Monthly Archives: November 2013
NEF MMA SLASHES TICKET PRICES FOR HUGE BLACK FRIDAY SALE
[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (November 27, 2013) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) today announced a Black Friday sale on all tickets for the fight promotion’s upcoming “NEF XII” event scheduled to take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. The sale will begin this Friday, November 29 at 3:00 am EST and run until Sunday, December 1 at midnight.
The sale will apply to all tickets purchased through the box office with the promotional code XMAS. Fans buying tickets using the code will receive 20% off their entire order. Prospective ticket buyers are encouraged to purchase through the box office website http://www.TheColisee.com or to call the box office during regular business hours on Friday at 207-783-2009 x 525. Fans may also visit the box office in person on Friday during business hours at 190 Birch Street in Lewiston.
NEF MMA’s next event, “NEF XII,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm. Maine State MMA Middleweight Champion Jesse Peterson (7-4) will return to action for the first time in nearly a year. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at http://www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at http://www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at http://www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
AUGUSTA’S JAROD LAWTON TO MEET JOHN ORTOLANI IN NEF MMA CAGE
[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (November 26, 2013) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) today announced the addition of a professional welterweight contest to the fight promotion’s February 8, 2014 card. The event, titled “NEF XII,” will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston and will feature Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (3-1) taking on John Ortolani (8-9) in a 170-pound bout.
“Really excited to get back in the ring February 8 against Ortolani,” said Augusta, Maine’s Lawton when reached for comment. “I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt. I’m really going to expand my camp for this fight and train with some high level guys in each discipline. I have so much to improve on and feel like I haven’t really started to live up to my potential in the cage yet, but I am more motivated and focused now than ever and want to go out there and give everything I have and finish this fight.”
Lawton last appeared in the NEF MMA cage in May 2013, submitting Ortolani’s Team Triumph teammate Cody Anderson (1-2) in dramatic fashion, late in the third-and-final round. The late-fight, come-from-behind submission finish has become a trademark of Lawton’s game, having previously finished Ryan Sanders (5-4) in November 2012 via knee bar with only seconds left in the fight. It is a trait that has earned him the nickname “Last Minute.” Lawton’s advanced submission game, however, comes as no surprise to those familiar with his career. He has studied under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Third Degree Black Belt Pablo Papovitch, has trained at American Top Team in Florida, and has honed his craft in some of the most-respected dojos across the globe.
“I will be representing a new organization, New England United BJJ,” continued Lawton on his February 8 fight, “which is the long awaited merger of my instructors Alexey Cruz (Team 1) and André “Dedeco” Almeida (Best Way), myself (Innovative Athletics), Pete Roberts (Ethos BJJ) and many more of the best guys New England has to offer. We will be one of the largest and best teams anywhere and I expect really big things for the future!”
Ortolani, a member of Nashua, NH’s Team Triumph and a professional lacrosse player with the Rochester Rattlers of MLL, is no stranger to the NEF MMA cage himself. He first appeared for the fight promotion in November of 2012, defeating Bruce Boyington (4-5) via first-round submission. Earlier this month, Ortolani returned to the promotion, losing by TKO in the second round to Tony Christodoulou (10-4). No doubt, he will be looking to redeem himself after that loss.
“John Ortolani is one of the most explosive fighters, offensively, in all of New England right now,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “And Jarod Lawton always provides a thrilling submission showcase. This fight on February 8 has all the makings of a real show-stealer.”
NEF MMA’s next event, “NEF XII,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm. Maine State MMA Middleweight Champion Jesse Peterson (7-4) will return to action for the first time in nearly a year. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at http://www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at http://www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at http://www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (“NEF MMA”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF MMA’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF MMA’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
TOLLISON LEWIS SIGNS WITH NEF MMA; WILL REMATCH JESSE ERICKSON IN PRO DEBUT
[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (November 22, 2013) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) today announced the signing of Tollison Lewis (4-9 amateur) to fight long-term in the promotion as a professional. It was further announced that Lewis would make his professional debut in a lightweight matchup against Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (1-2) on February 8, 2014 in Lewiston. The two first met in the NEF MMA amateur ranks in June of 2012, resulting in a victory for Erickson by TKO.
“We are very grateful and fortunate for what NEF has done for the sport of MMA in the state of Maine,” stated Lewis when reached for comment. “We’ve been fighting for them since day one and its very exciting to officially sign with them.”
