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February 6, 2015
New England Fights returns on February 7th, 2015 at the Androscoggin Colisee in Lewiston Maine. Tickets are still available at the link here and of course at the box office. The show is packed with 26 fights in which 5 of them are professional ones. Two of them are title fights involving big names such as Ray Wood and Tyler King. Also on the card for the first time in New England, a father and two sons will be on one card fighting which is awesome. This will be NEF's first event of the year and they already have their second event locked in same place on April 11th, 2015. I can imagine at the event they will announce a few upcoming fights. Let me break down the enormous fight card in its entirety. Keep in mind that this might not be the exact fight order of that day.
135 AM Sheldon Bang 1-1 (CMBJJ) vs Carl Langston 3-7 (Young's)
In the first fight Sheldon Bang takes on Carl Langston at 135lbs. Sheldon trains out of Central Maine BJJ and comes into this fight with a 1-1 record. He won his first fight against Carl Langston by unanimous decision. In Sheldon's second fight he lost by submission to Henry Clark at the last NEF event. Now they are both getting the rematch between the two. Langston comes into this fight with a 3-7 record and trains with Young's MMA. He has 1 win by ko/tko, 1 by sub and 1 by decision. For his losses he lost 3 by decision, 2 by sub and 2 by ko/tko to strikes. Without a win in the state of Maine, Langston has now turned to training with Young's MMA. This should be a nice fast paced fight cause both of these fighters know how to scrap and put on a show.
125 AM Dustin Veinott 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Dave Brown 1-1 (WMBJJ)
Next fight is between Dustin Veinott against Dave Brown at 125lbs. Veinott comes into this fight with a 2-3 record and repping CMBJJ. Veinott lost his first 3 fights but since then has turned it around with 2 straight W's. He will be looking for another win and pulling his record to an even 3-3. His opponent is Dave Brown and he trains with WMBJJ. He comes into this fight with a 1-1 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 loss by submission. This is very even on paper and both fighters are coming off exciting wins from the last NEF event. They will be looking to carry the momentum into this fight and to put on a show for NEF fans.
135 AM Johnny Crafts 2-0 (Team NEU) vs Mike Crespo 2-0 (MMA Athletix)
At 135 lbs Johnny Crafts will face off against Mike Crespo. Crafts trains with team NEU and comes into this fight with a 2-0 record. In both of his amateur fights Crafts has won by way of submission. Now he is moving up the ranks to a tougher opponent in Mike Crespo. Crespo trains out of MMA Athletix and also has a 2-0 record. He has one win by submission and one by decision. This is a good challenge for both fighters and I feel will end up being a close battle.
140 AM Bryant Orick 3-5 (Ruthless) vs Fred Lear 2-0 (Young’s)
In the next match up Bryan Orick takes on Fred Lear at a catch weight of 140lbs. Orick is fighting out of Team Ruthless and comes into this fight with a 3-5 record. He has 1 win by submission and one by decision. For his losses, he has 4 losses by submission and 1 by decision. His last fight was in 2013 and he is anxious to get back in the cage. His opponent is Fred Lear who trains out of Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 2-0 record. He has 1 win by ko/tko and his other win by decision. I feel this one will be a good back and forth battle but I give the slight advantage to Lear on the ground game.
141 AM Rob Kiah 0-0 (Young’s) vs Clifford Redman 0-0 (Independent)
Then Rob Kian takes on Clifford Redman at a catch weight of 141 lbs. Kiah trains out of Young's MMA and he will be making his amateur debut. Also making his amateur debut is Clifford Redman who is an independent fighter. I can't give too much insight on this fight but that is the beauty of it because you just don't know what to expect.
