NEF returns on November 19th this Saturday to close out the year with their final fight card of the year. It is a shorter card of 14 fights which is the perfect amount if you ask me. Also this one will not be featuring any boxing matches on it like the past 3-4 shows have been having. On the card are 2 female fights, 1 amateur title fight and 3 pro fights. The doors will be opening at 6pm and the first fight is set to start at 7pm. The layout of the cage will be the old school setup with standing room area where the boxing cage was. Let me break down the fight card for you all and also this should be the exact fight card order.
155 AM Chad Pierce 0-0 (Academy) vs Lyman Curtis 0-0 (Shatterproof)
The first fight is between Chad Pierce and Lyman Curtis at 155 lbs. Pierce trains with the Academy and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Lyman Curtis and he trains with Shatterproof. He will also be making his amateur debut. This is a great first fight to kick off the night as I see it being a stand up battle.
135 AM Brianne Genschel 0-0 (Foundry) vs Jessica Borga 3-2 (Champions)
In the second fight Brianne Genschel takes on Jessica Borga at 135 lbs. Brianne trains with the Foundry and will be making her amateur debut. Her opponent is Jessica Borga and she trains with Champions. She comes into this fight with a 3-2 record with 2 wins by ko/tko and 1 by submission. NEF fans will remember her last fight for them against Rachael Joyce in which she lost the decision. Her other loss was by submission at a previous Breakthrough MMA show. Borga is back to her winning ways and looking to continue that streak. I see this one being a ground battle.
145 AM Alex Clark 3-1 (Young’s) vs Shawn Lunghi 1-0 (S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu)
Then they have Alex Clark taking on Shawn Lunghi at 145 lbs. Clark trains with Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 3-1 record. In the win column, he has all 3 wins by way of decision and his one loss by ko/tko. His opponent is Shawn Lunghi and he trains with S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu. He comes into this fight with a 1-0 record with his 1 win by tko stoppage to strikes. Another solid battle on the card and I see this one being a ground battle.
145 AM Hannah Sparrell 1-1 (First Class) vs Fernanda Araujo 4-4-2 (D. Edge)
In another women's bout Hannah Sparrell will face off against Fernanda Araujo at 145 lbs. Sparrell trains with First Class MMA and comes into this fight with a 1-1 record. Hannah has 1 win by decision and 1 loss by decision. Her opponent is Fernanda Araujo and she trains with D. Edge. She comes into this fight with a 4-4-2 record. In the win column, she won 2 by ko/tko, 1 sub and 1 decision. For her losses, she lost 1 by ko/tko, 1 sub and 2 by decision. I see this fight being a stand up battle and coming down to a decision.
170 AM Darren Ducharme 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Tom Burgess 2-0 (Berserkers)
Next up is Darren Ducharme against Tom Burgess at 170 lbs. Ducharme trains with CMBJJ and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Tom Burgess and he trains with Berserkers. He comes into this fight with a 2-0 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 by decision. Berserkers always come out with a bang so I expect this one to be a fast paced fight.
265 AM Kevin Smith 3-2 (Young’s) vs Ras Hylton 2-0 (First Class)
In a heavyweight showdown Kevin Smith returns to the NEF cage against Ras Hylton. Smith trains with Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 3-2 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 2 by submission. For his losses, he lost 1 by submission and 1 by ko/tko. His opponent is Ras Hylton and he trains with First Class. He comes into this fight with a 2-0 record with both wins by ko/tko to strikes. I see this fight ending only one way and that is by knockout with both of these heavy hitters in there.
200 AM Mike Swan 0-0 (Choi) vs Mike Williams 1-1 (CMBJJ)
At a catch weight of 200 lbs Mike Swan will take on Mike Williams. Swan trains with Choi's and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Mike Williams and he trains with CMBJJ. He comes into this fight with 1 win by submission and 1 loss by submission. Another close battle that should make for a solid match up.
At a catch weight of 200 lbs Mike Swan will take on Mike Williams. Swan trains with Choi's and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Mike Williams and he trains with CMBJJ. He comes into this fight with 1 win by submission and 1 loss by submission. Another close battle that should make for a solid match up.
135 AM Fred Lear 3-2 (Young’s) vs Robby Fraser 1-1 (S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu)
At 135 lbs Fred Lear will face off against Robby Fraser this Saturday. Lear trains with Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 3-2 record. For his wins, he has 2 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. For his losses, he lost 2 by way of submission. His opponent is Robby Fraser and he trains with S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu. He comes into this fight with a 1-1 record with 1 win by decision and 1 loss by decision. I see this one being a close battle.
