Combat Zone 47 1/31/2014 Review

We made it in time even though Warchild was half hour late to pick me up.  He said he was busy walking around town trying to get people to sign the petition to get Justin Beiber deported.  We quickly made it in to find our seat.  I like how Combat Zone opens the doors two hours before the event to give people plenty of time to find their seat and get some ice cold beverages.  I am sitting next to my buddy Shawn Flanagan who is judging tonight.  Suckerpunch is here selling their awesome merchandise.  Combat Zone is having 9 amateur fights for the night which is a perfect number if you ask me.  Julie Fisher did a great job singing the national anthem.  Kevin MacDonald and John English are our refs for the evening.  Michael Strazzere, Dan Bonnell, Rodrigo Almeida, Doomsday, Big John, Buck Pineau, Bill Jones, Perry Filkins, Vovka Clay, John Fain, Orto and Tom Evans are in the house!  New NH rules are in effect tonight.  No shin guards and now elbows to the body are allowed for amateurs.  Ring girls are looking good of course. The place is packed and the show is about to begin..

170lbs   Jimmy Munoz 0-0 (Munuz Dojo) vs. Marty Sheehan 0-0 (CNBJJ)

Mart starts us off with a jab.  Marty gets the takedown but is caught in a guillotine.  Jimmy throws his legs up and gets back up to his feet.  Very nice job.  Marty gets another takedown via trip.  He passes to full mount and then takes the back.  He is sinking in the rear naked choke but can’t get the tap.  Marty pulls guard with a guillotine as the round ends.

Marty 10-9

Rd 2:  Jimmy gets in a kick.  Marty gets the takedown but Jimmy ends up on full mount.  He is getting in some hammerfists.  The ref has seen enough.  Too many unanswered strikes.

Jimmy Munoz defeats Marty Sheehan via tko to strikes at 1:07 in Rd 2.

150lbs   David Sousa 1-2 (CNBJJ/Intenze MMA) vs Danny Abad 0-2 (CNYMMA)

David gets in a good body kick.  Danny is trying for a takedown up against the cage.  Danny ends up getting the takedown.  David is threatening with a triangle.  Danny eventually gets out with 40 seconds left in the round.  He takes the back and gets in some punches to the head.

Danny 10-9…real close

Rd 2:  They come out full force.  Danny takes his back standing and takes David down.  He softens up with some fists to the head.  David gets up to one knee and slams David on his back.  Danny sinks in the rear naked choke for the tap.   What a good fight!!

Danny Abad defeats David Sousa via tapout to rear naked choke at 1:25 in Rd 2.

145lbs   Paulo Alves De Sousa 1-0 (BMAC) vs Ivan Sanchez 1-3 (Intenze MMA)

Paulo gets in an outside leg kick.  Ivan tries for a double leg takedown but Paulo defends nicely.  They clinch and Paulo gets in a knee to the body.  Both fighters get in a pair of leg kicks.  Paulo gets in a high kick that rocks Ivan.  He is stumbling back and is hurt.  Paulo gets in a few more strikes and finishes him off.

Paulo Alves De Sousa defeats Ivan Sanchez via tko strikes at 2:41 in Rd 1.

185lbs   Andrew Cutter 0-1 (Kaos) vs Brad O’Brien 0-0 (Triumph MMA)

They are going at it right from the start!!  Andrew looks like he has a small cut.  Both fighters are getting in their jabs.  Andrew gets rocked and goes down.  Brad is trying to finish him off with ground and pound.  Andrew tries for an armbar but it looks too far down on the arm.  Brad finishes him off with some ground and pound.  Awesome fight!!

Brad O’Brien defeats Andrew Cutter via tko to strikes at 2:36 in Rd 1.  Gotta give Andrew Cutter credit for taking this fight on one days notice.  Awesome battle.

170lbs   Corey Bowehall 1-1 (CNYMMA) vs Dave Spero 3-2 (Spero MMA)

Corey gets a head kick that rocks Dave Spero.  Corey tries to finish with the hardest hammerfirsts I have seen of the night.  Dave is trying to defend but the ref stops the fight for shots to the back of the head.  The fight is ruled a disqualification.

