Tag Archives: Ryan Sanders

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

NEF FINISHES 2018 SEASON WITH SOLD-OUT EVENT IN PORTLAND

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NEF FINISHES 2018 SEASON WITH SOLD-OUT EVENT IN PORTLAND

Tam sim TSO TAWM: Portland, Maine (Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 18, 2018) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) held its most recent mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” on Saturday night at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event officially sold-out days prior to doors opening. It was the fifth and final NEF event of the 2018 lub caij, and what many in attendance insisted was the standout show of the year.

Nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim, Ryan Sanders (18-9) put the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title on the line against Jacob Bohn (7-6). Sanders retained the championship after the cageside doctor stopped the fight due to a cut on Bohn’s head in the second round.

History was made when Ras Hylton (3-2) thiab Yorgan De Castro (3-0) faced off to crown the first-ever NEF MMA Professional Cruiserweight Champion in the co-main event. De Castro captured the strap in dramatic fashion with a violent first-round knockout of Hylton.

Matt Probin (3-0) made his long-awaited NEF debut against Lionel Young (7-16). Probin remained undefeated in his professional career when he forced a referee stoppage to strikes early in the second round.

In the opening fight of the evening, Taylor Thompson (3-0) thiab Catie Denning (1-1) waged an absolute war that had the entire crowd on its feet to kick off the amateur card. Thompson won a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.

Later on in the amateur card, Megan Rosado (0-1) thiab Glory Watson (2-0) battled back and forth in another crowd-pleasing thriller that went the distance. Watson was victorious via split decision in a very close fight.

In the third and final women’s fight of the evening, Chelsea Tucker (1-3) picked up the first win of her amateur career with a late-fight technical knockout of BJ Garceau (1-1).

Zac Richard (3-0) remained undefeated with a first-round submission of Chris Lachcik (0-2). It was a fight that Richard had dedicated to the memory of his older sister Lacey who passed away from cancer six years ago this weekend at the age of 23.

Likewise, in a post fight interview, an emotional Henry Clark (5-4) dedicated his victory over Killian Murphy (1-2) to a friend of his named Justin who recently passed away.

NEF further announced that its next event, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” would originate from the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on Friday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 1, 2019. The main event will feature Josh “Hook On” Harvey (5-0-1) thiab Bill “Jonesi” Jones (13-11) squaring off for the vacant NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Title.

The full results from Portland, Maine:

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

Ryan Sanders def. Jacob Bohn via doctor stoppage, puag ncig 2

Yorgan De Castro def. Ras Hylton via knockout, puag ncig 1

Jose Lugo def. Ernesto Ornelas via rear-naked choke, puag ncig 1

Matt Probin def. Lionel Young via technical knockout, puag ncig 2

 

Pib xyaum ua MMA

Chelsea Tucker def. BJ Garceau via technical knockout, puag ncig 3

Henry Clark def. Killian Murphy via unanimous decision

Nate Boucher def. Jordan Young via tap to rear-naked choke, puag ncig 1

Zac Richard def. Chris Lachcik via tap to rear-naked choke, puag ncig 1

Glory Watson def. Megan Rosado via split decision

Ben Peters def. Brandon Maillet-Fevens via verbal submission to Kimura, puag ncig 1

Felipe Günter def. Schuyler Vaillancourt via tap to rear-naked choke, puag ncig 2

Mohammad Al Kinani def. Clifford Redman ntawm TKO, puag ncig 1

Jordan Norman def. Jon Assam via split decision

Taylor Thompson def. Catie Denning via unanimous decision

 

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 37: SUB ZERO,” will take place on Friday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 1, 2019 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine with a bell time of 8 pm. Tickets are on-sale now atwww.CrossInsuranceCenter.com now with pre-sale code “NEF.”

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

TITLE FIGHTS HEADLINE FINAL NEF EVENT OF 2018

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Portland, Maine (Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 2, 2018) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) will hold its final mixed-martial-arts event of 2018, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” nyob rau hnub Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 17 at Aura in Portland, Maine. Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, the fight promotion announced the fight card for the event featuring a full slate of professional and amateur fights.

 

 

 

The professional side of the card will be headlined by a pair of title fights as Ryan Sanders (17-9) defends the lightweight strap against Jacob Bohn (7-5) thiab Ras Hylton (3-1) raws li Yorgan De Castro (2-0) to crown the first-ever NEF cruiserweight champion.

 

 

 

Sanders has held the lightweight title since April 2017 when he defeated Jon Lemke (7-9) in a tournament final. He has won a remarkable eight in a row in the NEF cage, not losing on Maine soil in four years. New York’s Jacob Bohn has won his last two in a row over veterans Kenny Foster (12-13) and Lewis Corapi (8-4) feem.

