Lewiston, Maine (May 4, 2017) –New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 17, 2017 with the fight promotion's next event, "NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES." The event will feature a full slate of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts. The professional portion of the card will feature a high-level catchweight bout between Paul Gorman (10-9) and James "The Flyin' Hawaiian" Blair (5-0) at 130-pounds.
Paul Gorman is a twelve-year veteran of the New England MMA circuit. He captured the NEF Bantamweight Title at "NEF 5." Gorman would go on to successfully defend that title against Tateki Matsuda (12-8) in a five-round split decision victory that is to this day considered one of the greatest battles to ever take place in the NEF cage. Months later, Matsuda would sign with the UFC. Gorman finally dropped the title in the summer of 2014 to Tim Goodwin (10-6) in a hard-fought, five-round decision loss. He has not competed in the MMA cage since.
Gorman received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Maine MMA pioneer, and head coach of the Academy of MMA in Portland, Jay Jack. He has spent the last month training on the Indonesian island of Bali at Anthony Leone's gym known as "Bali MMA." Longtime NEF fans will recall that Leone (15-7) and Gorman were the co-main event of "NEF I."
"I'm happy to be returning to the NEF cage on June 17," said Gorman when reached for comment in Bali. "It's been what feels like forever since I've been under the lights, and I can't wait to get in there and compete again."
A native of Hawaii now based in Florida, undefeated James Blair represents the world-renowned American Top Team (ATT) of Coconut Creek. After an amateur career of 7-1, Blair turned pro in 2014. He captured the Island Fights Flyweight Title late last year. Blair will make his NEF debut on June 17 against Gorman. Recently, Blair has trained with former NEF Lightweight Champion, and current UFC signee, Devin Powell (8-2) at ATT. He even travelled north with Powell to make an in-cage appearance announcing the Gorman fight at "NEF 28" last weekend in Lewiston.
"I want to thank Matt Peterson and the NEF crew for offering this opportunity," stated Blair. "It is an honor to be stepping into competition with a veteran and pioneer of the sport."
New England Fights returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with its next event, "NEF 29: STARS & STRIPES," on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at the Colisee box office 207-783-2009 x 525 and online at www.TheColisee.com.
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.”