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January 30, 2020

HOWARD AND KANGAS SCHEDULED FOR LIGHTWEIGHT TUSSLE AT NEF 42


Joe Howard


[NEF PRESS RELEASE]

Portland, Maine (January 20, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, "NEF 42: Symphony of Destruction," on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the fight card.  Joe Howard (2-3) will meet Justin Kangas (0-2) at a fight weight of 155 pounds.

 Joe Howard is coming off a win over Jesse Fitzsimmons (0-2) at “NEF 41” last November.  The fight was stopped by the referee on advice from the ringside physician between the first and second rounds when a cut on Fitzsimmons’ forehead could not be closed.  It marked the end of a three-fight losing streak for Howard.  Howard currently represents Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu based in Lewiston, Maine, and has recently moved back to his home state of Georgia.



 “I’m not in this for fortune and fame—this is business and I want that gold and I’ll keep mining the NEF until I get it,” exclaimed Howard. “Thank you to Justin for taking this fight. I applaud Justin—I’ve been on a two-fight losing streak and I know what that feels like, so I know that he’s going to be a real challenge. But I’m the principal of this cage, and I’m about to school his ass with Southern class. Pack your lunch pail—New England is about to learn who the peach is.”

 As Howard alluded to, Justin Kangas is by day the principal of Warren Community School in Warren, Maine.  Kangas has competed twice previously in the NEF cage, losing to Nate White (4-0) and Nathaniel Grimard (1-0) respectively.  He seeks his first win as an amateur at “NEF 42.”  Kangas represents First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine.

Justin Kangas
 "I am excited to have another opportunity to fight for NEF and am grateful to Joe for taking the fight,” said Kangas.  “Joe is a warrior and it will undoubtedly be a tough bout for sure. I look forward to the challenge and opportunity in front of me."

 New England Fights' next mixed-martial-arts event, "NEF 42: Symphony of Destruction," will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. Tickets are on sale now at www.PortTix.com.