Corey Bowehall is disqualified due to strikes being ruled intentional to the back of the head.  In return Dave Spero gets the win.  My thoughts are this.  Dave was rocked.  If the ref stopped the fight earlier as Dave went down I don’t think anyone would question it.  There were some strikes to the back of the head for sure that you can see in the replay.  However I would have ruled it unintentional and had the fight a no contest but it is up to the ref.

140lbs   Jake Pilla 1-0 (Wai Kru) vs Jordan Yantin 0-1 (Untamed MMA)

Jordan misses with a kick and Jake picks him up and slams him down.  Jake finishes him off with some heavy ground and pound.

Jake Pilla defeats Jordan Yantin via tko to strikes in 30 seconds at Rd 2.

130lbs   Ken Murphy 5-0 (Team Link Hooksett) vs Jay Perrin 4-1 (Triumph MMA)

Jay gets in a leg kick.  Jay clinches Ken up against the cage.  Ken tries for the reverse but Jay slams him back up against the cage.  Jay almost gets the single leg but Ken does some excellent takedown defense.  Jay gets in a good combo.  Ken gets in a combo.  Jay clinches Ken up against the cage.  Ken gets in a knee to the body.  Jay rocks Ken with a head kick and drops Ken.  Jay tries to finish but runs out of time.  Ken stands up to go to his corner all wobbly.

Jay 10-9

Rd 2:  Ken gets in a leg kick.  Ken gets in a jab.  Jay gets in a combo to the head.  Jay gets in another combo.  Ken gets in a leg kick.  This fight is awesome.  Ken gets a takedown but Jay gets right back up.  Jay gets a leg kick in.  Ken counters with a right hand.  Kenny dives for a takedown and Jay stuffs it and makes him pay with an uppercut.

Real close round.  Ken 10-9 due to the takedown and strikes were pretty even.

Rd 3:  Jay starts us off with a leg kick.  Ken gets the takedown but Jay rolls out and gets right back to his feet.  Jay backs Ken up into the corner and gets in a good body shot.  Ken gets in a jab.  Ken gets in another right hook.  Ken gets the quick takedown but Jay again is right back to his feet.  Jay is bleeding from the top of his head.  Jay dives for a takedown but is stuffed and Ken gets in a knee.  He is still fighting for the takedown.  As Ken was breaking he gets hit with a knee to the head.  Totally not intentional.  I believe there is only 20 seconds left in the fight.  They go right back swinging for the fences until the round ends.

Ken 10-9 but again real close

Jay Perrin defeats Ken Murphy via split decision. 30-27 Perrin, 29-28 Murphy 29-28 Perrin.  Not the way I had it but like I stated above they were real close rounds.  Hats off to both of these fighters for taking this tough, tough fight.

210lbs   Xavier Vargas 3-2 (Spero MMA) vs Javier Velasquez 3-0 (Connors MMA)

Both fighters get in their kicks.  Javier is working for a takedown.  Xav gets in a good knee to the body and they break.  They clinch and are both working their punches to the body.  Xav pulls Javier down but Jav ends up on top of him.  He bucks him off and is trying to get to his feet.  They work their way up as the round ends.

Javier 10-9

Rd 2:  Javier does a jumping knee and they clinch.  Xav gets in a guillotine and pulls guard.  He is trying hard to finish but can’t get the finish.  Xavier is working his way up the cage.  Javier gets in a knee to the body.  Javier is fighting for a takedown but can’t finish as the round ends.

Javier 10-9 but real close.

Rd 3:  They clinch up against the cage and are both working their knees.  Xav gets the reverse briefly and is getting in some strikes to the body.  Javier gets the takedown and and is working the side.  Xav uses the cage and gets back to his feet.  Javy gets hit in the cup and takes a few minutes.  Fight resume and Javy goes in for the takedown but can’t finish as the round ends.

Javier 10-9

Javier Velasquez defeats Xavier Vargas via split decision, 29-28 Vargas, 29-28 Velasquez, 30-27 Velasquez.  Another closely judged fight on the evening and that makes the second split decision of the night.

170lbs   Andrew Tripp 5-0 (Team Irish) vs Paul Gaffney 3-0 (Team Link Hooksett)

They clinch and they fall to the ground.  Paul is trying to make him pay with hammerfists.  Andrew has Paul’s leg and is working for a leg lock but can’t get it.  Andrew gets the takedown and is working the side and getting in some hammerfists.  Andrew is threatening with a armbar but Paul steps over and is now on top to the side.

