FIGHT NIGHT NEW ENGLAND SET TO BRING BACK COMBAT SPORTS TO RUTLAND, VERMONT

June 24, 2023 FIGHT NIGHT NEW ENGLAND is set to premier its first combat sports event in Rutland, Vermont.  The event is said to be hosting approximately fifteen bouts on the card.  The event will spotlight amateur MMA and Muay Thai competition. It has been several years since the Rutland area has had combat sports on the menu. NORTH EAST MMA Media caught up with the promotions majority owner Jarred Keefe and asked him what made him decide to unveil FIGHT NIGHT NEW ENGLAND.

“I wanted to bring a professional stage to the amateur fighter, a stage to showcase their skills to make the next step to pro.” – Jarred Keefe.

Keefe is excited about their first event and anticipates one thousand plus to show up in attendance.  “They can expect to be on the edge of their seats and wanting more after each show.” It would appear if all goes to plan this will be the first of many FNNE events.

LOCATION – 134 Community Drive, Rutland, Vermont
June 24, 2023 / Doors open at 6pm
Food Carts & Booze Tent on Site
Free Parking
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/fight-night-new-england-llc-65310786523?fbclid=IwAR3svwDfw9PcLv4UIZUzYXOpTsLK70_0ekaPwK7ieFg34I6EuhVReRAFGmM

As a bonus for the fight fans FNNE has arranged for UFC legends Matt Hughes and Tim Sylvia to be on hand.
 

NORTH EAST MMA Media

By Tommy Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

KYRA LEE vs MICHELLE MARQUES
BATTLE in BARRE 10 ? MAY 13, 2023
Amateur MMA Bantamweight Bout

KYRA LEE vs MICHELLE MARQUES set to square off in Amateur Bantamweight MMA action BATTLE in BARRE 10.

NORTH EAST MMA Media

By: T. Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

KYRA LEE hails from Canada and fights out of Vermont.  She trains under Combat Fitness MMA and is riding a two fight winning streak.  Lee made her amateur MMA debut in November of 2022 with a first round victory over Shannel Butler (0-1) by way of knee injury at Cage Wars 54.  Lee went on to win her second amateur MMA bout in March of 2023 via first round arm-bar submission at Cage Wars 57.  Kyra is no stranger to striking considering she currently holds a (1-1) record in amateur muay thai.  On May 13^th at DonnyBrooke Fight Promotions ‘BATTLE in BARRE 10’ Kyra Lee will be aiming to add win number three.  Lee noted she is feeling good heading into the matchup and looking forward to fighting in front of a home crowd.  “Fight camp is going well.  I’m lucky to have very good coaches and training partners at COMBAT FITNESS,” Lee stated.  “Especially Miriam Wolpert who has a kickboxing fight on the same DonnyBrooke promotion card as well.” 

MICHELLE MARQUES was born in Brazil and fights out of Massachusetts.  The thirty-one year old trains under the guidance of Defensive Edge MMA and brings a (1-0) amateur MMA record into the contest.  Michelle Marques brings considerable grappling experience along with knowledge in judo.  Marques made her amateur MMA debut in May of 2022 with a second round arm-bar finish over Logan Weaver at Victory Cage Fighting Championship. 

“I definitely feel Michelle Marques will be my biggest test to date.  She is a very accomplished grappler and I look forward to testing my skills against her,” explained Kyra Lee.  “I expect to see her looking to grapple.  Vermont fight fans can expect a fun fight between two skilled competitors.” Marques no doubt will be Lee’s toughest challenge as an amateur.  This looks to be a well matched bantamweight bout that will surely get the crowd’s attention.
FOR TICKET AND FIGHT INFO – www.donnybrookefightpromotions.com  

By Tommy Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

BATTLE IN BARRE 10 / MAIN EVENT
ANDREW PROVOST vs JOSEPH McNEIL
Professional Lightweight MMA Bout
NORTH EAST MMA Media