 

 

 

Ras Hylton is coming off a highlight-reel elbow knockout of Eric Bedard (6-8) kawg Lub yim hli ntuj. The 6’6″ resident of South Portland, known to fans as “The Jamaican Shamrock,” is a perfect 3-0 in the NEF cage where he also went 3-0 raws li ib tug pib xyaum ua. Yorgan De Castro is undefeated as a professional, having finished both of his opponents by technical knockout. The bout will be the first in the newly-created NEF 225-pound cruiserweight division which will fall between the light-heavyweight (205-phaus) thiab Heavyweight (265-phaus) classes.

 

 

 

Also on the professional card will be a flyweight contest between Portland fan-favorite Ernesto Ornelas (4-7) and undefeated Massachusetts prospect Jose Lugo (3-0). Ornelas is riding a two-fight win streak while Lugo, nicknamed “El Salvaje,” has finished all three of his opponents.

 

Matt Probin (2-0) is scheduled to make his long-awaited debut with NEF when he meets veteran Lionel Young (7-15) nyob rau hauv ib tug featherweight contest. Probin has won back-to-back bouts in Vermont via knockout to start his professional career.

 

 

 

As of press time, NEF was still searching for a replacement opponent for Carl Langston (0-1) in a professional featherweight bout after several previous opponents had pulled out. Interested featherweights should contact NEF matchmakers via email at newenglandfights@gmail.com. Serious inquiries only please.

 

 

 

The amateur portion of the card is scheduled to feature a total of three women’s MMA bouts. Glory Watson (1-0) yuav siv sij hawm nyob rau hauv Megan Rosado (0-0), thaum lub sij hawm BJ Garceau (1-0) raws li Chelsea Tucker (0-3) thiab Catie Denning (1-0) ntsib nrog Taylor Thompson (2-0). Watson, Garceau and Tucker are all members of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine owned and operated by coach Chris Young. The trio has been nicknamed “Chris’ Angels.”

 

 

 

The full “NEF 36” sib ntaus card (yuav hloov thiab pom zoo los ntawm lub Combat kev ua si Authority ntawm Maine):

 

 

 

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

225*TITLE Ras Hylton 3-1 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Yorgan De Castro 2-0

155*TITLE Ryan Sanders 17-9 (c) (Young cov lus MMA) vs Jacob Bohn 7-5 (Behring Jiu Jitsu NY)

145 Matt Probin 2-0 (Recon) vs Lionel Young 7-15 (Citadel Martial Arts)

125 Ernesto Ornelas 4-7 (Choi lub koom haum) vs Jose Lugo 3-0 (BST MMA & Muaj zog)

 

 

 

Pib xyaum ua MMA

 

175 Jon Assam 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Norman 0-1 (Bad Little Falls Dojo)

155 Zac Richard 2-0 (Nostos) vs Chris Lachcik 0-1 (Independent)

155 Mohammad Al Kinani 4-1 (Evolution Athletix) vs Clifford Redman 0-6 (Independent)

155 Brandon Mailet 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Ben Peters 0-0 (Titan Athletics)

140 Megan Rosado 0-0 (Evolution Athletix) vs Glory Watson 1-0 (Young cov lus MMA)

140 Henry Clark 4-4 (Choi lub koom haum) vs Killian Murphy 1-1 (Nostos)

135 Taylor Thompson 2-0 () vs Catie Denning 1-0 (Young cov lus MMA)

135 Schuyler Vaillancourt 0-0 (Nostos) vs Felipe Gunther 0-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA)

135 Nate Boucher 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Young 1-1 (Independent)

125 Chelsea Tucker 0-3 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs BJ Garceau 1-0 (Young cov lus MMA)

 

 

 

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm. Daim pib no yog rau cov muag khoom tam sim no nyob www.AuraMaine.com.

 

Hais txog Tshiab England Fights

 

 

 

Tshiab England Fights ("NEF") yog ib tug sib ntaus txheej xwm promotions lub tuam txhab. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF lub thawj pab neeg no muaj nws kim heev kev nyob rau hauv nqe ntaus rog kev ua si tswj, txheej xwm ntau lawm, xov xwm kev sib raug zoo, marketing, kev cai lij choj thiab advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

SANDERS AND BOHN WILL BATTLE FOR THE GOLD IN PORTLAND

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Portland, Maine (Lub kaum hli ntuj 11, 2018) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) will hold its final mixed-martial-arts event of 2018, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” nyob rau hnub Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 17 at Aura in Portland, Maine. Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight championship bout to the card. “Lub” Ryan Sanders (17-9) is scheduled to defend the NEF Professional Lightweight Title against Jacob “Jaguar” Bohn (7-5).

It is only fitting that the lightweight championship will be defended at the top of the card titled “Battle for the Gold.” The NEF 155-pound strap is the most-coveted in all of New England. It has been known as the jumping off point for many athletes from the regional scene onto the national level of the sport. Current UFC competitor Devin Powell (9-3) held the title just prior to signing with the world’s biggest MMA promotion. Desmond “lub Predator” Ntsuab (21-8), also currently on the UFC roster, signed with Bellator just days after winning the NEF lightweight belt in 2013. And Bruce “Zoo nkauj tub” Boyington (16-11), another of the NEF 155-pound titleholders, went on to compete nationally for the World Series of Fighting.

