Rumford, Maine (July 24, 2013) – New England Fights (NEF) today announced the upcoming return of Jarod "Last Minute" Lawton (3-1). The mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions company stated that Lawton is scheduled to return on September 21st at "NEF X" at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine against All-American wrestler Leon Davis (4-2).
"Jarod Lawton is one of the most sensationally dangerous ground fighting specialists in the Northeast right now," stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. "He earned his nickname from his wife by fighting to the bitter end in every battle he's been in. You can't sleep on him for one second because if you do--he will finish you, guaranteed."
Lawton debuted in NEF in April 2012 at "NEF II". In November 2012 at "NEF V", Lawton defeated "THE" Ryan Sanders (4-4) with a stunning knee bar submission at 4:58 in the third and final round of a back and forth main event ruckus. In May of this year, Lawton astounded an audience of 3,000 once again when he came from behind to submit a young and aggressive Cody Anderson (1-2) in the final minute of their ferocious fight at "NEF VII". Immediately following his bout with Anderson, Lawton was awarded his black belt in the cage from his instructor, Alexey Cruz. Later in the locker room that same night, bloodied and exhausted, Lawton famously quipped to a friend: "Jiu Jitsu--it saves lives."
When Lawton enters the cage for the fifth fight of his career in September, it will be against the Fighting Arts Academy's (FAA) Leon Davis. Davis, who earned All-American status as a junior college wrestler while attending Springfield Technical Community College, placed 8th at the JuCo National Championships in 2008. A former Massachusetts high school state champion, Davis will no doubt look to put Lawton on his back and shut down his superior Jiu-Jitsu.
"Jarod is an extremely tough kid," stated Davis. "He always goes for the win and he is going to be a challenge, but I will rise to the occasion. I'm very excited to come and fight for NEF and fight one of the best Maine has to offer."
"The way Jarod Lawton fights amazes me," stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. "We toss around the term 'fight to the final bell' all the time, but Jarod is one of the few athletes that actually lives by that philosophy. No matter how damaged or tired he might appear to be in the cage, he is always assimilating, engaging, adjusting, hunting, learning and threatening to tap you. He is truly a very special Jiu-Jitsu tactician that is as exciting to watch as any top-tier mixed martial artist in the world in the way that he is always a danger to finish the fight by submission at any second."
“I am really looking forward to my next fight with Leon Davis,” stated Lawton. “He seems like a great wrestler, probably the most well conditioned guy as far as pushing the pace in his fights, and willing to move up from 155 to fight me. It’s going to be a great battle, I think, like all my fights seem to be. My training and strategy will be a lot different for this fight than my previous fights, but I’ll always be looking to bring the fight to my world, and finish. Whether it’s in the first minute, or the last minute, we will see.”
Lawton is the Owner and Head Instructor of Innovative Athletics located in Farmingdale, Maine. To learn more about Jarod Lawton and Innovative Athletics visit them online at http://www.mainebjj.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InnovativeAthletics or call 207.441.5544.
“NEF X” is the tenth anniversary show of New England Fights (NEF), Maine’s undisputed #1 promotion for full-contact mixed martial arts action. In less than two years since being in business, NEF has held more events in more locations than any other active promotion in the Northeast during that time. “NEF X” is a complete evening of combat sports entertainment featuring the top professional and amateur athletes from around the United States competing in cagefighting. Purchase your tickets today and come cheer on your favorite NEF athletes on September 21st in Lewiston, Maine to support the fastest-growing, most thrilling sport in the world. Brought to you by Shipyard Brewing Company and the Maine Army National Guard: “Bayonets Forward.”
New England Fights! presents its next MMA event, NEF IX, on August 3, 2013 in Biddeford, Maine at the Biddeford Ice Arena. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at www.newenglandfights.com. You can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
NEF X is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com. The card will feature Maine State Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) defending his title against Rhode Island's Joe Pingitore (4-0).