Lewiston, Maine (Avril 21, 2015) - New England Goumen (Nef), Nimewo-yon sèl batay pwomosyon rejyonal Amerik la, pral kenbe dizwityèm melanje-masyal-boza li yo (Mma) evènman, “Nef XVIII Atik: Made in America,” sou Samdi, Jen 13, 2015 nan Androscoggin Bank Colisee la nan Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced that NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Bruce “Joli ti gason” Boyington (10-8) ap rankontre Jan “Premye Gwoup” Ray (2-7) on the card in a non-title bout at a weight of 150-pounds.
Boyington and Raio first met in February 2014 nan “Nef XII” nan Lewiston. Boyington dominated the early moments with his striking. Coming towards the end of the first round, Raio would take Boyington’s back and apply a rear-naked choke on the mat. The future lightweight champion waved his hand in the air, a signal which referee Jimmy Bickford took to indicate Boyington’s submission. Bickford stopped the bout and awarded the fight to Raio, drawing an immediate protest from Boyington who stated he was waving to his fans in the crowd as a sign that he was not in danger.
In the days that followed, a heated debate would rage on social media over the controversial finish to the fight. Both fighters, boasting arguably the two largest fan bases in all of New England, were at the center of an epic war of words between their respective supporters. It seemed as though everyone had an opinion, and the entire state of Maine was split.
“Things were crazy that week after the bout,” recalled NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “Our Facebook page was flooded with comments and private messages. Everybody and their mother was weighing in. It’s probably the most controversial moment in NEF history. Fans have been asking us for over a year when the rematch would happen. The time has finally come, Jen 13 nan Lewiston!”
Boyington would go on to have a highly successful finish to 2014, winning not one but two regional MMA titles, including the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Championship. He would also win his professional boxing debut at NEF’s inaugural boxing event in October 2014. Boyington has, an reyalite, won four of his last five since the Raio loss.
“This fight is solely about redemption and giving the fans what they have been wanting to see,” stated Boyington when reached for comment. “Sometimes you have to step outside of what is best for you in this sport and entertain and that’s what I’m doing. I like a challenge—the biggest challenge—and that time will come, but for now, its about showing people what was about to happen last time and I can still show I’m three-levels above him by making the statement I’m about to embark on. I’m done with mishaps in that cage. I’m seizing every opportunity and will not let something slip again. Mark my words, its about to get reyèl in my fight.”
Raio is coming off two losses in a row to his archrival, Derek Shorey (2-1), including one defeat earlier this month at “Nef ksvii.” In need of a win, the founder of First Class MMA may now be more determined than ever to return to the NEF cage.
“I know this is a fight that I want, Bruce wants, and a lot of MMA fans have asked for,” stated Raio when reached for comment. “I look forward to fighting Bruce. Hopefully when the fight is over, there will be no controversy.”
Pwochen mma evènman nef an, “Nef XVIII Atik: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015. Tikè pou “Nef XVIII Atik” kòmanse nan jis $25 epi yo sou vant kounye a nan www.TheColisee.com oswa lè w rele biwo nan bwat Colisee nan207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. Anplis de sa, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, swiv yo sou Twitternefights yo ak rantre nan ofisyèl Facebook gwoup la "New England Goumen."
Sou New England Goumen
New England Goumen ("Nèf") se yon batay evènman pwomosyon konpayi. Misyon nef la se yo kreye evènman yo bon jan kalite pi wo a pou avyon de gè Maine a ak fanatik sanble. Egzekitif ekip nef an gen anpil eksperyans nan jesyon espò konba, evènman pwodiksyon, medya relasyon, maketing, legal ak piblisite.