“Tollison has been with us since the beginning, and he’s provided many exciting moments on our amateur cards,” said NEF MMA co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “So when he told us he was going pro, it just made sense to make him our next signing. He made his amateur debut on our first card, and now he makes his pro debut with us almost two-years later to the day.”
Lewis, who trains out of Nate Charles’ Balanced Ground MMA gym in Windham, Maine, has appeared on nine of the first eleven NEF MMA cards, more than any other competitor on the promotion’s roster. To call him a “regular” would be an understatement. In addition, Lewis has been a part of some of the most interesting storylines in the amateur division, including a rivalry with Andrew Tripp (5-0) early in his career and, more-recently, a three-fight series with Jeremy Tyler (3-1).
“I’m excited to see what Tollison is going to do as a pro,” said NEF MMA co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “A lot of fighters don’t realize their true potential until the shinguards come off and they have an entirely new arsenal of strikes available to them in the pros. Tollison’s a great addition to the NEF MMA pro lightweight division. He’s got a tough task in front of him with Jesse Erickson though.”
At “NEF X” earlier this fall, Lewis scored a highlight-reel, knock-out victory over Matt Denning (2-3) that is expected to be nominated for the “KO of the Year” award. No doubt, Jesse Erickson will be looking for revenge on February 8th when he steps into the cage opposite Lewis. Erickson is Denning’s coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ). Coming off a loss to Ryan Cowette (1-2) in a “Coach vs. Coach” bout at “NEF XI” two weeks ago, Erickson is already champing at the bit to redeem himself in Lewiston, and he can think of no better way than by scoring a win over Lewis given the history between the two.
“Tollison brings a lot of amateur experience to the professional ranks,” said Erickson when reached for comment. “He has taken a lot of difficult fights as an ammy and looks better each time he competes. That being said, we have had our differences. We had some arguments on social media, and I’ve heard little remarks that insinuate that when I beat him as an ammy, it was a bad stoppage. So, I am definitely looking to finish this fight in a way that leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind who won. He always comes in shape and ready to fight and I look forward to meeting him once more in the NEF cage.”
“Well he’s a great guy who I have a lot of respect for,” said Lewis of Erickson. “I have been itching to have this rematch since my ammy loss to him. I felt the stoppage was premature and this time as a pro he’ll really have to finish me to get the stoppage. I’m a completely different fighter that improves with every fight. My head coach and cousin Nate Charles has worked hard implementing new ways to challenge our training. From starting on baseball fields, to getting a building with four other specialty instructors, Balanced Ground will give anyone a tough fight! I promise this fight you will not want to miss! This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for and I will not disappoint! Come out and support your local MMA fighter and NEF February 8th. Thank you.”
NEF MMA’s next event, “NEF XII,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm. Maine State MMA Middleweight Champion Jesse Peterson (7-4) will return to action for the first time in nearly a year. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at http://www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at http://www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at http://www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (“NEF MMA”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF MMA’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF MMA’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
Combat Zone 46 11/22/2013 Review
We arrived at the Rockingham Park in Salem New Hampshire at round 6:45pm. Of course, Warchild needed to buy some lottery tickets since he is an addicted gambler. We entered the fight arena and the place is starting to fill in nicely. So far I have seen Zack Lynch, Peggy Morgan, Jimmy Quinlan, Vovka Clay, John Ortolani and Perry Filkins in the house. I am seated at the media table with my buddy Shawn Flanagan. There are 10 fights scheduled for the evening which include 4 professional fights. John Vena is our host for the evening. The refs are John English and Tony Nevy. The ring girls are looking beautiful in their outfits as you will see in the pics. The national anthem was played by trumpet which was different and awesome. The fights are about to start so follow along.
AM 165lbs Nick Torresi 0-1 (IND) vs Dan Lynch 0-1 (Spero MMA)
Nick rushes in and Dan takes him down. They roll and Dan sinks in the rear naked choke and gets the tap.
Dan Lynch defeats Nick Torresi via tapout to rear naked choke at 19 seconds in Rd 1.
AM 190lbs Kristian Lombari 0-2 (Team Fury) vs Tim Fields 1-0 (Team Link NH)
Tim throws a high kick that is checked. Tim connects with a couple rights that seemed to hurt Kristian. Kristian goes for a takedown and Tim stuffs him and takes his back. He hooks the legs and gets in some big hammerfists to the head to get the stoppage.
Tim Fields defeats Kristian Lombari via tko stoppage to strikes at 1:29 in Rd 1.