Despite holding such a prestigious regional championship, the fight opportunities at lightweight for Ryan Sanders have been few and far between. To say it has been frustrating for him and his coaches at Young’s MMA would be a major understatement. Sanders has called out virtually every top 155-pound competitor in the New England region, but none have been brave enough to step in the cage with him. Even the casual observer cannot really blame them. Sanders literally tore current Glory Kickboxing signee Vince McGuiness’ (5-8) arm out of its socket earlier this year at “NEF 34” and then followed-up that performance with a dominant submission win over Mando Montoya (10-7) ntawm “NEF 35” lub hli tas los.

“I was sitting around, eating my feelings because I was convinced that there was no one that would fight me,” said Sanders. “Tab sis (NEF owners) Nick (DiSalvo) and Matt (Peterson) went out of New England where I assume there are less cowards and found a quality opponent in Jacob. I look forward to methodically breaking Jacob, showing my ever improving skill set and defending my lightweight belt. I have the mindset and work ethic to be the greatest fighter that has ever come out of Maine and on November 17, I will show why I am ready for the next level.”

Jacob Bohn, based out of Waterville, New York, is coming off two big wins in lightweight bouts earlier this year. He defeated longtime veteran Kenny Foster (12-13) via split decision on a card in Long Island, New York. Bohn went on to submit Lewis Corapi (8-4) in the first round of a bout in Rhode Island this past summer.

“I’m excited to visit Maine and can’t wait to make my NEF debut against Ryan Sanders for the lightweight belt,” stated Bohn when reached for comment. “I only take fights that I think will take me to the next level, and Sanders looks like a game opponent. Get ready for a show New England, I’m coming for that strap!”

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm. Daim pib no yog rau cov muag khoom tam sim no nyob www.AuraMaine.com.

Hais txog Tshiab England Fights

Tshiab England Fights ("NEF") yog ib tug sib ntaus txheej xwm promotions lub tuam txhab. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF lub thawj pab neeg no muaj nws kim heev kev nyob rau hauv nqe ntaus rog kev ua si tswj, txheej xwm ntau lawm, xov xwm kev sib raug zoo, marketing, kev cai lij choj thiab advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

NEF SELLS OUT BANGOR FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR WITH WILD MMA CARD

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Bangor, Maine (Cuaj hlis 9, 2018) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) held its latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on Saturday night at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. It was the third time in as many years that the fight promotion visited the Queen City and sold out the venue.

The main event featured a bout hailed as the “Battle of Bangor” as popular locals Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (6-2) thiab Jon Lemke (7-9) squared off. Lacey submitted Lemke in the first round with a rear-naked choke.

Hometown nyiam “Lub” Ryan Sanders (17-9) took on Mando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-7) nyob rau hauv lub co-ntsiab kev tshwm sim. Thaum lub 4:10 cim ntawm lub thawj puag ncig, Sanders, the reigning NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, forced Montoya to tap to a guillotine choke.

It was a successful night for the Choi Institute of Portland, Maine as Caleb Hall (2-0) thiab Ernesto Ornelas (4-7) were both victorious via stoppages in their respective bouts.

In the amateur headliner, Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Famer, 54-xyoo-laus Pat Kelly (4-1) put his lightweight title on the line against Massachusetts’ Ed Forlenza (3-2) in what Kelly vowed would be his final MMA fight. Forlenza was able to score a technical knockout via referee stoppage due to strikes to capture the title. Tom qab kev sib ntaus, Kelly gave an impassioned speech, thanking his coaches at Young’s MMA in Bangor as the capacity crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Nostos MMA also shined on the amateur portion of the card. The Somersworth, New Hampshire-based team went 2-0 raws li Zac Richard (2-0) thiab Andrew Brown (1-0) picked up wins under the guidance of Nostos head coach, and current UFC fighter, Devin Powell.

NEF announced its return to Portland, scheduled to take place at Aura on Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 17. The event is titled “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold.” It will be the final NEF event of 2018.

The full results of from Bangor, Maine:

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

Jon Lemke def. Aaron Lacey via rear-naked choke submission, puag ncig 1

Ryan Sanders def. Armando Montoya via guillotine choke submission, puag ncig 1

Caleb Hall def. CJ Ewer via D’Arce choke submission, puag ncig 1

Josh Harvey def. Jay Ellis via triangle choke submission, puag ncig 1

Ernesto Ornelas def. Zenon Herrera via guillotine choke submission, puag ncig 3

Pib xyaum ua MMA

Ed Forlenza def. Pat Kelly via TKO, puag ncig 1

Christian Barrett def. David Hart via TKO, puag ncig 1

Zac Richard def. Clifford Redman ntawm TKO, puag ncig 1

Taylor Bartlett fought Jacob Deppmeyer to a draw

Shawn Costigan def. David Hills via TKO, puag ncig 1

Jordan Young def. Joe Howard via rear-naked choke submission, puag ncig 2

Andrew Brown def. Chris Lachcik via armbar submission, puag ncig 1

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 36: Battle for the Gold,” will see the company make its return to Aura in Portland, Maine. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Kaum Ib Hlis Ntuj 17, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm. The ticket pre-sale is happening now at www.AuraMaine.com with promo code “NEF.” Tickets will be on-sale to the general public on Monday, Cuaj hlis 10 ntawm 9:00 a.m. EDT.

