NEF ANNOUNCES 2014 YEAR-END AWARDS WINNERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (December 17, 2014) –New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, earlier this week announced the results of the 2014 NEF Year-End Awards presented by Origin.  Winners were selected from five categories: Fighter of the Year; Rookie of the Year; Fight of the Year; Submission of the Year; and Knockout (KO)/Technical Knockout (TKO) of the Year.  The results were based solely on fan vote.  A total of 5,598 ballots were cast in the online polls.  Each winner receives a gift certificate from Origin.

Fighter of the Year was awarded to Crowsneck Boutin (6-6). Boutin went 3-0 in the NEF MMA cage this year with two finishes. He arrived in NEF nearly three years ago as a street fighter with no formal training in the martial arts.  Since joining the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine, however, Boutin has shown incredible improvement, especially in his striking game.

"This has been a very special year for me, inside and outside of the cage," stated Boutin when reached for comment.  "I'm healthy.  I'm focused.  I've been reconnected with my daughter, and, for the first time in near ten years, I don't have any warrants for my arrest. These changes have allowed me to finally apply myself fully.  I'm proud, honored, and thankful to have been voted for the Fighter of the Year.  On February 7th in Lewiston, the Choi Institute will continue to represent."

The award for Rookie of the Year went to Johnny Crafts (2-0).  A member of Team New England United (NEU), Crafts made the transition from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) mats to the MMA cage this past year, and he did it flawlessly.  The Lisbon Falls, Maine-native made it look easy with two wins coming by way of submission.

"I am very happy about all the support from the people who voted," said Crafts.  "This just gives me another reason to train hard and prove to be an exciting fighter for all the NEF fans on February 7th."

Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-4) was awarded the Submission of the Year for his triangle choke victory over Tollison Lewis (0-4) at "NEF XII" last February.

"It means a lot to me that the fans voted for my submission," said Erickson when reached for comment. "I am lucky to have a great Jiu-Jitsu team in NEU/CMBJJ (Central Maine BJJ in Auburn, Maine), and I thank my coaches for giving me the tools to win. Thanks again so much to everyone who took the time to vote. "

It was the second award Erickson won this year as he also shared the Fight of the Year award with NEF Lightweight Champion Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (9-7) for their title rematch last month at "NEF XV."  The hard-fought battle went deep into the third round before Boyington submitted Erickson to retain.  Erickson was the only multi-award recipient this year.

"I'm honored that our fight was chosen as fight of the year by the fans," continued Erickson.  "Even though I lost, I am happy to have put on a great show for the fans. Thanks so much to everyone who voted."

Jarrod Tyler (3-1) was the recipient of the KO of the Year award for his third-round KO punch on Mike Robinson (0-2) at "NEF XIV" last September.  Tyler had a banner year himself in 2014, going 2-0.  He is based out of Team Irish in Brewer, Maine.

"It is an incredible honor just to be nominated for the KO of the year award," exclaimed Tyler.  "I go to every NEF event and I have seen some amazing knockouts. Winning the award feels great. It was a very hard battle with Michael Robinson.  So, to be awarded for that fight is awesome. He was clearly winning the fight over the first two rounds, so going into the third round my corner told me I had to knock him out to get the win.  After being stood up by the ref with a little over half of the final round remaining, I knew there was little time left.  When we exchanged, I was able to catch him with a hard cross which sent him to the cage.  All I remember is the crowd starting to go crazy, so I just kept looking for openings to strike.  After a flurry of punches, Robinson moved to my right allowing me to step in with a straight right to get the KO.  Stepping back, seeing my team in my corner going crazy, as well as all the amazing fans going nuts was the greatest feeling I have ever had.  I would like to thank both New England Fights and Origin and all the incredible fight fans who voted for me.  Thank you all."

The full results in the voting for the 2014 NEF Year-End Awards:

FIGHTER OF THE YEAR

 

Crowsneck Boutin 35.71%

Bruce Boyington 23.22% 
Mike Vangelist 20.85%

Matt Denning 20.22%

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

 

Johnny Crafts 35.70%
Josh Harvey 18.90%

Billy Leahy 15.70% 
Mike Crespo 15.34%

Caleb Farrington 14.36%

 

FIGHT OF THE YEAR
Bruce Boyington vs. Jesse Erickson (NEF XV) 39.80%

Ray Wood vs. Gabriel Baino (NEF XIV) 28.92% 
Jason Carpenter vs. Dan Thayer (NEF XII) 16.42%
Jarod Lawton vs. Joel Bishop (NEF Boxing) 14.86%

 

SUBMISSION OF THE YEAR
Jesse Erickson arm triangle on Tollison Lewis (NEF XII) 46.05% 

Bruce Boyington Kimura on Jesse Erickson (NEF XV) 29.55% 
Devin Powell standing guillotine on Jon Lemke (NEF XIII) 12.65%

Caleb Farrington Americana on Nash Roy (NEF XIV) 11.75%

KO/TKO OF THE YEAR
Jarrod Tyler KO on Mike Robinson (NEF XIV) 41.98%

Dustin Veinott TKO on Dan Thayer (NEF XIII) 28.81%
Crowsneck Boutin TKO on Dan Connaughton (NEF XIII) 17.99% 
Jarod Lawton KO on John Ortolani (NEF XII) 11.22%

NEF's next MMA event, "NEF XVI," takes place on February 7, 2015.  Ray "All Business" Wood (5-0) returns that night to defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and WEC veteran Anthony "Cheesesteak" Morrison (16-9).  Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at 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 www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at 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 (“NEF”) is a combat sports events 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.

About Origin

 

ORIGIN brand was created by BJJWeekly.com co-creator Pete Roberts back in 2009. Pete's vision was not to create a "fight brand," but instead a BJJ lifestyle brand that spoke directly to the needs of the everyday BJJ enthusiast. As a designer and entrepreneur, Pete brings 15 years of branding experience into an industry which he is passionate about growing.