FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (April 16, 2013) – Today New England Fights! (NEF) announced that the Combat Sports Authority of Maine (CSAM) had approved the full fight card for the mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion’s seventh event scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 18 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.
“This promises to be the most explosive event for New England Fights to date,” stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “We’ve put together the most action-packed card possible to bring to Lewiston, Maine on May 18. With two UFC vets featured, two title fights, MMA-legend Marcus Davis headlining and 35 fights total—what more could a combat sports fan demand for 25 dollars? You won’t find better entertainment value for your money anywhere in the Northeast!”
The main event of “NEF 7” features UFC veteran, Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (21-9-0, 1 No Contest) in a welterweight matchup against Team Bombsquad young gun Darrius Heyliger (4-1-0, 1 No Contest). Davis most recently competed on national television on SPIKE TV’s BellatorMMA back in March against Waachiim Spiritwolf. The bout ended in controversy in the first round after Spiritwolf could not recover – or even stand up – from what was ruled in the cage by the referee as an unintentionally low knee to the groin area. Davis and Maine fans vehemently disagreed with the ruling and were dejected at the premature conclusion to the Maine fighting hero’s homecoming. No doubt fans will be out in droves to support the Bangor resident when he returns to do battle in Lewiston on May 18.
“I’m always pumped when I get to fight in my homeland of Maine,” stated Davis when asked about his upcoming headlining bout. “The last time I was able to do so, I was absolutely floored by the support I received, heard and felt that night. Due to some unfortunate events, my opponent that night didn’t allow me for a great battle. But this time, I have a dangerous fighter in front of me who is very skilled in all areas and I’m taking him very seriously. I will come well prepared and hope to see an even bigger supportive Maine crowd on May 18th.”
The rest of the card features UFC veteran Henry Martinez (9-5) squaring off against Dez Green (8-1) for the inaugural Maine State MMA Lightweight Title. The first ever Maine State MMA Heavyweight champion will be crowned when Travis “The Showstopper” Bartlett (8-3) meets Randy “The Wolf” Smith (14-13-1). Also featured on the card are top professional prospects Ray “All Business” Wood (2-0);,Jarod Lawton (2-1), Jon Lemke (2-0), and amateur standouts Buck Pineau (5-2), Andrew Tripp (4-0), and many more.
“This card delivers in every conceivable way,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “We continue to comb the country to scout and bring in the best professional and amateur fighters available with the goal of making NEF the premiere regional platform for athletes to showcase their skills. This is the most sensational mix of gladiatorial sports talent ever assembled under one roof on Maine soil—and we’re committed to making sure that this show goes down in the record books!”
The full fight card (subject to change):
Pro
170 Marcus Davis 21-9 (Team Irish) vs Darrius Heyliger 4-1-1 (Bombsquad)
HVYWGT *Title Travis Bartlett 8-3 (Team Syndicate) vs Randy Smith 13-13-1 (CNYMMA)
175 Jarrod Lawton 2-1 (AIBJJ) vs Cody Anderson 1-1 (Team Triumph)
145 Ray Wood 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Anthony Loycano 1-3 (Team Pitbull)
155 *Title Henry Martinez 9-5 (Team Irish) vs Dez Green 8-1 (Bombsquad)
155 Jesse Erickson 0-1 pro; 4-2 ammy (CMBJJ) vs Josh Parker 4-5 (Independent)
155 Jon Lemke 2-0 (Team Irish) vs George Reagan 2-1 (First Coast Full Contact)
125 Tommy Balzano 0-1 (Team Irish) vs Jimmy Alexander 0-4 (F2 Arena)
125 Ernesto Ornelas 1-2 (Choi's) vs Matt Almy 0-0 (Bombsquad)
Amateur
125 Stephen Desjardins 1-2 (Team Irish) vs Connor Murphy 1-0 (CMBJJ)
133 Maria Rios 3-0 (The Academy) vs Janice Meyer 1-0 (Power of One)
135 Nick Spencer 2-3 (Choi’s) vs Steve Sobel 2-1 (Young’s MMA)
135 Eric Austin 2-0 (MV Wrestling) vs Trevor Hebert 0-0 (MMA Athletix)
135 James Dougherty 0-1 (Choi's) vs Norman Fox 0-0 (MMA Athletix)
140 Fernanda Araujo 0-2 (Defensive Edge MMA) vs Adrianna Gomez 0-0 (Team Irish)
140 Cody Sargent 1-3 (Balanced Ground MMA) vs Erik Nelson 0-1 (CMBJJ)
145 Caleb Costello 0-1 (Team Irish) vs Alex Clark 0-0 (CMBJJ)
145 Trevor Kell 2-0 (Team Irish) vs Matt Denning 0-1 (CMBJJ)
155 Caleb Hall 1-0 (MV Wrestling) vs Corey Hinckley 0-0 (CMBJJ)
155 Dominic Cafone 2-0 (Balanced Ground) vs Drew Waltz 1-3 (Young's MMA)
165 Dave Claroni 0-2 (Sipayik Boxing Club) vs Jeremy Tyler 0-0 (Team Irish)
165 Chris Ouellette 0-0 (Havoc) vs Jake Sinclair 0-0 (Team Irish)
170 Dylan Morrison 0-0 (IABJJ) vs Steve Earland 1-1 (Team Irish)
170 Jesse Schnieder 0-2 (Independent) vs Jarrod Tyler 0-0 (Team Irish)
170 Andrew Tripp 4-0 (Team Irish) vs Steven Prue 1-0 (F2 Arena)
170 Andrew Hughes 4-1 (Team Irish) vs Scott Basci 1-1 (F2 Arena)
170 Adam Nielsen 0-0 (Team Irish) vs Art Belgrade 1-1 (First Coast Full Contact)
170 Joel Adams 0-1 (Team Irish) vs Nelson Blanco 0-0 ( First Coast Full Contact)
175 Kent Smallwood 0-0 (Team Irish) vs Brandon Traknis 0-0 (Independent)
185 Buck Pineau 5-2 (Choi’s) vs Allan Josselyn 3-2 (Team Kaze)
185 Crowsneck Boutin 2-2 (Independent) vs John Parker 0-1 (Team Kaze)
195 Jacob Cameron 0-1 (Independent) vs Chris Cobbett 0-0 (CMBJJ)
205 Ramone Saintville 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Mike Secord 0-0 (Balanced Ground)
HVYWGT Kevin Smith 0-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Nick Audet 0-0 (Independent)
HVYWGT Terrance Jean-Jacques 1-0 vs Jordan Dickens 0-1 (Judokai kan JuJutsu)
Tickets for “NEF 7” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event, visit www.NewEnglandFights.com. You can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”