[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (March 11, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, "NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE" on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur featherweight title bout to the MMA portion of the "NEF 22" fight card. Caleb Hall (6-3) will take on Erik Nelson (2-2) for the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title. The championship was vacated earlier this week when previous champion Aaron Lacey (6-1) announced that he would enter the professional ranks at "NEF 22."
Caleb Hall is a member of the Choi Institute of Portland, Maine. He was a two-time Maine state champion wrestling for Dirigo High School in Dixfield. Hall later wrestled for both Plymouth State University (PSU) in New Hampshire and the University of Southern Maine (USM). He began competing in MMA in September 2012, making his debut at "NEF IV." Hall last appeared in the NEF cage this past fall, scoring an impressive first-round submission victory over Matt Tamayo (0-1). He feels that his wrestling experience will carry him to the featherweight title on April 23rd against Nelson.
"I'm very excited to fight for the belt I have worked for," said Hall. "My wrestling and constant pressure will be a big problem for Nelson. The scrambles and pressure will fold him and I'll get the finish."
Erik Nelson is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) located in Lewiston, Maine where he is a jiu-jitsu instructor. In December, he was awarded his brown belt by head coach Travis Wells. A few weeks later, Nelson would go on to defeat Julio Martinez (0-2) at "NEF 21." Nelson believes his jiu-jitsu will be the deciding factor when he meets Caleb Hall for the amateur featherweight title on April 23rd.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to fight for a title in my hometown," said Nelson. "Caleb is a talented wrestler, but I feel my jiu-jitsu is far superior. No matter where the fight goes, I see my hand being raised at the end."
New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 22” 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.”