Ken Dunn will take on Angelo Rizitello at 155 lbs. Dunn is an independent fighter who comes into this fight with an 0-3 record. He lost 2 by ko/tko and 1 by way of submission. He is still hungry for his first mma win. His opponent is Angelo Rizitello and he trains with Shatterproof. He comes into this fight with an 0-1 record with his one loss by split decision against Cory Trial. To me this is an exciting match up because one fighter here will be getting his first win.
185 AM Nash Roy 2-2 (Young’s) vs Chris Smith 1-0 (Berserkers)
At 185 lbs Nash Roy will square off against Chris Smith. Roy trains with Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 2-2 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 win by submission. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 1 by sub. He is coming off 2 straight losses and will be fighting hard for that W. His opponent is Chris Smith and he trains with Berserkers MMA. He comes into this fight with a 1-0 record with a ko/tko in just 19 seconds. Both fighters have shown they can win fights with their hands and they will be looking to impress the fight fans this Saturday.
265 AM TITLE Nick Gulliver 3-0 (First Class) vs Yorgan DeCastro 2-2 (SSSF)
Nick Gulliver will be taking on Yorgan DeCastro in an amateur heavyweight title fight. Gulliver trains with First Class and has a perfect 3-0 record. For his wins, he has 2 by ko/tko and 1 by submission and they were all first round stoppages. His opponent is Yorgan DeCastro and he trains with SSSF. He comes into this fight with a 2-2 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 win by decision. He lost his last 2 fights by way of decision and is looking to show he has what it takes to take home the NEF belt back to Massachusetts. This fight has fight of the night potential as both of these guys are heavy hitters so don't blink!
145 PRO Aaron Lacey 3-0 (Young’s) vs Taylor Trahan 6-6 (Team Link)
In the first pro fight of the night Aaron Lacey will take on Taylor Trahan at 145 lbs. Lacey trains with Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 3-0 record with 2 wins by submission and 1 by split decision. He is looking to up the challenge and take on a veteran with 12 pro fights under his belt and to keep his winning record intact. His opponent is Taylor Trahan and he trains with Team Link. He comes into this fight with a 6-6 record with 3 wins by submission and 3 wins by decision. For his losses, he lost 4 by ko/tko and 2 by submission. He just broke his losing streak with a win at the last NEF and is looking to keep that streak going. I see this fight being a back and forth ground battle and I see it coming down to a decision.
145 PRO Josh Parker 4-8 (Ruthless) vs Derek Shorey 4-7 (Shatterproof)
In another pro fight at 145 lbs Josh Parker will take on Derek Shorey. Parker trains with Ruthless MMA and comes into this fight with a 4-8 record. For his wins, he has 1 by ko/tko, 2 by sub and 1 by decision. For his losses, he lost 6 by submission and 2 by decision. His opponent is Derek Shorey and he comes into this fight with a 4-7 record. He trains with Shatterproof and has 2 wins by ko/tko and 2 by submission. For his losses, he lost all of them by way of submission. Their records are virtually identical and they both know how to swing. I see this fight being a stand up war and definitely fight of the night contender!
155 PRO Ryan Sanders 11-8 (Young’s) vs Jon Lemke 5-6 (Team Irish)
In the main event Ryan Sanders will take on Jon Lemke in a 155 lb showdown. Sanders trains with Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 11-8 record. For his wins, he has 1 by ko/tko, 8 subs and 2 by decision. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko, 1 by sub and 6 by way of decision. His opponent is Jon Lemke and he trains with Team Irish. He comes into this fight with a 5-6 record with 4 ko/tko and 1 win by decision. For his losses, he lost 1 ko/tko, 4 sub and 1 by decision. Both of these guys are very well known up in Maine and I am excited to see how this fight goes down. I see it starting out standing for a while. If it goes to the ground I think Sanders will have the advantage and if it stays standing I think the striking will be very even. I can't wait for this one!
Well there you have the complete breakdown of the upcoming card for New England Fights 26. As I said up above this will be their last show of the year and they are looking to go out with a bang! Warchild and I will be making the trip North to see the fights and keep you all up to date with the live play by play. Hope to see you all there!