Andrew 10-9

Rd 2:  Andrew gets in a head kick.  Paul gets in a jab.  Andrew dives for the takedown and gets it.  He is now in Paul’s guard.  Paul has the heel and is going for the heel hook.  Andrew gets out and goes back to guard.  They are back to their feet.  Andrew looks tired and Paul finishes off the round strong with some good punches to the head.

Andrew 10-9 but real close.

Rd 3:  Andrew gets in a straight right.  Paul gets in a right hook.  Andrew gets the single leg takedown.  Andrew moves to the side and then to full mount.  He hooks the legs and has the back.  Andrew is trying hard for the finish.  Paul spins and is almost out as the round ends.  Wow what a fight!!

Andrew 10-9

Andrew Tripp defeats Paul Gaffney via unanimous decision 29-28.  That was an intense battle!!

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT:  Jay Perrin vs. Ken Murphy…awesome close battle.
SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT:  Danny Abad Rear naked choke victory!
KO/TKO OF THE NIGHT: Paulo Alves De Sousa tko victory!
BLUNDER OF THE NIGHT: Everything went smooth.

The event was as good as I was expecting coming in.  There were 3 decision fights in which two of them were split.  The rest of the fights were all finished and in a big fashion.  Not to mention these were all amateur fights!  Combat Zone has been cruising along and once again it was a sold out event.  Their next show is scheduled for April 4th and that will be their 48th event.  Thanks to Combat Zone crew for their support and allowing us to cover the show.  We always have a blast and it is a pretty smooth drive for us there and back.  Thanks to Warchild for taking the photos for us.  All of our photos will be uploaded to our facebook fanpage so make sure you support us and throw us the like!

UFC 169: Barao vs. Faber

February 1, 2014 | Prudential Center | Newark, New Jersey

MAIN CARD

Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET

Renan Barao vs. Urijah Faber 

for bantamweight title

Jose Aldo vs. Ricardo Lamas 

for featherweight title

Frank Mir vs. Alistair Overeem

Ali Bagautinov vs. John Lineker

Abel Trujillo vs. Jamie Varner

PRELIMINARY CARD

FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET

John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick

Chris Cariaso vs. Danny Martinez

Nick Catone vs. Tom Watson

Al Iaquinta vs. Kevin Lee

PRELIMINARY CARD

UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 p.m. ET

Andy Enz vs. Clint Hester

Rashid Magomedov vs. Tony Martin

Neil Magny vs. Gasan Umalatov

IS BRUCE BOYINGTON OVERLOOKING JOHN RAIO?

[NEF Press Release]

Lewiston, Maine (January 30, 2014) – When New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston on February 8, it will feature a bout between popular featherweight professional fighters Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (5-6) and John “First Class” Raio (1-4).  Boyington and Raio are known for having two of the largest, most-passionate fan followings in the northeast.

“It’s hard not to be a fan of Bruce and John,” said NEF MMA co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “Besides putting on some of the most exciting fights and memorable moments in the NEF cage, both are great guys and family men who have raised wonderful kids.  There are a lot of fans who are going to have a tough time choosing sides next week.”

Recently, Boyington took to Facebook to call out Rhode Island featherweight Joe Pingitore (4-0-1).  The Boyington-Pingitore feud started months ago when Boyington’s teammate, Maine State MMA Featherweight Champion Ray Wood (4-0), signed to face Pingitore at “NEF X” in September 2013.  The bout was called off after Wood was injured, but during the pre-fight hype things got quite heated between Boyington and Pingitore.  The two exchanged Facebook messages publicly, leading many fans to speculate that they would one day see the two athletes meet in the NEF MMA cage.  Boyington re-ignited that rivalry on January 27 with another post directed at NEF MMA executives:

“I’m wondering when I am worthy of fighting Joe Pingitore?”

