Pineau Perseveres; Cofone Crashes Kramer; Young’s MMA Goes 3-0
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (August 8, 2013) The second leg of New England Fights' (NEF) “Summer Vacationland Fight Tour” is now in the books. NEF’s ninth overall event, "NEF IX", and first-ever all-amateur offering went down successfully last Saturday in Biddeford, Maine. The 13-fight show featured a legendary main event between number-one ranked Buck "Knuckles" Pineau (7-2) and Isaiah Queen (2-2) in an epic middleweight battle of attrition that many in attendance are hailing as the "Fight of the Year."
"Buck 'Knuckles' and Isaiah Queen clashed in one of the most awe-inspiring and heroic performances that I've ever witnessed live," stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. "The screams from the audience during their fight were deafening. The whole building was shaking. Everyone there knew that they were witnessing something special."
Early in the first round of the main event melee, Pineau dropped to the canvas in agony due to what was later diagnosed as torn ligaments. Queen, confused, looked to the referee for guidance. Pineau stated frantically that he wanted to continue so the two fighters reengaged and Queen closed out the round in dominating fashion. Pineau had to be assisted back to his corner and many felt that it was all but guaranteed that the referee would waive off the bout due to Buck being unable to continue. However, miraculously, Pineau pressed on and the bell to begin the second round sounded.
"Buck 'Knuckles' and Isaiah Queen clashed in one of the most awe-inspiring and heroic performances that I've ever witnessed live," stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. "The screams from the audience during their fight were deafening. The whole building was shaking. Everyone there knew that they were witnessing something special."
Early in the first round of the main event melee, Pineau dropped to the canvas in agony due to what was later diagnosed as torn ligaments. Queen, confused, looked to the referee for guidance. Pineau stated frantically that he wanted to continue so the two fighters reengaged and Queen closed out the round in dominating fashion. Pineau had to be assisted back to his corner and many felt that it was all but guaranteed that the referee would waive off the bout due to Buck being unable to continue. However, miraculously, Pineau pressed on and the bell to begin the second round sounded.
The next two rounds went the combined six minutes with remarkable back and forth action and tremendous heart shown by both fighters. In the end, battered and exhausted, Pineau received the unanimous judge’s decision on the scorecards and the crowd erupted in thunderous approval of applause for both warriors.
“Fights like the display of heart and talent that went down in the NEF cage last Saturday don’t happen very often,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “We were all privy to something rare and significant by being in the Biddeford Arena to witness that beautiful bit of bedlam last Saturday. My deepest respect goes to both Buck and Isaiah—they gave it their all in there.”
Earlier In the evening, Balanced Ground MMA’s “Dangerous” Dom “Hands of Stone” Cofone (4-1) made quick work of Team Irish’s Kristian Kramer (2-1) by handing Kramer the first loss of his career in stunning fashion. The former Westbrook wrestling State Champion knocked out the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt just 11 seconds into the first round of their highly anticipated match-up. In advance of the fight, fans and MMA pundits alike assumed that the bout between the two skilled ground specialists would be decided on the canvas, but Cofone—who began competing in mixed martial arts in February of this year—put it all together on the feet and dropped Kramer with a big overhand right before finishing him with ground and pound. With the win, Cofone cements his standing amongst the top lightweight fighters in the Northeast.
“It still doesn't even seem real,” stated Cofone after the fight. “To go into a big hyped up fight like that against a BJJ black belt - a coach from one of the top schools in the state - having Marcus Davis in his corner. To drop him with the first punch and finish it in 11 seconds seemed like just the kind of thing you dream about. Kris was a class act before and after the fight and it was an honor to be able to compete against him. All in all, I feel very blessed to be where I'm at and just love being to compete.”
In other action that evening, Young’s MMA scored the trifecta by going a perfect 3-0 on the night with three impressive stoppages. Heavyweight Kevin Smith (2-1) earned the tapout from his opponent via anaconda choke in the second round; CJ Ewer (2-0) stepped into the cage for the second time in just three weeks and forced Steven Fontaine (0-1) to tap to a rear naked choke in the second round of their 165-pound catchweight scrap; and newcomer Fred Lear (1-0) stopped fellow debut fighter Joshua Tucker (0-1) in the first round via technical knockout (TKO).
“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to fight under us,” stated Young’s MMA co-owner and manager Ernie Fitch when reached for comment. “I said that 2013 was going to be a good year for us and going 3-0 in Biddeford was just the tip of the iceberg. Wait and see what happens on September 21st.”
The estimated attendance at last Saturday’s event was 1000. Fighters and teams from around New England and as far as South Carolina were represented on the card.
Local dignitaries were in attendance to show their support of the sport including the Mayor of Biddeford, Alan Casavant.
“We’re honored and humbled by the support we continue to receive from the fighters and fans of combat sports across Maine,” stated Peterson. “The strength of our shows lies in the loyalty of our fan base. We’re able to continue doing what we do thanks to you.”
NEF executives have stated that their attention will now be focused on the final leg of their “Summer Vacationland Fight Tour,” their tenth anniversary event entitled “NEF X,” set to take place on September 21st back at the home base of operations for New England Fights, the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.
“We can’t wait to get back home,” stated DiSalvo. “It’s been a busy schedule these past few months and we’re set to close it out in spectacular fashion. We’re ending our Vacationland Tour back where it all began for us and we’re planning to close out the summer with our most ambitious and sensational show yet. Once this card is announced it will shift all of the conversation in the Northeast combat sports scene to right here in Lewiston. This card is going to be gigantic and once you see it, you won’t want to be anywhere else on September 21st!”
“NEF X” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com. The card will feature Maine State Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) defending his title against Rhode Island's Joe Pingitore (4-0-1). Also scheduled is a 155-pound bout between Jon Lemke (3-1) and John Ortolani (7-7) to fill the recently vacated Maine State Lightweight Championship. For more information on the event, please visit www.newenglandfights.com. You can watch NEF videos atwww.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights! (“NEF!”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF!’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
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