in his last few outings and I believe we are a good match-up.  I see a trend of BJJ players who come over into MMA and think they are just going to jits their way through every fight. I can assure you that I am not that guy and you will see a constant evolution of skills in my fights.”

 

Jackson will have the opportunity to gain a measure of revenge for his team against Velado.  After starting his amateur career at 1-2, Jackson has won his last two in a row, including a submission victory over Kris Welch (0-1) at “NEF 16” last year.

 

“Fighting Raf is a huge opportunity for me – an opportunity I am very grateful for,” said Jackson when reached for comment.  “This is the time for me to show how far I’ve come and how much time and work Chris Young (Young’s MMA head coach) and the rest of the coaching staff and team have put into making me the best version of myself.  I do this for them, my team and my family.”

 

“I am pumped to be fighting alongside my First Class MMA brothers and sisters in September and I will be so proud to hand that 155 NEF Championship belt to John Raio (First Class MMA head coach) and tell him, ‘There’s more where that came from,'” said Velado in closing.  “As far as ‘Heroes & Villains,’ I believe every man or woman who steps in that cage is a hero, but you have to have a little villain inside you to do what’s necessary to win.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.  Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

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, MMA, New England Fights

GLOVER VACATES; A NEW LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED AT NEF 25

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It was a bitterly cold night in Lewiston last February when Ryan Glover (3-1) won the New England Fights (NEF) mixed-martial-arts (MMA) amateur light-heavyweight title.  The months to come would see Glover accept a new job that would take him up and down the East Coast.  With little time to train to defend the title, and in the interest of doing right by the division, Glover recently made the difficult decision to relinquish the championship.

 

NEF executives were quick to act.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced that Victor Irwin (2-0) would meet Nick Shea (2-0) to fill the vacancy.  The two undefeated athletes are scheduled to face-off to determine a new light-heavyweight champion at “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS” onSeptember 10, 2016 in Lewiston.

 

Irwin was a standout wrestler at Brewer High School in Brewer, Maine at 195-pounds where he was a Class-A state champion.  His love for the sport is so strong that when Irwin attended Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) and learned the school did not have a wrestling program, he created one himself.  As a college freshman in 2014 Irwin went to Nationals and achieved All-American status.  He currently trains out of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.

 

“I’ve thought a lot about this fight and I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter what I say,” said Irwin, “it matters what I do, and come September 10thyou’re gonna see some serious doing.”

 

2015 was a great start to the MMA career of Nick Shea.  In February of that year, he won his debut fight over the much more experienced Jacob Cameron (1-5) via first-round technical knockout.  Later in the year, Shea would go on to defeat Ruben Redman (0-1) by decision in a hard-fought contest.  It would earn Shea a nomination for the “Rookie of the Year” in the 2015 NEF Year-End Awards.  On September 10 in Lewiston, Shea will attempt to become the first member of the First Class MMA fight team to capture gold in the NEF cage.

 

“It’s an honor to fight someone from Young’s MMA,” said Shea.  “I believe this will be my biggest test in the cage to date.  I’m grateful and excited to compete for the amateur light heavyweight title.  Victor and I will put on an exciting fight on Saturday, September 10th!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets 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.  Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

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.”