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

NEF ANNOUNCES BIGGEST FIGHT CARD IT HAS EVER BROUGHT TO BANGOR

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Bangor, Maine (Lub yim hli ntuj 24, 2018) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” nyob rau hauv lub Cuaj Hli Ntuj 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The event will mark the fourth time since 2013 that NEF has visited the Queen City. Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, the fight promotion announced the full fight card planned for the evening.

The exciting main event will feature two popular Bangor-area athletes doing battle as Jon Lemke (7-8) raws li Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-2) in a lightweight contest. Lemke, ib tug qub tub rog ntawm lub tebchaws United States Tubrog nkoj Corps, trains with Titan Athletics in neighboring Brewer, Maine, while Lacey represents Young’s MMA of Bangor.

The co-main event will see Lacey’s teammate, and reigning NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, “Lub” Ryan Sanders (16-9) kev noj nyob Armando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-6) in a non-title welterweight scrap. Sanders is coming off a huge submission win earlier this summer in Portland, Maine. Montoya, who represents First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine, will debut in the Pine Tree State after a decade-long career on the southwest MMA circuit.

In another highly-anticipated professional fight, Caleb Hall (1-0) of the Choi Institute in Portland will face another Young’s MMA team member in the form of CJ Ewer (3-1). After a successful amateur career that saw him capture the NEF Amateur Featherweight Title, Hall impressed with a first-round submission of veteran John Ortolani (8-12) earlier this year in his pro debut. Ewer, a member of the United States Air Force security forces, closed out “NEF 30” last August in Bangor winning the promotion’s pro middleweight strap over Mike Hansen (5-9).

The amateur portion of the fight card will be headlined by a title fight as Pat “PK” Kelly (4-0) puts both his lightweight belt and undefeated record on the line against the challenge of Ed Forlenza (2-2). Kelly, uas muab 54 last week, is a legend of Maine wrestling mats as both a competitor and coach and a member of the Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame. He vows that this will be the final fight of his MMA career. Forlenza took the fight on short notice after Kelly’s previous challenger dropped out due to injury. He is a member of team Juniko based in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Forlenza is no stranger to the NEF cage. He won his amateur debut at “NEF 23” in the summer of 2016 on Cape Cod.

Speaking of wrestling coaches, “NEF 35” will also feature the amateur debut of Shawn Costigan (0-0). Costigan is a member of the Bucksport High School wrestling coaching staff. He will represent Young’s MMA in his cage debut when he takes on the fellow-debuting David Hills (0-0).

Also on the amateur card will be the brother of CJ Ewer, Roger Ewer (1-0). A pharmacist by day, Roger made his amateur debut last year at “NEF 30” in Bangor with a second round technical knockout of Dustin Freeman (0-1). Ntawm “NEF 35,” he will take on Jason Hanley (0-0) of Orchard Park Martial Arts in western New York state.

The full “NEF 35” sib ntaus card (yuav hloov):

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

155 Aaron Lacey 5-2 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Jon Lemke 7-8 (Titan Athletics)

170 Ryan Sanders 16-9 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Armando Montoya 10-6 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA)

185 Crowsneck Boutin 2-3 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Mark Gardner 0-0 (Lub Academy)

155 CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Caleb Hall 1-0 (Choi Insistute)

155 Josh Harvey 4-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Jay Ellis 15-77 (Team Knockout)

145 Zenon Herrera 1-6 (Team SMOG) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi lub koom haum)

Pib xyaum ua MMA

155* Title Pat Kelly 4-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Ed Forlenza 2-2 (Juniko)

170 David Hart 0-3 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Christian Barrett 1-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA)

155 Zac Richard 1-0 (Nostos) vs Clifford Redman 0-5 (Independent)

150 Taylor Bartlett 1-1 (CMBJJ) vs Jacob Deppmeyer 1-1 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA)

265 Roger Ewer 1-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Jason Hanley 0-0 (Orchard Park Martial Arts)

180 Jordan Norman 0-1 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Brandon Schwinck 0-2 (Independent)

145 Joe Howard 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Young 0-1 (Independent)

155 Jesse Fitzsimmons 0-0 (Nostos) vs AJ Morales 0-0 (Orchard Park Martial Arts)

145 Shawn Costigan 0-0 (Young cov lus MMA) vs David Hills 0-0 (Independent)

135 Nate Boucher 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Joshua Greenlaw 0-2 (Independent)

160 Andrew Brown 0-0 (Nostos) vs Chris Lachcik 0-0 (Independent)

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

VETERAN WEST COAST FIGHTER MONTOYA FINDS A NEW HOME IN MAINE MMA SCENE

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Brunswick, Maine (Lub yim hli ntuj 15, 2018) – It’s absolutely no secret that few New England lightweights have raised their fists to volunteer for a mixed martial arts showdown with “The” Ryan Sanders in recent years.

