Lossis Archives: Nick DiSalvo

amateur xyaw martial arts, mixed martial arts, MMA, New hais Fights

NEF 43 RESCHEDULED TO JUNE 13 DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

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Orono, Maine (Lub peb hlis ntuj 20, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) announced today that the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” has been rescheduled to Saturday, Rau hli ntuj 13, 2020. The event, which will originate from the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus, was originally scheduled to be held on April 18. Event organizers, however, have decided to reschedule to June 13 based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent recommendation that all events and gatherings consisting of 50 people or more be postponed for at least eight weeks due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus contagion.

Earlier today, NEF released the following statement from its owners Nick DiSalvo and Matt Peterson via its Facebook page:

Due to ongoing concerns surrounding the coronavirus and public gatherings, NEF 43 has been re-scheduled to Saturday, Rau hli ntuj 13, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono. Doors will open at 6 pm and first fight will be at 7 PM.

For tickets purchased through a fighter (or for those who plan to purchase tickets through a fighter): All tickets printed with the April 18 date will be honored at the door on June 13. If you cannot attend the event on the new date of June 13, please contact the fighter that originally sold you the ticket.

For tickets purchased through the CCA box office: All tickets printed with the April 18 date will be honored at the door on June 13. If you cannot attend the event on the new date of June 13, please email the box office atccatix@maine.edu. You may also call 207.581-1755 and leave a message. The box office will take refund requests until next Friday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 27, 2020, tom 5 pm EDT.

Thank you all for your patience and continued support as we continue to monitor and adjust to this unprecedented situation. We wish all of our fans, fighters, staff, and friends good health and safety at this difficult time.

– Nick DiSalvo & Matt Peterson

New hais Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, Rau hli ntuj 13, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets are on sale now atwww.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.  

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

NO APRIL FOOLIN’: BOYINGTON VACATES TITLE, ERICKSON FIGHTS POWELL FOR THE STRAP

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (Tim 1, 2016) – The earth-shattering announcement came late last night. New hais Fights (NEF) Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (13-8) took to Facebook to notify his fans that he had vacated the title belt. Some speculated that it could be an April Fools’ joke, but those rumors were later quelled when Boyington himself stated under the thread that his decision had been made for personal and medical reasons, citing recent surgeries and a host of longstanding injuries.

 

“After one of the most inspirational and exhilarating rides of my life, I have talked with my wife, my coaching staff and teammates and have decided it’s now time to let go of one chapter and turn the page for another,” Boyington stated when reached for official comment. “NEF has been there for me since the start and I couldn’t ask for a better group to get me where I want to go. I like the thought of vacating the belt on top and handing it off to one of my teammates, hopefully Josh Harvey (0-0) and I will be excited to watch a couple other lightweight warriors going after the strap. Obviously Jon Lemke has quite a claim to that shot and I see my friend Jesse Erickson in the mix as well. Whatever should happen, I will always cherish every battle I’ve had in the NEF cage. Thank you sincerely to Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo.”

 

NEF executives acted quickly and formulated a plan by midnight to fill the title that sits atop the fight promotion’s most hotly contested professional division. As a new day dawned, that plan had come to fruition.

 

“Bruce was a great champion,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “He was the face of this promotion for two years. The 155-pound title is our most coveted championship and there is no shortage of worthy challengers. The decision to fill it as soon as possible was an easy one to make.”

 

Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (6-4) thiab Devin Powell (5-1) will now meet in a five-round contest at “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” to crown a new champion. The bout was already signed as a non-title three-rounder to headline the MMA portion of the April 23rd fight card in Lewiston, Maine. Both athletes quickly agreed to go five rounds with the title on the line. Both athletes have each won their last three fights in a row respectively.

 

“I am honored to be able to fight for the title which I saw Bruce Boyington recently defend against Jon Lemke (5-4) in the best local fight I’ve ever gotten to see,” said Powell. “I hope Jesse and I can put on a show for the fans that can be talked about for years to come. I’ve been training too hard and too long to not hop on this opportunity. I can’t wait to get in that cage April 23rdin front of an always amped up NEF crowd!”

 

Speaking of Lemke, NEF executives placed one condition on the upcoming Erickson-Powell bout – the winner must make his first defense of the lightweight title against Lemke. Lemke lost a very close split decision in an attempt to claim the title from Boyington earlier this year. That fight has been called “the greatest fight to ever take place in the NEF MMA cage” by many observers.

