[NEF Press Release]
The founder and head coach of the Shatterproof Combat Club in Dexter, Maine, Derek Shorey has been impressive in his professional career thus far. All three of his wins have come by first-round stoppage, including Shorey's defeat of Tollison Lewis (0-5) earlier this month at "NEF XIX." Win or lose, Shorey does not believe in letting fights go to the judges' scorecards. All fifteen of his combined amateur and pro fights have ended by either knockout, technical knockout (TKO) or submission.
"I'm grateful to be part of this historical event that is NEF XX," said Shorey. "Thank you Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo for providing a platform for me to chase this ridiculous dream. Damon is an interesting matchup for me because, stylistically, we are very similar. I'm excited to get in there and mix it up with him and I think the fans will be the biggest winners on this night because they're in for a hell of a show. I've only just begun to tap my full potential and to pull a 'W' over a fighter from the best camp in Maine, would be a very proud moment for me."
Prior to moving to Colorado from Maine in 2013, Damon Owens was on the verge of becoming a breakout star on the regional MMA scene. Owens put together a pair of solid, back-to-back wins against John Raio (2-8) and Josh Parker (4-8). Like Shorey, Owens came into his own after leaving the amateur ranks. Also like Shorey, Owens does not believe in letting the judges decide the outcome of his fights. Only one of his bouts out of seven has gone the distance. Owens is a member of Young's MMA in Bangor, Maine. Returning home, he has been welcomed back with open arms to his team. Owens has been inactive from competition since moving to Colorado two years ago.
"Adding this fight to such a monumental event like 'NEF XX' was a no-brainer," said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. "Derek and Damon have both proven themselves to be big finishers. They match up very well and they're both incredibly exciting fighters. This fight has a very good shot at stealing the show!"
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.”