FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bangor, Maine (October 28, 2023) – New England Fights presents its next mixed-martial-arts event “NEF 55: Glory Days” on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the card. Fred Lear (0-1) will meet Paul Walters (0-2) at a fight weight of 145 pounds.

The fight will be Fred Lear’s first since dropping his pro debut to Bryant Bullock at “NEF 38” in the spring of 2019. Lear is a former NEF Amateur Bantamweight Champion. As an amateur, Lear was 6-2-1 with all six of his wins coming in the NEF cage. His final amateur fight was a memorable five-round war with Zac Richard (1-2 pro) that went to a draw in Bangor before a raucous crowd. Lear wrestled and played football for John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor. He currently represents Young’s MMA of nearby Orrington, Maine.

“I’ve heard it a hundred times throughout my life: ‘don’t give up; don’t ever, ever give up,’” said Lear. “I have never been away from competition this long. My pro debut does not define me. I look forward to representing Young’s, the city of Bangor, and making that walk down to the gates.”

Multi-sport athlete Paul “ThundeRose” Walters will make his third appearance this year for NEF. He competed in MMA at “NEF 53” and boxed at “NEF 54.” Walters also has experience as a bare-knuckle boxer. He fights out of Tampa, Florida.

“I’m ready to go to war,” said Walters. “I leave everything on the line when I fight. It’s always kill or be killed and this fight is no different.”

“NEF 55: Glory Days” takes place on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Doors are scheduled to open at 6 pm with first fight taking place at 7 pm. A very limited number of tickets to “NEF 55” are still available at www.ticketmaster.com. The event will also stream live at www.CombatSportsNow.com. One stream pre-order will be chosen at random to win two VIP passes to “NEF 56.”