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September 28, 2015

LEWISTON AND BANGOR COLLIDE IN THE MMA CAGE AT NEF XX

[NEF Press Release]

Lewiston, Maine (September 25, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, "NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE" on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine - mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Lewiston's own Matt "Ken Doll" Denning (2-0) is scheduled to meet Bangor, Maine's Jon Lemke (4-3) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

Matt Denning has been nothing short of impressive in the first two fights of his professional career.  After putting together an amateur record of 4-3, Denning has since finished both Zenon Herrera (0-2) and Derek Shorey (3-2) via first-round submission in the pro ranks.  He is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston.  Denning's upcoming fight will present an opportunity to gain a measure of revenge, of sorts, on Lemke who defeated Denning's coach Jesse Erickson (6-4) at Bellator 93 in March 2013.


"It's an honor and a privilege to be on the 'NEF XX' card," said Denning.  Boxing and cage fighting under the same roof - it's going to be a crazy night.  I'm looking to go 3-0 as a pro against a very high level opponent in Lemke.  It's a heavier fight, against a guy who beat my coach in Bellator.  I'm excited to showcase my skills and put on a show for the NEF fans.  I'm Lewiston's own Ken Doll and I plan on bringing everything I have into this fight. Fighting a friend is hard, but it's all a part of this wide-growing sport.  My career is on the rise while Lemke's is going down."

Jon Lemke is a member of Team Irish in Brewer, Maine where he trains under the legendary Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis (22-11).  Like Denning, Lemke went on a tear at the start of his professional career, winning his first three bouts in a row.  He last appeared in the NEF cage at "NEF XIV" last fall, defeating Amos Collins (4-5) via first-round technical knockout (TKO).  After some time off from competition, Lemke is ready and eager to return to NEF in November.

"I am excited and grateful for another opportunity to do what I love and continue my career with NEF," said Lemke.  "I am grateful to fight Mr. Denning, who has started his pro career off on the fast track.  I realize that I have been very inconsistent in my last couple of fights, however, I have taken steps to remedy that and am happy, healthy and looking to get back on track.  Mr. Denning brings a good skill set and a big fan base to the cage, and I look forward to the challenge and rising up to that challenge.  It's going to be a great night of fights and people are not going to want to miss this fight in particular."

New England Fights' next event, "NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE," takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for "NEF XX" start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée 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.”