ANDREW PROVOST vs JOSEPH McNEIL: PRO LIGHTWEIGHT MAIN EVENT

BATTLE IN BARRE 10 / MAY 13, 2023 / BARRE, VERMONT

ANDREW PROVOST fights out of Plattsburgh, New York and brings a (1-1) professional record into the cage.  Provost trains under the guidance of Robert Hugus BJJ and will be looking for his second win as a pro May 13^th under the bright lights of the Barre Auditorium.  The thirty-five year old New Yorker made his amateur MMA debut in March of 2010.  He gathered up three regional MMA championship titles during his amateur career and produced a formidable (7-1) record. Provost made his professional debut in September of 2021 at Battle in Barre 5 delivering a unanimous win over a tough Chris Rooney.  In May of 2022 Provost came up short in his second pro bout, a unanimous decision loss to Nathaniel Grimard (1-0) at NEF 47.  Provost wields an aggressive wrestling style and can unleash considerable power inside the cage.  Andrew is a tough fighter.  On March 11^th of this year Provost leaped at an opportunity to compete on POWER SLAP, a TBS new reality TV show promoted by the UFC’s very own DANA WHITE.  The show centers on two competitors standing face to face.  Both competitors trade slaps to the side of the face and head.  Not just any kind of slap, but the kind of slaps that come from hell.  Slaps that produce thunderous knockouts.  Competitors are not allowed to move their head or face during the impact.  With just a one week notice Provost was on his way to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete in POWER SLAP 1.  Provost walked away with a win, turning off the lights for his opponent and sending his opponent flat to the ground like a tree falling in a field.  There is little doubt that Provost brings real in your face toughness and has the power to back it up.  Provost proved beyond a doubt that he is a beast that goes beyond the borders. A victory over McNeil would point Provost’s recently established pro career in the right direction.

JOSEPH McNEIL will be making his pro debut at Battle in Barre 10.  His opponent Andrew Provost makes for a big test.  McNeil fights out of Massachusetts and trains under the leadership of Worcester MMA.  He made his amateur MMA debut in December of 2019, a win via second round rear naked choke finish over Jarett Turnbaugh.  In September of 2021 with only one amateur fight to his credit McNeil took a shot at the vacant DonnyBrooke Fight Promotional amateur MMA lightweight championship title, the opponent undefeated Romano Medina (5-0) whom many within the fight community considered to be a future pro prospect.  McNeil fought hard for three rounds before the referee had seen enough, stopping the bout in favor of Romano Medina via KO/TKO.  Joseph brings more than just bravery with him.  He also carries muay thai experience having generated a (1-0) record in muay thai as an amateur.  The Massachusetts fighter is going to need to be prepared to dig deep into his fight kit.

I see Provost as the favorite in what looks to be a very entertaining main event.  With that said, this is the fight business, and one can never count out a fighter’s chance.  Yes it is true, every fighter has a puncher’s chance and it only takes one shot to win a fight.  It is also true one poor decision or one bad move and somebody is tapping out.  If McNeil can find a home for his striking or is able to execute an aggressive ground game it is fair to say anything can happen. 

Northeast fight fans don’t miss this pro lightweight main event as DonnyBrooke Fight Promotions continues to bring combat sports to the state of Vermont.  I took a brief moment to speak with Rex Thompson, the promoter of DonnyBrooke Fight Promotions. I asked him his thoughts on DonnyBrooke and how it has grown. “To be honest I’m very pleased at our growth in the New England fight scene, we just added a brand new production crew to our staff for this show, so we can take our video production to the next level,” he replied. Rex explained to me the importance of not growing too fast. He explained how slow steady growth is important in building a solid foundation. The promotion is looking to expand their small glove muay thai kickboxing fights both amateur and professional. “We have some huge fights lined up for this year,” exclaimed Rex. The future is looking bright for DonnyBrooke and New England fight fans can continue to expect pure excitement at every event. Andrew Provost versus Joseph McNeil looks to be a stout main event. “This is one of the most even matchups I could make,” stated Rex Thompson. Even fights make for action packed fights and action packed fights make for energized fans. New England fight fans do not miss BATTLE in BARRE 10.

By Tommy Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

GUNNER SPAIN vs COREY BUTTS
Professional Lightweight (155 lbs) Bout
Cage Wars 58 / Rivers Casino
June 3, 2023 / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NORTH EAST MMA Media

Pennsylvania’s GUNNER “The Real McCoy” SPAIN set to face New York’s COREY BUTTS in Pro Lightweight Action
By: T. Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

CAGE WARS 58 is set for June 3, 2023 at Rivers Casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Just one of many exciting bouts scheduled includes GUNNER “The Real McCoy” SPAIN versus COREY BUTTS, a pro lightweight fight that very well could turn into one of the most entertaining matchups of the night. This looks to be a competitively matched pro lightweight contest.

