Lewiston, Maine (May 1, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, "NEF XVIII: Made in America," on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the fight card. The bout will feature Corey Hinkley (2-3) against Cory Trial (0-1) at the lightweight limit of 155-pounds.
Cory Trial made his NEF MMA debut this past February at "NEF XVI." While Trial came out on the losing end of the fight, he showed powerful striking skills in a wild slugfest with Ricky Dexter (3-0). It is a fighting style that Trial and his teammates at Ruthless MMA & Boxing of Benton, Maine have become known for. It is a style that has also produced some of the most memorable fights on the last several NEF events. Ruthless head coach Josh Parker (4-8) is confident in Trial's ability to finish the bout coming up on June 13.
"When Cory walked into my gym, I knew I had something special," said Parker. "The guy is an animal, and in June he will be looking to show everyone that in his last fight the lights killed him. This fight won't be going out of the first round."
"I'm excited for this fight," exclaimed Trial. "Excited to get another chance to show people who I am as a fighter. Last time, I was overwhelmed with the lights and the crowd. This time, the real Cory will be in the cage, and I'll be looking for the finish."
When they meet at "NEF XVIII," it will have been nine months since the last time Trial's opponent, Corey Hinkley, stepped in the cage to compete. After starting his amateur career at 2-1, Hinkley has dropped his last two in a row. He and his coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ), Jesse Erickson (3-3), say that Hinkley has been training harder than ever for his return and has put personal issues behind him since his last appearance for NEF.
"I've had a lot of personal things going on in my life in the past, but I'm now able to train the way I've been needing to and I'm coming back stronger than ever," said Hinkley.
"I have never seen Corey so focused," stated Erickson. "He's training harder than he has for any of his previous fights, and I can't wait to watch him do his thing in June!"
NEF's next MMA event, "NEF XVIII: Made in America" will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015. Tickets for "NEF XVIII" 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.”