Lewiston, Maine (December 14, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, "NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS" on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur heavyweight bout to the "NEF 21" fight card. Dave Smith (2-0) will take on Brendan "Lock Down" Battles (1-0) at a fight weight of 265-pounds.
At 27 years of age, Dave Smith is a member of Berserkers MMA based out of his hometown of Rumford, Maine. He was a two-time state champion wrestling for Mountain Valley High School (MVHS) where he amassed an incredible record of 147-17. Later, Smith would wrestle for Plymouth State University (PSU) in Plymouth, New Hampshire. His success on the wrestling mats has translated well into the MMA cage. Smith has finished both of his previous fights, and he has yet to be taken past the two-minute mark of the first round.
"Finally, a fight," exclaimed Smith. "No one will fight Battles, or myself. I'm so sick of people like Leahy (NEF MMA Amateur Heavyweight Champion Billy Leahy, 3-1)or Gully (Nick Gulliver, 2-0) claiming to be top ranked guys while they dodge guys like Battles or myself. Stop padding your records and claiming to be fighters and just fight. That's why I like this fight. Battles is ready to fight as am I. When we are done, then you will see who the best fighters are in our division! Then, everyone will continue to run from the top two guys in the division."
Brendan Battles is a native of Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. There, he was a three-time All American wrestler for Nauset Regional High School. During his high school career, Battles captured a total of two state championships and three New England championships with an amazing 161 wins to his credit prior to graduating in 2012. A multi-sport athlete, he later played defensive end and tackle for the University of Connecticut. Battles trains out of Gracie Fitness and made his MMA debut this past summer in Massachusetts with an impressive first-round win.
"Having scheduled fights and having fighters continuously pull out has been a huge frustration to me," said Battles. "It can get very discouraging, but I've kept my nose to the grindstone to stay ready for any opportunity that comes at hand. I'm fortunate to have a fight lined up to showcase the hard work and hours I have put in. I'm grateful for NEF to give me an opportunity to fight across state lines. To Dave Smith, I hope you're training and I hope you are serious about the fight."
"You can't ask for a more quality heavyweight matchup anywhere in the northeast," said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. "Brendan and Dave are two undefeated, hard-nosed wrestlers with devastating submission skills that no one is asking to be matched against right now. As a fight fan, I can't wait to see what unfolds between these two studs on February 6th. I wouldn't bet on this one making it to the scorecards."
New England Fights' next event, "NEF 21: THE IMMORTALS," takes place Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for "NEF 21" start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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 videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”