 

“Jon Lemke more-than deserves another crack at the strap,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “His bout with Bruce at ‘NEF 21’ was nothing short of epic. I was completely spellbound watching that fight for the full 25-minutes it was contested. It’s a bittersweet time at NEF. Bruce was a great fighting champion and despite the high stakes every time he stepped into the cage, he was always one of the most active competitors on the NEF roster. Bruce’s warrior spirit and memorable performances in the NEF cage will be dearly missed, but we are fortunate to have so many superb athletes waiting in the wings right behind him to fill that void. There will be no shortage of upcoming action in the NEF lightweight division.”

 

“It was a privilege and honor to fight Bruce for the lightweight title,” stated Lemke when reached for comment. “After the fight, I was pretty confident I did enough to win. Now, after watching the fight numerous times, there is no doubt in my mind that I won that fight. If Bruce doesn’t want to fight me again and vacate his belt, I understand and respect that decision. However, I am hungrier than ever and want what I believe is rightfully mine. It would be an honor to fight the winner of Erickson versus Powell for the title and I very much look forward to it.”

 

Tus April 23rd bout will be Jesse Erickson’s third attempt to capture the lightweight title. He had competed against Boyington twice previously unsuccessfully for the championship.

 

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to compete once again for the NEF lightweight title,” stated Erickson. “I was embarrassed postponing my first fight with Devin due to injury, but it seems everything happens for a reason. To bleed for gold and glory. My Viking ancestors would be proud. Give me the battle I crave, Devin. Victory or Valhalla!”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Hnub vas xaum, Tim 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 22” 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. tsis tas li ntawd, 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 hais Fights

HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH ADDED TO NEF 22 FIGHT CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (Lub peb hlis ntuj 10, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” rau Hnub vas xaum, Tim 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur heavyweight bout to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card. Nick Gulliver (2-0) will meet Dave Smith (2-1) at a fight weight of 265-pounds.

 

Nick Gulliver is a product of John Raio’s First Class MMA gym of Brunswick, Maine, as well as the Foundry – a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) academy located in Farmington, Maine. He made his amateur debut last June at “NEF XVIII,” submitting Sonny Spratt (0-2) in the first round. Gulliver followed up that victory with a technical knockout (TKO) win over Jason Field (0-2) this past November a mere 12-seconds into the first round. He hopes another win on April 23rd will put him in line for a shot at the NEF MMA Amateur Heavyweight Title currently held by Billy Leahy (3-1).

 

“I’m looking forward to fighting again for NEF on April 23rd, and I’m thankful for the opportunity that Matt Peterson and Nick Disalvo give me to fight for their amazing organization,” said Gulliver. “I’ll be fighting who I think is now the number one heavyweight fighter fighting for NEF, Dave Smith. This kid is a great fighter and good athlete. I’m looking forward to a great fight. I fight for two amazing schools and organizations, the Foundry and First Class MMA. This fight will be the first time I won’t be fighting in front of my father who is sick. It’s a lot for him to go to these events being so sick and on oxygen all the time. But my father stated he would make it to one last fight if I get a title shot. I think fighting Dave Smith and winning would put me in a good spot to fight for a title. I’m looking to get that fight in front of my father who pushes me to be the man I am today. So, for three rounds on April 23rd, I’ll be pushing harder than I have in the past to get that opportunity. I’m always looking to impress the crowd. I think fighting someone like Smith will keep the crowd on their feet.”

 

Dave Smith is a member of Berserkers MMA based out of Rumford, Maine. Smith has an extensive wrestling background, having gone 147-17 while competing for Mountain Valley High School (MVHS) and winning two state titles in the process. He also wrestled for Plymouth State University (PSU) in New Hampshire. Like Gulliver, Smith finished his first two opponents in the opening round. He is looking to bounce back from a loss to Brendan Battles (2-0) tom “NEF 21” last month.

 

“I’m glad to be on another NEF card,” exclaimed Smith. “I am also very excited to be fighting Nick Gully. Nick has had a couple impressive wins and I think this will be a good fight! So get ready because it’s going to be a hell of a show.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Hnub vas xaum, Tim 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 22” 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. tsis tas li ntawd, 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 hais 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 hais Fights

CAPE COD GETS ITS FIRST MMA CAGEFIGHTING EVENT; BATTLES & LAMONTE TO MAKE PRO DEBUTS

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Hyannis, Massachusetts (Lub peb hlis ntuj 4, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, announced today that it will bring Cape Cod its first-ever mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event this spring. The event, entitled “NEF 23: NEF CAGES THE CAPE,” will take place on Tej zaum 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC) in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Both professional and amateur MMA bouts will be presented that evening.

