Lewiston, Maine (July 3, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA), the Northeast’s premier mixed martial arts promotion, today announced the addition of an professional featherweight bout to the company's upcoming "NEF XIV" event. The fight will feature Team Irish's Jon Lemke (3-2) facing "The Titanium Warrior" Amos Collins (3-4) at a weight of 145-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.
Coming out of the gates with an impressive 3-0 start to his professional career, Lemke has stumbled of late, losing his last two in a row. Under the guidance of his coach, the legendary Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis (22-11), Lemke has decided to make the cut in weight classes from the 155-pound lightweight division to the 145-pound featherweight division, beginning with the September 6th bout. Many MMA fighters have made the drop in weight class to add a much-needed spark to their career. Some have found success at a lighter weight [see Dominick Cruz (19-1)]. Others have had their difficulties making the transition [see Tyson Griffin (16-8)]. Lemke remains positive that he will fall into the former category, and the former Marine is grateful for the opportunity to compete at featherweight.
"I am so very grateful and excited to step back in the NEF cage," said Lemke of the upcoming bout with Collins. "Stepping back in the cage in my last fight was a huge victory for me, but was only half of it. Now I have to complete the comeback with a victory. I very much look forward to doing battle with Mr. Collins and leaving everything I have in that cage."
Amos Collins has been on a tear of late, winning his last two in a row. Training out of Serra BJJ in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Collins holds a 1-1 record as a professional in the NEF MMA cage. This past May, Collins silenced a stunned crowd in Lewiston, Maine when he beat the popular John "First Class" Raio (2-5) in a first-round victory. A teammate of Westbrook, Maine-native Brandon Bushaw (0-0), who will also be on the "NEF XIV" card making his professional debut, Collins looks forward to returning to the Pine Tree State to face Lemke and continue on his successful path.
"I'm super excited about fighting for NEF again in September," exclaimed Collins. "This will be my third fight under my new team, Serra BJJ, and I'm getting better by the minute. I love our following in Maine and with Brandon Bushaw fighting in his first pro fight the Bushaw Brigade will be strong. Thanks again NEF."
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.”