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August 12, 2014

SYLVIA-MORECRAFT FIGHT OFF FOR NEF XIV; SYLVIA TO HOLD MEET-AND-GREET WITH FANS


[NEF Press Release]

Lewiston, Maine (August 12, 2014) – New England Fights (NEF) today announced that the scheduled main event for the fight promotion's upcoming "NEF XIV" mixed martial arts (MMA) event had been cancelled as both Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia (31-9) and Christian Morecraft (8-3) had suffered injuries in training this week.  The co-feature of the evening, Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) defending the Maine State MMA Featherweight Title against Brazil's Gabriel Baino (6-1), has been elevated to main-event status.

"I got the call every promotion dreads from Christian's camp," said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  "When I got in touch with Tim's camp regarding the injury and to discuss replacement opponents, I was informed that Tim had a knee injury and was getting it checked out.  A short time later, they got back to me to notify me Tim was out as well."


"Christian injured his back in training this past week," said Morecraft's manager Joe Cavallaro when reached for comment.  "He was really excited for the fight, and he wants to apologize to the fans, NEF and Tim.  Christian's doctor told him he can't train for three weeks, which would leave him only a week to prepare for the fight.  He knows this is a pivotal fight in both of their careers.  He wants to be 100% when he fights Tim.  He owes that to himself and to Tim.  Christian still very much wants to do this fight for NEF at a later date."

"This is only the second time I have had to pull out of a fight from an injury," stated Sylvia.  "This sucks so bad 'cause I really wanted to fight in front of my home crowd. I am not getting any younger and the chances of me fighting again in Maine are pretty slim.  I think my body is trying to tell me something--maybe it's time to call it quits. I don't know we will see how fast I can get back in the gym and see the knee holds up."

Not one to disappoint his many fans in Maine, Sylvia will still make the trip from his home in Iowa for "NEF XIV" where he will be the guest of honor for the event.  In addition, Sylvia will hold an hour-long meet-and-greet prior to the event. The two-time former UFC World Heavyweight Champion will be available for pictures and autographs for ticketholders inside the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

NEF's next MMA 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, Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) returns from injury after a year of recovery against Brazil's Gabriel Baino (6-1).  Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against Tim "The Terror" Goodwin (8-4).  Plus, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (6-7) and Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-2) will meet for the Lightweight Title, Ryan Sanders (6-5) faces Ryan Quinn (10-4-1), 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 videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”