 

To date, NEF has held twenty-two events, a mix of MMA and boxing shows, in the state of Maine. The promotion was formed in 2012 by business partners Nick DiSalvo and Matt Peterson. NEF has a reputation of putting on action-packed events in venues filled with thousands of rabid fight fans. The promotion has a large, dedicated fan base unmatched by any of its competitors on the regional level. Over the years, NEF’s cage has played host to UFC veterans such as Marcus Davis (22-11) and two-time UFC World Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia (31-10), among others. NEF co-promoted a nationally-televised event with Bellator in the spring of 2013. Its fight highlights have been featured prominently on AXS TV, TUFF TV and the “World’s Greatest Knockouts” on Spike TV.

 

“The NEF brand is expanding,” noted DiSalvo. “Cape Cod is hungry for an MMA event. I’m surprised it’s taken this long to happen with so many great teams located in the area. NEF is honored to be the first to present an MMA show on the Cape.”

 

One MMA team whose fighters will be featured prominently on the Tej zaum 14 card will be Hyannis-based Team Juniko.

 

“This show will be the first MMA show on Cape Cod in Team Juniko’s backyard,” remarked Team Juniko coach Mike Gresh. “Congrats NEF!”

 

Gresh is a longtime, respected leader in the New England MMA community. Two of his team’s members have been confirmed as making their professional debuts on Tej zaum 14 – Erin “Fun Size” Lamonte and Brendan “Lockdown” Battles.

 

Scituate’s Erin Lamonte put together a perfect 6-0 record as an amateur competitor. She is coming off back-to-back submission victories in Lewiston, Maine.

 

“I cannot wait for NEF to come to the Cape,” exclaimed Lamonte. “All but one of my fights have been out of state, so I am so excited to fight in front of all my family and friends in my own backyard! Don’t miss it. May 14th ‘Fun Size’ goes pro and makes her presence known in the women’s straweight division!”

 

Brendan Battles is a native of nearby Eastham, Massachusetts where he was a three-time All-American wrestler for Nauset Regional High School. Battles won two state championships and three New England regional championships while amassing a total of 161 wins over the course of his high school wrestling career. Later, Battles played defensive end and tackle for the University of Connecticut.

 

“It’s an honor to fight down the street from my hometown and the gym where I train,” said Battles. “It gives me the chills to fight my very first professional fight on my home turf, with my family, friends, and all who supports me to see the work I’ve put in and the fighter I have evolved into at this point of my career.”

 

“NEF 23: NEF CAGES THE CAPE,” takes place Hnub vas xaum, Tej zaum 14, 2016 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Tickets for “NEF 23” are $40 for general admission and $60 for cageside. They are on sale now at www.NewEnglandFights.com/Tickets/ .

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. tsis tas li ntawd, 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 hais Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for New England’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 hais Fights

NEF HIRES LONGTIME BELLATOR EXECUTIVE AS DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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Lewiston, Maine (Lub peb hlis ntuj 30, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, today announced the hiring of former Bellator executive Sam Caplan as the company’s new Director of National Business Development. Caplan has signed a contract to work exclusively with the promotion in the New England states through his consulting company Combat Sports Media (CSM). The new position within the organization was created specifically for Caplan.

 

“Adding a third executive to this mix was essential,” said NEF promoter Nick DiSalvo who co-owns the fight promotion with matchmaker Matt Peterson. “As we’ve grown and the TV deals have been offered and we get more and more calls from big name fighters looking to fight for us, it’s become a lot for the two of us to handle along with the regular day-to-day operation of this business. Sam has been at the national level for a long time. He’s probably one of the top-five most experienced people in this country working at the highest stage of MMA event promotion. He is a major asset to our company. We are extremely fortunate to have him with us.”

 

Caplan was the Vice President of Talent Relations for Bellator from 2009 until 2014. Prior to that time, he had worked for Fedor Amelianenko’s M-1 Global promotion, Titan Fighting Championships, and also worked in television for CBS and Showtime developing the first broadcasts of EliteXC and Strikeforce. Nyob rau hauv 2013, he was named one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People in MMA” los ntawm USA Today and one of the “Power 20 in MMA” los ntawm Fight Magazine. He currently hosts The MMA Insiders Podcast along with Jason Floyd.

 

“Combat Sports Media is excited about adding New England Fights to its client roster,” said Caplan. “I have seen NEF’s operations from the inside out and am thoroughly impressed. Creating a regional fight promotion that can sustain itself is no small fete in today’s MMA landscape. In a short time, Matt and Nick have done an amazing job growing NEF to a point where it consistently puts 3,000-plus fans in the seats for its events. I also believe that NEF hasn’t even yet scratched the surface with regard to its growth and CSM looks forward to playing a role in the promotion’s evolution.”

 

This will not be the first time Caplan has worked with NEF. Caplan worked on a co-promotion NEF undertook with Bellator in March 2013.

