Bangor Maine is known for a few things. Being the supposed birthplace of Paul Bunyan, once was considered the lumber capital of the world, and now a fight destination when NEF brings the action to town.
Let's recap the action that NEF brought to Bangor!
NEF 51 went down February 11, 2023 at the Cross Insurance Arena. A sold out crowd was fully engaged all night while 21 bouts captured their attention all night. A perfect blend of quick finishes, grueling 3 round wars, and surprising results made NEF 51 a night to remember.
Kicking off the night was a grappling match between Faulkner & Satero that was a great idea to get Satero into the cage that night. After traveling from Indiana , his opponent wasn't able to make it to the match so the crew at NEF was able to get this 5 minute submission only match and it was a nice touch to get the event going.
Photo Credit (NEF Facebook - Campbell getting the RNC)
Then the MMA started right up and Kicking off the night was 3 finishes in a row as Jackson Campbell made his debut and got the Submission Victory in round 2. Next up we see Jordan Denley make his pro debut and after a strategic back and fourth he was able to unload punches and eventually Able to drop Edwin Pena in the first. Following this finish was a round 2 submission by NEF veteran Brandon Maillet-Fevens with a smooth Rear naked choke.
The 4th & 5th fight seen Kyler Hoobler and Julian Sirois use their clinch and wrestling to control most of the fight and grind their way to decisions.
6 fights in and the Heavyweights take the stage. Miles Emery quickly drops Cody Dular but Dular quick to imitate the arm bar but is too high. The get back to their feet and like the big boys do in there they start throwing some thunderous Uppercuts followed by a right that drops Dular. Ref jumps in a Emery lets off a yell like a Lion claiming his jungle.
Photo Credit (NEF Facebook - Emery's Thunderous yell)
The crowd continues to get spoiled with a walkout Head Kick KO by Stanislov Rakov.
Rakov threw the kick a few times in a row and noticed the defense wasn't there. A few more swings of the leg and the fight is over.
Photo Credit (NEF Facebook - Rakov lining up the head kick)
How about another 1st round finish? A bloody ground & pound gets the action stopped for a second while the ref comes in and eventually they reset but it takes about another minute for Chase O'Brien to land some heavy ground & pound and finish his opponent.
Fight 9 we see another victorious debut as the Super Heavyweights Charles Sullivan and Abdul Keita take the center of the cage at 280 pounds. An all out war with both men having their moments ended with Sullivan getting the TKO with some heavy ground & pound.
Fight 10 seen Qasim Abdulla & Julian Menjivar put on great performances and fight their way to a Decision going in Abdulla's favor.
Photo Credit (NEF Facebook - Corson get the W)
Next up Devin Corson made one hell pf statement with his wrestling showcase and getting the crowd riled up with his HUGE slams and grinding his way to a victory. Corson came to put on show and we cant wait to see him back in the cage!
Crowd favorite Nate White takes the cage next and fires in for the takedown quickly, almost gets the Americana, a quick scramble and he locks in the armbar. Impressive return to action with a nice submission. Photo on the right credit to Nef Facebook page. Click here to visit NEF's Facebook
Another heavyweight fight happens next and after 3 grueling rounds with 2 totally different game plans, one fighter looking to wrestle and one looking to trade strikes we seen the striker Jerrod Winston come out victorious.
Zach Danesh comes in with some smooth ground control and puts on a submission clinic as he locks in the Rear Naked Choke in round 1.
ITS TIME FOR THE TITLE FIGHTS!
First up is Nate Dorr vs Key Baltazar, both undefeated at 2-0 with a lot of potential from both fighters, this fight was full of action from the moment it kicked off. Key showing off his kicks and using his reach wisely. Dorr showing his boxing with a nice jab. This fight got to the 2nd round when Dorr was able to lock in the armbar. Massive victory for the new NEF Amateur Bantamweight Champion
Nate Dorr.
Photo Credit (NEF Facebook )
Next up is the 205 amateur championships and Quentin Pasley had one goal in mind the whole fight, GET THE KNOCKOUT! In round 2 he lands a monstrous right hand levels his opponent. Who do you want to see Pasley fight next?
Photo Credit (NEF Facebook )
The last title fight on the card was top contender for Fight of the Night. Kyle Pufahl had a 5 round war with Ed Davis. Holding nothing back these 2 warriors left it all in the cage. Huge win for Pufahl and the team at Nostos MMA. The crowd loved this and the matchmaking was incredible. Both men put on one hell of showcase. Pufahl has had an incredible start to his MMA career winning all his fights by finish and never needing the judges. This 5 round grueling battle showed that he has the grit, toughness, and discipline to make it 5 rounds. Keep a close eye on this up and comer.
Photo Credit (NEF Facebook - Pufahl on the attack )
The Pro part of the card starts and Anthony Vasta uses his long legs to fire a kick that drops his opponent, hops right down and goes on the attack. 42 seconds in the fights over.
Nathaniel Grimard,Another Nostos up and comer, gets the finish against NEF vet Carl Langston. Ground & Pound was the key to victory here for Grimard.
Photo Credit (NEF Facebook )
CO MAIN EVENT sees Glory Watson send the crowd absolute wild with a first round finish. The pop Watson gets from the crowd is loudest I've ever heard that venue. After the win while on the mic, she says she's love a call from Dana White. is the UFC ready for its first female fighter from Maine? Everyone in that venue thinks so!
MAIN EVENT seen NEF Veteran Bruce Boyington Make his return against undefeated Ross Dannar. At 1-0, Nostos prospect Dannar takes a big jump in competition as he takes on boyington who has over 30 fights. Dannar showed he has what it takes by standing and banging, using his grappling, and eventually getting the finish with some ground and pound.
All in all this was one of the best New England Fight cards that I have ever been to. Take my word for it. Take the drive to Bangor when NEF is in town!
Relive the action here at CombatSportsNow.com
Next up NEF 52 goes down May 13'th at club Aura in Portland Maine. Buy your tickets early cause they will sell out after putting on a show like this!
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