Lewiston, Maine (December 17, 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, NEF announced the addition of a professional heavyweight championship bout to the fight card. Tyler King (7-2) will defend the NEF Heavyweight Title against Terry "The Polar Bear" Blackburn (5-2).
"Everyone loves a big-time heavyweight title fight and this certainly is one," said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. "You have two guys with knockout power, but also two guys who know their way around a mat. Tyler King is looking to make a statement in his return against a combatant in ‘The Polar Bear’ that has a jaw that you could crack an anvil on. This fight is massive and fans won’t want to miss it.”
Prior to his MMA career, King built quite the resume in the sport of football. The son of New England Patriots linebacker (1973-1981) Steve King, Tyler played defensive end for the University of Connecticut where he recorded 19 sacks, sixth all-time for the Huskies. He would follow his father's footsteps to the National Football League (NFL) where he played for the San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams. King arrived in the NEF MMA cage in May 2013. He submitted Travis Bartlett (8-4) that night in the first round to become the first-ever NEF MMA Heavyweight Champion. King's first defense of the title will come against Blackburn at "NEF XVI."
"I'm back," was King's only comment on returning to defend the NEF Heavyweight Title.
Terry Blackburn represents Team Riot and First Coast Full Contact (FCFC) in Orange Park, Florida. He is a veteran of the United States Navy. With a solid background in boxing, kickboxing, Taekwondo and Judo, to name just a few of his many disciplines, Blackburn has also earned his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). His wrestling coach is University of Southern Maine (USM) wrestling alum, and current number-one contender to the NEF MMA Lightweight Championship, Jamie Harrison (5-1). Blackburn made his NEF MMA debut in September 2013 with a highlight-reel knockout of Jason Dolloff (6-18).
"Every fighter dreams of this opportunity in his career, and Tyler King is my opposition to try and stop me from fulfilling that dream that NEF has so graciously afforded me," said Blackburn. "It will not be a wasted opportunity."
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.”