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.

BUSHAW ON FIGHT WITH LELAND: "I'M READY TO BRING IT AND STAND AND BANG"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (August 21, 2014) – OnSeptember 6 in Lewiston at "NEF XIV," Brandon Bushaw (0-0) will make his debut as a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) competitor against Elias Leland (0-0) who will also be making his professional debut that night.  "NEF XIV" is New England Fight's (NEF) next event scheduled to originate from the historic Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  Recently, Bushaw called in to the NEF Podcast for an interview with NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.

Bushaw, who now resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a native of Westbrook, Maine.  He wrestled for Westbrook High School where he won two state championships.  After high school graduation, Bushaw continued his wrestling career at Michigan State University (MSU). 

"While I was there (MSU) I was on the wrestling team," said Bushaw. "With guys who made it big now.  Gray Maynard (11-4-1), Rashad Evans (19-3-1), Nik Fekete (5-1) who's fought in Bellator.  Some good guys I still keep in touch with.  Friendships that have lasted forever, so my time at Michigan State was great.  When I got done, I would say I was a little burned out, right out of college... I took a few years off.  I kind of got my career underway.  Seeing those guys succeed, it started roping me back in.  I started hitting the gym.  I caught the bug and fell in love with it."

Currently, Bushaw and his wife Cynthia own and operate a successful bar and grill out of Surfside Beach, South Carolina eight miles outside Myrtle Beach.  While the business and his MMA career occupy much of his time, Bushaw spends as much time as possible enjoying life with his wife and their toddler daughter Aria.

"My wife and I opened our own bar and grill August 9, 2004," Bushaw recalled.  "We really put our nose to the grindstone early on and kind of laid down the foundation of what the place is now. Fortunately, we've had some really, really great employees who really care about the place.  That affords us to spend a lot of time with our daughter.  Obviously, Cynthia is a super cool wife who allows me to get all my training in, travel, fight, and do all this stuff at 33 years old."

Bushaw has amassed an impressive 7-4 record competing as an amateur in MMA.  On September 6th he will make his professional debut in the cage.  Despite his wrestling background and his success in the MMA arena, Bushaw insists that he never planned on a career as a fighter.

"The whole fighting thing was a bucket list," said Bushaw of his decision to begin competing in MMA.  "I don't want to look back years down the road and be like, 'Oh, I should've tried that.'  Of course, Jamie Harrison (4-1) was a very good friend of mine.  We were really good friends in high school.  He's fought for you (NEF) many times.  I saw he was doing it, so I started training in March and I hit him up like, 'Could you get me a fight?'  July 2nd of 2011 he got me a fight.  I went down to Jacksonville (Florida).  In my head I was like, 'What the hell am I doing?  I'm too old for this.  It doesn't make any sense.'  Of course, I went in and I won.  It was fun.  I loved it. Now, here we are twelve fights later."

The bout with Leland will be the fourth time Bushaw has made the trip up north to compete for NEF.  He has been welcomed with open arms by the fight promotion's fans.  When asked why he enjoys fighting for NEF in his home state so much, Bushaw sites a myriad of reasons.

"It's the whole package," said Bushaw of his affinity for taking fights with NEF in Maine.  "You guys are very organized, structured. There's no big surprises or anything...  For me, and I know (Bushaw's teammate) Amos Collins (3-4) who's coming up for his third time now, it's nice to get out of your comfort zone and go away... There's always been solid crowds with NEF.  Solid opponents.  You guys take care of the fighters.  You treat us very well.  That's why we keep coming back and hope to for years to come."

Bushaw's opponent at "NEF XIV," Elias Leland, recently received his Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at the Academy of MMA in Portland, Maine.  Bushaw, himself, trains out of a BJJ school - Serra BJJ in Myrtle Beach.  On paper, it would appear to be a bout that would stay primarily on the mat, but Bushaw warns fans that anything is possible and they should expect the unexpected.