GUNNER SPAIN is a colorful and charismatic fighter who is carrying the momentum of a seven fight win streak.  He fights out of Pennsylvania and hosts a (1-0) MMA record as a professional. Spain made his amateur MMA debut back in December of 2019.  He went (6-0) winning the Maverick MMA welterweight championship title on two occasions and the Dead Serious MMA welterweight championship title as an amateur before making his professional debut in March of this year (2023) at Ring of Combat 79. Gunner managed to grind out a split decision win over Chris Guariglia (1-1) in his pro debut.  Spain has the energy in his corner coming off a win and having never been defeated inside the cage.  “I’m feeling great! Went back to the workshop after my last fight and worked on some things and I’m ready to get back in there,” explained Gunner Spain. Gunner brings a strong wrestling background and at only twenty-one years of age he also brings youth.  Corey Butts is a solid challenge for Spain’s second pro fight.  A win over Butts would up Spain’s young pro record to an undefeated (2-0) and extend his winning streak to eight. 

COREY BUTTS fights out of New York.  He is a veteran of the Cage Wars promotion having fought six times under the promotional banner as an amateur.  Corey has built a (7-3) amateur MMA record.  He demonstrated considerable success as an amateur capturing two Cage Wars championship titles and two Glauis Fights championship titles. June 3^rd at Cage Wars 58 the thirty-three year old Butts will be making his pro debut.  He will be entering the cage as a pro after a five year amateur run.  Corey is tough, durable, and scrappy.  He always brings a hard fight and is always ready to leave it all inside the cage.  The New York Lightweight is a seasoned competitor with an accomplished amateur career, but to walk away with the ‘W’ he will need to bring his ‘A’ game into the cage against Spain. To be successful Corey will need to find a way to control Spain’s wrestling game.  If Butts can neutralize Spain’s ground game the opportunity for victory could become more visible.  A win over Spain would give Butts a big ‘W’ over a rising young professional prospect and generate a strong start to his pro career. 

As always the number one rule will be to avoid making mistakes.  With two colliding warriors both extremely early in their pro careers chances of critical mistakes could be high.  The fighter who can take maximum advantage of their opponent’s mistakes could dictate the direction of the fight and perhaps decide the outcome. Corey Butts faced ten opponents as an amateur with a combined total of sixty-seven bouts of experience between them.  Gunner Spain faced six opponents as an amateur with a combined total of thirteen bouts of experience between them. I asked Spain if this could give Butts the edge in experience.  “I started training to fight when I was four years old.  I’m twenty-one now that’s’ seventeen years of experience I have.  I am not worried about it. I have trained with many fighters with many more years of experience than myself and they fight at the highest levels.  I will be prepared,” responded Spain.  The Pennsylvania based fighter is confident and will most likely have the crowd in his favor. Spain brings an arsenal that includes wrestling and jiu jitsu.  Spain believes these weapons will produce big dividends and be a major factor throughout the fight.  Spain is quick to remind everyone he brings a striking game as well and is always expanding his well rounded fight tool box. 

It will be interesting to see which of the two combatants will gain the edge in strength.  All things considered I see Spain coming in as the favorite, however do not drop your guard on Butts.  The New York fighter has what it takes if he can muster up, use his experience, and take it to the next level.  Corey Butts and Gunner Spain make for a good regional pro lightweight bout. Age versus youth, this battle has the fixings to be a hard fought pro lightweight fight that the fans will definitely enjoy.

By: Tommy Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

NORTH EAST MMA Media

Cover Photo Credit – Cage Wars MMA

NORTH EAST MMA Fighter Focus
JOE PARKER – UNDEFEATED AMATEUR NEW YORK WELTERWEIGHT

JOSEPH PARKER
JOE PARKER fights out of New York.  He made his amateur MMA debut in June of 2018, a first round KO/TKO over Tom Brink (3-3) for the vacant Whitehall Athletic Club amateur 170 lbs title.  Eleven months later in May of 2019 Parker traveled across the Atlantic to face Oli Hooley (1-0) at Cage Warriors 105 in Colchester, Essex, England.  Parker delivered a solid win and upped his amateur MMA record to (2-0) with a unanimous decision over Oli Hooley.  Eighteen months later in November of 2022 Parker defeated Ryan Martin (2-1) via unanimous decision at Cage Wars 54.

Joseph has only entered the amateur cage three times since his 2018 debut.  Despite the long periods of time between bouts Parker has managed to maintain an undefeated record.  With an amateur record of (3-0) Parker is a good test for most amateur welterweights.  He brings solid grappling skills and has demonstrated he knows how to win.  Parker has the talent to bring a stiff challenge to any welterweight in the northeast.  If the New York welterweight can avoid injuries, increase his competitive activity, and add another ‘W’ in his next outing, Joe Parker would be a prime contender for any amateur welterweight title in New England.

