[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (February 26, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) is pleased to announce the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight promotion's May 10, 2014 card scheduled to take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card, titled "NEF XIII," will feature a double professional debut between Elias Leland (3-1 amateur) and Brandon Bushaw (7-3 amateur) at a weight of 135-pounds.
Leland is undefeated in the NEF MMA cage, having won his three amateur bouts with the promotion. Most recently, Leland was victorious over Trevor Hebert (1-4) in August 2013 at "NEF IX." He has not been known to "leave it up to the judges," downing all three opponents by submission. Leland's only loss as an amateur came at the hands of current Maine State MMA Featherweight Champion Ray Wood (4-0) in what was Leland's debut. He currently trains out of the Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine under the watchful eye of combat sports pioneers Jay Jack (12-7) and Amanda Buckner (11-5).
"Good luck, Brandon, bring your best," was all Leland had to say on the fight when reached for comment.
Brandon Bushaw, while fighting out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is no newcomer to the NEF MMA cage. He has competed three times for the promotion previously and, like Leland, is undefeated within the company. Also like Leland, Bushaw last appeared in a Maine fight at "NEF IX" last August where he defeated Derek Shorey (2-8) via first-round submission. Bushaw is a native of Westbrook, Maine where he won state wrestling championships for Westbrook High School in 1998 and 1999. He would go on to wrestle at Michigan State University alongside former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans (21-3-1) before a shoulder injury cut his college career short. Bushaw now trains out of Serra BJJ in his new home of Myrtle Beach.
"I am very happy to be welcomed back to Maine by NEF for the fourth time," said Bushaw when reached for comment. "This time is extra special because it will be my pro debut. I love competing in my home state of Maine. The fans there make me feel as if I never moved away! I'm excited to put on a show alongside my Serra BJJ teammate Amos Collins! The Bushaw's Brigade will be there in full force and you better believe we plan on leaving with a couple W's! I want to thank Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo for bringing me back to fight for NEF! Embrace The Grind!"
“NEF XIII” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm. Already announced, Maine State MMA Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against undefeated Kin "Kong" Moy (5-0). In addition, "The" Ryan Sanders (6-4) will rematch Maine State MMA Welterweight Champion Gil de Freitas (15-5) nearly two years after de Freitas defeated Sanders for the inaugural title. Tickets for "NEF XIII" 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. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”