NEF ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF NEF XIV FROM LEWISTON, MAINE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (September 7, 2014) –New England Fights' (NEF) held its fourteenth mixed martial arts event, “NEF XIV,” Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  More than 2,500 rowdy fans were on-hand for the cage fighting action.  Also in attendance for the night of fights were Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis (22-11), former World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) Featherweight Champion of the World and current UFC star Mike Thomas Brown (22-9), and former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion of the World Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia (31-9).

Three NEF Maine State MMA title belts were on the line.  In the first title fight, it was a thrilling contest between two of Maine's most popular fighters in Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (7-7) and Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-3).  After a back-and-forth first round that had the crowd on the edge of its collective seat, the referee stopped the fight due to strikes in the second, awarding Boyington the lightweight strap.  In the co-main event of the evening, Tim "The Terror" Goodwin (9-4) unseated long-reigning champion Paul Gorman (10-9) via unanimous decision.  Ray "All Business" Wood (5-0) retained the featherweight championship with a highlight-reel technical knockout of Gabriel Baino (6-2).

The full "NEF XIV" fight card results from Lewiston, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL

145*TITLE Ray Wood def. Gabriel Baino via TKO, round 2 (Wood retains title)

135*TITLE Tim Goodwin def. Paul Gorman via unanimous decision (Goodwin wins title)

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington def. Jesse Erickson via TKO, round 2 (Boyington wins title)

145 Jon Lemke def. Amos Collins via TKO, round 1

165 Ryan Quinn def. Ryan Sanders via unanimous decision

149 Derek Shorey def. John Raio via guillotine, round 1

135 Elias Leland def. Brandon Bushaw via rear-naked choke, round 2

155 Ricky Sylvester def. Tollison Lewis via armbar, round 1

AMATEUR

185 Mike Vangelist def. Buck Pineau via armbar, round 3

200 Crowsneck Boutin def. Ramon Saintvil via KO, round 1

155 Jarrod Tyler def. Mike Robinson via KO, round  3

135 Johnny Crafts def. Justin Whitham via rear-naked choke, round 1

145 Caleb Hall def. Phil Exner via rear-naked choke, round 1

138 Steve Desjardins def. Erik Nelson via split decision

298 Bill Leahy def. Gravin Guillen via arm triangle, round 1

135 Nate Boucher def. James Dougherty via unanimous decision

175 Caleb Farrington def. Nash Roy via Americana, round 2

154 Dom Cofone def. Corey Hinkley via rear-naked choke, round 2

155 Josh Harvey def. Alex Johnson via rear-naked choke, round 1

135 Tara Mitchell def. Hillary Cooledge via unanimous decision

145 Matt Denning def. Jeremy Tyler via rear-naked choke, round 2

195 Jacob Cameron def. John Gardner via TKO, round 1

170 Pat Kelly def. Frank Dellasalla via rear-naked choke, round 1

141 Michael Crespo def. Trevor Hebert via unanimous decision

139 Nick Spencer def. Carl Langston via TKO, round 3

NEF's next event "NEF BOXING" takes place on October 11, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for "NEF BOXING" start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  NEF's next mixed martial arts event, "NEF XV," takes place on November 15, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com.  For more information on both events 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.”

NEF ANNOUNCES WEIGH-IN RESULTS FROM LEWISTON, MAINE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (September 5, 2014) – The weigh-ins for New England Fights' (NEF) next mixed martial arts event, “NEF XIV,” took place this afternoon at the Fusion Lounge of the Ramada Conference Center. “NEF XIV” will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee located at 190 Birch Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240, tomorrow, September 6 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.  The first fight is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.

