[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (August 28, 2013) – New England Fights MMA (NEF MMA) tonight announced that Maine State Featherweight Champion Ray Wood (4-0) is injured and unable to defend his title on September 21 against Joe Pingitore (4-0-1). The bout was the scheduled main event of the promotion's NEF X event at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.
"It's disappointing, because it had all the promise of a great fight, but injuries are part of the game," said NEF MMA co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo when reached for comment. "The Wood-Pingitore fight will happen in the future. When exactly that will be depends on the extent of Ray's injury and a recovery timeframe. NEF wishes Ray a speedy recovery, and we look forward to seeing him back in the cage soon."
NEF MMA executives would not comment on the specifics of Wood's injury. DiSalvo did, however, go on to say that the co-main event bout between Jon Lemke (3-1) and John Ortolani (7-7) for the vacant Maine State Lightweight Championship would be bumped to the main event slot. In addition, a featured welterweight contest between Jarod Lawton (3-1) and Leon Davis (4-2) would be moved into the co-main event position.
“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 a 155-pound bout between Jon Lemke (3-1) and John Ortolani (7-7) to fill the recently vacated Maine State Lightweight Championship. For more information on the event and the full fight card, please visit the promotion's website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”