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June 24, 2014

MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECTS TAKE TO THE CAGE AT NEF XIV

[NEF PRESS RELEASE]

 Lewiston, Maine (June 24, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA), the Northeast’s premier mixed martial arts promotion, today announced the addition of an amateur middleweight bout to the company's upcoming "NEF XIV" event.  The fight will feature top-ranked Buck "Knuckles" Pineau (7-3) meeting undefeated Mike Vangelist (2-0) at a weight of 185-pounds.  "NEF XIV" is scheduled to take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on September 6, 2014 with a bell time of 7:00 pm.

Perhaps no fighter has had more impact on NEF MMA's amateur ranks since the promotion's inception than Buck Pineau.  Pineau, who trains out of the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine, made his NEF MMA debut at "NEF I" in February 2012.  He has competed on seven of the fight promotion's previous thirteen events, regularly headlining the amateur portion of the company's fight cards.

Pineau recently returned from injury to compete at "NEF XIII" last month in Lewiston.  It had been nine months since Pineau's previous bout, and he had spent much of that time rehabilitating his injured knee, but Pineau chose to face the toughest opponent NEF MMA matchmakers could find for him rather than take an easier tune-up fight.  The opponent was the nation's number-eleven ranked amateur middleweight Zach Elkins (10-6).


The fight with Elkins resulted in a rare loss for "Knuckles."  That is not good news for Vangelist.  Pineau has never had back-to-back losses.  In fact, Pineau has avenged each of his previous losses with a dominant performance, finishing one opponent by knockout just 11-seconds into the first round, and finishing another opponent by submission.  Buck Pineau is at his most dangerous when he is looking to get back on the winning track, and that could very well spell the end of Mike Vangelist's undefeated status on September 6.

"I'm really looking forward to this fight with Mike Vangelist," said Pineau.  "I was in attendance for both of Mike's fights and I was impressed. Mike seems like a tough guy with decent ground game and he comes from a great school. As always, I will be looking to put on a show for the fans by implementing my stand up and looking for the knockout. I am more than ready to step back in the NEF cage and redeem myself given my recent poor performance. The holes in my game are obvious and I will be intensively working to fill them in hopes of getting my hand raised victorious on September 6th in Lewiston. I want to thank all NEF fans for their continued support and I want to thank Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo for the opportunity to step in the cage once again."

Mike Vangelist leads a busy lifestyle. In 2010, Vangelist graduated from Castine’s Maine Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Logistics. He’s currently employed full-time for the environmental non-profit organization Reverb, where he works as the Inventory and Logistics Manager. Additionally, the 6’2” Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt is the Head Coach of the Boy’s Lacrosse team at Massabesic High School.

Vangelist, a member of Jay Jack's Academy of MMA in Portland, has gone undefeated since debuting at "NEF XI" last November in Lewiston.  On that night, as a heavy underdog, Vangelist submitted tough veteran Crowsneck Boutin (5-6), a teammate and close friend of Pineau.  Vangelist continued his winning ways with another submission victory over Dan Connaughton (2-2) at "NEF XII" earlier this year.  Now, Vangelist is faced with his most difficult task to date, the northeast's top amateur middleweight, Buck "Knuckles" Pineau.  Just as in the past, whether it be in the MMA cage, athletics or academics, Vangelist looks forward to the challenge and the opportunity to test himself in a situation where most people would shy away.

"I'm very excited at the opportunity to fight Buck Pineau," said Vangelist when reached for comment.  "He's the top ranked middleweight around, and will be an awesome test for me come September."

NEF MMA's next event, “NEF XIV,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm.  In the main event of the evening, Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia (31-9) returns to Maine to face fellow UFC veteran Christian Morecraft (8-3) for the Super-Heavyweight Title.  Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) returns from injury after a year of recovery against Brazil's Gabriel Baino (6-1).  Plus, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (6-7) and Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-2) will meet for the Lightweight Title, and John "First Class" Raio (2-5) competes in his final fight.  Tickets for "NEF XIV" 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.”