AM 140lbs Paulo Alves De Sousa 0-0 (Redhouse MMA) vs Jordan Yantin 0-0 (Untamed MMA)
Jordan starts us off with a head kick. Jordan connects with a right hand that drops Paulo. He is trying to finish him off with some ground and pound but Paulo comes to. Paulo threatens an armbar but Jordan pulls his arm out and they are back to their feet. Blood is coming from Paulo’s nose. Paulo connects with a high kick to the head. They are clinching and Jordan is eating some big knees to the body. Paulo finishes strong with more knees to the body as the round ends.
Real close round but I give the round to Jordan for damage and the knockdown
Rd 2: Paulo connects with a head kick. They clinch and Paulo gets in some knees to the body. They fall to the ground and Paulo has a guillotine attempt. It isn’t deep and Jordan backs off and they are back to their feet. Paulo gets in a inside leg kick. They clinch and Paulo is getting in more knees to the body.
Paulo 10-9
Rd 3: Paulo gets in a few leg kicks. Jordan misses wildly and Paulo gets in an inside leg kick. They fall to the ground and Paulo goes to full mount. Jordan spins and Paulo sinks in a rear naked choke for the tap.
Paulo Alves De Sousa defeats Jordan Yantin via tapout to rear naked choke at 1:24 in Rd 3. Awesome battle by these two fighters in their amateur debut.
AM 185lbs Brad O’Brien 0-0 (Triumph BJJ) vs Jake Kohn 1-0 (CCFA)
The fighters touch gloves. Jake connects with a straight right. Brad connects with an outside leg kick. Jake gets the takedown but gets bucked off and they are back to their feet. Brad connects with a right. Jake rushes in and gets another takedown. Brad works his way up quickly. Brad connects with a kick to the body. Brad rushes in and gets a takedown of his own. Jake sweeps and is on top in full mount as the round ends.
Jake Kohn 10-9
Rd 2: Jake connects with a right and gets the double leg takedown. Jake moves quickly to full mount and is trying to work some ground and pound. He connects with about 5 punches and then gets bucked off. Jake takes his back and is working a rear naked choke. He has a body lock and is trying to get the arm underneath. He sinks it in deep with around 5 seconds left and can’t finish. Wow!!
Jake 10-9
Rd 3: Brad knows he needs to finish. He gets in a combo. Jake gets the double leg takedown. He is trying to posture up and get in some ground and pound. Brad gets the legs up and works an armbar for the tap.
Brad O’Brien defeats Jake Kohn via tapout to armbar at 1:18 in Rd 3. Awesome comeback victory for Triumph MMA!
AM 170lbs Justin Boraczek 1-0 (Spero MMA) vs Nick Alley 1-0 (Team Link)
Justin starts us off with a kick. Justin misses wildly and they clinch and go to the ground. Nick is threatening with a guillotine and is in full mount after he lets go. Justin spins and Nick takes his back. He is trying to soften him up with some ground and pound. Justin gets some space and gets to his feet. Nick takes him down and now has his back. He controls him and gets in some shots to the body before the round ends.
Nick 10-9
Rd 2: They clinch and go to the ground. Nick is on top dominating with some ground and pound to the head and body. The ref stops the fight and deducts a point for shoots to the back of the head. I did see some shots to the head in the first round but I didn’t notice any then. I am not sure if Tony gave Nick any warnings first either. Definitely some controversy in this fight.
Justin Boraczek gets the win by disqualification due to the fact that the ref stopped the fight and deducted a point. Since Justin was unable to continue and it was ruled as an intentional blow to the head it is not a no contest but a disqualification. Not the way either fighter wanted the fight to end but it happens.
AM 130lbs Jack Greene 2-2 (Cagestrikers) vs Jay Perrin 3-1 (Triumph BJJ)
Both fighters are being cautious. Jay gets in a few kicks to the body before they clinch. Jay gets the single leg and gets the finish. Jack is doing a good job defending and they are back to their feet. Jay has his back standing and gets Jack down again trying for a rear naked choke. Again Jack is doing a great job defending. Jay threatens with a head and arm choke as the round ends.
Jay 10-9
Rd 2: Jack gets in some combos to the body before they clinch. Jay is working for a single leg takedown. Jack is defending it well. They break and no clean punches connect. Jay gets a double leg takedown and has Jack’s back and is trying for a rear naked choke. He falls off the back and Jack ends up in guard as the round ends.