Innocent at first glance, the question sparked some debate amongst fans over whether Boyington was overlooking his upcoming bout at “NEF XII” with John Raio which was, at the time, only a week-and-a-half away.  Raio, despite what his record might indicate, is a dangerous opponent for anyone.  The 36-year old former Maine high school wrestling champion’s losses have all come to tough competitors, some over a decade his junior, taking Vince Murdock (2-1) deep into the third round in Bellator last spring, and even pushing Ray Wood into a second round.  There was also some speculation over whether Boyington intended to disrespect Raio by overlooking their upcoming fight to focus on a potential future bout with Pingitore.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” responded Boyington when reached for comment.  “I have all the respect in the world for John Raio and what he’s done in this sport.  I’m taking this bout very seriously.  I’m training harder than ever before, and I feel better than ever before.  That being said, I haven’t forgotten about Joe Pingitore and that little dispute we had last summer.  It’s still in the back of my mind, and I wanted to make it clear to him that I haven’t forgot about him.  Winning three of my last four, I can’t help but think about the future.  I want gold around my waist.  I want one of those Maine state titles, and I’m not going to rest until I get it!  If I have to go through John Raio and then Joe Pingitore to get it, then so be it.”

“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.  In the main event, Maine MMA legend Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-10) faces his former student “THE” Ryan Sanders (5-4) in a much-anticipated welterweight contest.  In addition, Maine State MMA Middleweight Champion Jesse Peterson (7-4) will return to action for the first time in nearly a year to defend his title against “Ruthless” Mike Zichelle (6-3).  Tickets for “NEF XII” 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.”

Warrior Nation XFA VIII Promo – 2/21/14 – Boxborough, MA

Hot off the press!  Does anyone say that anymore?  Warrior Nation just posted a cool promo video for their upcoming show at Boxborough MA.  Check it out!

Premier FC Announces Fight Card For April 5th, 2014 Chez Jozef MMA Event

Premier FC is back with their 15th installment on April 5th, 2014.  This one will be held in Agawam Massachusetts at the beautiful Chez Josef.  Karyn Wesch has put together a fight card and they just posted it up on their website.  It is an early card and there are still some holes left in the card so if you are interested on getting on it contact Karyn Wesch by visiting here.  Tickets are now on sale and start at just $20 for standing room.  You can get them by contacting a fighter or by visiting here on their website.    The fight card contains many of Premier FC’s returning fighters including Jeremy Reipold, Carlos Candelario, Myles Reid, Ray Johns and Sarah Payant, just to name a few.  Check it out after the jump and keep checking WesternMassMMA.com as we will share more with you as the date approaches.

MAIN CARD

TITLE

Jesse Mieli vs TBA 145lb

Andrew Chirco vs Macho Conde 170lb

Nestor Xicohtencatl vs TBA 145lb

Undercard

Tim Flores vs Nate Mancinone 125lb

Jermey Reipold vs Dashawn Roberson 135lb

Shaun Gilday vs Thadius Tower 135lb

Ray Johns vs Camber Bohlen 170lb

Rob Knox vs Chris Suarez 135lb

Justin Lyon vs Matt Bergen 115lb

Carlos Candelario vs Charlie Havens 135lb

Myles Reid vs Anthony Benevides 170lb

Aslan Otchiyev vs Josh Hilditch 145lb

Alex Salvador vs Mike Mangan 155lb

Sarah Payant vs TBA 125lb

Mike Baker vs TBA Suprhvy

Mike Velasquez vs TBA 125lb

WNXFA Fight Video: Mikey Sweet vs. John LaMontagne

This 170 lb amateur bout featured a debut fight for Mikey Sweet out of Team Link, Northampton under primary instruction from former UFC Welterweight, Jon “Super” Manley. Sweet was matched with Army Vet, John LaMontagne, who came in as a late add to the card after the original opponent dropped.  I believe this is the first fighter coming out of Team Link Northampton so history was made that night at WNXFA.  

