[NEF PRESS RELEASE]
Portland, Maine (June 15, 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 a professional catchweight bout to the card. Joe Poirier (2-0) is scheduled to meet Danny Maldonado (1-5) at a fight weight of 130 pounds.
Undefeated Joe Poirier will be making his first venture into the NEF cage on July 8, but he has already made a name for himself in recent years on the New England fight scene. After an amateur career that saw him go 4-2 and capture a regional title, Poirier made his pro debut earlier this spring on a fight card in Massachusetts. He would submit his opponent with a Von Flue Choke less than a minute into the first round. Poirier followed up that performance with another first-round finish just weeks later. He is a member of Lauzon Martial Arts based in Raynham, Massachusetts where he trains under UFC legend Joe Lauzon (28-15).
“I’m looking forward to traveling out to Portland for NEF July 8th,” said Poirier. “I’ve only heard good things about the promotion. As far as my opponent, I don’t know much about him. He seems like a solid fighter with decent experience. However, I am miles ahead of these guys and on July 8th I’m going to bury this bozo!”
Danny “Flashanado” Maldonado will make his second appearance in NEF on July 8. Last September at “NEF 49” in Bangor, Maine, Maldonado submitted Nate Boucher (0-3) with a guillotine choke in the first round. It was Maldonado’s first professional win. He represents Warrior’s Nation MMA based in Brooklyn, New York.
“I'm excited to return to NEF and perform in front of the fans,” exclaimed Maldonado. “My first experience ended in a first-round victory and I'm looking to put on an even better performance and showcase the improvements I have made in the last few months.”
“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 first fight taking place at 7 pm. Tickets to “NEF 53” are available now at www.porttix.com.