Jon Lemke on the Hunt for Gold in NEF X Main Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (September 5, 2013) – It was late June 2013 when New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) matchmaker and co-owner Matt Peterson received the news.  It was Ryan Ciotoli, the head of New York's Team Bombsquad, who informed Peterson that team member Dez Green (9-1) had just signed to fight in the upcoming featherweight tournament for Bellator.

"I was ecstatic," said Peterson.  "That's what we want for all the NEF MMA fighters.  We want them to get to that next level, and Dez had fought harder than anyone else to get there.  But it left us with a vacancy."

That vacancy was the NEF MMA Maine State Lightweight Title which Green had won just five weeks earlier at NEF VII by defeating UFC veteran Henry Martinez (9-6).  NEF MMA executives scoured the current roster of professional lightweights and two names stood out.

"John Ortolani (7-7) impressed us with his dominant submission win over Bruce Boyington (3-5) last fall in Lewiston," said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  "The other challenger that stood out was John Lemke (3-1).  That was the fight we wanted to fill this void."

The Lemke-Ortolani fight is now set to headline NEF X for the Lightweight Championship.  The bout was declared the main event of the September 21card at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee when the original headliner featuring Ray Wood's (4-0) Featherweight Title defense against Joe Pingitore (4-0-1) fell out due to an injury.

Lemke first fought pro for NEF MMA last September at NEF IV when he defeated Nate Oses (0-1) via unanimous decision in a standup battle.  Lemke continued his tear through the lightweight division in Maine with victories over Jesse Erickson (1-1) at Bellator 93 in Lewiston and Florida's George Reagan (2-2) at NEF VII this past May.

It was not until this past July at NEF VIII "Nations Collide: Canadian Invasion" that Lemke would suffer his first loss in either amateur or professional competition.  The loss would come at the hands of the larger Matt DesRoches (5-0), a natural welterweight, at a catchweight heavier than Lemke's regular 155-pound division.

“People can expect a much more mature and patient fighter this time around,” stated Lemke. “No disrespect to my opponent, but I look at my last fight as more of an entertainment lesson than a fight lesson. I had already determined beforehand how I was going to fight him and I allowed the moment to get away from me. I was so amped up for that fight that I didn't think at all and just came out swinging for the fences. I have learned that no matter what the emotions involved before a fight, to be able to separate myself from those emotions and to fight with a clear mind and heart.”

With the loss behind him, Lemke now looks to claim the Maine State Lightweight Title at NEF X on September 21.  And his camp predicts a more calculated game plan from Lemke this time out.

"You can expect a different Jon Lemke than you saw the last time," said Team Irish head and Lemke's coach Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis.  "He will be patient and slowly take his opponent apart. When his opponent tries to force the action he will make a mistake and Jon will capitalize on that and finish him."

“My theme for this fight is and has been live with abandon,” stated Lemke. “To hold nothing back and put the Lord Jesus Christ first in any and every area of my life. Coming off my first ever loss as a mixed martial artist, it hurt. It hurt deeply, but I wanted and needed it to. To make realize how much I love doing this and how much I have sacrificed and dedicated my life for. I have been able to learn and grow so much as a man and fighter from that loss. This is why I fight, I believe that this is what the Lord has called and blessed me to do. To use all the talents, abilities, drives and passions that He has blessed me with. To bring glory and honor to His name and to inspire others to seek the Lord first, and to never give up on your dreams and goals no matter where you are in life. “

“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 a 155-pound bout between Jon Lemke (3-1) and John Ortolani (7-7) to fill the recently vacated Maine State Lightweight Championship. In addition, UFC veteran Jimmy "Crash" Quinlan (3-1) will face Luc Bondole (2-0).  For more information on the event and the full fight card, please visit the promotion's website at www.newenglandfights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF MMA 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 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.

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS! TO POST MAIN CARD OF NEF VII IN ITS ENTIRETY ON YOUTUBE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bangor, Maine (May 25, 2013) –New England Fights!(NEF) announced today that the promotion will post the main card from its critically-acclaimed NEF VII event in its entirety tomorrow, Sunday May 26 at noon Eastern Time, on the mixed-martial arts promotion's Youtube page located at Youtube.com/nefmma. NEF VII took place on Saturday, May 18 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine before more than 3,000 fans.

