[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (November 26, 2013) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) today announced the addition of a professional welterweight contest to the fight promotion's February 8, 2014 card. The event, titled "NEF XII," will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston and will feature Jarod "Last Minute" Lawton (3-1) taking on John Ortolani (8-9) in a 170-pound bout.
"Really excited to get back in the ring February 8 against Ortolani," said Augusta, Maine's Lawton when reached for comment. "I'm feeling the best I've ever felt. I'm really going to expand my camp for this fight and train with some high level guys in each discipline. I have so much to improve on and feel like I haven't really started to live up to my potential in the cage yet, but I am more motivated and focused now than ever and want to go out there and give everything I have and finish this fight."
Lawton last appeared in the NEF MMA cage in May 2013, submitting Ortolani's Team Triumph teammate Cody Anderson (1-2) in dramatic fashion, late in the third-and-final round. The late-fight, come-from-behind submission finish has become a trademark of Lawton's game, having previously finished Ryan Sanders (5-4) in November 2012 via knee bar with only seconds left in the fight. It is a trait that has earned him the nickname "Last Minute." Lawton's advanced submission game, however, comes as no surprise to those familiar with his career. He has studied under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Third Degree Black Belt Pablo Papovitch, has trained at American Top Team in Florida, and has honed his craft in some of the most-respected dojos across the globe.
"I will be representing a new organization, New England United BJJ," continued Lawton on his February 8 fight, "which is the long awaited merger of my instructors Alexey Cruz (Team 1) and André "Dedeco" Almeida (Best Way), myself (Innovative Athletics), Pete Roberts (Ethos BJJ) and many more of the best guys New England has to offer. We will be one of the largest and best teams anywhere and I expect really big things for the future!"
Ortolani, a member of Nashua, NH's Team Triumph and a professional lacrosse player with the Rochester Rattlers of MLL, is no stranger to the NEF MMA cage himself. He first appeared for the fight promotion in November of 2012, defeating Bruce Boyington (4-5) via first-round submission. Earlier this month, Ortolani returned to the promotion, losing by TKO in the second round to Tony Christodoulou (10-4). No doubt, he will be looking to redeem himself after that loss.
"John Ortolani is one of the most explosive fighters, offensively, in all of New England right now," said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. "And Jarod Lawton always provides a thrilling submission showcase. This fight on February 8 has all the makings of a real show-stealer."
NEF MMA's next event, “NEF XII,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm. Maine State MMA Middleweight Champion Jesse Peterson (7-4) will return to action for the first time in nearly a year. Tickets 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 and fight card updates, 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.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (“NEF MMA”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF MMA’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF MMA’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.