140 AM Nick Spencer 7-4 (Choi) vs Aaron Lacey 4-1 (Young’s)
Nick Spencer will square off in the NEF cage against Aaron Lacey at a catch weight of 140 lbs. Spencer comes into this fight with a 7-4 record and trains out of Choi's MMA. Spencer is very quick with the hands and in return has 5 ko/tko victories out of 7 in his ammy career. His other two wins have come by way of submission. As for his losses, he lost 2 by decision and 2 by submission. He comes into this fight with a ton of experience and has fought tough fights his entire amateur career. His opponent is Aaron Lacey who trains out of Young's MMA. He comes into this fight with a 4-1 record. He has 2 submission, 1 ko/tko and 1 win by decision with his only loss coming to Matt Tullos by decision. This is a huge fight for both of them and a Win will surely boost them up the rankings. I see Spencer wanting to keep this fight standing and Lacey will want to take it to the ground.
145 AM Henry Clark 1-0 (Choi) vs Mike Peitersen 1-0 (Young’s)
At 145lbs Henry Clark takes on Mike Peitersen this Saturday. Clark has a 1-0 record and trains out of Choi's Academy. In his amateur debut Clark won by submission against Sheldon Bang back at NEF 15. His opponent is Mike Peitersen and he trains out of Young's MMA. Peiterson also comes into this fight with a 1-0 record. In his amateur debut he won against Carl Langston by submission in Round 3. This is another solid match up and should be a back and forth battle. Both of these fighters are young into their amateur career and I am anxious to see how they match up against each other.
145 AM Jimmy Jackson 1-2 (Young’s) vs Kris Welch 0-0 (Independent)
Next up Jimmy Jackson faces off against Kris Welch at 145lbs. Jackson trains out of Young's MMA and comes into this fight with a 1-2 record. He won his first fight by submission and then lost his last 2 with 1 by sub and 1 by ko/tko. This is a good match up for him and training with Young's MMA you know he will be ready for anything. His opponent is Kris Welch and he will be making his amateur debut. Welch is listed as an independent fighter coming into this fight. I can't wait to see how this one pans out this Saturday.
145 AM Caleb Hall 5-1 (Choi) vs Josh Harvey 2-1 (Young’s)
At 145lbs Caleb Hall will square off against Josh Harvey. Hall trains out of Choi's Academy and has a 5-1 record. Hall has 3 wins by ko/tko and 2 by submission. His only loss came by submission to Aaron Lacey. Hall uses his outstanding wrestling to control his opponents and wear them down into either a submission or he finishes him off with strikes. His opponent is Josh Harvey who trains out of Young's MMA. He comes into this fight with a 2-1 record with 1 by submission and the other by decision. His only loss came against Dylan Lockard by submission at Combat Zone 51. Both of these guys are big 145ers and when this fight goes down they are gonna be like 2 bulls going butting heads when they circle the cage this Saturday.
155 AM Rick Matthews 0-1 (Team Irish) vs Emmett Huber 0-0 (Academy)
Rick Matthews will take on Emmett Huber at 155lbs. Matthews trains out of Team Irish and has a record of 0-1. He lost his only amateur fight by decision against Alex Johnson. His opponent is Emmett Huber and he trains out of the Academy. Huber will be making his amateur debut and coming from the Academy I know he will be ready for anything. Here is another close battle that could go either way.
155 AM Ricky Dexter 1-0 (Team Irish) vs Corey Trial 0-0 (Ruthless)
At 155lbs Ricky Dexter challenges Corey Trial. Dexter trains out of Team Irish and comes into this fight with a 1-0 record. He won his first fight by ko/tko against Jacob Cameron. His opponent is Corey Trial and he trains out of Team Ruthless. Trial will be making his amateur debut. Dexter has the 1 fight experience so we will see if he will use this to bring home another W this Saturday.
155 AM Steve Bang Jr. 3-2 (CMBJJ) vs Jason Lachance 0-1 (MMA Athletix)
Then at 155lbs Steve Bang Jr takes on Jason Lachance. Bang trains out of CMBJJ and comes into this fight with an 3-2 record. Bang has wins by submission and one by decision. He is well rounded and will be looking to use some of his newly refined skills this Saturday against Lachance. Lachance trains out of MMA Athletix and comes into his fight with an 0-1 record. In his amateur debut he fought against Jarrod Tyler and lost by decision. Bang has the experience as you can see and he will be looking to use that to make quick work of Lachance.