Combat Zone 47 1/31/2014 Teaser

On the last day of January, Combat Zone returns with their 47th show.  This one is held in Salem New Hampshire once again at the Rockingham Park.  Hard to believe that in just 3 more shows they will have 50 total shows under their belts.  The doors open at 6:30pm and I would guess the fights start around 7:30pm this Friday.  Get your tickets quickly because last show sold out and this one might too.  Get your tickets by visiting here starting at just $40 for general admission.  This show features 9 fights that are all amateur and they have some excellent match ups on here.  Amateurs put on damn good shows and I see nothing wrong with promotions doing an all amateur show now and again.  Let me break down the card for you all…

145lbs   Paulo Alves De Sousa 1-0 (BMAC) vs Ivan Sanchez 1-3 (Intenze MMA)

The first fight is between Paulo Alves De Sousa and Ivan Sanchez at 145lbs.  Paulo is from BMAC and has a record of 1-0.  He fought at the last Combat Zone show and won by submission in round 3 against Jordan Yantin.  His opponent Ivan is from Intenze MMA and comes into this fight with a 1-3 record.  He started off his career with an 0-3 record by losing two submissions and one by decision.  He bounced back with a submission win over Danny Klemarczyk and will be looking to improve to .500.  This should be a good battle to start the night with both fighters being from solid schools.

185lbs   Kristian Lombari 0-3 (Team Fury) vs Brad O’Brien 1-0 (Triumph MMA)

Next Kristian Lombar fights Brad O’Brien at 185lbs.  Kristian is from Team Fury and has an 0-3 record.  He lost two by submission and one by tko stoppage all in the first round.  He is still hungry for his first amateur victory.  Brad is from Triumph MMA and will be entering this fight with a 1-0 record.  He won his first battle at the last CZ show by submitting Jacob Kohn with an armbar in Rd 3.  Kristian has his work cut out for him in this fight as Triumph has been on  a tear!

150lbs   David Sousa 1-2 (CNBJJ/Intenze MMA) vs Danny Abad 0-2 (CNYMMA)

Then at 150lbs David Sousa takes on Danny Abad.  David is from CNBJJ and Intenze MMA and has a 1-2 record.  His one win came by ko/tko stoppage over Justin Clough.  He has lost one decision and one fight by armbar.  His opponent Danny is from CNYMMA and has an 0-2 record.  Both of his losses were decisions and one of them was split.  Don’t let his record fool you, I saw his first loss against Chris Violette and even though he lost it was a very good battle.  I think this fight might very well just go to decision once again for Danny.

170lbs   Corey Bowehall 1-1 (CNYMMA) vs Dave Spero 3-2 (Spero MMA)

Corey Bowhall battles it out with Dave Spero at 170lbs.  Corey has a 1-1 record and is from CNY MMA.  He has one one fight by submission and lost one fight by submission so far in his amateur career.  His opponent Dave is head coach at Spero MMA and comes into this fight with a 3-2 record.  He has won one battle by submission, one by ko/tko and one by decision.  For his losses he lost them by decision so as you can see he is a tough guy to finish!  His last battle was intense for Coliseum to the Cage when he battled Eric Tseronis and was down in the rounds and in Rd 3 pulled out a submission victory.  No doubt he will try to finish this one as well and not let it go to a decision.  I see this one being a fast paced battle on the ground.

140lbs   Jake Pilla 1-0 (Wai Kru) vs Jordan Yantin 0-1 (Untamed MMA)

Then Jake Pilla will fight Jordan Yantin at a catch weight of 140lbs.  Jake is from Wai Kru and has a 1-0 record.  Jake won a very quick submission over Nick Toressi  and of course will be looking for another quick finish in this fight.  Jordan is from Untamed MMA and has an 0-1 record.  He lost his only fight in the 3rd round against Paulo Alves DeSousa by submission.  This should be a good battle and I think it will be settled on the ground.

**170lbs   Nick Alley 1-1 (Team Link Hooksett) vs Shane Mulligan 2-0 (CCFA)** Cancelled

This fight I believe is off the card.  Shane unfortunately suffered an injury earlier this week so we shall see if CZ can get Nick Alley an opponent in time.


210lbs   Xavier Vargas 3-2 (Spero MMA) vs Javier Velasquez 3-0 (Connors MMA)

At 210lbs Xavier Vargas will fight Javier Velasquez.  Xavier trains with Spero MMA and has a 3-2 record.  He has all 3 wins by way of the fist including one of them being a submission to strikes.  He lost one fight by decision and the other one by tko stoppage to strikes.  Javier is from Connor’s MMA and has a perfect 3-0 record.  He has two wins by decision and one by ko/tko to strikes.  He has fought some real tough battles that I have seen.  This fight is going to a war for sure and I don’t see it going to decision with both of these heavy hitters in the cage.

