(PRESS RELEASE) -- Lewiston, Maine (November 30, 2012) -- New England Fights! (NEF) is pleased to announce that their first event of 2013, Fight Night VI, will be headlined by a 205-pound title bout between Jesse Peterson (7-2) and Greg Rebello (14-5) for the inaugural Maine State MMA Light-Heavyweight Championship. Fight Night VI is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 2nd at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, ME.
Greg Rebello is an eight-year veteran of MMA and has been a staple at the top of the rankings for the better half of the last decade. Currently ranked number three, he has fought in virtually every major regional promotion and has consistently found ways to win against top talent. At one point, Rebello went on an eight-fight win streak--an accomplishment unmatched by any other currently-ranked Northeast light-heavyweight fighter.
Jesse Peterson is a six-year MMA athlete and the current Maine State Middleweight Champion. Peterson secured the championship with a crowd-pleasing, come-from-behind, second-round submission victory over Cody Lightfoot (6-4) at Fight Night IV in September 2012. Eager to test himself against the best, Peterson has agreed to go up in weight to face Rebello to finally make a bout happen that has been years in the works.
"What many people don't know is that these two were supposed to fight awhile back," stated DiSalvo. "The contest was scratched when Rebello was injured in training and had to pull out of the bout--so this scrap is a longtime coming. Kudos to Jesse for agreeing to go up in weight. If he wins this fight, he will become the first person to capture two Maine State titles in two different weight classes--so there's a lot at stake on February 2nd!"
"It's been a privilege to hold the Maine State MMA Middleweight title for the past few months," stated Jesse Peterson. "I am excited and motivated by the prospect of battling an accomplished, dangerous striker in Greg Rebello and potentially bringing home another title to Rumford, Maine--who I know will be out in full force on February 2nd!"
“I am really excited for this opportunity to fight for the NEF title in February,” stated Greg Rebello. “Since their first show, I have heard nothing but great things about NEF both from the way the promotion treats their fighters to the number of fans at each of their events. Some time ago I was offered a fight with Jesse and for one reason or another that fight never happened so when my management team at Combat Sports Agency contacted me with the offer to fight for the Maine State Title against Jesse, we jumped at it. Jesse is a tough, well-rounded fighter and I am sure this will be a fight in which we both show up planning to walk home with that NEF belt. I am looking forward to a great fight!”
"I've followed Greg Rebello for years as he's competed in both the local circuit and on the national stage in shows like "The Ultimate Fighter" and Bellator," stated NEF matchmaker and co-owner Matt Peterson. "Greg is a complete gentleman and the consummate sportsman. He conducts himself with honor both in and out of the cage. Since the beginning of his career, he's maintained a sharp, consistent focus on his craft and hasn't tried to talk his way into fights he doesn't deserve. He's always worked hard, built an incredible record, and earned all of the opportunities and recognition he's received. He's exactly the type of class act we want fighting for our belts and representing our promotion."
FIGHT NIGHT VI is scheduled for February 2, 2013 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The event will have a special start time of 6:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the 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.”
About New England Fights New England Fights! (“NEF!”) is a Mixed Martial Arts 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.