 

The competition at welterweight isn’t clamoring for a date with Sanders, yog, although a newcomer to the region with ties to another hotbed of the sport is eager to embrace the challenge at “New England Fights 35: Wicked Season.”

 

Armando “Chino” Montoya, ib tug qub tub rog ntawm 16 kev bouts, and linked closely with a pioneering figure in combat sports, will answer the call Saturday, Cuaj hlis 8. The bout will take place on Sanders’ home turf at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Opening bell time is 7 p.m.

 

"(NEF co-tswv thiab matchmaker) Matt Peterson asked me if I wanted to fight, and I was happy to take it,” Montoya said. “I like to push myself. I don’t like easy fights.”

 

That attitude is a product of both Montoya’s cultural and professional background.

He’s proud to be a first-generation Mexican-American and a product of the relentless, fighting culture that has made his parents’ homeland such a force in boxing and MMA.

 

While living, working and fighting in California, he was a student of Thomas “Wildman” Denny, a veteran with almost 50 pro fights under his belt.

 

“That’s a name well-known to longtime fans of the sport,” Peterson said. “Denny was known for always having exciting fights, yeej los yog poob, and I know he instilled some of that mentality in his students, such as Armando.”

 

Montoya (10-6) fought primarily in California, Colorado and New Mexico. He was in line to fight on a UFC card in Wyoming when a hand injury forced him to withdraw from the bout.

 

Although work and family commitments have slowed his pace in recent years, only five years separate him from a six-fight win streak.

 

“I’ve fought the top local guys wherever I’ve been my whole career. I fought against guys who wound up fighting for UFC or Strikeforce,” Montoya said. "Kuv 38, which I know is pretty old in this business, but I still like to challenge myself. It’s become more like a hobby. I have to work and support my family, but when the opportunities have come up, I love to train and give it a shot.”

 

A union carpenter by trade, Montoya sought more lucrative opportunities in that realm. Maine wound up on his radar because it is his mother-in-law’s home.

After the move, Montoya sought a local gym where he could continue to hone his craft in the martial arts. At 6-foot-3, having spent much of his career at middleweight, Montoya said he didn’t find many sparring partners his size.

 

“Then I was working in Portland and the superintendent there was a friend of John Raio,” Montoya recalled. “He said, ‘You should check out First Class MMA in Brunswick,’ so I did.”

 

Both family-oriented men with a passion for the sport and their shared faith, Raio and Montoya became fast friends.

 

“Armando is a strong leader and our most experienced fighter,” Raio said. “He’s the most humble guy you will ever meet and a devout Christian. His warm presence and willingness to share his knowledge and experience at First Class MMA make him a strong asset to our gym. He has been a huge reason for the growth of our students. I’m honored to call him my fighter and a great friend. He’s like family to me.”

 

First Class doesn’t have many exact matchups for the newcomer’s body type, yog, but Montoya likes the mix of personalities and youthful exuberance.

 

“It’s exciting to see other people so excited about the sport,” Montoya said. “First Class has a lot of young guys who are just starting out, that have had one or two fights.”

 

Montoya’s first inclination is a stand-up clash. Most of his opponents have been substantially shorter, tab sis yog, and prefer ground-and-pound affairs in which his reach advantage is less of a factor. He said he enjoys the contrast of styles.

 

Sanders (16-9) is the clear favorite. In his prime at 31, undefeated through his past seven sojourns in the NEF hexagon, he has been more active than his unfamiliar opponent.

 

“Unfamiliar” is the operative word. The unknowns – namely Montoya’s vast experience against a different talent pool – make it a can’t-miss matchup.

 

Montoya can appreciate the challenge Sanders will face in ascending a class to face him.

 

“I’m used to being the one going up in weight,"Nws hais tias. “Being 6-foot-3, I’m used to bumping up from 170 rau 185. It’s kind of cool being on the other side this time.”

While Montoya is quick to acknowledge God for his forward motion in life, he gives MMA proper credit for its role in his salvation, raws li zoo.

 

Before entering the amateur ranks at age 25, ‘Mando’ spent five years in federal prison and walked out mad at the world.

 

“I had a lot of anger issues,"Nws hais tias. “This sport showed me how to take out that anger in a constructive way. I didn’t need to fight in the bars and the clubs anymore.”

 

Many have gained from Montoya’s personal triumphs. Tam sim no, add NEF’s devoted fan base to that list.

