125 Dustin Veinott 0-1 (CMBJJ) vs Mike Brown 1-0 (Independent)
Dustin Veinott takes on Mike Brown at 125lbs for the first fight of the afternoon. Dustin trains with CMBJJ and has an 0-1 record. He fought Norman Fox in his first fight and lost in the first round due to strikes. He will be hungry for his first victory of his amateur career. Mike is an independent fighter with a 1-0 record. Mike fought at NEF 7 and won via armbar against Trevor Hebert in rd 1. This should be a fast paced fight that will get the crowd pumped right off the bat.
125 Tom Hutchinson 0-0 (Team Triumph) vs Jason Bell 0-0 (IABJJ)
Next up is Tom Hutchinson against Jason Bell at 125lbs. Tom is from Triumph MMA in NH and will be making his amateur debut. Triumph has a bunch of fighters on the card and they are always prepared for battle so I wouldn't worry about any amateur jitters from Tom. Jason is from IABJJ and will also be making his amateur debut. I feel this will be a ground battle and I think it will end by submission.
135 Ryan Daley 0-0 (Team Irish) vs Kevin Barrett 0-2 (Young's MMA)
Ryan Daley will face off against Kevin Barrett at 135lbs. Ryan is from Team Irish and will be making his amateur debut. Kevin is 0-2 and is from Young's MMA. Kevin if I found the right guy online hasn't fought since 2011 and lost both fights via submission. Two fighters from two great teams facing off and both are looking for their first amateur victory. This one should be a great fight.
155 Matt Denning 2-2 (CMBJJ) vs Tollison Lewis 3-8 (Balanced Ground MMA)
Then Matt Denning fights Tollison Lewis at 155lbs. Matt is 2-2 and trains with CMBJJ. Matt always takes tough fights and this one is another tough one for him. He won his two fights by submission and lost one by submission and other by decision. Interestingly enough this is his 3rd fight against a Balance Ground fighter. No other team wants to fight Matt? Kidding, of course. His opponent Tollison is as I said from BGMMA and has a 3-8 record. His record may not reflect this but he is well rounded and he always is entertaining to watch. He lost a bunch decisions and by submissions. He won two out of 3 by submissions. I think this is going to be a really good fight. I would like to see them both stand and bang for a bit before it goes to the ground. I do see this one ending by decision or by submission but I think it will be deeper into the fight as in Rd 2 or 3.
140 Nick Spencer 3-3 (Choi Institute) vs Alex Clark 2-0 (CMBJJ)
At a catch weight of 140lbs Nick Spencer will be fighting Alex Clark. Nick is from Choi's Institute and comes into this fight with a 3-3 record. He has won all three of his wins by stoppages. His last one was memorable in which he won by head kick against Steve Sobel. For his 3 losses two of them were to decision and other one was by submission. Alex is from CMBJJ and comes into this fight with a perfect record of 2-0. He won his first two fights by decision and if my memory is correct he controlled the fights the entire time with takedowns. In this fight it will be tougher with Nick Spencer having more experience. I feel this fight is going to come down to if Nick can keep the fight standing or not. If not I see Alex winning this fight by decision and perhaps a finish!
145 Drew Waltz 1-3 (Young’s MMA) vs Charlie Stambach 1-0 (Team Irish)
Next up Drew Waltz takes on Charlie Stambach at 145lbs. Drew is from Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 1-3 record. He has won one decision and lost two decisions. His other loss was a ref stoppage to strikes. His opponent Charlie is from Team Irish and has a 1-0 record. Charlie won his first fight against Derek Shorey via submission early in round 1. Two top schools in Maine going head to head and I think this will be a ground battle.
150 Corey Hinkley 0-1 (CMBJJ) vs Jimmy Jackson 1-0 (Young's MMA)
At a catchweight of 150lbs Corey Hinkley will fight Jimmy Jackson. Corey is from CMBJJ and comes into this fight with an 0-1 record. He lost his first and only fight against Caleb Hall via ref stoppage to strikes. Jimmy is from Young's MMA and has a 1-0 record. He won his only fight back in 2012 via RNC in round 1. I can't give too much insight on this one but I do think it is going to be a ground battle.
155 Ryan DiBartolomeo 0-3 (Team Triumph) vs. Nermin Zilic 0-1 (Defensive Edge)
Next up is Ryan DiBartolomeo taking on Nermin Zilic at 155lbs. Ryan is from Team Triumph and has an 0-3 record. This is surprising being from Triumph with an 0-3 record but if you take a deeper look you will see he fought some beasts. Interestingly enough he first fought Cody Anderson who is from Team Triumph and must have been impressed so he joined up. Good choice there Ryan. He has lost a ko, ref stoppage to strikes and a decision. He is due for a win here but not if Nermin has anything to say about it. Nermin has an 0-1 record and is from Defensive Edge. He last fought in 2010 and lost a decision to Will Chan. We will have to see how this one pans out.
