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November 4, 2014

SHOREY AND DENNING GO HEAD-TO-HEAD PRIOR TO NEF XV


[NEF Press Release]

Lewiston, Maine (November 4, 2014) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, presents its fifteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, "NEF XV," on November 15, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  In a professional catchweight featured bout that evening "Shatterproof" Derek Shorey (1-0) will take on Matt Denning (0-0) at a weight of 140-pounds.  Recently, Shorey and Denning were the guests of NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson on the NEF Podcast.  Among other topics, they discussed their upcoming bout at "NEF XV," including predictions on the outcome.

Shorey made his professional MMA debut on September's "NEF XIV" card in Lewiston.  He defeated John "First Class" Raio (2-6) via first-round submission in an impressive performance.  In doing so, Shorey was able to gain a measure of revenge for a loss Shorey suffered in the amateur ranks to Raio over two years earlier.  Several observers have described Shorey's new-found killer instinct as a "rebirth" of his fight career.


"I just took a long, hard look at my amateur career and decided that wasn't who I wanted to be," said Shorey who went 2-8 as an amateur.  "I just started with some bad habits, got rid of them, and picked up some good ones.  I'm pretty much all done messing around."

Like Shorey, Denning had a very active amateur career, amassing a record of 4-3.  At NEF XIV, he was victorious in his final amateur bout over Jeremy Tyler (4-3).  Denning looked dominant in the 145-pound featherweight contest after having competed as heavy as lightweight (155 pounds) and as light as bantamweight (135 pounds) in the past.

"I found a decent weight class," Denning noted.  "I fought at 50, 55, 40, 45, 35.  I finally settled into my weight where I'm going to compete.  I took some tough losses at 55, a tough loss at 40.  I think the cut was what really got me the last time I fought at 40, but now that I've settled down in my weight I feel comfortable at making the cut.  I'm not cutting 25-30 pounds now.  I'm cutting 15 pounds."

Later in the interview, Shorey touched on his game plan for November 15, as well as his new outlook on competing in general.

"I'm still disappointed in my showing against Raio," stated Shorey.  "I laid on my back for three minutes.  I'm just putting that into my focus for the Denning fight.  I'm not planning on laying on my back.  I'm not training to go out there and take punches for three minutes.  I'm training to come at him........... hard.  That's how I'm approaching my entire professional career at this point.  I'm coming after it."

Denning went on to discuss his decision to join the professional ranks after his win over Jeremy Tyler in September.

"I don't care if you put me on my back," said Denning,  "I'll find a way to choke you.  If you put me against the cage, I'll find a way to punch out of it.  The toughest loss I had was against Tollison (Lewis).  At 55, he hits a lot harder than I do.  He clipped me right in the beginning, dropped me, put me on my back.  You can't take small losses like that and say, 'That's the reason I shouldn't go pro.'  I've had good, strong fights.  I've taken tough opponents since day one.  This is about time I start clean, get my 0-0 back."

At the close of the interview, both Shorey and Denning were asked for a prediction on the outcome of their upcoming fight.

"Head kick knockout first round," responded Shorey very quickly.

"My prediction on this fight is my hand being raised," Denning answered.  "It doesn't matter how it happens, it's gonna happen."

To listen to the full NEF Podcast interview, please visit www.NewEnglandFights.com/Podcasts/ .

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.”