The main card for the event, heralded as rivaling "any that the region has seen" (NortheastMMA.net) and as "one of the best shows I have been to" (WesternMassMMA.com), featured five fights, including: Maine MMA legend and UFC veteran "The Irish Hand Grenade" Marcus Davis (30-9) going the distance with young up-and-comer Darrius Heyliger (5-2); World Series of Fighting competitor Travis "The Showstopper" Bartlett (8-4) facing off with former NFL star and current number-one ranked northeast heavyweight Tyler King (7-1) for the Maine State Heavyweight Championship; UFC veteran Henry Martinez (9-4) battling Dez "Rasta Man" Green (9-1) for the Maine State Lightweight Championship; "All Business" Ray Wood (3-0) taking on Ahsan Abdullah (3-3); and Jarod Lawton (3-1) scoring yet another late-fight submission to pull victory from the jaws of defeat in a welterweight battle with Cody Anderson (1-2). The video for the event was produced by Joe Leonard of Frontier Community Access Television and commentated by Peter Czymbor of NESportsTV.

The promotions next event, entitled "Nations Collide: Canadian Invasion," will take place on July 12 at Darling's Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor, Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.waterfrontconcerts.com or by calling 800.745.3000.  For more information on the event, visit www.NewEnglandFights.com. 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 “Nations Collide: Canadian Invasion”

“Nations Collide: Canadian Invasion” is a complete evening of outdoor combat sports entertainment featuring the top professional and amateur athletes from the United States and Canada competing in full-contact mixed martial arts (MMA) cagefighting action. Purchase your tickets today and fly your country’s flag on July 12 in Bangor to support your favorite athlete in the fastest-growing, most thrilling sport in the world! Brought to you by Shipyard Brewing Company and the Maine National Guard: “Always Ready, Always There.”

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.

New England Fights! Announces the Results of NEF VII in Lewiston, Maine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 19, 2013)  - New England Fights! (NEF) held its seventh mixed-martial arts (MMA) event on Saturday, May 18, before more than 3,000 fans at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  It was a night that saw: an amazing third-round, come-from-behind submission victory once again by Jarod Lawton; Maine's new adopted son Dez Green take the state's Lightweight Title; Tyler King take the Maine State Heavyweight Title back to Massachusetts and simultaneously retire Travis Bartlett, who made the announcement after the bout; and Marcus Davis take a unanimous decision win over Darrius Heyliger in the main event.

The full results from the NEF VII are below:

Professional Fights:

Main Event: Marcus Davis def. Darrius Heyliger via unanimous decision

Heavyweight Title Fight: Tyler King def. Travis Bartlett via arm triangle choke round 1

Lightweight Title Fight: Dez Green def. Henry Martinez via ref stoppage to strikes round 2

Catchweight Feature Fight: Jarrod Lawton def. Cody Anderson via armbar round 3

Catchweight Feature Fight: Ray Wood def. Ahsan Abudulla via armbar round 2

Lightweight Feature Fight: Jon Lemke def. George Reagan via TKO round 2

Lightweight Feature Fight: Jesse Erickson def. Josh Parker via armbar round 1

Flyweight Feature Fight: Matt Almy def. Ernesto Ornelas via tap to knee bar round 1

Flyweight Feature Fight: Tommy Balzano def. Jimmy Alexander via tap to strike round 1

Amateur Fights:

Middleweight Fight: Buck Pineau def. Allan Josselyn via unanimous decision

Catchweight Fight: Kent Smallwood def. Brandon Traknis via ref stoppage to strikes round 1

Flyweight Fight: Stephen Desjardins def. Conner Murphy via tap to rnc round1

Catchweight Fight: Mike Brown def. Trevor Hebert via tap to armbar round 1

Welterweight Fight: Adam Nielsen def. Art Belgrade via ref stoppage round 2

Catchweight Fight: Erik Nelson def. Cody Sargent via tap to rnc round 2

Heavyweight Fight: Kevin Smith def. Jordan Dickens via ref stoppage to strikes round 1

Catchweight Fight: Matt Denning def. Trevor Kell via tap to guillotine round 1

Lightweight Fight: Dominic Cafone def. Rob Solveson via tap to rnc round 1

Welterweight Fight: Steve Earland def. Dylan Morrison via unanimous decision

Featherweight Fight: Alex Clark def. Caleb Costello via unanimous decision

Bantamweight Fight: Nick Spencer def. Steve Sobel via ref stoppage round 2

Welterweight Fight: Andrew Tripp def. Steven Prue via tap to armbar round 1

Catchweight Fight: Chris Cobbett def. Jacob Cameron via ref stoppage to strikes round 1

