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It is a beautiful day for some fights up in Bangor Maine. New England Fights is back tonight with their 35th show to date and this one is at the Cross Insurance Center. They lost a few fights but there will be 12 fights intact tonight and 5 of them will be professional ones. The venue is a smaller one like at Club Aura and the place is sold out! Peter Czymbor is the voice of the evening and the refs are Steve Rita and John English. The national anthem was sung by UMaine Renaissance which was beautifully done. Per usual, NEF starts right at the exact time they say they will and the fighters are walking out now. Please follow along as I try my best to recap the night.
160 AM Andrew Brown 0-0 (Nostos) vs Chris Lachcik 0-0 (Independent)
They both come out swinging. Brown gets the takedown and is dropping bombs from the top. Chris defends for a bit. Andrew pushes the leg down and passes to full mount. He gets in a few more hammerfists and then looks for the armbar. Andrew gets the arm free and straight and gets the stoppage.
Andrew Brown defeats Chris Lachcik by tapout to armbar at 2:55 in Round 1.
145 AM Joe Howard 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Young 0-1 (Independent)
They both exchange a punch and then clinch. Young gets the takedown and moves to full mount. They roll and are right back to the same position. Howard gets the sweep and is now on top. Young sweeps and is now back on top.
Young 10-9
Rd 2: Young kicks and gets Howard to the mat. He moves to full mount and is looking for the rear naked choke. He has it under the neck and gets the tap.
Jordan Young defeats Joe Howard via tapout to rear naked choke at 1:50 in Rd 2.
David grabs hold of the neck. Shawn lifts him up and carries him to the side of the cage. David drops back to his feet to avoid the slam. Shawn connects with a combo that drops David and finishes him off with a few more for good measure. Ref has seen enough.
Shawn Costigan defeats David Hills via tko stoppage to strikes at 52 seconds in Rd 1.
150 AM Taylor Bartlett 1-1 (CMBJJ) vs Jacob Deppmeyer 1-1 (First Class MMA)
They are each throwing combos right off the bat. Bartlett draws first blood. Jacob connects with a right that sends Taylor back. Taylor is starting to show fatigue. Jacob connects with another clean right and then some knees to the body. Rest of the round is all Jacob show until the bell sounds.
Deppmeyer 10-9
Rd 2: They both come out swinging once again. Taylor seemed to get the better of the exchange and then Jacob gets in a high knee to the chest. Taylor gets the takedown and Jacob holds him down. He bucks him off and then scramble and Jacob gets him to the mat.
Bartlett 10-9
Rd 3: Both fighters are showing signs of fatigue. Jacob gets in a combo and Taylor gets a slamming takedown. Jacob sweeps out and they are back to their feet. They each throw a punch and the round ends.
Real close round, I will leave this one to the judges.
Taylor Bartlett and Jacob Deppmeyer is a Draw. 29-28 Bartlett, 29-27 Deppmeyer, 28-28
155 AM Zac Richards 1-0 (Nostos) vs Clifford Redman 0-5 (Independent)
Zac gets the takedown and is on top full mount. He is letting his hands go wild and looking for the finish. Zac gets in about 15 straight shots and the ref has seen enough.
Zac Richards defeats Clifford Redman via tko stoppage to strikes at 1:38 in Rd 1.
170 AM David Hart 0-3 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Christian Barrett 1-0 (First Class MMA)
Christian gets the takedown and is working the side. David has hold of the neck but lets go. Christian moves to full mount and is dropping bombs. David gives up his back and Christian flattens him and with hammerfists side to side. Christian tells the ref he is done.
Christian Barrett defeats David Hart ref stoppage to strikes at 1:15 in Rd 1.
155 AM TITLE Pat Kelly 4-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Ed Forlenza 2-2 (Juniko)
They both come out swinging. Pat goes for a takedown but can't get it. They are right back swinging. Ed rips Pat to the mat. He has the back and Pat turns face up. He turns back down and is getting hit with hammerfists side to side. Pat turns back face up and after a few more punches ref stops the fight.
Ed Forlenza defeats Pat Kelly via tko stoppage to strikes at 2:42 seconds in Rd 1. Ed is now the new NEF lightweight champion. Pat Kelly has officially retired in the cage and stated "Age is just a number." The NEF crowd gave him a standing ovation!
145 PRO Zenon Herrera 1-6 (Team SMOG) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi Institute)
Ernie is working some kicks to the body. Ernie gets the takedown via a trip and has the side. He gets in a couple elbows to the side and lays Zenon down flat. Zenon pushes Ernie off and they are back to their feet. Ernie scoops him up and slams Zenon to the mat. Ernie postures up and gets in a couple hammerfists.
Ornelas 10-9
Rd 2: Ernie gets in a kick to the body. Ernie takes down Zenon and Zenon reverses. Ernie was trying for an armbar but can't get it locked in. Ernie is on top and getting in some hammer fists. Ernie gets pushed off and and dodges an upkick. He drops back in and gets in a few more hammerfists.
Ornelas 10-9
Rd 3: Ernie gets in a few punches and Z goes for the takedown. Ernie catches him in a guillotine and gets the tap.
Ernesto Ornelas defeats Zenon Herrerra via tapout to guillotine at 25 seconds in Round 3.
Harvey scoops him up and slams Jay to the mat. Jay works his way up and and does a roll and ends up on top. Harvey works a triangle and gets the tap.
Josh Harvey defeats Jay Ellis via tapout to triangle at 30 seconds in Rd 1.
155 PRO CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Caleb Hall 1-0 (Choi Insistute)
They are both swinging for the fences. Caleb gets the takedown and has the side. Caleb has the neck and they roll. CJ gets out and gets in a solid right to the head. Caleb connects with a right that drops CJ to one knee. Caleb works a d'arce for the tap.
Caleb Hall defeats CJ Ewer via tapout to d'arce at 2:31 in Round 1.
170 PRO Ryan Sanders 16-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Armando Montoya 10-6 (First Class MMA)
Ryan is going high with his kicks. They clinch and Ryan reverses. Armando is working his foot stomps. They are back to the center and Ryan is back to working his kicks. Both fighters are exchanging kicks. Sanders connects with a good kick and Armando dives for a takedown. Ryan has a good sprawl and stops it. Sanders works a guillotine and gets the tap. Sanders is like a fine wine, he gets better and better with age.
Ryan Sanders defeats Armando Montoya via tapout to guillotine at 4:10 in Rd 1. Sanders says "I am a bad dude and I want a tough fight!" *Mic Drop*
155 PRO Aaron Lacey 5-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Jon Lemke 7-8 (Titan Athletics)
Aaron closes the gap and tries for a takedown. Lacey gets him to the mat and takes Lemke's back. He is looking for the rear naked choke and he gets the tap.
Aaron Lacey defeats Jon Lemke via tapout to rear naked choke at 1:59 in Rd 1.
Fight of the Night: Bartlett and Deppmeyer
Sub of the Night: Caleb Hall and his d’arce
KO/TKO of the Night: Shawn Costigan and his heavy hands