FIVE OVER 40 ON LEWISTON FIGHT CARD LOOK TO PROVE AGE IS NOTHING BUT A NUMBER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (November 13, 2014) – New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, presents its fifteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, "NEF XV," this Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a total of five athletes over the age of 40 competing, two of them being over 50.  While the fight promotion has hosted fighters over 40 on its previous cards, this will be the first time such a large contingent of quadragenarians and quinquagenarians have converged on the same event.

"This is one of the real interesting storylines going into 'NEF XV' this weekend," said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. "The average age of a competitor on any given NEF event is 26, so having these five guys fighting on the same card together is very unique.  We have a youth-obsessed culture in this country, and I think most people associate athletics with the young.  The martial arts, however, are for everyone.  They do not discriminate, and you see more and more people over 40 walking into gyms for the first time nowadays.  These five athletes are going to inspire a lot of people Saturday night in Lewiston by the example they set."

At 47, Artie Mullen may not be the oldest of the group, but he is certainly the most experienced in the cage.  Mullen has been a professional MMA competitor since 2007, having previously fought a dozen times on New England cards.  His last appearance in the NEF MMA cage was in April 2012 at "NEF II" in Biddeford, Maine. Mullen lost that night to Jesse Peterson, but Peterson later remarked that he had never in his career been hit as hard as he had been by Mullen that night.  Mullen, the owner and operator of MMA of Southern Maine, will meet Brent Dillingham, in a heavyweight battle at "NEF XV" this weekend.  Dillingham, 25, is nearly half Mullen's age, but Mullen vows he feels better than ever and is ready for this fight.

"I love representing for men over 40," began Mullen, "letting the young guys know we are still in the battle. At 47 I feel so awesome. It's time to battle."

Mladin Holman, 56, of Portland, ME will make his MMA debut onthis Saturday's card.  Training out of the Choi Institute, Holman is a native of Croatia, having served as a general in the Croatian army before relocating to the United States in the early 2000s.  He is accomplished in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, having placed second in the world championship's 50-and-over division.  He will meet Gravin Guillen (0-1) of Somerville, Massachusetts in a super-heavyweight bout.  Holman will become the oldest individual to ever compete in the NEF MMA cage.

Rick Matthews, 44, of Bangor, Maine, had wanted to participate in MMA for many years, but because of injuries, life choices, and health issues he was never able to seriously pursue that dream. After seeing himself at 206-pounds, Matthews decided to make a change in his life.  Training at Team Irish under MMA legend Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis started as a way for Matthews to just get into shape. Then, he realized that he had the ability to actually climb into the cage and compete.  He will do sothis Saturday night in Lewiston when he faces Alex Johnson in a lightweight (155-pound) bout.

"I don’t care what anyone else says or thinks," exclaimed Matthews. "It’s never too late to follow your dreams.  After all I have been through, age is just a number.  Forget your age and just live your life!  If you enjoy something…DO IT! This is not to say that it has been an easy path. With age you definitely don’t heal as quick or pick up new methods like someone younger. But with age comes wisdom, patience, and persistence, and sometimes that works to my advantage. I would like to thank Marcus and all of my teammates for their support.  Without them this would never have been possible. The camaraderie that we have at Team Irish/Gracie Barra is phenomenal.  It is a pleasure to work with all of them, and I am proud to be privileged to have them in my corner."

41-year old Heath Hanson will also make his MMA debut this Saturday night.  Fighting out of Augusta, Maine, and representing 3Ronin Athletics, Hanson steps into the cage to take on Adam Nielsen from Team Irish.

Pat Kelly, 50, will return to the NEF MMA cage after an impressive debut submission victory over Frank Dellasala at "NEF XIV" this past September.  By day, Kelly is a school teacher and wrestling coach at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport, Maine.  He has led the team to three state championships.  Kelly won a state wrestling title himself for Camden-Rockport High School in the early 1980s.  He later wrestled for the University of Maine, winning the New England Championship and competing in the NCAA championships in 1986.  He was inducted into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame in 2007.  Kelly trains out of Young's MMA in Bangor, Maine.  He will take on Steven Bang who also comes from a strong wrestling background having competed as an independent while attending Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine.

NEF's next mixed martial arts event, "NEF XV" takes place this Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  In the main event of the evening, Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington (8-7) will defend the NEF Lightweight Championship against Jesse "The Viking" Erickson (3-3) in a rematch from "NEF XIV."  Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.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 fight videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow the promotion 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.

Brent "Frosty" Dillingham to Return at Fight Night V

Lewiston, Maine (October 1, 2012) – New England Fights! (NEF) is proud to announce the return of one of its most popular fighters, Brent Dillingham (3-0), at the promotion's Fight Night V event.  Entitled "Night of Champions," Fight Night V is set to take place on November 17 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Dillingham's hometown of Lewiston, Maine.

"Whether it was justified or not, Brent has served his suspension and NEF is thrilled to have him back," stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  "His family, friends, and many fans are chomping at the bit to see Brent back in the cage.  And they'll finally have that opportunity on November 17."