The weights from Lewiston, Maine:

PROFESSIONAL

145*TITLE Gabriel Baino (144.7) vs Ray Wood (c) (144.4)

135*TITLE Tim Goodwin (133.4) vs Paul Gorman (c) (134.7)

155*TITLE Jesse Erickson (154.9) vs Bruce Boyington (153.1)

145 Amos Collins (145.5) vs Jon Lemke (144.1)

165 Ryan Quinn (163.6) vs Ryan Sanders (163.6)

149 John Raio (148.2) vs Derek Shorey (143.2)

135 Brandon Bushaw (135.0) vs Elias Leland (133.7)

155 Tollison Lewis (155.2) vs Ricky Sylvester (153.6)

AMATEUR

185 Buck Pineau (184.7) vs Mike Vangelist (183.5)

200 Crowsneck Boutin (192.7) vs Ramon Saintvil (196.5)

155 Jarrod Tyler (153.8) vs Mike Robinson (154.7)

135 Johnny Crafts (135.9) vs Justin Witham (133.2)

145 Caleb Hall (145.8) vs Phil Exner (145.4)

138 Steve Desjardins (138.0) vs Erik Nelson (136.7)

298 Gravin Guillen (297.6) vs Bill Leahy (251.4)

135 James Doughtery (133.8) vs Nate Boucher (134.7)

175 Caleb Farrington (173.3) vs Nash Roy (174.4)

154 Dom Cofone (153.9) vs Corey Hinkley (150.1)

155 Alex Johnson (154.0) vs Josh Harvey (155.1)

135 Hillary Cooledge (135.4) vs Tara Mitchell (131.2)

145 Jeremy Tyler (144.9) vs Matt Denning (145.7)

195 John Gardner (194.5) vs Jacob Cameron (188.9)

170 Frank Dellasalla (168.4) vs Pat Kelley (167.6)

141 Trevor Hebert (140.5) vs Michael Crespo (139.6)

139 Nick Spencer (138.3) vs Carl Langston (137.4)

Tickets for "NEF XIV" start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  Tickets will also be available at the door before and during the event.  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.”

LELAND ON FIGHT WITH BUSHAW: "I'M GONNA TRY TO KEEP IT STANDING AND BANG A LITTLE BIT"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (September 4, 2014) –This Saturday night, September 6 in Lewiston, New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, presents its next mixed martial arts (MMA) event, "NEF XIV."  The fight card will feature a professional bantamweight bout between Elias Leland (0-0) and Brandon Bushaw (0-0).  After successful amateur careers, both athletes will be making their professional debut.  Recently, Leland was the guest on the NEF Podcast where he discussed the upcoming bout with NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.

Leland, who trains out of the Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine, amassed an impressive 3-1 record as an amateur.  He has won his last three fights, all in the NEF cage.  Both Leland and his opponent Bushaw are undefeated in the NEF cage.  Leland first spoke about his introduction to the sport of MMA.

"When I first started this journey it was because I always liked to wrestle around and mess around with my friends," recalled Leland. "I was very, very competitive.  I never got the chance to do any sort of martial arts whatsoever.  I always wanted to try karate, but it wasn't an option as I was growing up.  As I got a little bit older, I needed to change my habits... I saw a few fights on TV and I was like 'I gotta try that.'  So, I went into Jay's gym and I was hooked ever since.  I've been doing it for six years now straight.  I train like six days a week, even when I'm off-training, I just constantly train.  It's my love.  Jay's given me a brown belt just recently in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  I'm very proud of that."

Leland's only loss in the MMA cage to date was his debut in the fall of 2011.  He lost by submission to the current Maine State MMA Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0).  When most fighters will call it quits after suffering their first defeat, Leland was able to take that early loss and transform it into a highly successful amateur career.

"First, I'm not gonna stop on a loss," exclaimed Leland.  "There's no fucking way that's gonna happen!  Like I said, I'm very competitive and that's just something I'm not gonna do.  Second, after I got over the cockiness and the 'I'm the greatest, how could this actually happen,' I sat down and I really paid attention to what happened and what made me actually lose that fight.  From anything that you do, from any fight, anything, you can always walk away win, lose or draw with some sort of knowledge."

This Saturday, Leland makes his professional debut against Brandon Bushaw.  Bushaw is a native of Westbrook, Maine, but now lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  A former two-time Maine State Wrestling champion and veteran of the Michigan State University wrestling program, Bushaw put together a fantastic 7-4 record as an amateur in MMA.  It will definitely be a major test for Leland in his pro debut, much like he faced with Ray Wood in his amateur debut.