155 AM Dr. Steve Bang 0-0 Sr. (CMBJJ) vs Matthew Hanning 0-0 (Ind.)
At 155 lbs Dr. Steve Bang will face off against Matthew Hanning. Dr Bang is the father of the two Bang Brothers who are also fighting on the card! He also trains with CMBJJ and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Matthew Hanning and he is an independent fighter. Hanning will also be making his amateur debut. Two new fresh fighters so anything could be in store for this battle.
180 AM Caleb Farrington 1-0 (Team NEU) vs Brandon Russell 0-0 (Nitemare)
At a catch weight of 180lbs Caleb Farrington takes on Brandon Russell. Caleb trains with team NEU and comes into this fight with a 1-0 record. He won his first fight against Nash Roy by submission. He will be looking to keep the momentum going with another W this Saturday. His opponent is new comer Brandon Russell who is out of team Nitemare. Russell will be making his amateur debut but being from team Nitemare I know he will be ready. This will be a fast action fight and with both of these fighters I don't see it going to a decision!
185 AM Jacob Cameron 1-4 (Nitemare) vs Nick Shea 0-0 (First Class)
Next up Jacob Cameron will be facing off against Nick Shea at 185lbs. Cameron is no stranger to the NEF cage as this is his 5th time appearing in it. He trains out of team Nitemare and comes into this fight with a 1-4 record. He won his sole victory by ko/tko against John Gardner a few NEF's ago. For his losses, he lost them all by ko/tko. Cameron leaves it all in the cage and always comes out swinging for the fences. His opponent is Nick Shea and he fights out of First Class MMA. He will be making his amateur debut. I think this is a good match up for both guys and I give the slight edge to Cameron as he has the 5 fight experience.
185 AM Frank Dellasala 0-1 (Choi) vs Heath Hanson 0-1 (3Ronin Athletics)
At 185lbs Frank Dellasala will take on Heath Hanson. Frank trains out of Choi's Institute and has a record of 0-1. He lost his first fight against Pat Kelly by submission. He is still hungry for that first taste of victory in the cage. His opponent is Heath Hanson who comes into this fight with an 0-1 record. He trains with 3Ronin Athletics and lost his first fight by submission. Both fighters records are identical and when it is all said and done, 1 of these fighters will have their first victory this Saturday.
205 AM Chris Perry 0-0 (Acadia) vs Ruben Redman 0-0 (Independent)
Next up at 205 lbs Chris Perry takes on Ruben Redman. Perry trains with team Acadia and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Ruben Redman and he also is making his amateur debut. Redman is listed as an independent fighter. Both of these fighters are new to the cage which should make for an interesting fight.
265 AM Ryan Glover 0-0 (Independent) vs Michael Freeman 0-0 (Independent)
In a heavyweight showdown Ryan Glover challenges Michael Freeman in the cage. Glover is an independent fighter who will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Michael Freeman who took this fight on short notice so we gotta give him credit for that. He also is an independent fighter who will be making his amateur debut. When both of these heavies meet in the cage this Saturday they won't be looking to have the fight go to a decision that is for sure.
265 AM Brandon Lessard 0-0 (Independent) vs Billy Leahy 1-1 (Young’s)
In another heavyweight fight Brandon Lessard takes on Billy Leahy. Lessard is an independent fighter and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Billy Leahy who trains out of Young's MMA. Leahy lost his first fight by decision and then bounced back with a win over Gravin Guillen by submission. He is looking to continue his winning ways with a win over Lessard this weekend. The bigger the guys are the harder they fall and this one will have some fireworks for sure.
S.HWT AM Gravin Guillen 1-1 (Independent) vs Mladen Holman 0-1 (Choi)
In the final amateur fight of the night Gravin Guillen takes on Mladen Holman in a rematch fight. In the first fight Guillen won the fight by ko/tko to strikes but as the fight was stopped Mladen fought back and was on top of Guillen. Personally I didn't disagree with the stoppage as Mladen was eating unanswered strikes, I think it just looked bad at the time the ref stepped in. With that said, the fight was very exciting and I am all for the rematch. Guillen is an indpedent fighter and comes into this fight with a 1-1 record. Mladen Holman trains out of Choi's Academy and comes into this fight with an 0-1 record. Holman is out to prove that age is just a number and he wants the W badly. Guillen is looking to show the Maine-iacs that the first stoppage was no mistake and its gonna happen again.