205lbs   Jesse Baughman 4-0 (Team Link North) vs Dan Burke 3-1 (Team Burgess)

Next up Jesse Baughman takes on Dan Burke at 205lbs.  Jesse is from Team Link North and has a 4-0 record.  He has all four wins by tko/ko from strikes.  Jesse is also ranked #1 in his division as an amateur.  Dan is from Team Burgess and has a 3-1 record.  He He has won one fight by submission, one by ko/tko and one by decision.  His only loss came by a submission to Mike Rodriguez.  As you can see by the breakdown this one is a real close match up which in return should make for an action packed fight.

130lbs   Ken Murphy 5-0 (Team Link Hooksett) vs Jay Perrin 4-1 (Triumph MMA)

Ken Murphy will be taking on Jay Perrin at 130lbs.  Ken is undefeated at 5-0 and trains with Team Link Hooksett.  Ken is #1 ranked 125er according to the rankings at RegionalFightSports.org .  He has won all 5 of his fights by decision and he also has a draw on his amateur record.  He is definitely worthy of being ranked #1.  His opponent Jay is from Triumph MMA and has a 4-1 record.  Jay lost his first fight by decision but then bounced back with four straight wins.  3 out of the 4 wins came by way of decision.  Jay is the #1 ranked #135lb fighter.  Both of them want this fight so bad and it should be a fight of the night contender for sure.  I see this one coming down to a decision and its going to be a close one.

170lbs   Andrew Tripp 5-0 (Team Irish) vs Paul Gaffney 3-0 (Team Link Hooksett)

In the main event Andrew Tripp takes on Paul Gaffney in a huge 170lb showdown.  Andrew is from Team Irish and has a 5-0 record.  Four of his five wins came via submission.  Paul is ranked #1 in his division and is also undefeated at 3-0.  He trains out of Team Link Hooksett.  He has two tko stoppages to strikes and one decision.  Both fighters have wins over a common opponent Tollison Lewis.  As they say someone 0 has got to go!  This is definitely a fight of the night contender and very well could be fight of the year nominee.  It is a classic match up between ground guy vs. striker.  I can’t wait to find out the result and these guys clash this Friday!

As you all read Combat Zone has a solid card and it is all happening this Friday at the Rockingham Park.  Warchild and I will be making the trip north and we suggest you all do too.  The Kattars bought Combat Zone and continued what the CZ fans enjoy and that is awesome mma match ups.  Ryan Fennelly did the match making on this one and he did an excellent job.  What fight are you all looking forward to see??

Fan Reactions From Cage Titans 1/25/2014

Time for another edition of Fan Reactions.  This one comes from the Cage Titans event from last Saturday.  We love fan comments, keep ’em coming fight fans!

First one comes from Nick Mahoney who had lots of fans at Cage Titans but unfortunately his opponent hurt his neck warming up before the fight.  Here is what Nick had to say…

YuShun had this to say after his awesome battle with Tim Flores.  One of my favorite fights of the night.  You did a great job YuShun!  You will be back!

Carlos Correia was very excited after he won his amateur debut.  He fought a tough fighter from Lauzon mma in his debut.

Chris Suarez battled it out with Marc Novaco and Marc fought two rounds with a swollen eye.  Not sure how you could see out of buddy but awesome job!  Much respect to both of these fighters.

Battle At The Sun At Mohegan Sun February 15th, 2014

There is a new event happening at Mohegan Sun at the Uncas Ballroom on February 15th,  2014.  The doors open at 6pm and the fights start at 7pm.  Pete Rogers has told me that it will consist of fighters from as from “as far as Arizona ,Florida,New York , New Jersey ,Maine, Mass ,RI, Ct Head liners for this show will be Tyler King vs Eric Bedard  a much talked about Rematch ,Dan Cormier vs Ernesto Ornelas,Jose Rivera vs Brock Hillabrand.”  Click on the poster above for more information and as soon as we see the fight card shared with us we will post it.  For more info click on their website here.

WAR OF WORDS ERUPTS ON FACEBOOK: DISRESPECTFUL OR ALL IN GOOD FUN?