"I think he's a fairly good wrestler, so I'm going to be watching out for that," said Leland of Bushaw.  "I don't know what he's got to bring with kickboxing or real brutal ground and pound, especially with my Jiu-Jitsu.  With us matched up I think it's gonna be a very interesting fight.  I'm gonna try to keep it standing and bang a little bit.  It'll be very interesting to see how he reacts to that.  In most of his fights, I've noticed that he goes for the takedown fairly quick, and I think I think I've got a couple tricks up my sleeve to stuff that."

Moving into the professional ranks is a serious step in the career of any mixed martial artist.  Leland touched on his goals for the future as a professional fighter.

"I would like to continue to fight as long as my body will let me," Leland declared.  "Then, I'll eventually open up a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym.  I've decided from every single fight that I do that I'm taking some of whatever I make and I'm putting it aside into an account to build up and get interest so that I can eventually open up a gym.  I don't know when that will be exactly.  I've got a long road ahead of me before that will happen."

To listen to the full NEF Podcast with Elias Leland please visitwww.NewEnglandFights.com/Podcasts/.

To learn more about the Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine please visit their website www.TheAcademyMaine.com.  If you would like to contact Elias Leland you can send him a message through his personal Facebook page "Elias.Leland."

NEF's next MMA event, “NEF XIV,” is scheduled to take place thisSaturday, September 6, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 6:00 pm.  In the main event of the evening, Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) returns from injury after a year of recovery against Brazil's Gabriel Baino (6-1).  Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against Tim "The Terror" Goodwin (8-4).  Plus, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (6-7) and Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-2) will meet for the Lightweight Title, Ryan Sanders (6-5) faces Ryan Quinn (10-4-1), and John "First Class" Raio (2-5) competes in his final fight.

Tickets for "NEF XIV" start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at207.783.2009 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 fight 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.

FIGHTING PASTOR COMPETES IN MMA FOR A HIGHER CAUSE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (September 3, 2014) – This Saturday night,  September 6 in Lewiston, New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, presents its next mixed martial arts (MMA) event, "NEF XIV."  The fight card will feature a catchweight bout between "The Junkyard Dog" Ryan Cowette (2-2) and John Healey (0-1) at a weight of 165-pounds. Cowette is the owner and head coach of MMA Athletix, as well as a pastor.  He recently stopped by the NEF Podcast to discuss his ministry and the upcoming fight with Healey.

Cowette had an outstanding amateur career in which he was the top-ranked middleweight in the northeast.  After losing his first two professional fights, Cowette is on a two-fight win streak, having defeated Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-2) and Dave Claroni (0-2). Cowette will look to make it three in a row this Saturday night in Lewiston. 

"The career started off a little rough," recalled Cowette of his earlier professional losses.  "I wasn't where I was supposed to be.  Mentally, in the first fight, I was a little overconfident, so that first fight was a humbling experience.  I'm a sore loser, of sorts, so I took a long break after that.  Cornering all these guys and coaching them, I know they're gonna get knocked-out and have a tough night and I'm gonna tell them, 'It's just one fight.  You got caught.'  I'm gonna have to tell them all that, but I need to walk the walk.  After a long layover, I came back.  The ref stopped the fight in the second fight.  I was in a guillotine, but I wasn't anywhere near tapping.  It was on my chin, definitely really tight, but it was on my chin.  I think I would've found my way out.  That second loss could've discouraged me, but it sort of lit a fire, and I just think about that when I'm training."

With his previous win over Erickson, and Erickson now challenging for the Maine State Lightweight Title this Saturday against Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (6-7), Cowette believes that he himself could one day soon challenge for the coveted 155-pound championship belt.

"I respect Jesse as a fighter," said Cowette.  "I hope that if, and I'm hoping I do get to face him again, I'm hoping that he wins the belt.  I think that if he fights smart he should win that belt.  I think he'll submit Boyington in my opinion, but Boyington's a great fighter too. I wouldn't mind fighting either one of them.  I do know that if I do face Jesse again I think he underestimated my longevity.  He really poured everything into that first round...  I know he's gonna come prepared and he's not gonna blow it all in the first round.  I look forward to that fight.  I think that'll be a great war."