135 PRO Matt Denning 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jovan White 1-6 (FCFC)
For the first pro fight Matt Denning squares off against Jovan White at 135lbs professional. Denning comes into this fight as a 1-0 pro and trains out of CMBJJ. Also he now has a nickname and its "Ken Doll." He won his first fight by submission against Derek Shorey. His opponent is Jovan White and he trains with FCFC. White comes into this fight with a 1-6 record with his one win by submission against Tommy Balzano. For his losses he has some by ko/tko, some by submissions and decisions. White is travelling from Florida and he isn't going to want to come up this way to the snowy land of Maine for a loss. I think this will be a good back and forth stand up battle.
265 PRO Mike Hansen 1-1 (Independent) vs Artie Mullen 1-13 (MMA S. Maine)
At the heavy weight division Mike Hansen takes on Artie Mullen. Hansen is an independent fighter and has a 1-1 record. I was not able to find out Hansen's info as I believe he hasn't fought in many years. We will have to see if cage rust and stamina is a factor in this one. His opponent is Artie Mullen who has a 1-13 record. He fights out of MMA of Southern Maine team and always comes out swinging. This is a good match up for both fighters and I highly doubt it will go to a decision.
185 PRO Nah-Shon Burrell 11-4 (Renzo Gracie) vs Ryan Hodge 6-9 (F2 Arena)
Nah-Shon Burrell will face off against Ryan Hodge at 185lbs. Burrell comes from Renzo Gracie and has an 11-4 record. Burrell has 6 wins by ko/tko and 5 wins by decision. He has fought for Bellator, Strikeforce and the UFC so far in his career. His opponent is Ryan Hodge who comes into this fight with a 6-9 record. He trains with F2 Arena down in Florida. Hodge has fought some tough fighters in his career and this one is going to be another tough fight for him. I see this fight being a ground battle and going to a decision.
265 PRO *TITLE Tyler King 7-2 (Connors) vs Terry Blackburn 5-2 (FCFC)
Tyler King returns to the NEF cage to defend his belt against Terry Blackburn. King comes into this fight with a 7-2 record and trains out of Connor's MMA. King has 3 wins by ko/tko, 3 by submission and 1 decision in his career. He lost one by ko/tko and one by decision. His opponent is Terry Blackburn and he trains out of FCFC. He comes into this fight with a 5-2 record with all 5 wins by ko/tko. For his two losses he lost one by ko/tko and one by decision. King will look to tie up Terry and keep him in the clinch so he can wear him down and work his sub. Blackburn will want to keep his distance and use his heavy hands to try to finish King.
145 PRO *TITLE Ray Wood 5-0 (Young’s) vs Anthony Morrison 16-9 (Daddis)
In the main event Ray Wood defends his title against Anthony Morrison at 145lbs. Wood comes into this fight with a perfect 5-0 record and is fighting out of Young's MMA. Wood has 3 wins by ko/tko and 2 by submission. He is a very exciting fighter to watch in the cage and I am pumped for his return. His opponent is Anthony Morrison and he trains out of Daddis MMA. Morrison comes into this fight with a 16-9 record. He has the majority of his wins by ko/tko and decisions. For his losses, he lost most of them by way of submission. Wood is giving up a lot of experience going into this fight but with a Win it will be huge for his career. Morrison will most likely want to keep this fight standing and work a decision.
There you have the complete breakdown of the New England Fights card. It will be a memorable nights so get out of the cold and come enjoy some awesome battles. Special thanks to NEF for hooking us up with the fight cards and allowing us to cover the event. Warchild, The Artist and I will be making the trip up north to cover the show and I hope to see you all there!