[NEF PRESS RELEASE]
Bangor, Maine (February 12, 2024) – New England Fights (“NEF”) presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 57: All the Smoke,” on April 20, 2024, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the card. Kam Arnold (2-1) has signed to meet Derek Shorey (4-10) at a fight weight of 140 pounds.
Kam Arnold will make his return to the NEF cage after an absence of more than four years. It will be his first professional fight with the promotion after having competed elsewhere in three pro MMA fights and two pro boxing bouts. Arnold has a storied history with NEF dating back to his amateur debut in 2017. He won the promotion’s amateur bantamweight championship and successfully defended it twice. Arnold was a perfect 6-0 in NEF’s cage as an amateur with all six wins coming by way of knockout. Additionally, Arnold married his wife at “NEF 39” in 2019 – the first and only wedding to ever be held in the promotion’s cage.
“I’m beyond thrilled making my highly anticipated return to not only Maine but the promotion who birthed a fast rising, violent finisher,” exclaimed Arnold. “It’s been a long time coming and you guys are in for a treat. You’ll see the precision, rhythm, timing, and distance management for sure, but when you feel that same tenacity I exploded onto the scene with you’ll realize what you guys have been missing for so long.
“I applaud Derek for taking this matchup towards the end of his career. I’ve been a fan of his since I first started training and following the promotion. He’s gritty, tough as nails and will for sure bring the fight to my front lawn. That’s the type of shit I live for. 4/20 I get to fight for my life one more time or it’ll be up in smoke.”
Derek Shorey, a proud veteran of the United States Navy, recently returned to NEF after an absence of more than six years. Shorey appeared in the NEF cage a total of 16 times between 2012 and 2017, making him one of the promotion’s most active competitors during that time period. Win, lose or draw, Shorey vows that the fight with Arnold will be the last of his 13+ year career.
“What an absolute privilege to end this chapter of my story on the biggest stage in the area, under the brightest lights imaginable, and against one of the toughest young warriors on the scene today,” said Shorey. “Kam is an absolute savage, and I’ve enjoyed watching him throw bricks at dudes for years now. I never imagined I’d be the one trying to dodge them, but he asked so politely, how could I say no? Looking forward to locking myself in a cage with a straight Killa to play this game we all love so much. You bring the bricks, I’ll bring the hammahs and let’s get reckless!”
“NEF 57: All the Smoke” will mark NEF’s debut in the Cross Insurance Center arena, the room that played host to the UFC’s only stop in Maine to date back in 2014 for “UFC Fight Night 47.” Doors will open at 5 pm with the first fight taking place at 6 pm on April 20. Tickets are on sale now at www.TicketMaster.com.