FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bangor, Maine (February 9, 2023) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine this Saturday, February 11, 2023, with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event “NEF 51: Banger in Bangor.” Tickets to the event have been sold-out for several weeks, but a live PPV stream will be available at www.CombatSportsNow.com. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the full fight card for the event.
In the main event of the evening, Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (17-12) is scheduled to meet Ross Dannar (1-0) in a professional lightweight bout. Boyington is a pioneer of the Maine MMA scene and a former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion. He will be returning to the cage after a three-year absence. Ross Dannar stunned many with his dominant performance and third-round technical knockout of previously undefeated Mohammad Al Kinani (4-1) in Dannar’s pro debut last spring at “NEF 47.”
The co-main event will feature Glory “The Fury” Watson (4-1) taking on Hilarie Rose (6-5) in a professional strawweight fight. Watson is riding a four-fight win streak including a split decision win over Gabriella Gulfin (5-5) last September in Bangor. Rose defeated Watson by unanimous decision in their first meeting – a kickboxing bout in New Hampshire at “NEF 44” in the summer of 2021.
Three title fights will top the amateur portion of the fight card.
Key Baltazar (2-0) and Nate Dorr (2-0) are set to clash for the vacant NEF Amateur Bantamweight Championship. Baltazar made his amateur debut one year ago at “NEF 46” and has one win by submission and one by unanimous decision to his credit. Dorr also debuted in 2022 and has a win by technical knockout and another by unanimous decision on his ledger.
Jared Turcotte (2-0) will square off with Quentin Pasley (5-0) for the vacant NEF Amateur Light Heavyweight Title. Turcotte is a member of the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame for his many exploits on the football field while attending Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Maine and the University of Maine. His meteoric rise in the MMA cage has seen him down both previous opponents in a combined 48 seconds. Pasley also has a perfect finish rate with four of his five wins coming in the first round. Pasley has only been to the second round once in his impressive amateur career.
Undefeated Ed Davis (2-0) will meet Kyle Pufahl (4-1) with the vacant NEF Amateur Lightweight Championship on the line. Davis has finished both of his previous opponents by technical knockout. Pufahl made his NEF debut at “NEF 44” with a second round technical knockout victory. He has since gone on to win a regional title on a card in New Hampshire.
The full “NEF 51” fight card (subject to change):
PROFESSIONAL
155 LBS: Bruce Boyington (Titan Athletics) vs. Ross Dannar (Nostos)
115 LBS: Glory Watson (Young’s) vs. Hilarie Rose (USMMA)
145 LBS: Carl Langston (Clifford’s TKD) vs. Nathaniel Grimard (Nostos)
155 LBS: Anthony Vasta (Defensive Edge) vs. Josh Beauparlant (Green Light)
AMATEUR
155 TITLE: Ed Davis (Titan Athletics) vs. Kyle Pufahl (Nostos)
205 TITLE: Quentin Pasley (FAA) vs. Jared Turcotte (CMBJJ)
135 TITLE: Nate Dorr (Acadia BJJ) vs. Key Baltazar (Nostos)
170 LBS: Zach Danesh (Defensive Edge) vs. Jon Assam (CMBJJ)
265 LBS: David McCarty (Titan Athletics) vs. Jerrod Winston (Lee Brothers)
190 LBS: Jack Burke (Karasu Tengu) vs. Nate White (Red Oak MMA)
170 LBS: Devin Corson (Titan Athletics) vs. Curtis Ouellette (CMBJJ)
125 LBS: Julian Menjivar (Karasu Tengu) vs. Qasim Abdulla (Choi Institute)
280 LBS: Abdul Keita (Rebel Fight Klub) vs. Charles Sullivan (VisionQuest)
155 LBS: Chase O’Brien (Wai Kru) vs. Trevor Brown (ME Maritime Wrestling)
135 LBS: Stanislav Rakov (FAA) vs. Hannon Sanford (CMBJJ)
265 LBS: Mile Emery (Titan Athletics) vs. Cody Dular (Team Benson)
140 LBS: Connor Morrill (Karasu Tengu) vs. Julian Sirois (VisionQuest)
170 LBS: John Gardner (Recon) vs. Kyler Hoobler (Lee Brothers)
145 LBS: Johnny Milligan (Wai Kru) vs. Brandon Maillet-Fevens (CMBJJ)
145 LBS: Jordan Denley (Titan Athletics) vs. Edwin Peña (VisionQuest)
145 LBS: Jackson Campbell (Young’s) vs. Patrick Mitchell (Green Light)
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 fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
