FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bangor, Maine (October 29, 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 an amateur women’s catchweight bout to the card. Kira Innocenti (0-1) will face Lindsay Valentine (0-0) at a fight weight of 150 pounds.
Kira Innocenti is a longtime member of Young’s MMA based in nearby Orrington, Maine. She previously competed at “NEF 19” in 2015 against Hannah Sparrell (1-2). It will be just over eight years since Innocenti last appeared in the NEF cage. With the fight being held on Veteran’s Day, it is fitting that Innocenti is a proud veteran of the United States Navy.
“One month after my amateur debut in 2015, I enlisted in the United States Navy,” noted Innocenti. “I was 22 years old and seeking my next adventure. Not a day went by while I was away from home, that I didn’t miss training and being with my gym family. I am truly blessed to have the support of my coach and friend, Chris Young, and the extraordinary family he has built. They have seen me at my worst and now, at my best.
“With age comes perspective and wisdom through experience. Despite my eight-year and two-month absence from competing in the NEF cage, I’m no stranger to the MMA world; I’ve managed athletes, played matchmaker for promotions across the country, and have consistently been present on the mats. I am thankful to say that I have grown and bettered myself significantly over the past 8 years.
“I’m not stepping into the cage for nine-minutes of attention; this process is not glorious to me. I’m fighting again to challenge myself and have a better experience than last time. This second fight has been a long time coming. On weigh-in day, I will have lost over 70lbs in 18 months. I can’t be ‘coming back’ when mentally, I never left. I am ready for this opportunity, on Veterans Day, to make myself proud.”
Lindsay Valentine will make her amateur debut in the fight with Innocenti. She is a member of Vamos MMA based in Holbrook, New York.
“I think Kira is a perfect match for me. She’s coming back from a long break and I’m making my MMA debut. We’re both definitely determined. I can’t wait to bring a slice of NY to Maine, I guarantee we will put on a show.”
The bout joins the card as the third women’s fight to be announced. As previously announced, Glory Watson (5-1) will battle Shawna Ormsby (2-4) in the professional strawweight main event while BJ Garceau (2-2) takes on Alecia Palmer (0-0) in a featured strawweight amateur fight.
“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.”