[NEF Press Release]

Lewiston, Maine (January 27, 2014) – When New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston on February 8, one of the fight promotion’s feature bouts on that evening’s card will be a professional lightweight contest between Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (1-2) and Tollison Lewis (0-0).  This will not be the first time the two have met in the NEF MMA cage in Lewiston.  The pair squared off as amateurs at NEF III in June 2012.  Erickson was victorious that night, defeating Lewis via technical knockout (TKO) when the referee stepped in to stop a barrage of unanswered strikes from Erickson.  Lewis felt that the stoppage was early.  Nevertheless, the rivalry will finally be settled and all questions answered on February 8th when Tollison makes his professional debut against Erickson.

On January 11, the feud between the two lightweights heated up when Lewis took to his Facebook account with a little rhyme he had prepared for his opponent:

“As I’m walking to the ring, there stands Jesse the Viking…my eyes try to make contact. But his nowhere to be found….because the Viking knows if he stand he’ll hit the ground, the bell ring and he tries to push forward thinking why can’t this punishment just be over hit him with a jab hit him with a right he’s showing he can’t handle this fight.. (Referee) Steve Rita’s growing weary ready to step in but he’s just too late and the Vikings met his end…”

Mere moments later, Erickson shared Lewis’s status with a cryptic reply, simply stating:

“I have no words for this… I’ll do my talking in the cage…”

Erickson, a popular coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a native of Auburn, Maine, might have had few words for Lewis, but his fans and teammates were quick to give Lewis an earful.  Soon, there was a legion of Erickson supporters posting comments under his status, voicing their displeasure for what they saw as Lewis’s disrespect of “The Viking.”  Tollison’s coach Nate Charles, owner of Balanced Ground MMA in Windham, Maine, was quick to come to his student’s defense:

“C’mon it’s all fun! You all know Balanced Ground has always had great sportsmanship and always will. The pre-fight gamesmanship is part of our sport, nothing personal. We all want as many people possible at this event and this post and all the reactions to it will definitely help Jesse and Tollison sell more tickets.”

Cooler heads may have prevailed for the moment, but there is no love lost between Erickson and Lewis.  The two-year rivalry will finally come to a head when they take to the cage at “NEF XII” on February 8.

“This isn’t the first time he has disrespected me,” said Erickson when reached for comment earlier today.  “He actually tried giving me advice after my loss to (Jon) Lemke for Bellator.  Who does that?  Who in their right mind messages someone who beat them in 90 seconds and gives them advice on how to fight the day after a loss?  This might all be fun and games and poetry to him but I am a professional and I have a job to do.  I’ll see you at weigh-ins Tollison.”

“We know we’re in a challenging fight,” stated Lewis’s coach Nate Charles, choosing to focus on the fight itself rather than the drama surrounding it.  “Jesse and Tollison are similar because they both never take easy fights.  That being said, we are very confident in this fight.  I think Tollison turning pro was the best thing we could have done for him at this point in his career.  This camp has been his best ever!  His motivation is unbelievable!  With elbow and knee strikes now added to his arsenal he’s a very scary individual!  With respect, I don’t think Jesse has faced the complete striker Tollison has become now.  So it will be a very intriguing fight.  Jesse’s superb Jiu-Jitsu versus the lights out striking of Tollison.  February 8th can’t come soon enough.  Come support Balanced Ground MMA and CMBJJ.  Don’t blink on this fight!  Thanks NEF for the continued support.”

“Look, whether you agree with the trash talk or not, you have to admit that it makes the fight all that much more interesting and fun for the fans,” NEF MMA co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo weighed-in on the matter.  “Jesse and Tollison are two of NEF’s perennial athletes.  They’re two guys that the public associates with our brand, and I think a lot of people have wanted to see this rematch for quite a while.  The time for talk will be over on February 8 and they will settle this in the cage once and for all that night in Lewiston before a crowd of thousands!”

 “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.  In the main event, Maine MMA legend Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-10) faces his former student “THE” Ryan Sanders (5-4) in a much-anticipated welterweight contest.  In addition, Maine State MMA Middleweight Champion Jesse Peterson (7-4) will return to action for the first time in nearly a year to defend his title against “Ruthless” Mike Zichelle (6-3).  Tickets for “NEF XII” 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.”