NORTH EAST MMA Media
By: Tommy Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

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Amateur MMA Fighter Focus

JONATHAN PIERSMA
WAR HAWK – NEW YORK’S PRO MMA WELTERWEIGHT
By: Thomas Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

JONATHAN “War Hawk” PIERSMA
As his nickname implies, when Jonathan Piersma steps into the steel cage he is ready for war.  He fights out of New York and trains under the guidance of Synthesis BJJ.  Piersma made his amateur MMA debut in February of 2018.  The “War Hawk” went on to produce a notable amateur career.  His amateur highlights include winning the Gladius Fights middleweight championship title in September of 2018 and capturing the Full Contact Promotion vacant welterweight title in January of 2019.  Piersma produced a stout (6-1) MMA record as an amateur taking five of his six victories by way of finish. 

Piersma made his professional debut as a welterweight in December of 2020 at CFFC 91 (Cage Fury FC).  He delivered a dominating first round finish victory via guillotine choke.  The New York fighter quickly built a solid (3-0) record as a pro finishing all three of his opponents in two rounds or less.  The undefeated up and coming “War Hawk” hit a slight bump in October of 2021 against Kris Vereen (5-0) at CFFC 101, a bout that resulted in a No Contest.  In March of 2022 Piersma was given his first “L”, a hard fought split decision loss to Charlie Radtke (4-3).

The Rochester area fighter refused to let the ‘no contest’ and the split decision slow his progress and returned to the professional cage in July of 2022 and delivered a lightning first round finish over TJ Welch (2-2) at CFFC 111.  Piersma’s strong return shifted towards him gaining the opportunity for a regional pro title matchup against a seasoned top shelf local MMA warrior, Ryan Sanders (20-9) for the vacant NEF pro welterweight championship title.  In November of 2022 Piersma defeated Ryan Sanders for the vacant New England Fights pro welterweight title via unanimous decision.  The victory over the experienced veteran Sanders along with the NEF pro welterweight title strap added more evidence as to Piersma’s rise among the upper northeast pro welterweights.
“I’d say my toughest fight to date was fighting for the NEF title.  Getting five rounds experience and fighting a tough veteran with thirty fights of experience,” explained Piersma.
When asked if he had plans to defend the NEF title in the future Piersma responded with “At this point there is no plan for me to defend my NEF title or return to fight for them (NEF).”

Jonathan “War Hawk” Piersma is coming off a big second round KO/TKO stoppage of Sanad Armouti (3-1) under the bright lights of the wide reaching Combat FC promotion in February of this year.  He is riding the energy of a three fight winning streak and carrying the pro strap of a regional northeast promotion. Fight fans keep a close eye on this northeast pro welterweight. The “War Hawk” is explosive, aggressive, and hungry.  He is strong and brings a serious wrestling game.  As Piersma continues to gain experience and develop a larger arsenal fight fans can expect to see him continue to rise higher and higher.  Word is that on June 16, 2023 Jonathan “War Hawk” Piersma will stepping into the cage to chase another pro title belt.

Cover Photo Credit – (CFFC)
By: Thomas Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

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Amateur MMA Fighter Focus

NATE RUSSELL – TOP AMATEUR MASSACHUSETTS FLYWEIGHT
NORTH EAST MMA Media
By: Thomas Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)

NATE RUSSELL fights out of Massachusetts and trains under Fighting Arts Academy.  After nine plus years as an amateur MMA combatant Nate Russell has produced an outstanding (8-3) record and has claimed four promotional title belts.  His accomplishments in the cage make him a real standout among the amateur MMA flyweights throughout the northeast region.

