NEF returns this Saturday on September 10th to the Androscoggin Colisee in Lewiston Maine. This will be their 25th show to date and it will another hybrid show of mma and boxing. There are 3 boxing fights, 5 amateur fights including 2 of them being title fights and 5 pro fights. That's right, you read that correctly, NEF is having a total of 13 fights. This is in my opinion the perfect amount of fights on a card and it should be a memorable one. The doors will be opening at 6pm and the first fight is set for 7pm. The rings girls will be the beautiful Cassandra and Katherine. Tickets are still available so if you haven't gotten yours yet not to worry. They start at $35 and are available at the link here. If you still can't make it then it will be available on FloCombat's website with your paid subscription. As you can see by the NEF banner above, this show is dubbed Heroes & Villains and the artwork is an awesome comic type renditions of the fighters. Let me break down the fight card for you all, I will be skipping over the first 3 boxing fights but this should be the exact fight order of that day so please follow along.
160 PRO BOXING John Webster (Rumble) vs. Zenon Herrera (Independent)
175 PRO BOXING Brandon Montella (The Way LLC) vs. Tollison Lewis (CMBJJ)
160 PRO BOXING Casey Kramlich (Portland Boxing Club) vs. John Ortolani (S. Tampa Jiu Jitsu & MMA)
135 AM MMA Walt Shea (0-0 First Class) vs. Joel Downing (0-0 CMBJJ)
In the first mma fight of the night Walt Shea will take on Joel Downing at 135 lbs. Shea trains with First Class MMA and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Joel Downing and he trains with CMBJJ. Joel will also be making his amateur debut. Two fighters from two awesome schools up in Maine looking to show what they have been learning in the cage. This should be a great start to the night of mma.
135 AM MMA Jessica Borga (2-1 Champions MMA) vs. Rachael Joyce (1-0 Team Irish)
At 135 lbs Jessica Borga takes on Rachael Joyce in a female amateur showdown. Borga trains with Champions MMA from Florida. She is a model and looking to make it in the mma world. She comes into this fight with a 2-1 record 2 first round wins by ko/tko and 1 loss by submission. Her opponent is Rachael Joyce and she trains with Team Irish. She comes into this fight with a 1-0 record with 1 win by ko/tko in Rd 2 over Christine Brothwell at a previous Toe 2 Toe event. As you can see both of these ladies have the hands to end the fight and this one has fight of the night candidate all over it and it is just the second mma fight!
155 AM MMA Caleb Swoveland (1-1 Ruthless MMA and Boxing) vs. Frank Johanson (0-2 CMBJJ)
Next up is at 155 lbs Caleb Swoveland faces off against Frank Johanson. Caleb trains with Ruthless MMA and Boxing and comes into this fight with a 1-1 record. In the win column, he has 1 win by submission over Taylor Carey at NEF 20. His sole loss came by loss by a decision against Tom Burgess at NEF 21. Now he is ready to get back in the cage again and earn that W. His opponent is Frank Johanson and he trains with CMBJJ. He comes into this fight with an 0-2 record with both losses by ko/tko. He is still hungry for his first taste of mma victory. I see this one being a good back and forth battle.
155 AM MMA TITLE: Rafael Velado(3-0 First Class) vs. Jimmy Jackson (3-2 Young's MMA)
The first title fight of the night is between Rafael Velado and Jimmy Jackson for the 155 lb title. Velado trains with First Class MMA. He comes into this fight with a perfect 3-0 record with 2 wins by submission and 1 win by split decision. His opponent is Jimmy Jackson and he trains with Young's MMA. He comes into this fight with a 3-2 record with 2 submission wins and 1 decision wins. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 1 by submission. This fight is going to be a back and forth battle and I think it may go the distance.
145 AM MMA TITLE: Caleb Hall (7-3 Choi) vs. Johnny Crafts (4-0 CMBJJ)
In the second title fight of the night Caleb Hall defends his title against Johnny Crafts at 145 lbs. Hall trains with Choi's Institute and comes into this fight with a 7-3 record with 3 by ko/tko and 4 wins by submission. His 3 losses came by 1 ko/tko, 1 sub and 1 split decision loss. His opponent is Johnny Crafts and he trains with CMBJJ. Crafts comes into this fight with a 4-0 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 3 by submission. As you can see both of these fighters are very similar with many submission victories. I think it is safe to assume that this fight should be an exciting ground battle. Will Crafts become the new NEF champ or will Hall successfully defend it? We are just days away from finding out.
