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October 13, 2014

ELI LELAND RETURNS TO THE NEF CAGE, JOINS THE BATTLE AGAINST OVARIAN CANCER

[NEF Press Release]

Lewiston, Maine (October 13, 2014) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its fifteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, "NEF XV," on Saturday, November 15, 2014.  The event will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Today, NEF announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight card.  It will feature Elias "Danger Mouse" Leland (1-0) taking on Jimmy Alexander (1-5) at a weight of 135-pounds.

Leland trains out of Jay Jack's Academy of Mixed Martial Arts ("The Academy") in Portland, Maine where he recently earned his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).  He made his professional MMA debut at "NEF XIV" last month, scoring an impressive third-round submission victory over Brandon Bushaw (0-1) in a dominant performance.  The positive start to his professional career came as no surprise to fans who followed Leland during his amateur days, when he racked up an amateur record of 3-1.  Prior to the fight, both Leland and Bushaw had promised fans an exciting contest, and they went above and beyond to deliver on that promise.  Many in attendance felt the bout "stole the show" on the professional side of the card.  Leland promises much of the same when he steps into the cage on November 15th to face Florida's Jimmy Alexander.  Alexander is a product of F2 Arena where he trains under Ryan Hodge (6-9).


"I'm very excited for my next fight with NEF," exclaimed Leland.  "The last one turned out to be full of fireworks, and this next one will have more!  Also, I would like to say that a part of the money I make on this next fight will go to battling ovarian cancer in memory of a friend I lost in '07.  I plan on fighting hard and can't wait for the 15th of November!"

"Eli Leland epitomizes what we look for in the 'NEF Athlete,'" said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson when reached for comment.  "He always produces exciting fights.  He's very good in every facet of the game.  He has a sense of community, which is exhibited by the donation he is making to help fight ovarian cancer.  Eli is a great representative for MMA in Maine, and we very much look forward to having him in the NEF cage again on November 15."

NEF's next mixed martial arts event, "NEF XV" takes place Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  In the main event of the evening, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (8-7) will defend the NEF Lightweight Championship against Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-3) in a rematch from "NEF XIV."  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 fight videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow the promotion on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”