Fight Night I; The Amateur Card
From Old School

I spoke with Androscoggin Bank Colisee PR guy and Ticket agent Jim Mercier this morning (Monday) and the city of Lewiston is gearing up for a huge MMA weekend as Nick DiSalvo’s Fight Night I comes to town. “It’s been really busy,” said Jim. “Tickets are selling like crazy. When I came in (at 8:00) this morning we had sold another $1,200 in tickets since 11:00 last night.” Jim and his crew at the Colisee have never hosted an MMA event, but he assured me that they are ready for the upcoming weekend. “We have our full staff on for the event. We’re expecting a busy night.” I have never really felt this level of anticipation for an inaugural MMA event here in New England. Tickets can be purchased on line by visiting https://ticketing.thecolisee.com/Online/default.asp.

While the Main Pro card is full of familiar names, the under card is a mix of generally unknown Amateur fighters, most of whom are from right here in the great state of Maine. The pride of Bucksport, Ray Wood, will be the featured fighter on the Amateur card. Ray is currently undefeated and NorthEastMMA ranked fourth at 145lbs. His coach, Chris Young, wanted the best opponent that they could find to challenge the rising star. Third ranked 155lb fighter Joe Pingatore accepted verbally, but then decided to stay in Rhode Island and begin his Pro career. Third ranked 145er Sam Nadeau accepted, but had to withdraw due to injury. Decorated BJJ black Belt Renan Borges then accepted the fight with Ray, but he, too, pulled up with an injury just seven days out. Team Bombsquad 155er Ahsan Abdulla (3-2) accepted the fight on just a weeks notice. Ray Wood brings his high school wrestling background and his Young’s MMA relentless style to the table. This kid pushes the pace from bell to bell in every round. By the end of the weekend the rest of New England will know what some of us in the MMA game already have seen; Ray Wood is for real.

Buck Pineo looks to keep his winning streak alive. The #3 ranked Amateur Light Heavyweight enters the cage at 2-0. He will have his hands full when he faces undefeated Dan Burke from Team Burgess.

A local Lewiston fighter, Jesse Erickson, has had a nice career in grappling tournaments over the past two years. He fights out of CMBJJ in Lewiston, but in preparation for his first MMA fight he has been travelling one day a week three hours to the south to SSSF in Rockland, Mass to sharpen his game. Look out!

Former Maine State wrestling Champ John “First Class” Raio will be making his MMA debut. John is a 34 year old postal worker who is just happy to be back in the game; his wife and kids will be cage side. First Class Raio and half the town of Gardiner are gonna be ready for Fight Night.

The entire undercard is loaded with fighters unknown outside of their home towns and gyms. And, for them, this Saturday night it’s GO TIME! This Fight Night I is the right event in the right place at the right time. Mother Nature is putting the usual Maine Winter weather on hold for the occasion. I think that Lewiston and the Androscoggin Bank Colisee are gonna put Nick DiSalvo’s Fight Night on the map!

The current Amateur Under Card is here:

155 Ray Wood 3-0 (Young’s) vs Ahsan Abdulla 3-2 (Bombsquad)
160 Jesse Erickson 0-0 (CMBJJ) vs Isaiah Gomez 1-1 (Independent)
145 John Raio 0-0 (MMAthletix) vs Ken Kersch 1-4 (Real Deal)
205 Brent Dillingham 0-0 (MMAthletix) vs Rick Garland 1-1 (Real Deal)
185 Buck Pineau 2-0 (Choi’s) vs Dan Burke 1-0 (Team Burgess)
170 Adam Gordon 1-1 (Recluse) vs Erik Tseronis 1-2 (Team Burgess)
135 Dave Brown 0-1 (Andover Fight Club) vs Hassan Mamhood 2-3 (Bombsquad)
155 Nate Charles 0-2 (Wai Nei) vs Dez Green 1-0 (Bombsquad)
155 Zackary Adams 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jason Libby 2-1 (Bill Jones/Team KAOS)
170 Andrew Tripp 0-0 (Headstrong) vs Tollison Lewis 0-0 (Wai Nei)
145 James Dougherty 0-0 (Choi’s) vs Derek Shorey 1-3 (Bill Jones/Team KAOS)
145 Elias Leland 0-1 (Academy) vs Nick Spencer 0-0 (Choi’s)

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Mike Thomas Brown Seminar

On Thursday, February 9th, at the CMBJJ School in Lewiston, ME, former World Title Holder and Native Mainer Mike Thomas Brown will be holding a seminar in tandem with Fight Night I. For more information visit http://www.northeastmma.net/events.
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Kevin MacDonald Judge Training Course

Kevin the Ref will be holding his Judge Training Course in concert with Fight Night I. The course will be the day of Fight Night I at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee (Saturday, February 11th). The course will finish at the event that evening. For information and registration, visit http://www.northeastmma.net/events.