155 Jarrod Tyler 0-1 (Team Irish) vs Nate Charles 1-5 (Balanced Ground MMA)
Then Jarrod Tyler faces off against Nate Charles at 155lbs. Jarrod is from Team Irish and has an 0-1 record. His brother Jeremy will be fighting later which is pretty awesome fighting on the same night. He lost a ref stoppage to strikes against Chris Ouillette. His opponent Nate has a 1-5 record and is from Balanced Ground MMA. He lost a couple submissions, couple ref stoppages to strikes and one decision. His sole win was an awesome KO over Robert Vandestine in just 25 seconds in Rd 1. He has fought some tough fighters too in his career. I think this is a great match up for both fighters and I think they will put on a show.
155 Jeremy Tyler 1-1 (Team Irish) vs Shawn Bang 1-0 (CMBJJ)
Next up is Jeremy Tyler against Shawn Bang at 155lbs. Jeremy is from Team Irish and comes into this fight with a 1-1 record. He first lost to Tollison Lewis and then had a rematch and won the rematch. Now this time he is facing a different opponent! He looked good in both fights so this should be a good one. Shawn is from CMBJJ and has a 1-0 record. Shawn's one win was also against Tollison Lewis in which he won a decision. I remember that fight and it was kind of a boring one so I am hoping that this one won't be the same. I predict this one will be a ground battle and going to decision.
155 Dom Cofone 4-1 (Balanced Ground) vs Mark Graham 3-1 (First Coast Full Contact)
Dom Cofone faces off against Mark Graham at 155lbs. Dom is from BGMMA and has a 4-1 record. He has won two fights by decision and two by ref stoppages to strikes. He does not take easy fights and this one is another tough match up. His only loss came at a razor thin split decision against Kirk Florian at a previous Combat Zone. Mark is from First Coast Full Contact and has a 3-1 record. I was not able to find much info on Mark but he is coming up from Florida and won one of his fights via submission. I expect he will have good wrestling since he is out training with Jamie Harrison. This one is sure to be a contender for fight of the night so don't go grab your beer on this fight folks. My prediction is Dom wins by submission in Rd 2.
170 Brandon Traknis 0-1 (Independent) vs Nash Roy 0-0 (Young’s MMA)
Next up Brandon Traknis takes on Nash Roy at 170lbs. Brandon is an independent fighter with an 0-1 record. He is still hungry for his first amateur victory. He lost his first fight against Kent Smallwood via ref stoppage to strikes in Rd 1. His opponent Nash is from Young's MMA. He will be making his amateur debut. Brandon has been training hard and is ready to show off his new mma skills. Nash being from Young's MMA, we all know will be ready for a battle.
175 Crowsneck Boutin 3-4 (Choi Institute) vs CJ Ewer 2-0 (Young’s MMA)
At a catchweight of 175 lbs Crowsneck Boutin will be fighting CJ Ewer. Crowsneck trains with Choi Institute and has a 3-4 record. He has lost two fights by ref stoppage to strikes and two by submission. He always puts on a show and is a tough fighter. He has fought some beasts in his career. He has won two ref stoppages to strikes and one decision so far in his amateur career. He is once again facing a tough opponent. CJ is from Young's MMA and has a perfect record of 2-0. He has won a decision and a submission for his two fights of his career. I believe his first ammy fight he took on very short notice as well. This should be a good one and I think definitely a contender for a fight of the night because both of these guys can scrap.
195 Ramon Saintvil 2-0 (CMBJJ) vs Dan Connaughton 1-0 (Defensive Edge)
Next up Ramon Saintvil takes on Dan Connaughton at 195lbs. Ramon is with CMBJJ and has a 2-0 record. His first fight he won with a nasty knockout and then his second fight he won via ref stoppage to strikes. His opponent Dan is from Defensive Edge and has a 1-0 record. He won his first fight via armbar at Combat Zone 44 not to long ago. I like this match up and I think Dan can test Ramon on the ground if he can get the fight there. If not it may be an early night because Ramon has already proven he has lights out power.
