Tim Sylvia on Randy Smith: “… I’m Going to Smash Him”

Lewiston, Maine (June 11, 2012) – Former two-time UFC World Heavyweight Champion is feeling good heading into his bout at this Saturday’s New England Fight’s (NEF) Fight Night III event at The Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Sylvia will step into the cage with New York’s Randy “The Wolf” Smith as his opponent in a heavyweight showdown.

Sylvia (30-7, 19 KO’s, 4 Submissions), will be fighting in his home state for the first time as he takes on the respected veteran Smith (14-10-1, 7 KO’s, 2 submissions), who of-late has become a fixture on the Northeast regional circuit, racking up an impressive list of victories and a collection of title belts.

 “I’ve seen a little bit of him on Youtube,” Sylvia said about his opponent, “He’s a tough kid and he likes to stand and bang.  And that’s going to be a recipe for disaster for him because I’m going to smash him.”  While confident, Sylvia says he’s not overlooking Smith, “I’m not looking at him as a stepping stone. I’m looking at him as a guy who wants a big name on his record with me being the victim. That’s not happening.”

Fighting in his home state for the first time in a 13 year pro career, Sylvia is looking forward to giving his fans a good show, “When I was at the last NEF show in Biddeford, it brought tears to my eyes when I heard the ovation from the crowd that I would be fighting in Maine at Fight Night III.”

In many media appearances, Sylvia has made it abundantly clear that he would ultimately like a return to the UFC before he retires. This has stirred up rumor after rumor about re-joining either the UFC or Strikeforce, “There’s nothing factual about any of those rumors at the moment, but if it happens then great. I’m ready and willing to fight anyone.”

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.

New England Fights! Announces 21 Fights on Tap for June 16 Card

Lewiston, Maine (June 1, 2012) – New England Fights! (NEF) is proud to announce a total of 21 fights set to take place as part of Fight Night III on June 16^th at The Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.

“It’s a privilege to once again be featuring the most talent-rich MMA card in Maine’s history,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “We started with Tim Sylvia and Randy Smith at the top of the ticket and built the rest of the card from there.  The state is represented in all directions by decorated veterans and newcomers alike. This lineup is a thrilling speed-rap that will be the fireworks before the 4^th of July this year, so come be a part of history on June 16^th!”  

Along with the Sylvia-Smith battle, and a heavyweight co-main event featuring former NFL defensive end Tyler King and Travis Bartlett, the rest of the card is filled by NEF mainstays and Maine state favorites like Ryan Sanders, John Raio, Jesse Erickson, Brent Dillingham, and Buck Pineau.

“I’m really excited for the women’s fight,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “In five shows as the promoter-of-record, this will be the first time I’ve had a female fight on a card.  Maria Rios and Kylie Christine will be just the beginning of, what we hope to be, many women to enter the NEF cage.  We are an equal-opportunity promotion.  If women want fights, we’ll do our best to make it happen.”

NEF smashed the all-time attendance record for a mixed martial arts show back in February when over 3,100 fans turned out at the Lewiston Colisee for Fight Night I. With a national television broadcast deal recently announced, NEF looks to enter the second half of 2012 with the same zeal it opened the year out of the gates.

The fight card (subject to change):