 

“We’re lucky to have someone of Armando’s caliber stepping up to face Ryan,” Peterson said. “As if this card weren’t already exciting enough, now we have this added fight to thrill the Bangor fans. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

 

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Cuaj hlis 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm. Daim pib no yog rau cov muag khoom tam sim no nyob www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

 

Hais txog Tshiab England Fights

Tshiab England Fights ("NEF") yog ib tug sib ntaus txheej xwm promotions lub tuam txhab. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF lub thawj pab neeg no muaj nws kim heev kev nyob rau hauv nqe ntaus rog kev ua si tswj, txheej xwm ntau lawm, xov xwm kev sib raug zoo, marketing, kev cai lij choj thiab advertising.

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

MONTOYA STEPS UP TO FACE SANDERS ON SEPTEMBER 8 IN BANGOR

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Bangor, Maine (Lub yim hli ntuj 8, 2018) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” rau Cuaj hlis 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional welterweight bout to the card. “Lub” Ryan Sanders (16-9) yuav fim Armando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-6) ntawm ib tug sib ntaus luj ntawm 170-phaus.

The bout will be the third for Sanders in front of his hometown friends, family and fans. He is undefeated in the Queen City, where Sanders trains at Young’s MMA. He scored a decision over Derrick Kennington (13-11) two years ago at “NEF Presents Dana Dawb: Lookin’ for a Fight” and a submission of Jay Ellis (15-78) last year at the Cross. Zuag qhia tag nrho, Sanders is on a roll, having won six of his last seven. During that stretch, he captured the NEF Professional Lightweight Title, knocked out veteran John Ortolani (8-13) in a mere 15-seconds, and literally tore Vince McGuiness’ (5-8) arm out of its socket earlier this summer at “NEF 34” in Portland, Maine.

Unfortunately for Sanders, his meteoric rise to the top of New England’s 155-pound division over the course of the last two years has come with consequences. He has called out virtually every other top lightweight prospect in the region in recent months with the sound of crickets as the only response. It is a testament to both Sanders’ skill and the respect, (or fear for that matter), that his peers hold for him. Hence Sanders’ move to the heavier welterweight division to find opponents willing to step in the cage across from him.

“I am excited that I get another chance to fight in my backyard,” said Sanders. “I appreciate Montoya for taking this fight because not many men are willing to fight me regionally. I look forward to displaying my ever evolving tool set come Cuaj hlis 8 and getting another step closer to being the best in the world. It’ll be a great night for Young’s MMA and myself.”

Armando Montoya is a longtime veteran of the MMA cage. He started his professional career back in 2009 on the West Coast and has competed extensively throughout the Southwest over the years. Montoya has fought for national promotions like King of the Cage and the Resurrection Fighting Alliance. Tsis ntev los no, Montoya relocated to Maine where he trains with First Class MMA in Brunswick. The bout with Sanders will be his first fight back from a layoff that began in early 2017.

“I’m excited to be fighting again after a year and a half off,” said Montoya. “Thanks to NEF and Maine for the opportunity to be able to fight for an awesome promotion. Thanks to Sanders. It’s exciting to fight a worthy opponent in September. God is good, God bless us all!”

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Cuaj hlis 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm. Daim pib no yog rau cov muag khoom tam sim no nyob www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

FINISHES GALORE HIGHLIGHT NEF 34 FIGHT NIGHT IN PORTLAND; NEF ANNOUNCES RETURN TO BANGOR

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Portland, Maine (Lub rau hli ntuj 17, 2018) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) made its return to Portland, Maine on Saturday night with the fight promotion’s latest mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave.” A jam-packed house of fight fans took in the action as NEF fighters delivered the non-stop excitement from bell to bell in what many are calling one of the best events the company has ever produced.

 

 

 

On a card featuring a total of 18 fights, lub tsev hais plaub’ scorecards were not needed until the thirteenth bout of the evening. Prior to that time, the early card featured a plethora of exciting finishes including a pair of D’Arce Chokes courtesy of Angelo Rizzitello (2-1) and Henry Clark (4-4) and highlight-reel knockouts by Cody Rolling (5-5) and Zac Lawrence (1-0). Thirteen of the evening’s fights ended in the first round.

 

 

 

Kam Arnold (4-0) and Killian Murphy (1-1) waged an absolute war for the vacant amateur bantamweight title in what made history as the first amateur fight in Maine to ever go beyond the old three-round limit. Arnold claimed the title with a fourth-round knockout in a bout that will certainly be a contender for “Sib ntaus ntawm lub xyoo” this December when voting begins.

 

 

 

Not to be outdone, Carlton Charles (2-2) and Duncan “The Highlander” Smith (3-2) took their amateur welterweight title fight into the fourth round as well. Smith took the gold home after putting Charles out with a rear-naked choke.

 

 

 

On the professional side of the card, Young’s MMA teammates “Lub” Ryan Sanders (16-9) and Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-2) were in action. Sanders submitted Vince McGuiness (5-8) with just seconds remaining in the first round while Lacey lost a unanimous decision to Da’Mon Blackshear (5-1) nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim.

