[NEF PRESS RELEASE]
Bangor, Maine (January 25, 2023) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on February 11, 2023, with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event “NEF 51: Banger in Bangor.” Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur catchweight bout to the card. Nate “The Mule” White (5-0) is scheduled to meet “Action” Jack Burke (1-1) at a fight weight of 190 pounds.
Undefeated Nate White will make his return to the NEF cage after a three-year absence. A wrestler from Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, White has finished all five of his previous opponents. His most recent win came in February 2020 when White defeated Brian Cosco (now 1-1 as a pro) by first-round technical knockout at “NEF 42.” He took time off from the sport during the Covid-19 pandemic to serve with the National Guard at the American-Mexican border. White is back and will represent Red Oak MMA in the bout with Burke. 190 pounds will mark the heaviest weight White has ever competed at.
"People have been asking me, 'Mule, where have you been,'” noted White. “For the last two years I've been down protecting our country's border with the National Guard. It's been a lot of hard work, but that's what the Mule is all about - hard work and kickin' ass. And it's been a long time since I've kicked any ass, and now I'm coming for you Jack Burke on February 11th. Bring your A-game because the Mule always brings his. The Mule is coming to Bangor on February 11th, and hell is coming with me."
Jack Burke made his amateur debut in early 2022 at “NEF 46” with a first round stoppage of Nick Legrande (0-1). Burke would go on to lose his second fight by submission later in the year on a fight card in Massachusetts. Both of Burke’s previous fights have been at heavyweight, so 190 pounds will be the lightest weight he has fought at. He represents Karasu Tengu Academy based in Nashua, New Hampshire.
“I can’t wait to get back into the NEF cage, and getting in there with an undefeated guy like Nate White in his own backyard is the type of fight that really gets me going,” said Burke. “I’m ready to make an emphatic statement and give the middleweight division a rude awakening. I love the energy Nate brings and I’m hoping we can put on a ‘Fight of the Night’ performance on an already stacked card!”
“NEF 51: Banger in Bangor” is scheduled for Saturday night, February 11, 2023, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The event will stream live on a pay-per-view basis at www.CombatSportsNow.com.