[NEF PRESS RELEASE]
Portland, Maine (April 19, 2023) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, May 13, 2023, with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event “NEF 52: Zero Hour.” Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur featherweight title bout to the card. Cassidy Bedard (2-0) is scheduled to face Sarai Knapp (2-2) for the vacant NEF amateur women’s 145-pound championship.
Undefeated Cassidy Bedard made her debut at “NEF 47” in one of the most memorable MMA bouts of 2022. It was a wild scene in Auburn, Maine as Bedard’s opponent that evening was disqualified after pulling Bedard’s hair out and blatantly gouging her eye. Bedard returned to the cage last November at “NEF 50” with a dominant performance and first-round submission win over Lindsey Kelley (1-2). Bedard is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu based in Lewiston, Maine.
"I am excited to test my training with this opportunity,” exclaimed Bedard.
Sarai Knapp will make the trek to Maine all the way from Ft. Wayne, Indiana where she trains at Lee Brothers MMA. Knapp actually made her amateur MMA debut in Maine at “NEF 39” in 2019. She is coming off a win last fall over Carissa Hodge (1-3) on a fight card in Indiana. Knapp submitted Hodge in the first round with an armbar.
“NEF 52: Zero Hour” will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Aura in Portland, Maine. Doors will open at 6 pm with first fight taking place at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.TicketMaster.com.