"I think you should see fireworks everywhere," exclaimed Bushaw. "I think he's gonna want to get me to the ground.  I think he may think he has an advantage in the Jiu-Jitsu side of things.  He's a little more decorated on that aspect, but since I've been working with Frankie 'Patches' (Schauer) at Serra my game just grows every week.  I'm really comfortable on the ground as well, but I think you might see some fireworks on our feet.  I'm ready to bring it and stand and bang.  I hope he is.  The fight will probably go all over the place.  I look forward to fifteen minutes of standing, banging, ground, my back, his back.  I'm ready to go."

Although more than 1,000 miles separates Bushaw's new home in South Carolina from his native Maine, a huge fan presence can be felt (and heard) each and every time Bushaw and/or one of his teammates competes at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston. The rabid group of fans have nicknamed themselves "Bushaw's Brigade."  They are comprised of Bushaw's old friends, family, and fans from Maine, as well as new friends from South Carolina and other parts of the country who make the long trek to cheer him on. Bushaw predicts his largest audience to date on September 6.

"So far we have fifteen people that are flying up into Boston on Wednesday night," Bushaw said of his massive following.  "The Brigade is just friends and family that kind of named themselves at my first fight.  We brought eighteen people, I think, down to Jacksonville.  They started calling themselves 'Bushaw's Brigade.' They're a loud, wild, rowdy bunch.  Now we have the whole Maine people my sisters and I went to school with.  We have a whole section of them up there.  I know they've already bought tickets.  I think this will be the biggest crowd, the biggest Brigade showing so far for my fights up there."

You can follow Brandon Bushaw on Facebook at his official fan page "Brandon Bushaw MMA."  His restaurant, Island Bar and Grill Surfside, is located on Glenns Bay Road in Surfside Beach, South Carolina.  You can also learn more about Bushaw's team at their official Facebook page "Serra BJJ Myrtle Beach."

To listen to the full NEF Podcast interview, please visitwww.NewEnglandFights.com/Podcasts/.

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.

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS ANNOUNCES FULL NEF XIV FIGHT CARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (August 13, 2014) – New England Fights (NEF), the Northeast's premier fight promotion, today announced the full fight card for the company's "NEF XIV" mixed martial arts (MMA) event scheduled to take place onSeptember 6, 2014 at the historic Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  In the main event of the evening, Ray "All Business" Wood (4-0) will defend the NEF MMA Maine State Featherweight Title against Brazil's Gabriel Baino (6-1).  Wood will make his first appearance in the MMA cage in over a year.  He suffered an ACL tear in June 2013 which required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period.

"We've once again put together a world-class fight card the likes of which only NEF can bring the fans," said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  "It's only the best for our loyal fans, and we've kept the ticket prices low for almost three years now.  NEF is the measuring stick for regional fight promotions.  This card is us moving the bar up even higher than we've already set it."

In another title fight, Paul Gorman (10-8) defends the NEF MMA Maine State Bantamweight Championship against the challenge of South Carolina's Tim "The Terror" Goodwin (8-4).  Gorman has held the title for two years, and last successfully defended it against Tateki Matsuda (9-5) in late-2013 in what was voted the "Fight of the Year" by NEF fans.  In addition, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (6-7) and Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-2) will meet for the vacant NEF MMA Maine State Lightweight Title.  The title was left void when former champion Dez "The Predator" Green (12-3) left NEF to sign with the world's second largest MMA promotion Bellator.

In a rematch from their amateur days, "The" Ryan Sanders (6-5) and Ryan Quinn (10-4-1) face off in a catchweight bout.  Quinn is an amazing 6-0 competing in Bellator.  He won the first meeting over Sanders in 2008.  In another professional rematch of an amateur bout, John "First Class" Raio (2-5) takes on Derek Shorey (0-0).  The fight will be the popular Raio's last of his career as he has decided to hang up the MMA gloves after this event.  Raio was victorious over Shorey in June 2012.

