Lewiston, Maine (December 18, 2014) –New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, presents its sixteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVI,” on February 7, 2015 in Lewiston, Maine. The event is scheduled to originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a featherweight amateur contest to the card. Josh Harvey (2-1) will take on Caleb Hall (5-1) at a weight of 145-pounds. NEF executives further announced that the fight would open the event.
"This is the kind of fight we love to open the events and set the pace for the rest of the night," said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. "It's a high-energy fight that will, no doubt, be a real crowd pleaser. Fans will want to make sure they're through the doors and in the arena when this one takes to the cage!"
Josh Harvey debuted last April on a fight card in New Hampshire. He is a product of Young's MMA in Bangor, Maine. Harvey first appeared in the NEF MMA cage this past September at "NEF XIV." He defeated Alex Johnson (1-1) via first-round submission to a rear-naked choke. The impressive victory earned Harvey a nomination for "Rookie of the Year" in the 2014 NEF MMA Year-End Awards presented by Origin. On February 7, he will face his toughest challenge to date in the form of Caleb Hall.
"This fight has the makings of fight of the night," said Harvey. "On our feet or on the mat, this is going to be war. Caleb is a solid, well-rounded fighter, but I train with the best fighters at the toughest gym around. I'm prepared and very anxious. Christmas is coming late. When this fight is over with, you'll want to be able to say 'I was there,' so don't miss it."
Caleb Hall won two Maine state championships wrestling for Dirigo High School in Dixfield, Maine. He would go on to compete for Plymouth State University before transferring to the University of Southern Maine where he has continued his wrestling career. Hall currently trains MMA out of the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine. He had the biggest win of his MMA career over Dom Cofone (5-5) last month at "NEF XV." In his upcoming fight on February 7, Hall will look to avenge the sole blemish on his MMA record which was a loss in 2013 to Harvey's Young's MMA teammate Aaron Lacey (4-1).
"I'm looking forward to fighting Josh Harvey and one of the top schools in Maine, Young's MMA," said Hall when reached for comment. "I'm very excited to face another wrestler with a similar background."
NEF's next MMA event, "NEF XVI," takes place on February 7, 2015. Ray "All Business" Wood (5-0) returns that night to defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and WEC veteran Anthony "Cheesesteak" Morrison (16-9). 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 videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”