 

 

 

NEF announced that its next MMA event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” would originate from the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on September 8, 2018. Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Monday morning at 10 yog. A pre-sale for online tickets started Saturday night at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com with pre-sale code “NEF.”

 

 

 

The full results from Portland, Maine:

 

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

 

Da’mon Blackshear def. Aaron Lacey via unanimous decision

 

 

Ryan Sanders def. Vince McGuiness via armbar, puag ncig 1

Pib xyaum ua MMA

Duncan Smith def. Carlton Charles via rear-naked choke, puag ncig 4

 

Kam Arnold def. Killian Murphy via KO, puag ncig 4

 

Mark Gardner def. Eric Camacho via armbar, puag ncig 1

 

 

Glenn Kasabian def. Jordan Young via unanimous decision

 

 

Glory Watson def. Chelsea Tucker via TKO, puag ncig 1

 

 

Carter Labrecque def. Josiah Kenney via TKO, puag ncig 1

 

 

Angelo Rizzitello def. Clifford Redman via D’Arce Choke, puag ncig 1

 

 

Zac Lawrence def. Jordan Norman via KO, puag ncig 1

 

 

Henry Clark def. Jack Greene via D’Arce Choke, puag ncig 1

 

 

Curtis Ouellette def. Dalton Dunphy via TKO, puag ncig 2

 

 

Brady MacDonald def. Greg Waterbury via guillotine, puag ncig 1

 

 

Cody Rolling def. Mike Williams via KO, puag ncig 1

 

 

Sarah Matulis def. Carol Linn Powell via rear-naked choke, puag ncig 1

 

 

Joe Howard def. Brandon Clark via guillotine, puag ncig 1

 

 

Christian Barrett def. Brandon Schwinck via TKO, puag ncig 1

 

Taylor Bartlett def. Delmarkis Edwards via TKO, puag ncig 1

 

 

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” will see the company make its return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Cuaj hlis 8, 2018 with a bell time of 7 pm. The ticket pre-sale is happening now online at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com with pre-sale code NEF. Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Monday thaum sawv ntxov, Lub rau hli ntuj 18 ntawm 10:00 am EDT.

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

NEF RELEASES FIGHT CARD FOR RETURN TO PORTLAND ON JUNE 16

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Portland, Maine (Tej zaum 18, 2018) –Earlier today, Tshiab England Fights (NEF) released the official card for its upcoming return to Aura in Portland, Maine. The mixed-martial-arts event, muaj cai “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday night, Lub rau hli ntuj 16, 2018 with a bell-time of 7:00 pm EDT.

 

 

 

The main event will feature two rising East Coast prospects when Bangor, Maine’s own Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) meets Fayetteville, North Carolina’s Da’Mon “The Diamond” Blackshear (4-1) nyob rau hauv ib tug featherweight bout. Lacey is coming off a dominant win over veteran Josh Parker (6-9) nyuam qhuav pib lub xyoo, while Blackshear looks to rebound from the first loss of his professional career last August.

 

 

 

Lacey’s Young’s MMA teammate “Lub” Ryan Sanders (15-9) will see action in the co-main event against Tampa, Florida’s Vince McGuiness (5-7). Sanders is the reigning NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion. The fight with McGuiness will be a non-title affair.

 

 

 

Rounding out the professional portion of the card will be yet another Young’s MMA competitor in the form of Carl Langston (0-1) who is scheduled to rematch The Choi Institute’s Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) in a battle of Portland fan-favorites. Langston and Ornelas initially met last month at “NEF 33” with Ornelas coming out on top via unanimous decision. Langston immediately requested a rematch blaming his performance on nerves surrounding his pro debut. Ornelas obliged and has promised to finish Langston this time out, leaving no room for question.

 

 

 

The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by a pair of title fights. Undefeated Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) zeem muag Kam Arnold (3-0) yuav fim Michael Crespo (3-3) of First Class MMA for the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Championship. In the second title fight, Carlton Charles (2-1) of the Charles Fighting Family and Berserkers MMA meets Duncan “The Highlander” Smith (2-2) of Evolution Athletix to crown a new NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion. Both fights are scheduled for five three-minute rounds – a first in the NEF amateur division as all previous title fights had been scheduled for three three-minute rounds.

 

 

 

Three women’s bouts will take place on the amateur card. Brianne Genschel (0-1) of First Class MMA and the Foundry will take on Tampa, Florida’s Amanda Gallo (1-1) while Genschel’s First Class MMA teammate Chelsea Tucker (0-2) faces the debuting Glory Watson (0-0) ntawm Young cov lus MMA, thiab Carol Linn Powell (0-1) raws li Sarah Matulis (1-0) of the Outlet. Powell owns and operates Nostos MMA of Somersworth, NH alongside her husband, UFC signee and former NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-3).