Jay 10-9
Rd 3: Jay connects with a right jab. He takes Jack down and is working for a rear naked choke. Jack defends it well and Jay is unable to finish Jack. Jay is working the side as the round ends.
Jay Perrin defeats Jack Greene via unanimous decision 30-27.
PRO 145lbs Pro John Santos 0-1 5-4 (Team Fury) vs Aaron Petrucelli 2-1 (Mass BJJ)
John connects with a flurry of combos that rock Aaron briefly. Aaron is trying for a takedown but is stuffed and also hit with some more shots to the head. John connects with a good elbow and they fall to the ground. John works his way up quickly and Aaron takes his back. John spins out and they break. Aaron catches John in the corner and unload a flurry of body shots. They are swinging away and this round is by far fight of the night.
Real close round but I give the round to John 10-9 due to the number of punches that connected.
Rd 2: John starts us out with a leg kick. John does a jumping knee that connects to the body. Aaron gets in a nice elbow. Aaron goes for a takedown but is stuffed. As Aaron tries to get up John times the knee to the body perfectly. Aaron goes down and John finishes with a shot to the head.
John Santos defeats Aaron Petrucelli via tko stoppage to strikes at 58 seconds in Rd 2. Fight of the night so far!!
PRO 180lbs Ray Shawdee 3-2 (Iron House) Vs Eddie Brito 3-4 (Team Fury)
Ray connects with a few jabs. Eddie is clinching Ray up against the cage and gets in a few knees to the body. Ray reverses and gets a clean knee to the head and follows it up with a barrage of strikes. They break and Ray connects with a knee to the head. Eddie desperately goes for the takedown and gets it. Ray works an armbar and Eddie screams so the ref stops the fight as a verbal tap. Eddie is complaining and very fired up. He is still fired up and walks out of the cage. Very disrespectful in my eyes.
Ray Shawdee defeats Eddie Brito via verbal submission to armbar at 2:28 seconds in Rd 1. The fighters are warned in the locker rooms that a scream is a verbal tap and that is what happened.
PRO 140lb Rodrigo Almeida 11-2 (CNBJJ) vs Walel Watson 11-6 (Team Hurricane Awesome)
There is a slight delay during this fight. They had to cut the tape off of Rodrigo’s feet before the fight to start. Walel gets an inside leg kick and Rodrigo counters with a jab. Rodrigo goes for a takedown but is stuffed. They are clinching up against the cage and Rodrigo gets the takedown. Rodrigo is in guard. Walel gets some space and works an armbar. Rodrigo picks him up and slams his way out of it. He makes him pay with a shot to the head. Walel is warned by the ref for elbows to the back of the head. Not much action and finally Walel works his way back up. Walel is clinching Rodrigo up against the cage as the round ends.
Rodrigo 10-9
Rd 2: Walel starts us off with a jab. Both fighters miss wildly. Walel connects with a straight right. Walel has a good exchange. Walel is clinching Rodrigo up against the cage. Walel gets the takedown and is working elbows to the side. Walel is in half guard. Walel is working a choke but Rodrigo recognizes. He picks Walel up and slams him down. Rodrigo is in guard and is trying to get in some ground and pound. Rodrigo gets bucked off and hit with an upkick as the round ends.
Real close round but I think Walel controlled the fight longer in that round 10-9
Rd 3: Walel connect with a shot to the head and Rodrigo takes him down. Rodrigo is hit with an upkick while down and Walel is warned. Rodrigo is right back in guard. Walel is working some elbows from the bottom. Not much action and the ref stands them up. Rodrigo is working a single leg and switches to a double leg and gets the slam. Walel jumps and is fighting for a guillotine as the round ends.
Rodrigo 10-9
Rodrigo Almeida defeats Walel Watson via uananimous decision.
PRO 170lb Nate Lamotte 12-6 (Team Burgess) vs Jason Norwood 12-3 (Legionnaire Fight Team)
Nate 10-9
Rd 2: Nate fires up a head kick. Nate goes for a teakedown but is stuffed. Nate gets the next takedown and is now in half guard. Jason works his way up and gets a single leg of his own. He is now working the guard. Jason is getting in some ground and pound and opens up a cut. The ref stops the fight to check the cut. It is to the left of the nose near the eye. Fight resumes. Nate is trying to get to his feet and blood is making the mat slippery. Jason is controlling the fight and getting in many shots to body and head.
