Lewiston, Maine (July 10, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA), the Northeast’s premier mixed martial arts promotion, today announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the company's "NEF XIV" event. The fight will feature "The" Ryan Sanders (6-5) taking on Ryan Quinn (10-4-1) at a weight of 165-pounds. "NEF XIV" is scheduled to take place on September 6, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm.
The move down in weight will be Sanders' first foray into a weight class below the welterweight limit of 170-pounds. The fight will mark the initial step in a strategically-planned transition to the 155-pound lightweight division by Sanders and his camp at Bangor, Maine's Young's MMA. He plans to leave the welterweight division where he is currently the top-five-ranked professional fighter in all of New England.
"I'm excited to start my move down to lightweight and start a new chapter in my fighting career," stated Sanders when reached for comment. "I've always been a small welterweight, and now I'll be a big lightweight."
After scoring back-to-back victories over Rashaun Spencer (4-6) and the legendary Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis (22-11), Sanders' win streak came to an end last May with a loss to Maine State MMA Welterweight Champion Gil de Freitas (16-5) via unanimous decision, an athlete many consider to be a "larger" welterweight when compared to Sanders. On September 6, Sanders will not only be looking to erase the memory of that loss, but he will also look to avenge a loss to his opponent, Ryan Quinn, back in 2008. The pair met as amateurs in Boxborough, Massachusetts with Quinn taking the victory via judges' decision. The fight marked Sanders' first-ever taste of defeat in the MMA arena.
"I am excited to fight Ryan," Sanders said of Quinn. "He's a tough, well-rounded fighter. We fought as ammys, and he gave me a good beating, and took my lunch money. This time around I'm going be leaving with his lunch money and my hand raised. It'll be another exciting fight for sure."
Ryan Quinn, a native of Connecticut, is one of the most-recognizable and respected competitors on the New England MMA scene. Currently ranked at number-two amongst the region's professional lightweights, Quinn has spent his recent days training as a member of the world-renown American Top Team (ATT) in Coconut Creek, Florida. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Quinn trains with teammate, and Maine fight legend, Mike Thomas Brown (26-9) at ATT. Quinn holds an impressive record of 6-0 in the Bellator cage, with victories on the national stage over the likes of Matt Lee (13-9-1), Alan Calandrelli (6-4) and Brett Oteri (12-5) to name a few. Quinn acknowledges that both he and Sanders have developed as fighters over the past six years since their last meeting, and he predicts an exciting fight for Maine fans.
"I honestly didn't want to fight up north for a while to try and reach out to other regions, particularly Florida where I live now," said Quinn when reached for comment. "However, we got this offer and really liked the fight, so I took it. Ryan and I have both matured as fighters since our last meeting as amateurs, so I'm sure the fight is going to be a lot more technical. We both bring the heat, so I'm sure the Maine crowd will appreciate the product."
"This is yet another example of NEF bringing in the best to fight the best," stated NEF MMA co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. "It's two top-ranked fighters squaring off. There are now five fights at the top of this September 6 card that could each be a main event atop any card anywhere in New England right now. And we're giving it to the fans all in one night. I can't remember a card more stacked than this one ever taking place in this region. The fans are in for something truly special on September 6 in Lewiston."
NEF MMA's next event, “NEF XIV,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm. In the main event of the evening, Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia (31-9) returns to Maine to face fellow UFC veteran Christian Morecraft (8-3) for the Super-Heavyweight Title. Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) returns from injury after a year of recovery against Brazil's Gabriel Baino (6-1). Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against Tim "The Terror" Goodwin (8-4). Plus, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (6-7) and Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-2) will meet for the Lightweight Title, Ryan Sanders (6-5) faces Ryan Quinn (10-4-1), and John "First Class" Raio (2-5) competes in his final fight.
Tickets for "NEF XIV" 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.”