 

Henry Clark (3-4) thiab Killian Murphy (1-0) both had opponents pull out on them prior to press time. NEF matchmakers are working on finding replacement opponents. Bantamweight and featherweight amateurs interested in either fight are asked to contact NEF via email at newenglandfights@gmail.com. Serious inquiries only please.

 

 

 

The full “NEF 34” sib ntaus card (yuav hloov):

 

KEV COB QHA COV MMA

 

155 Ryan Sanders 15-9 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Vince McGuiness 5-7 (Bang Muay Thai Tampa/Gracie Pac MMA)

 

145 Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Da’mon Blackshear 4-1 (Team ROC)

 

135 Carl Langston 0-1 (Young cov lus MMA) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi’s)

 

 

Pib xyaum ua MMA

 

170*TITLE Carlton Charles 2-1 (Charles Fighting Family/Berserkers MMA) vs Duncan Smith 2-2 (Evolution Athletix)

 

135*TITLE Michael Crespo 3-3 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Kam Arnold 3-0 (CMBJJ)

 

205 Cody Rolling 4-5 (F2 Arena) vs Mike Williams 2-2 (CMBJJ)

 

185 Mark Gardner 2-0 (Lub Academy) vs Eric Camacho 0-0 (F2 Arena)

 

185 Jordan Norman 0-0 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Zac Lawrence 0-0 (Nostos)

 

180 Rich Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Brandon Schwinck 0-1 (Independent)

 

170 Dalton Dunphy 0-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Curtis Ouellette 0-1 (CMBJJ)

 

170 Christian Barrett 0-0 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Michael Vizza 1-3 (RMNU)

 

155 Angelo Rizzitello 1-1 (The Outlet) vs Clifford Redman 0-4 (Independent)

 

155 Brandon Clark 0-0 (Lub Academy) vs Joe Howard 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

150 Delmarkis Edwards 0-1 (Independent) vs Taylor Bartlett 0-1 (CMBJ)

 

150 Josiah Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MA) vs Carter Labrecque 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

140 Jordan Young 0-0 (Independent) vs Glenn Kasabian 1-3 (Nostos)

 

135 Brianne Genschell 0-1 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Amanda Gallo 1-1 (RMNU)

 

135 Sarah Matulis 1-0 (The Outlet) vs Carol Linn Powell 0-1 (Nostos)

 

130 Chelsea Tucker 0-2 (Thawj cov hoob kawm MMA) vs Glory Watson 0-0 (Young cov lus MMA)

 

125 Greg Waterbury 0-0 (Dawb Roob BJJ) vs Brady MacDonald 0-1 (Pictou County Titans)

 

 

 

 

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, Lub rau hli ntuj 16, 2018. Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

 

mixed martial arts, MMA, Tshiab England Fights

LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION RETURNING TO NEF CAGE IN PORTLAND

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Portland, Maine (Plaub Hlis Ntuj 26, 2018) - Tshiab England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” nyob rau hnub Saturday hmo ntuj, Lub rau hli ntuj 16, 2018. Nyuam qhuav pib hnub no, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the card. Reigning NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion “Lub” Ryan Sanders (15-9) yuav fim Vince McGuiness (5-7) in a non-title bout at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

Ryan Sanders has had a storied career in the NEF cage. He competed in, thiab yeej, the main event of the very first NEF card in February 2012 over veteran Dan Keefe (7-3). Sanders fought on ten of the first fifteen NEF cards, including the company’s co-promotion with Bellator in the spring of 2013. After more than a two-year absence from NEF, Sanders returned to the promotion in August 2016 and went on a five-fight win-streak over the course of the next year – the longest streak of his career. During that stint, Sanders captured his first gold in NEF – the coveted professional lightweight title – with a victory over Jon Lemke (7-8) last spring. The bout with McGuiness will be Sanders’ first in the NEF cage since August 2017. He will be looking to bounce back from a loss in Massachusetts last month. Sanders is a longtime member of Bangor, Maine’s Young’s MMA fight team.

“I’m ecstatic to be back fighting for the NEF, it has been too long,” said Sanders. “I’m back to show the fans that I’m the best lightweight in the region, and that I’m on the road to be the best lightweight in the world. I really appreciate Vince taking this fight. I look forward to showing my improvements and the work that I’ve been putting in while away from the cage. I have great coaches, teammates, and an amazing wife in my corner that makes me truly feel unstoppable. Come watch me take another step towards my destiny on Lub rau hli ntuj 16 in Portland.”

A native of Brooklyn, New York and current head coach of Bang Muay Thai in Tampa, Florida, Vince McGuiness is no stranger to the New England MMA scene. His two most recent fights have been in Massachusetts, and McGuiness has even competed previously on a Portland fight card in 2015. He will be looking to rebound against Sanders after losing his last four bouts in the cage.

“I’m excited to be back in New England fighting again,” said McGuiness. “I always get love up there. I’m ready to put on a scrap!"

NEF tus tom ntej mixed-martial-kev kawm cov kev tshwm sim, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, Lub rau hli ntuj 16, 2018. Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.