205 Jeremy Stevens 1-0 (Sipayik Boxing Club) vs Matt Coolidge 0-0 (CMBJJ)
For the last amateur fight of the evening is Jeremy Stevens against Matt Coolidge at 205lbs. Jeremy is from Sipayik Boxing Club and has a 1-0 record. He won his first fight against John Gardner via ref stoppage to strikes at the last NEF show. He is looking to improve to 2-0. Matt is from CMBJJ and will be making his amateur debut. Jeremy looked great his first bout and controlled the fight basically the entire time. This is a good match up for both fighters and should be a good challenge for both.
130 Ernesto Ornelas 1-3 (Choi's) vs Chad Kelly 1-0 (Fighting Arts Academy)
For the first pro fight Ernesto Ornelas takes on Chad Kelly at a catch weight of 130lbs. Ernesto has struggled as a pro fighter and has a record of 1-3. He trains with Choi's MMA and has fought some tough fighters so far in his pro career. He won one fight by submission and lost all 3 fights by submission. Chad is from Fighting Arts Academy and is coming up from Mass looking for the victory. Chad has a 1-0 pro record. He had a great amateur career and fought his first pro fight for the last AFO show and won against Jared Sarno by submission. Chad is a young up and coming fighter and always impresses me every time I see him fight. He was supposed to fight for CFX last week but for some reason the fight was cancelled so I am happy that he took this one and I get to see him fight. I got Chad edging this one by submission in rd 2.
265 Jason Dolloff 6-17 (Anger Management) vs Terry Blackburn 3-2 (First Coast Full Contact)
Next up is the heavyweights fighter showdown as Jason Dolloff fights Terry Blackburn. Jason is from Anger Management and has a 6-17 record. He has fought for CFX for the second half of his pro career and is from Maine and really wants to fight in front of the Maine crowd. NEF fans will recognize him as he is usually working the show cleaning up the blood from the cage. Now he is looking to fight and make his opponent spill some blood in the cage. He won 4 out of 6 of his wins by ko/tko and lost 9 ko/tko and 6 submissions. His opponent Terry is from First Coast Full Contact and has a 3-2 record. He has won two ko and 1 by tko stoppage. He lost a split decision and one by tko stoppage to strikes. I do not see this fight going deep into the rounds and I expect this one to end early in the first round with both of these heavy hitters!
130 Tommy Balzano 1-1 (Team Irish) vs Jovan White 0-3 (First Coast Full Contact)
Then at a catch weight of 130 lbs Tommy Balzano fights Jovan White. Tommy is from Team Irish and has a 1-1 record. He lost his first fight by decision and then defeated Jimmy Alexander by ref stoppage to strikes in Rd 1 at a previous NEF. Jovan is from First Coast Full Contact and has an 0-3 record. He lost 2 fights by submission and one by decision. Coming up from Florida we don't know what to expect when he meets up in Maine but I can guarantee you he isn't coming up looking for a loss. I think this one will be a ground battle and go to a decision.
145 Bruce Boyington 3-5 (Young’s MMA) vs Walter Smith Cotito 1-2 (Team Triumph)
Bruce Boyington is back in the cage against Walter Smith Cotito at 145lbs. Bruce is from Young's MMA and has a 3-5 record. NEF will remember Bruce by his awesome spinning head kick knockout against Keegan Hornstra. His last fight he won a ref stoppage against Asa Zorn. He has lost four out of his fight losses by submissions. Walter is from Triumph in NH and has a 1-2 record. He has lost one decision and one by ref stoppage to strikes against Ray Wood. He won a split decision fight against Anthony Loycano. This is a good match up since both fighters and I think it will be a good fight for the crowds. I would like to see this fight stay standing for a bit and see them both swing away. If Walter gets the fight to the ground I think he might have the advantage but Bruce will be ready to show off what he has been working on in his ground game for sure.
145 Josh Parker 4-6 (Independent) vs Damon Owens 1-0 (Young's MMA)
Josh Parker takes on Damon Owens at 145lbs. Josh is an independent fighter and comes into this fight with a 4-6 record. He lost four by submission and 2 by decision for his losses. He has won 2 submission, 1 decision and one by ref stoppage to strikes. He is always entertaining to watch. Damon is from Young's MMA and has a 1-0 record. Damon struggled in his amateur career but now has a clean slate and is fresh of a huge knockout victory. He fought John Raio in Bangor and with just one kick ended the fight in 35 seconds that left the crowd with their jaws dropped. He will be looking to impress the fans once again! I think this is going to be a good stand up war!