Jason 10-9
Rd 3: Rick the cutman is taking care of Nate and will fix him up nicely. They are swinging away and Jason’s finger slips through the glove. Nate fights for a takedown but Jason stuffs him then gets a slamming takedown of his own. Jason is working the side and the cut is open again. Nate is trying to get to his feet and the crowd is erupting. Jason pushes him back down and controls the rest of the round.
Jason 10-9
Jason Norwood defeats Nate Lamotte via split decision. Wow not sure how that one was scored for Nate but maybe a GSP judge was here.
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Nate Lamotte vs Jason Norwood…blood and awesome battle.
KO/TKO OF THE NIGHT: John Santos over Aaron Petrucelli…epic fight.
SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT: Brad O’Brien with the comeback armbar submission.
This was my second Combat Zone show attending and once again I was impressed by the quality of the show. The show runs on time and smooth. They are also providing the fans with well matched fights and the fans responded. The room was packed to the max with about 1300 fans that night. This show they used John Vena instead of the raspy voice guy Scorch which in my opinion was an upgrade. The ring girls looked gorgeous as ever, right Warchild? At the beginning of the show they honored a man who was wounded at the Boston Marathon and he got a standing ovation for about 3 minutes. Very awesome. Calvin and the Kattars seemed much more relaxed this show. Ryan Fennelly helped out tremendously with the match making on this one and it sounds to me like he should be added to the Combat Zone team immediately. The sound in the venue is excellent and as always the DJ did a great job. Combat Zone returns January 31st 2014 for Combat Zone 47 and also they have been using their facebook fanpage often to get the news out so make sure you follow them here. All of our photos will be uploaded to our fanpage so click the fb button below.
BOYINGTON, RAIO SET TO ROCK LEWISTON AT NEF XII
[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (November 21, 2013) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) today announced the addition of a professional featherweight contest to the fight promotion’s “NEF XII” event scheduled to take place on February 8, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. That bout will feature the promotion’s two most popular fighters, John “First Class” Raio (1-4) and Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (4-5), squaring off inside the MMA cage.
“John Raio and Bruce Boyington are the most popular fighters in Maine,” said NEF MMA co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “The walls of the Colisee shake from the crowd noise any time either of these guys fight. On February 8th, there will be thousands of fans screaming their heads off during this fight. Bring your ear plugs, it’s going to be loud!”
It comes as no surprise that scores of fans turn out every time either Boyington or Raio fights in the NEF MMA cage. In addition to both athletes being popular outside the cage, each has produced some of the most memorable moments inside the cage in Maine fight history. In June 2012, Boyington knocked out Keegan Hornstra (1-7) with a taekwondo spinning hook kick in Lewiston that set the house, and the internet, ablaze. The video of that fight went viral almost immediately, and it has garnered hundreds of thousands of views worldwide to date. Earlier this month, Boyington took down Josh Parker (4-8) in a special “Grudge Match” that had Maine fans on the edge of their collective seat.
“I like this fight with John,” said Boyington when reached for comment. “I have never felt more confident on implementing my game plan. With that said, I feel bad handing a good man a loss. I like him. I like his fans and all John has done to help MMA grow in Maine. Thank you to all you mailman fans. Don’t boo me too much!”
Raio, a Maine State high school wrestling champion in 1995, has had his own memorable moments in the MMA cage. His double-pro-debut bout against current Maine State MMA Featherweight Champion Ray Wood (4-0) was one of the wildest and most action-packed to take place in NEF MMA. This past spring, Raio took Vince Murdock (2-1) deep into the third round at Bellator 93 at the Colisee before succumbing to a TKO loss. Raio got his first pro victory over Asa Zorn (0-4) earlier this fall in under 30-seconds to a massive roar from his fan base in Lewiston.
“I am excited for this opportunity to compete against Bruce, one of the most exciting standup fighters in the northeast US, from one of the top fight teams in all of New England,” stated Raio. “He has a highlight reel KO under his belt and he always comes ready for battle. I have nothing but respect for him and Young’s MMA.”
“This is your classic striker versus wrestler matchup,” declared NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “This is the fight that the Maine fans want to see, and this is the fight that NEF MMA is going to give them on February 8.”
NEF MMA’s next event, “NEF XII,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm. Maine State MMA Middleweight Champion Jesse Peterson (7-4) will return to action for the first time in nearly a year. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at http://www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at http://www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at http://www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
WesternMassMMA.com 