Middleweight Fight: Crowsneck Boutin def. John Parker via unanimous decision

Catchweight Fight: Tollison Lewis def. Jeremy Tyler via tap to guillotine round 1

Lightweight Fight: Caleb Hall def. Corey Hinkley via ref stoppage to strikes round 3

Welterweight Fight: Chris Ouellette def. Jarrod Tyler via ref stoppage round 2

Welterweight Fight: Nelson Blanco def. Joel Adams via tap to rnc round 3

Light Heavyweight Fight: Ramone Saintvil def. Mike Secord via KO round 1

Welterweight Fight: Andrew Hughes def. Scott Basci via ref stoppage to strikes round 2

NEF's next event is scheduled for July 12 in Bangor, Maine at Darling's Waterfront Pavilion.  The promotion will also run events in Biddeford, Maine at the Biddeford Arena on August 3, and will return to Lewiston and the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on September 21.  For more information on these events, visit www.NewEnglandFights.com. 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 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.

Team Irish Takes Performance To The Next Level

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 17, 2013) – The Team Irish Takeover of NEF VII has been well documented leading up to Saturday’s seminal event for Marcus Davis’ fight team and New England Fights! (NEF), Maine’s mixed martial arts promotion. Davis has promised a showcase performance from his students who train between schools located in Brewer and Westbrook, Maine. The latest addition to the Team Irish dynasty, the Team Irish Performance Training Center (PTC), could be a key to the team’s predicted success on Saturday.

Davis’ Team Irish division based out of Southern Maine was initially established in 2007. The school first opened in Biddeford and has experienced significant growth over the years, most recently opening a state-of-the-art, multi-leveled fitness facility, the Team Irish PTC, located in Westbrook, just over the Portland border. Boasting over 2000 square feet of mat space, cage panels, bags, and a turfed area designated for athletic performance and weight training—the Team Irish PTC aims to deliver a multidimensional approach to mixed martial arts and fitness training. “We have both male and female locker rooms on the first floor, as well as plenty of equipment--both male and female--for all of our classes,” stated Team Irish PTC General Manager Trevor Kell. “Upstairs we have our cardio, core stretching room – with our lounge in the room next to it. On the other side, Serenity Meditation & Yoga is headquartered which can be offered at special prices for all Team Irish PTC members.

“The Team Irish Performance Training Center is a non-profit that was established to provide members of the community with a state of the art Health & Fitness training facility,” Kell continued. “Our mission is to promote the personal growth and development of our members by providing experienced professional instructors and personal trainers, and implementing industry leading training techniques and technologies.”

The Team Irish PTC will be featuring four fighters on Saturday’s card, including Kell himself, who is undefeated at 2-0; undefeated welterweight prospect Andrew Tripp (4-0); Tommy Balzano (0-1), who will be dropping down a weight class to make his professional debut at flyweight; and lightweight title contender and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Henry Martinez (9-3). “[We are] a highly disciplined team coming out of what might possibly have been our best training camp yet, ready to win, ready to make a statement,” stated Kell. “Hard work, hard training camps, day-in day-out—it’s what makes the difference. We couldn’t be more excited. [May 18] will be a great day for Team Irish.”

Despite an elite group of core trainers that features Davis, Martinez, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt Kris Kramer and Nate Libby, the Team Irish PTC aims to be a workout and fitness destination for athletes of all levels—not just accomplished and aspiring mixed martial artists. “We strive to offer a safe, friendly and non-intimidating environment where members of all fitness and skill levels can receive fitness and martial arts education and instruction, stated Kell. “We also offer our kids grappling class absolutely free to the public and we offer a women's bag fitness program that includes 12 classes a month for only $10 a month… Since we are a non-profit organization, we keep all expenses as minimal as possible for our members. Memberships starting at just $10.00 a month, and $50.00 a month for Unlimited Classes and full use of the facility during any hours of operation.”

To learn more about the Team Irish Performance Training Center visit www.TeamIrishPTC.com and find them on social media @teamirishptc and www.facebook.com/teamirishptc.

