New England Fights (“NEF”) presents its next event “NEF 66: Salute” on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The event will feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and kickboxing bouts. Tickets are on sale now at www.TicketMaster.com.

Earlier today, NEF announced an amateur MMA championship bout for the card. Edwin Peña (6-3) is scheduled to defend his NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Title against John Soucy (3-0).

Edwin Peña captured the title at “NEF 61” in February 2025 with a split decision victory over Julian Connerton (7-3). Peña returns to NEF after a 15-month absence. Peña represents VisionQuest Muay Thai based in Pittsfield, Maine.

“I am very excited to be defending my title and fighting in NEF again,” said the reigning champion. “I plan to show that I am on a different level mentally, physically, and spiritually. The belt is staying with me.”

Undefeated John Soucy has been perfect thus far in cage competition. Most recently, Soucy needed just over a minute to finish Chris Smith (2-4) this past February at “NEF 65.” Soucy represents Young’s MMA which recently opened a new location in Bangor, Maine.

“I’m really looking forward to this one,” said Soucy. “Truthfully, it’s something I never thought about when I first started this journey. It all started as a way to get in shape. Then one day my best friend Matt Sloan was like ‘how fucking cool would it be if you had just one MMA fight? That way you could say you have a MMA record!’ And here we are now, 3-0 and going for a belt. I owe so much to the coaches I’ve had along the way and Young’s MMA. Winning this belt would mean a lot to me. To be the first fighter to bring in a belt to our new location, and doing it in my backyard? I don’t know if I could ask for anything more. I’m really looking forward to this fight and opportunity.”

“Long is the list of fighters who start 0-2 and are never heard from again. Edwin Peña is not one of them,” noted NEF co-owner Matt Peterson. “Edwin dropped two hard losses in his first pair of fights, but all that did was sharpen his resolve. After those early setbacks, he roared back and ripped off five straight wins, four by stoppage. The only fight in that run to go the distance was a fight-of-the-year candidate in his title win over Julian Connerton. Edwin has stayed active, continued to refine his game, and proven he belongs at the championship level. It’s great to have him back in the NEF cage defending his belt.

“John Soucy has been just as active, with three successful outings in 15 months. He comes into this title fight with Edwin off the most impressive win of his career, a crushing knockout at NEF 65.

“While both men are at ease in striking range, neither is one-dimensional; each has shown real ability on the ground. That kind of balance tends to produce the most compelling five-round title fights, especially when both men are capable of making meaningful adjustments as the action unfolds.”

“NEF 66” takes place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Doors will open at 6 pm with the first fight taking place at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.TicketMaster.com.