They are two of the top light-heavyweights currently competing in New England Fights (NEF). Their respective most recent wins were both against Jesse Baughman (0-2). Both are accomplished wrestlers. At some point, Mike "The Mustache" Hansen (4-4) and Matt "The Beast From the North" Andrikut (2-0) were bound to collide. That collision will take place at "NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS" on September 10, 2016 in Lewiston. The mixed-martial-arts (MMA) contest is set at a fight weight of 205-pounds.
Hansen is the founder of the Berserkers MMA fight team based out of the Greater Rumford Community Center in Rumford, Maine. He was a Maine state champion wrestling out of Mountain Valley High School. Hansen dropped his last fight to Brendan Battles (1-0) at "NEF 23" in Hyannis, Massachusetts. He had a chance to avenge that loss and get back on the winning track this month at "NEF 24," but suffered a setback when his opponent fell out the morning of weigh-ins.
"This should be an exciting fight," said Hansen. "Two good wrestlers ready to throw each other around sounds like a good time to me. This should be my last fight at 205 most likely, though. I'm heading down to 185-170 to try my luck against guys my size. Fighting these big guys sure is exciting, but it cost my body a lot. Expect nothing less than me coming ready to break him."
Prior to his professional MMA career, Matt Andrikut wrestled for the University of Southern Maine (USM) and also boxed as an amateur. He was a finalist in the Northern New England Golden Gloves. During his amateur MMA career, Andrikut famously defeated Pat Walsh. Walsh would later go on to compete in the UFC and World Series of Fighting at the national level. Andrikut is 2-0 in the NEF MMA cage since debuting with the promotion last year.
"I am ready to be in the cage again," said Andrikut from his home in Reno, Nevada. "I know Mike is a tough wrestler and possibly an even tougher striker. This is a fight that no one would want to miss. I look forward to the challenge to further enhance my career in MMA towards a much deserved title shot in NEF."
New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets 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. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.
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.”