Russell made his amateur debut in August of 2013 with a KO/TKO first round win over Matt Bergen (0-1) at Premier FC 14.  He went on to produce a four fight winning streak with a first round rear naked choke finish of Kenny Morell at Reality Fighting in November of 2013, followed by a second round finish over Jesse Gutierrez (0-3) in February of 2014 at Warrior Nation XFA 8.  Russell capped his four fight winning streak by capturing his first amateur MMA title belt with a second round rear naked choke submission victory against Jovany Alverez (6-4-1) for the vacant Premier FC amateur flyweight championship in February of 2016.  At an undefeated (4-0) Russell was off to a strong start as an amateur however in April of 2016 he came up short in a challenge for the Cage Titans amateur flyweight championship title.  Russell lost via first round rear naked choke to Richie Santiago (4-4) the defending Cage Titan champion.  It was his first loss inside the cage.  After a three year layoff Russell returned to the amateur MMA cage in July of 2019 to face an undefeated Jake Bagley (2-0) at AMMO Fight League 7 for the vacant AFL flyweight title.  A fight Russell won via a second round stoppage.  The Massachusetts flyweight marched on to gain a unanimous decision win over Josh Smith (6-2) in May of 2021 at Ultimate Battle Grounds 7.  Russell was developing and evolving into one of the best amateur flyweights in New England.  His performances began to gain the attention of fight fans throughout the northeast. In August of 2021 Russell gained his third amateur title strap winning the Cage Titan vacant amateur flyweight title by way of a second round rear naked choke over Joe Poirier (2-0).  With an impressive amateur record of (7-1) few in New England could doubt Russell’s skill set and ability.  With three title belts to his credit he had clearly forged out a name for himself among the northeast amateur flyweights.  In November of 2021 Russell stepped up to challenge Alex De La Cruz the Cage Wars flyweight champion. Cruz was undefeated with a strong amateur record of (4-0) and considered to be a rising prospect with a possible bright future as a pro on the horizon.  This would be Russell’s biggest test as an amateur.  Despite a hard fought effort Russell took the ‘L’ by way of unanimous decision.  The set back would be a short one as Russell made a dynamic rebound in March of 2022 to win the Cage Wars vacant amateur flyweight title.  Russell laid claim to the vacant Cage Wars flyweight title with an explosive first round knockout victory over a highly talented Xi Lau (8-3).  The win over Lau seemed to cement Russell as the top amateur flyweight in New England and place him among the best amateur flyweights in the northeast. 

in January of 2023 Russell made a run at the Cage Titans amateur flyweight title against Tyler Smythe but fell via unanimous decision.

“I didn’t do anything we worked on in camp and I reverted back to bad habits.  I was too comfortable doing what has always worked for me and failed to make the necessary adjustments,” Russell commented on his loss to Smythe.  Russell felt Smythe was able to follow through with his game plan.  “I can only blame myself for not doing what I was supposed to do and thank him (Smythe) for showing me that my mistakes need to be fixed in order for me to get better and stay competitive.” 

With a near ten year amateur career behind him I asked Nate Russell who has been his most challenging opponent to date.  Russell explained to me Alex De La Cruz was without a doubt his biggest test inside the cage.  He added former opponent Richie Santiago turned out to be a great fighter but believes his loss to Santiago wasn’t as competitive due to Russell not delivering his best. 

When asked if he has considered turning professional Russell replied, “Yes but not just to say that I’m a pro fighter.  I have two goals.  One is to fight as long as possible and two is to fight the best guy available every fight I get.  No easy fights.”

Russell has attempted to balance his time between fighting and family, which is one of the biggest challenges a fighter can face.  Considering Russell’s age and that he is not getting any younger he feels it may be best to hold with three minute rounds versus move to five minute rounds, an effort to increase his longevity in the sport of MMA.  Russell believes the more experience he gains the more the solid competition pool begins to shrink at the amateur level.  As the pool of worthy regional amateurs dwindle, Russell may need to search for more options, a very common hurdle for most amateur fighters with notable talent and promise.  “Going pro will affect two of my priorities which are fighting as long as possible and spending time with my family.  If I can continue to fight high quality guys at the amateur level I will in order to keep my goals in line but that amateur window is closing fast and I don’t know how much time I have left,” stated Russell. 

If you are a fight fan from New England you are already well aware of the fact Nate Russell always takes the tough fights.  He is the definition of a real competitor, the type of fighter that is always looking for a bigger test.  Nate Russell is a true flyweight.  He has speed, movement, and grit.  He is dangerous in both standup and on the ground.  Nate Russell is an intelligent fighter with a vast level of experience.  He is extraordinarily well rounded and has an impressive wrestling background.  His experience and fight IQ make him a major threat and a formidable opponent for most any flyweight in the amateur game.  The Massachusetts flyweight explained he currently has some fight news lined up that should be coming out soon.  He believes there are still a couple good fights for him at the amateur level. “We gotta get through this one before we think about those.  We’ll see where it goes from there,” closed Russell.  It will be interesting to see what direction Russell’s MMA career goes.  Regardless the path Russell’s career takes moving forward, fight fans can be assured the Massachusetts flyweight will continue to wow the crowd with his high level skills and his extremely competitive spirit.

By: Thomas Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)
NORTH EAST MMA Media
Title Cover Photo Credit – AMMO FL