At the time of this writing, the fight card for May 18 in Lewiston consisted of more than thirty fights.  The main event will feature Marcus Davis (21-9) taking on Darrius Heyliger (4-1) in a welterweight showdown.  The co-main event will see UFC veteran Henry Martinez (9-5) squaring off with Dez Green (8-1) for the Maine State Lightweight Title.  In another title fight, Travis Bartlett (8-3) meets former NFL player Tyler King (6-1) for the Maine State Heavyweight Championship. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.comor by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x  525.  For more information on the event, visit www.NewEnglandFights.com. 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 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.

Dez Green Does Maine MMA—My Way

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!

                                                                                    --Frank Sinatra from “My Way”

Dez Green does not fit neatly into the tidy stereotypical story of the wrestler-turned mixed-martial-artist, but then again—everything about Green defies conventions. That’s because the fiercely independent 23-year old former Division I wrestling standout subscribes to doing things on his own terms in much the manner that Frank Sinatra described in his famous song “My Way.”.

From the first time he stepped onto the wrestling mat as a high school student, Green knew he was a gifted grappler. To hear him tell it, everything clicked instantly and just made sense to him about the sport. The results reflected it. Dez quickly made a name for himself as a talented high school wrestler and earned an athletic scholarship to compete at the University of Buffalo.

At Buffalo, Dez continued winning and found his name mentioned in the conversation about the top collegiate wrestlers in the country. However, a series of failed drug tests beginning his sophomore year shifted the focus from his outstanding skills to his strong beliefs in the medicinal and spiritual healing properties of marijuana.  Ultimately, Green decided to follow his own convictions rather than rules he didn’t morally or philosophically accept, thus resulting in him missing his senior year of competition.

Wrestling’s loss would ultimately become the sport of MMA’s gain. Green grabbed at an opportunity to take a spur-of-the-moment amateur full-contact bout back in December 2011. After winning the fight in impressive first-round fashion, Dez connected with Ryan Ciotoli’s powerful Team Bombsquad in Ithaca, New York and has never looked back.

In just his second amateur MMA match, Dez debuted in New England Fights! (NEF) and has since referred to Maine, where the promotion is headquartered, as his “second home,” having fought in the state three times already. It’s a move that Sinatra might not have approved of. Regardless, Green’s fourth mixed martial arts bout in “Vacationland” is scheduled for this Saturday when he faces Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Henry Martinez (9-3) for the inaugural Maine State MMA Lightweight Championship, an opportunity that Dez earned last September when he defeated 2012 “Knockout-of-the-Year” award winner Bruce  “Pretty Boy” Boyington (2-5).

“I’m excited,” Green stated recently when asked about his upcoming title fight. “I get to have my first belt. I’ve been working really hard—really, really diligently. I’m excited. This is going to be my first five-round fight. I’m going in there with a lot of energy. I’m looking for the finish. “

In a fashion very uncommon for most MMA athletes, Green has opted to fight as often as he can possibly seize opportunities, sometimes even taking bouts on less than one week’s notice. His eagerness has earned him an outstanding 8-1 professional record in less then 12 months of active competition—a record rarely acquired so quickly.

Due to his frequent level of activity and exciting performances in the cage, Green has begun to develop quite a following in Maine. Maine fans have dubbed him “Rasta Man” in response to his dreadlocks, “Buffalo Soldier” song choice for entrance music, and for his very publicly professed unabashed support for all things related to the Rastafarian lifestyle. Green promises that the love he receives from Maine is reciprocated. “It’s literally my favorite place to fight,” he stated. “I love it up in Maine… Maine fans are the best.”

Despite the drawbacks of Green’s proud independence—namely, one senior college wrestling season left undone—it is difficult to argue with the outcomes-to-date of how he has decided to approach his mixed martial arts career.  With an 8-1 record and a title shot on the line on Saturday, he has made his own path in the sport and, as Old Blue Eyes would say, “Not in a shy way.”

At the time of this writing, the fight card for May 18 in Lewiston consisted of more than thirty fights.  The main event will feature Marcus Davis (21-9) taking on Darrius Heyliger (4-1) in a welterweight showdown.  In the second title fight of the evening, Travis Bartlett (8-3) meets former NFL player Tyler King (6-1) for the Maine State Heavyweight Championship. 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, visit www.NewEnglandFights.com. 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 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.