The suspension, noted by DiSalvo, stemmed from an incident following Dillingham’s last bout at Fight Night III back in June. That night, Dillingham emerged victorious over opponent Crowsneck Boutin (0-2).  The flames having already been stoked by a confrontation a day earlier at weigh-ins, Dillingham and Boutin continued to argue post-fight, having to be separated by officials and their respective corner men.  Yet the Combat Sports Authority of Maine ("CSAM"), the regulatory body of mixed martial arts events in the state, chose to suspend Dillingham for actions that took place in the locker room immediately proceeding the fight outside of the public view.  Dillingham was accused of inciting a heated confrontation in the post-fight medical examination area.

“I think the suspension was unjust and I think it’s a shame in this state that there’s such hypocrisy where some people have a pass and can do as they please and others have to pay through the nose, but such is life,” stated Dillingham. “Not being able to compete, I felt like the kid who had to stay in at recess and watch all the other kids go outside and play.”

"There have been rumors and speculation as to what, exactly, Brent Dillingham was suspended for," stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.   "MMA fights are violent and tempers are occasionally going to flare.  That's especially true when you have two individuals as passionate as Brent and Crowsneck.  After being forced out of our September event due to his suspension, I'm certain that the Colisee is going to be shaking from the thunderous ovation Brent receives when he makes his return to the cage on November 17^th. He's one of our most popular fighters."

So popular is Dillingham that his suspension sparked outrage among his fans to the point where there is now a viral campaign spreading through social media channels dubbed "Free Frosty."  The anti-establishment movement has gained steam in recent days when word leaked that Dillingham would return on the November card.

"It's been kind of crazy," continued DiSalvo.  "All of these 'Free Frosty' messages started to pop up.  We started getting emails and calls off the hook asking if that meant that Brent is returning at Fight Night V.  The answer, we're proud to say, is a resounding yes.”

“For my return, I’ve been training and preparing like never before for this fight,” stated Dillingham. “I’m more motivated than ever and fans can expect what I always give them—and that’s me finishing the fight and getting my hand raised at the end, God willing.”

Fight Night V is slated for November 17 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, ME with a special start time of 5:00 PM. For more information on this 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.” Tickets for Fight Night V are on sale now at www.TheColisee.comor by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x  525.

Brent “Frosty” Dillingham Looking For Third Win vs Crowsneck Boutin at Fight Night III

Lewiston, Maine (May 21, 2012) – New England Fights! (NEF) is proud to announce the return of undefeated amateur prospect Brent “Frosty” Dillingham at Fight Night III on June 16^th at The Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.

“Frosty’s been with us from the beginning and has finished all of his fights,” stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “He’s one of the most exciting, promising amateur 205ers on the regional scene right now. His opponent is the mysterious Crowsneck Boutin that no one has ever seen but that everyone is talking about, so this will be a very fun and interesting fight when it goes down on June 16th.”

Dillingham, who earned his nickname “Frosty” from his mother in reference to his “ice cold personality and demeanor,” is the protégé of MMAAthletix owner and head trainer, Ryan Cowette. Cowette, who discovered Dillingham a couple of years ago, made sure that Frosty was well prepared before he allowed him to make his amateur debut back in February at Fight Night I. “Brent just had what it takes right from the beginning,” stated Cowette. “He has that quality that’s hard to find—a strong will. He always looks for the win. He focuses on his battles outside the cage just as much as the battles he has inside it. I believe he is the number one 205-pound amateur in the Northeast—and now we just have to prove it.”

In his mixed martial arts debut at Fight Night I, Dillingham submitted Rick Garland (1-2) in the second round in a crowd-pleasing scrap that brought fans to their feet.  At Fight Night II, Dillingham continued to show off his submission skills by forcing former University of Southern Maine wrestler Chaz Guthrie (0-1) to tap in the first round due to a guillotine choke. Now Dillingham is scheduled to face newcomer Crowsneck Boutin (0-0), an independent fighter whose history is as unknown and cryptic as the origins of his unique name.

“Having spent time with both of these young men, I can promise you that this will be a terrific clash of personalities and styles,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “Both guys have a fantastic and terrible kind-of quietness about them that I think will come out and lay waste to the cage—and it could get really crazy in there.”

“My opponent is an unknown, but I treat him with the same respect that I treat any fighter,” stated Dillingham. “I know he’s going to be tough and I know he’s coming to knock my head off, so that’s what I train for. I train with the best to be the best and I push myself to the breaking point daily. At Fight Night III fans can expect me to do what I always do, which is attack and annihilate my opponent before he can do the same to me.”

Fight Night III is being headlined by a heavyweight bout between former 5x UFC Heavyweight Champion of the World, Tim “The Mainiac” Sylvia (30-7) and Randy “The Wolf” Smith (14-10-1).

For more information on this event, visit www.NewEnglandFights.com. You can watch NEF videos, including an interview with Tim Sylvia at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights”.  Tickets for this event are on sale now at TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207-783-2009.