FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Rumford, Maine (July 22, 2013) – New England Fights (NEF) today announced that Westbrook, Maine native Brandon Bushaw (6-2) will make his highly anticipated return to the mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion when he takes on Derek Shorey (2-7) at “NEF IX” at the Biddeford Ice Arena in Biddeford, Maine on Saturday, August 3rd.

“Brandon resides in South Carolina now, so we’re really grateful to him for stepping-up on short notice and taking this fight against an always-tough Derek Shorey,” stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.

“Derek is better than his record indicates, plus Brandon is a natural bantamweight, so Derek will have a size and weight advantage in this scrap since it’s being contested at 145 pounds, stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “Both fighters are former Maine State wrestling champions, so this match-up will be a great one to watch for fans of ground fighting.”

Brandon Bushaw, 32, won state championships in wrestling for Westbrook High School in 1998 and 1999 with a combined record of 73-3 for those two seasons. He then went on to wrestle at Michigan State with former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Title Holder Rashad Evans (23-3-1). A pair of shoulder injuries brought Bushaw’s college career to a premature ending, but ultimately led him into MMA where he has amassed a very respectable six wins as an amateur. He trains out of Relson Gracie in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Bushaw has competed for NEF twice previously in front of a quickly growing fan base.

I am very excited to be coming back on short notice to fight in my home state of Maine,” stated Bushaw when reached for comment. “I have to give thanks to my awesome wife Cynthia for allowing me to leave her and our 4-week old baby girl to come up and fight. Also my dad, Timothy Bushaw, for taking the time off to come up, as well as my corner men Amos Collins and Justin Paul for being there for me on short notice.”

New England Fights! presents NEF IX on August 3, 2013 in Biddeford, Maine at the Biddeford Ice Arena. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at 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.”

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