Lewiston, Maine (March 8, 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 women's featherweight contest to the MMA portion of the "NEF 22" fight card. "Hollywood" Hannah Sparrell (1-0) will battle Angela Young (0-1) at a fight weight of 140-pounds.
Hannah Sparrell was introduced to the sport when she began taking her daughter to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) classes. Sparrell soon found herself training at John Raio's First Class MMA in Brunswick, Maine. She made her in-cage debut last fall against Young's teammate Kira Innocenti (0-1) at "NEF XIX" in Lewiston. Sparrell was victorious that evening, scoring a unanimous decision from the judges after an exhausting three-round fight. She looks forward to representing First Class MMA for a second time at "NEF 22."
"I’m excited to be entering the NEF cage again, on April 23rd, against Angela Young," said Sparrell. "Angela, coming from the school recently named New England's 'team of the year,' has proven to be a heavy hitter, as we saw in her blood-shedding battle at 'NEF XIX.' That being said, First Class has been putting its name on the map, displaying our skilled training, coaches and leadership, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about going head-to-head against Young’s MMA once again. I learned a lot from the experience from my last fight and have used it as a catalyst in my focused training this winter. I will be entering the NEFXXII cage confidently and ready for a good solid fight."
Angela Young is the wife of Young's MMA founder and head coach Chris Young. Like Sparrell, Young made her debut in the NEF cage last fall at "NEF XIX." In a wild, "fight of the night" performance, Young battled back and forth with Rachel Reinheimer (2-0) of Team Sityodtong. Reinheimer would win the decision on the judges' scorecards, but Young would win the respect of the entire New England MMA community with her valiant effort. On April 23rd, Young vows to chalk up the first win on her record.
"I am beyond ecstatic for the opportunity to fight for NEF again," stated Young. "Especially against an opponent as respectful and professional as Hannah. I've put the work in, I've improved my game and I'm aiming for another 'fight of the night.' This time, however, my hand will be raised."
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.”