 

“Working with Sam is always a pleasure,” stated Peterson. “I’ve known Sam for several years now, since he created 5OuncesofPain.com. There is no one more respected at the national level in MMA. Sam’s presence is going to be a game changer for both the promotion and the athletes that compete for NEF.”

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onTim 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1). tsis tas li ntawd, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest. Daim pib mus “NEF XVII” 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. tsis tas li ntawd, 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 hais 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.

 

About Combat Sports Media

 

Owned and operated by former Bellator MMA V.P. of Talent Relations and current Matrix Fights Promoter, Sam Caplan, CSM is an outsource business-to-business solution for companies in the combat sports industry. Founded in 2008, CSM provides an array of services on a contract basis such as business development, negotiations, venue procurement, television contracts, public relations, television research production, website design and management, Internet video streaming, and matchmaking consulting. Its past and present client list includes M-1 Global, CBS,SHOWTIME, the Titan Fighting Championship, Matrix Fights, Locked in the Cage, the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts, ChokeOutPoker.net, NameDrop.com, thiab FightMetric.com.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New hais Fights

BOYINGTON AND HARRISON ON APRIL 11: POWER IS LEGEND

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Lewiston, Maine (Lub ob hlis ntuj 10, 2015) – The night was June 16, 2012. Over 3,000 fans had filled the Androscoggin Bank Colisee for New England Fights’ (NEF) “NEF III” mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event. In the main event of the evening was former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion of the World Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (31-10). Sylvia was competing for the first time ever in his home state of Maine. Media outlets, both local and national, descended on Lewiston that night for the big event. National cable station HDNet (now “AXS TV”) sent a full film crew and producer to cover the pro portion of the fight card for their weekly program Inside MMA.

 

Sylvia’s 12-second knockout of Randy Smith (13-15-1), however, was not the story that night. The real story coming out of the event was the emergence of not one, but two, new stars before a national audience. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7), already holding the first-ever knockout in Maine MMA history, added to his legend with a Taekwondo spinning-hook kick that left his opponent unconscious and earned Boyington the quickest knockout in NEF at the time at 10-seconds. Moments later, Jamie Harrison (5-1) finished his opponent with an unorthodox ground-and-pound technique dubbed “The Lobster Punch” los ntawm Inside MMA co-host Bas Rutten (28-4-1). Both finishes were caught on camera by AXS TV, and both were seen by fight fans the world over on television and the internet. The road to Tim 11, 2015, “NEF XVII,” and a showdown between Boyington and Harrison, had been paved.

 

In the months and years to come, Boyington would become the face of NEF MMA. Leaving a trail of broken opponents in his wake, Boyington would go on to capture the vacant NEF MMA Lightweight Championship in September 2014 by defeating Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (3-4). Weeks later, Boyington and Erickson would rematch with Boyington once again emerging victorious. Harrison had, himself, cut through Tollison Lewis (0-3) with reckless abandon just moments earlier, leading many to speculate that the time for the Boyington-Harrison showdown had finally arrived. In the hours that followed, both sides had agreed to the fight and the stage was set for April 11, 2015 in Lewiston at “NEF XVII.” Both athletes squared off in the cage last Saturday at “NEF XVI” to officially announce the bout which will be a five-rounder for Boyington’s Lightweight Championship.

 

“I’m feeling on top of the world,” said Boyington when reached for comment. “The break has served its purpose and although I feel I have strengths such as a well-rounded MMA game, more professional fights, more experience with top level opponents and comfort in this arena – I know that it’s all irrelevant because the high that I’m on right now right now and the eagerness to get in the cage and have fun , along with a strict conviction with myself NOT to lose and to entertain the crowd makes me more confident than ever to get the job done. I respect Jamie very much. He is tough and presents challenges and I’ve had my sights on him for a long time, studying him and knowing we would cross paths eventually. Lucky for me, I’m a hell of a wrestler. I see what’s coming. Fans, this fight is unlike anything else you will ever see. Make sure you’re in attendance to witness what I’m about to do. I have no problem proving the critics wrong. Just be there and don’t blink. This is a big stage fight, I’ll prove it.”

 

“I am extremely excited to get back in the NEF cage for this huge opportunity,” remarked Harrison. “Bruce is on a hot streak and so am I. The title belt around my waist has been a long time coming and it will be bittersweet to do it in front of all my family, friends, and fans. This fight will have a lot of fireworks and you will not want to look away for a second.”

 

“These are the two alpha males of the NEF roster,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “When they walk in a room, everyone knows it. But we all know that there can only be one alpha male in the pride. Rau Tim 11 in Lewiston, we’ll determine which is the true alpha male when these two lions collide.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onTim 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1). tsis tas li ntawd, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest. Daim pib mus “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee 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. tsis tas li ntawd, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”