145 John Raio 0-4 (First Class Fight Team) vs Asa Zorn 0-3 (Salem City Boxing Club)
Then John Raio takes on Asa Zorn at 145lbs. John is out of First Class Fight Team and has an 0-4 record. He lost one by ko and 3 by ref stoppages to strikes. His opponent Asa is from Salem City Boxing Club and has an 0-3 record. He lost 3 fights by ref stoppages to strikes. His longest pro fight so far has been 32 seconds. This is a good match up for both fighters with both fighters looking for their pro win. John will have the home crowd on his side in this one so we will have to see if that plays a factor. I don't see this fight going deep into the rounds.
160 Jesse Erickson 1-1 (CMBJJ) vs Babatunde Odumosu 0-1 (Sila Voli)
Next up is Jesse Erickson against Tunde Odumosu at 160lbs. Jesse is from CMBJJ and has a 1-1 record. He lost his pro debut for Bellator up in Maine by ref stoppages to strikes. He bounced back with a submission victory and is hungry for another victory. Tunde is coming up from Rhode Island and is from Sila Voli fight team. He has an 0-1 record. He lost to Eric Spicely via rear naked choke in round 1. I give Jesse the advantage on the ground and Tunde will want to keep this fight standing and control the fight. If Jesse gets it to the ground I see him winning by submission.
170 Ryan Cowette 0-1 (MMA Athletix) vs Mike Hurlburt 0-2 (Team Triumph BJJ)
Ryan Cowette takes on Mike Hurlburt at 170lbs. Ryan is 0-1 and is with MMA Athletix. He lost a quick fight to Josh Bellows by knockout. He has had some bad luck with his previous fights with opponents dropping out so he will be ready for a battle. Mike is from Triumph BJJ and has an 0-2 record. I couldn't find all of Mike's fight records but he lost one fight to John Benoit via rear naked choke. As you can see this is a close fight with the records so it should be another solid fight.
170 Ryan Sanders 4-4 (Young’s MMA) vs Rashaun Spencer 4-4 (First Coast Full Contact)
Ryan Sanders will face off against Rashaun Spencer at 170lbs. Ryan is from Young's MMA and has a 4-4 record. Ryan has won all four of his fights via submissions. He is looking to break his 3 fight losing streak and break .500. Raushaun is from First Coast Full Contact and also has a 4-4 record. Rashaun won 2 fights by submission and 2 by ref stoppage to strikes. As you can see on paper this fight is dead even. Both fighters will be working hard for this win.
185 Jimmy Quinlan 3-1 (Mass BJJ) vs Luc Bondole 2-0 (Team Fink)
Then Jimmy Quinlan fights Luc Bondole at 185lbs. Jimmy is from Mass BJJ and has a 3-1 record. He was on TUF and has won two out of his 3 wins by submission. I have seen a few of his fights and he is a beast in the grappling department. Luc is from Team Fink and has a 2-0 record. He has won a decision and a submission so far in his career. Record wise they are close but if I was a gambling man I would put my money down on Jimmy Quinlan on winning this fight in Rd 1 with a submission.
185 Mike Zichelle 4-3 (Team Triumph) vs Jason Anderson 11-30 (A&S Fight Team)
Mike Zichelle will be fighting Jason Anderson at 185lbs. Mike is from Triumph MMA and has a 4-3 record. He won all four of his wins by ref stoppages to strikes. He lost two of his 3 fights by submission. He looked great his last fight against Josh Mellen and will be looking to continue his win streak. Jason is from A&S Team and has an 11-30 record. He has won most of his fights by submission and also lost most of his fights by submissions. This is a good match up and I will be rooting for Mr. Zichelle to win this one. The experience of Jason Anderson may play a factor in this so we will have to see how it goes down.
155*Title John Ortolani 7-7 (Team Triumph) vs Jon Lemke 3-1 (Team Irish)
For the last fight of the evening John Ortolani will fight Jon Lemke for the 155lb NEF title. John is from Triumph and has a 7-7 record. Orto is very well rounded and has won a fight anyway possible in the sport of MMA. He can go to a decision if needed and win by way of the fist as well. He does have 7 losses but I gotta say he has fought some beasts. Jon is 3-1 and is from Team Irish. He has some nasty striking and looks better and better each time I see him in the cage. He lost his first pro fight against a Canadian fighter but I feel he just got a little carried away and made a mistake. He will be much more calm and prepared for this battle. This fight is going to be awesome and definitely a contender for fight of the night. NEF fans don't leave early to beat the traffic cause you will miss this awesome fight.
As you can see NEF has continued their streak of a stacked card that gives the fans plenty of fights to enjoy. The fights go smooth and they go pretty quick. Warchild will be there capturing the action on his new Nikon camera. I will be there doing the live play by play. The Artist will be there with his video crew filming the fights in HD. Thanks to Nick and Matt for always keeping us in the loop on the fight cards. See you all there!