[NEF PRESS RELEASE]
Portland, Maine (June 27, 2023) – New England Fights returns to Merrill Auditorium in Portland with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 53: American Valor,” on Saturday, July 8, 2023. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the card. Julian Connerton (2-1) will meet Isaac Therrien at a fight weight of 155 pounds.
Despite being a resident of Maine, Julian “Jiggy” Connerton has yet to compete in the NEF cage. He started his amateur career in 2022 with a series of four kickboxing and Muay Thai bouts in which he went 2-2. Connerton then made his official MMA debut on a card in Indiana in the fall of that year. Both of his MMA victories have come by way of unanimous decision including his most recent fight in April. Connerton represents Evolution Athletix based in Saco, Maine.
“It’s an honor to finally fight in front of a home crowd,” said Connerton. “I’m looking forward to feeding off the energy and putting my hard work into fruition in flawless fashion.”
Isaac Therrien will make his third appearance in the NEF cage on July 8. He made his debut with the promotion in the fall of 2017 with a first round technical knockout win at “NEF 31.” He would then lose to Connerton’s teammate Mohammad Al Kinani (5-2) in his second fight at “NEF 32.” Therrien took the next few years off before returning to the cage at “NEF 52” this past May. Therrien represents Faith MMA.
“This will be an entertaining fight,” said Therrien. “I am not going to quit. So, I am here. I just want to get and be better.”
“NEF 53: American Valor” takes place on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. Doors are scheduled to open at 6 pm with fir