On the amateur side of the card, Buck "Knuckles" Pineau (7-3) steps in the cage opposite the undefeated Mike Vangelist (2-0).  Pineau looks to rebound after a first-round loss to Zach Elkins (10-6) last May.  At 50 years young, Camden Hills wrestling coach, and Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame member, Pat Kelly (0-0) will make his MMA cage debut against veteran Nate Charles (1-7).  A women's fight is also scheduled featuring the returning Tara Mitchell (1-0), a 44 year-old veterinary technician from Oakland, Maine, taking on the debuting Hillary Coolidge (0-0).  Mitchell won a thrilling debut fight last summer in Bangor over Kim Russell (1-2) at the Bangor Waterfront.

The full fight card for NEF XIV (subject to change):

PROFESSIONAL

145*TITLE Ray Wood 4-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Gabriel Baino 6-1 (Team Link)

135*TITLE Paul Gorman 10-8 (The Academy) vs Tim Goodwin 8-4 (Columbia Martial Arts/Murder Squad)

155*TITLE Bruce Boyington 6-7 (Young’s MMA) vs Jesse Erickson 3-2 (Team NEU - CMBJJ)

165 Ryan Sanders 6-5 (Young’s MMA) vs Ryan Quinn 10-4-1 (American Top Team)

170 Jarod Lawton 4-1 (Team NEU—IABJJ) vs John Daniels 2-3 (Rock City MMA)

165 Ryan Cowette 2-2 (MMA Athletix) vs John Healey 0-1 (Team Iron Jaw)

155 Ricky Sylvester 1-0 (American Combat Club) vs Tollison Lewis 0-1 (Balanced Ground MMA)

145 Jon Lemke 3-2 (Team Irish) vs Amos Collins 4-3 (Serra BJJ Myrtle Beach)

145 John Raio 2-5 (First Class MMA) vs Derek Shorey 0-0 (Independent)

135 Brandon Bushaw 0-0 (Serra BJJ Myrtle Beach) vs Elias Leland 0-0 (The Academy)

AMATEUR

265 Josh Parr 0-1 (Independent) vs Bill Leahy 0-1 (Young’s MMA)

185 Buck Pineau 7-3 (Choi’s) vs Mike Vangelist 2-0 (The Academy)

200 Crowsneck Boutin 5-6 (Choi’s) vs Ramon Saintvill 2-1 (Team NEU - CMBJJ)

180 Jacob Cameron 0-3 (Team Nitemare) vs John Gardner 0-2 (First Class MMA)

175 Nash Roy 2-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Caleb Farrington 0-0 (Team NEU)

170 Chad Jordan 1-0 (The Academy) vs Frank Dellasala 0-0 (Choi’s)

165 CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Reggie LaPorte 0-0 (Lysak’s MMA/Team Kore)

160 Nate Charles 1-7 (Balanced Ground MMA) vs Pat Kelly 0-0 (Young’s MMA)

155 Jarrod Tyler 2-1 (Team Irish) vs Mike Robinson 1-3 (MMA Athletix)

145 Caleb Hall 3-1 (Choi’s) vs Phil Exner 0-1 (Wes Littlefield’s Hardcore Gym)

145 Johnny Crafts 1-0 (New England United) vs Justin Witham 0-0 (Team Nitemare)

145 Dom Cofone 4-4 (Balanced Ground MMA) vs Corey Hinkley 2-2 (Team NEU - CMBJJ)

145 Jeremy Tyler 4-2 (Team Irish) vs Matt Denning 3-3 (Team NEU - CMBJJ)

145 Josh Harvey 1-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jason LaChance 0-1 (MMA Athletix)

135 Steve Desjardins 3-3 (Team Irish) vs Erik Nelson 1-1 (Team NEU - CMBJJ)

135 Nate Boucher 0-0 (Team NEU - CMBJJ) vs James Doughtery 0-1 (Choi’s)

135 Carl Langston 3-4 (Balanced Ground MMA) vs Nick Spencer 2-3 (Choi’s)

135 Trevor Hebert 1-4 (First Class MMA) vs Michael Crespo 1-0 (MMA Athletix)

135 Hillary Cooledge 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Tara Mitchell 1-0 (Wes Littlefield’s Hardcore Gym)

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.