‘Brawl at Town Hall’: Rumford to host MMA event
RUMFORD — Combat sports will return to this western Maine community for the first time in more than half a century when New England Fights brings its mixed martial arts and kickboxing event to the Rumford Falls Auditorium on Saturday, July 11.
NEF 67: Brawl at Town Hall will feature 13 bouts, including three title fights, inside a 22-foot hexagon ring. Doors open at 6 p.m. with action beginning at 7 p.m.
The event marks a homecoming for NEF Co-owner Matt Peterson, who grew up in Rumford and has promoted fights throughout New England for years.
"I've promoted events all over New England, but this one means something different," Peterson said. "Rumford is my hometown. These are my roots. To bring combat sports back here after more than 50 years, in a community that has produced so many outstanding athletes, is something I've wanted to do for a very long time."
Rumford's combat sports history stretches back more than a century. During the first half of the 20th century, the town regularly hosted weekly boxing cards.
The main event will pit former NEF flyweight champion Ryan Burgess against Hussin Al-Saadi. Burgess, a three-time state wrestling champion from Mountain Valley High School, won the NEF 125-pound title in 2015. The belt has since become vacant, and Burgess jumped at the chance to reclaim it in his hometown.
"He's a former NEF flyweight champion, a title he won in 2015 — and he's coming back to try to claim it," Peterson said. "Right now, our 125 title is vacant, and when he heard we're coming to Rumford, he jumped at the opportunity to get on board."
Al-Saadi carries a 5-2 professional record and represents The Choi Institute based in Portland. Promoters describe him as one of the most feared flyweights currently competing in New England, noting he captured gold in New Hampshire competition earlier this year. Burgess competes out of Team Lawton and holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Also on the card, Bryce Whittemore will make his amateur MMA debut against undefeated Avery Jones. Whittemore served as assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, Dirigo High School in Dixfield, where he was a four-time state wrestling finalist and three-time champion.
"I watched Bryce wrestle from the time he was 10 years old, and got to see him come right up through the youth circuit," Peterson said. "He was technical of course and you don't win three state championships without being a technical, proficient, skilled wrestler. He told me if I ever did a show in Rumford, he would get on the card. He was one of the first guys to sign on."
Jones trains out of Black Bear BJJ & Fitness in Augusta.
The event comes with enhanced security measures. Peterson said the company has contracted directly with local police, and two officers will staff the venue throughout the evening. The Combat Sports Authority of Maine, which regulates all such events in the state, will have board members and inspectors present.
"Safety is a high priority," Peterson said. "We're regulated by the state. We're looking forward to a safe, secure entertaining night for everybody that shows up."
This marks the first time alcohol will be served at the Rumford Falls Auditorium. The Lure Restaurant in Rumford will provide catering services.
"This is going to be our 12th venue in the state of Maine that we've conducted an event in," Peterson said, noting previous shows in locations including Orono and Biddeford. "We've done arena shows for thousands of people and this, of course, is not going to be that. There's some logistical challenges, but I'm hoping this goes well. We've got a passionate fan base. I'm very confident. The town and Select Board have been great to work with."
Peterson expressed appreciation to the Select Board for its endorsement and to Town Manager George O'Keefe for helping secure the venue.
The promoter traces his passion for combat sports to childhood. He said he became a fight fan at age 7 when his parents took him to see "Rocky IV" at the old theater in Rumford Plaza.
"That's what set me on this crazy fight journey I've been on for the last 40-plus years now," he said. "Made me want to be a wrestler and then my brother was a wrestler. And my brother was the first NEF champion ever as a middleweight several years ago."
Peterson noted the region has produced numerous accomplished fighters. Among them is Caleb Hall, who won two state wrestling championships at Dirigo before becoming one of NEF's most decorated competitors in both amateur and professional divisions.
"I'm sure this region has probably produced more fighters in mixed martial arts than any other region in the state of Maine," he said.
Tickets for NEF 67 are available online through the organization's website.
"The return of fight night to Rumford represents a natural extension of a community that has spent decades developing hard-nosed competitors," Peterson said.
