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August 8, 2013

Lemke vs Ortolani Announced For Vacant NEF Maine State MMA Lightweight Championship

[NEF Press Release]

 Lewiston, Maine (August 8, 2013) – New England Fights (NEF) announced today that on September 21st Jon Lemke (3-1) will face John Ortolani (7-7) for the currently vacant Maine State MMA Lightweight Championship at “NEF X,” the mixed martial arts promotion’s tenth anniversary event.

“Lemke-Ortolani was an obvious choice contest for our lightweight championship that was left vacant after Dez ‘Predator’ Green (9-1) got the call to fight for Bellator in their $100,000 featherweight tournament,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “Both fighters are accomplished and decorated competitors. Lemke has never lost at lightweight between both his amateur and professional career and ‘Orto’ has fought the best of the best in the region. This one will cause explosions in the sky for sure.”

Jon Lemke trains out of Marcus Davis’ famed Team Irish gym in Brewer, Maine. The only blemish on Lemke’s amateur and professional records came last month when he lost a catchweight bout to undefeated and highly-ranked Canadian prospect Mathew DesRoches (5-0) that was contested above his normal weight class at NEF’s “Nations Collide: Canadian Invasion.” Lemke’s combined amateur and professional record is a flawless 8-0 at lightweight.



“It is truly an honor and blessing to fight for the Maine State MMA Lightweight Title,” stated Lemke. “To represent myself, my team and the state of Maine for the opportunity to be called ‘Champion.’ To fulfill part of my dream and goal of being the best that I can be and to be the Maine State Champion.”

John Ortolani has been a regional gatekeeper in the Northeast lightweight division for years. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt and professional lacrosse player has given blood in the cage with the top talent in New England and beyond for the better part of the past five years. He is a Northeast staple and has proven to be a threat in every fight he’s ever entered into.

“I’m really excited about fighting for the NEF and Maine State Title,” stated Ortolani. “It’s a great opportunity for me and my team. Lemke is a tough guy from a good camp. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

“We didn’t have to look very far when we were considering who to put in for our recently vacated lightweight title,” stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “We have two candidates on our roster currently that are as talented and dangerous as any lightweights in the Northeast. Lemke-Ortolani could steal the show on an epic card—and that’s really saying something.”

NEF X is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com.   The card will feature Maine State Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) defending his title against Rhode Island's Joe Pingitore (4-0-1).  For more information on the event, please visit www.newenglandfights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights
New England Fights! (“NEF!”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF!’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.