135 PRO MMA Elias Leland (2-1 Academy of MMA) vs. Walter Smith Cotito (3-4 Team Link)
For the first pro fight of the night Elias Leland will square off against Walter Cotito at 135 lbs. Elias trains with the Academy of MMA and comes into this fight with a 2-1 record. In the win column, he has both of his wins by submission. His only pro loss came by ko/tko to strikes against Jay Perrin in a back and forth battle fight. His opponent is Walter Cotito and he trains with Team Link in NH. Cotito comes into this fight with a 3-4 record with 1 win by ko/tko, submission and decision. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko, 1 by sub and 2 by decision. Both of these fighters do not shy away from a challenge. I see this one being a back and forth battle and I don't think it is going to go the distance.
145 PRO MMA Cory Trial (0-0 Ruthless MMA) vs. Aaron Lacey (2-0 Young's MMA)
At 145 lbs Cory Trial takes on Aaron Lacey in the NEF cage. Trial trains with Ruthless MMA and comes into this fight making his pro debut. As an amateur Cory went 2-2 with 1 one of the most brutalest ko I have ever witnessed. His opponent is Aaron Lacey and he trains with Young's MMA. Lacey comes into this fight with a 2-0 record with 1 win by submission and 1 by split decision. I am not sure how this fight came about but I see Lacey winning this one with a rd 1 submission. However, Cory has the hands so you can never count him out!
145 PRO MMA Matt Denning (3-3 CMBJJ) vs. Taylor Trahan (5-6 Team Link)
Matt Denning is set to face Taylor Trahan at 145 lbs this Saturday. Denning trains with CMBJJ and comes into this fight with a 3-3 record. In the win column he has all 3 wins by submissions. For his losses, he has 1 by ko/tko and 2 by submissions. With losing 3 out of his last 4, Denning is pumped to get his record back onto the positive side. His opponent is Taylor Trahan and he trains with Team Link. He comes into this fight with a 5-6 record 2 wins by submission and 3 by decision. For his losses, he lost 4 by ko/tko and 2 by sub. Trahan has 5 straight losses and is ready to start his winning streak. I know both of these fighters and they both train hard and are awesome guys. Both of them need the wins and no doubt they are gonna put on a show for the fans. I see this one being a ground battle.
205 PRO MMA Mike Hansen (4-4 Berserkers MMA) vs. Matt Andrikut (2-0 Kut Combat)
At 205 lbs Mike Hansen steps back into the NEF cage against Matt Andrikut. Hansen trains with Berserkers MMA and comes into this fight with a 4-4 record. For his wins, he has 1 ko/tko and 3 by submission. For his losses, he has 3 by ko/tko and 1 by submission. Mike never backs down and every fight gives 110%. His opponent is Matt Andrikut and he trains with Kut Combat. He comes into this fight with a 2-0 record with 2 wins by ko/tko. All I have to say about this fight is don't blink because these guys are going to be swinging hard. If you don't think Hansen swings hard just ask Battles. I am going with Hansen winning by submission Rd 2.
180 PRO MMA Jesse Erickson (8-5 CMBJJ) vs. Crowsneck Boutin (2-2 Choi's Institute)
In the main event Jesse Erickson takes on Crowsneck Boutin at a catch weight of 180 lbs. Erickson trains with CMBJJ and comes into this fight with a 8-5 record. Jesse was supposed to fight Lemke but thankfully Crowsneck stepped in and now the main event is still on. In the win column, Jesse has 3 by ko/tko and 5 by submission. For his losses, he has 3 by ko/tko and 2 by submission. His opponent is Crowsneck Boutin and he trains with Choi's Institute. Crowsneck has 1 win by ko/tko and 1 by decision. For his losses, he has both of them by submission. First off, let me say I am huge fans of both of these fighters. I have seen just about every one of their fights and I am so pumped for this one. I see it starting out as a slug fest as both of these guys love to give the fight fans a show. If it goes to the ground I see Jesse working a submission which I will say in Rd 2.
There you have the complete breakdown of the entire NEF card! Warchild and I plan on making the trip up North to cover the event for you all since you are all too lazy to travel up there! Kidding (or am I). I am excited for this card as NEF always puts an awesome show and this one is the perfect size. Maine-iacs can still make it outta there and watch the main event of the UFC that is on that night. If you enjoyed reading this then please do us a favor and share with your friends on social media.