In addition to coaching at MMA Athletix and fighting, Cowette is the founder of Victory Church in Bath, Maine.  He is currently the only professional MMA fighter/pastor in the country.

"I find help in serving God and serving Jesus," said Cowette of his ministry.  "What would happen is people would come into the gym and they'd think MMA Athletix is going to change their life.  Some of these kids have heroin problems.  We deal with that a lot.  They'd come in, they'd hit the bag, they'd feel a little better about themselves.  At the end of the day, they'd go home.  They'd have the same friends.  So, I started this church service at my church... I would have a nighttime service where I'd invite the fighters and a lot of people, actually, a lot of other people too.  It just grew.  It grew to the point where there was a lot of us.  We founded a church.  If you go to Victory Church on a Sunday morning, there's still everyday people who are just going to church, but there's also pretty much my entire fight team there.  It's not self-help.  It's finding help through God, because self-help can only go so far...  When you have God holding you up, you really have someone to confide in."

To listen to the full NEF Podcast with Ryan Cowette please visitwww.NewEnglandFights.com/Podcasts/.

To learn more about Cowette's gym please visitwww.MMAAthletix.com.  You can also learn more about Victory Church at their Facebook page "RevolutionMinistry."

NEF's next MMA event, “NEF XIV,” is scheduled to take place this Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 6:00 pm.  In the main event of the evening, Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) returns from injury after a year of recovery against Brazil's Gabriel Baino (6-1).  Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against Tim "The Terror" Goodwin (8-4).  Plus, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (6-7) and Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-2) will meet for the Lightweight Title, Ryan Sanders (6-5) faces Ryan Quinn (10-4-1), and John "First Class" Raio (2-5) competes in his final fight.

Tickets for "NEF XIV" start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at207.783.2009 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 fight 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.

CALEB HALL RETURNS TO THE CAGE IN SHOWDOWN WITH PHIL EXNER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (August 22, 2014) – OnSaturday, September 6 in Lewiston, New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, presents its next mixed martial arts (MMA) event, "NEF XIV."  The amateur card will feature featherweights Caleb Hall (3-1) and Phil Exner (0-1) meeting in the 145-pound division.  "NEF XIV" originates from the historic Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

Caleb Hall is a two-time Maine State wrestling champion out of Dirigo High School in Dixfield, Maine.  After graduation, Hall went on to wrestle for Plymouth State University before transferring to the University of Southern Maine (USM) where he continues his mat exploits.  All the while, Hall has racked up an impressive 3-1 record competing as an amateur in the NEF MMA cage.  His last bout resulted in a first-round submission loss to Aaron Lacey (4-1) in November 2013.   It was the first time Hall tasted defeat in the MMA arena.  Currently training out of the Choi Institute in Portland, Maine, Hall will look to get back on the winning track on September 6.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into the cage," said Hall. "I want to showcase my skills, and show people I'm one of the top amateur fighters in the northeast at 145.  Phil is a tough guy who comes forward and tries to take the fight to you.  It's a good match-up and will make for an exciting fight."

Exner is a graduate of Messalonskee High School in Oakland, Maine where he excelled in football.  He currently attends Thomas College in Waterville, Maine and majors in Business Management.  Exner lost his debut bout to Mike Crespo (1-0) via second-round submission.  It was a hard-fought battle on both ends with Exner dominating much of the first round in top position on Crespo.  Exner is training intensely at Wes Littlefield's Hardcore Gym in hopes of scoring his first MMA victory on September 6 in Lewiston.

"I'm really excited to be back in the cage for my second fight," stated Exner when reached for comment.  "I'm training hard every day. Caleb is more than a great opponent and I can't wait to have our bout."

NEF's next MMA event, “NEF XIV,” is scheduled to take place onSaturday, September 6, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm.  In the main event of the evening, Featherweight Champion Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) returns from injury after a year of recovery against Brazil's Gabriel Baino (6-1).  Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against Tim "The Terror" Goodwin (8-4).  Plus, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (6-7) and Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-2) will meet for the Lightweight Title, Ryan Sanders (6-5) faces Ryan Quinn (10-4-1), and John "First Class" Raio (2-5) competes in his final fight.

Tickets for "NEF XIV" start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at207.783.2009 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 fight 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.