Pro

265 Tim Sylvia 30-7 (MFS) vs Randy Smith 14-10-1 (CNY MMA)

265 Travis Bartlett 8-2 vs Tyler King 4-1 (Connors MMA)

170 Ryan Cowette 0-0 (MMAathletix) vs Josh Bellows 0-0 (Littlefield’s Gym)

170 Ryan Sanders 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Ray Shawdee 2-1 (BTT/Intenze)

155 Jamie Harrison 2-1 (First Coast Full Contact) vs Antony Woodman 2-6 (Havoc)

155 Josh Parker 2-4 (Littlefield’s Gym) vs Chris Ramos 0-3 (CNYMMA)

155 Bruce Boyington 1-2-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Keegan Hornstra 0-3 (Recluse)

125 Paul Gorman 8-8 (Academy) vs TBD

135 Ernie Ornelas 0-1 (Choi’s) vs Hassan Mahmood 0-0 (Bombsquad)

Amateur

125 Dave Brown 0-1 (Andover Fight Club) vs Logan Trombley 0-0 (Kaze)

130 Maria Rios 1-0 (Academy) vs Kylie Christine 0-0 (CNYMMA)

135 Nick Spencer 0-1 (Choi’s) vs Matt Almy 4-5 (Bombsquad)

145 John Raio 2-0 (MMAathletix) vs Derek Shorey 2-3 (Bill Jones’ Shop)

155 Jesse Erickson 1-1 (CMBJJ) vs TBD

155 Jake Germano 0-0 (Academy) vs John Healey 2-2 (Bill Jones Shop)

155 Nate Charles 0-4 (Wai Nei) vs Josh Thornton 0-0 (CMBJJ)

165 Tollison Lewis 0-1 (Wai Nei) vs TBD

185 Buck Pineau 2-1 (Choi’s) vs TBD

195 Allan Josselyn 0-1 (Team Kaze) vs Matt Benner 0-0 (CNYMMA)

205 Brent Dillingham 2-0 (MMAathletix) vs Crowsneck Boutin 0-0 (Independent)

HVY Charlie Hodge 0-0 (Wai Nei) vs Matt Mahon 0-0 (Bombsquad)

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.

Sanders Aims to Become the “Wai Kru Killer” at Fight Night III

Lewiston, Maine (April 27, 2012) – New England Fights! (NEF) is proud to announce the return of “THE” Ryan Sanders (3-1) at Fight Night III on June 16^th at The Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Sanders is set to face Ray Shawdee (2-1) in a professional welterweight bout that will serve as the evening’s co-main event.

“Ryan Sanders has become an NEF staple,” stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “He’s been with us since the beginning and we’re excited that he’ll be back for Fight Night III. NEF fans have grown to appreciate Ryan’s exciting style and go-for-broke attitude in the ring. He brings it from bell-to-bell and we couldn’t be happier to be featuring him on a huge card with former World Champion Tim Sylvia as the headliner.”

At Fight Night II, Sanders experienced the first loss of his professional career after dropping a Unanimous Decision loss to Mike Winters (6-2) from Ithaca, New York. Since the loss, Sanders has recommitted himself to training and is anxious to rebound quickly at Fight Night III.

Sanders’s opponent, Ray Shawdee, hails from BTT/Wai Kru/IntenZe, a camp that Sanders is very familiar with. Sanders defeated Shawdee’s Wai Kru/IntenZe teammate, Dan “The Ghost” Keefe (7-3), by armbar submission in the first round of the Main Event at Fight Night I.

“I’m very excited to fight Sanders,” stated Shawdee. “Ryan’s a well-rounded fighter who will force me to bring my A Game. Ryan bested ‘The Ghost’ and for that, I must finish him!”

“Shawdee is really up for this fight,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “He’s as motivated as anyone I’ve ever seen. He’s really looking for payback on behalf of his team and Keefe. If Sanders defeats Shawdee, we’ll have to start calling him the ‘Wai Kru Killer,’ but Shawdee is dead-set against letting that happen. It will be awesome to see all of this play out in the cage.”

“Shawdee looks tough,” Sanders stated. “He has good hands and a pretty good ground game. His sub defense looks solid too. I think this fight will have some big fireworks!”

This will be the second time NEF has held an event at the Colisee this year. This past February, at the inaugural Fight Night event, some 3,200 frenzied fight fans showed up to see the biggest event in Maine mixed martial arts (MMA) history; almost 800 more fans than the crowd that witnessed Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston II in 1965, the most famous fight event ever to take place at the Colisee or in the state of Maine for that matter.

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 “Fight Night Mixed Martial Arts”.  Tickets for this event are on sale now at TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207-783-2009.