New England Fights (“NEF”) presents its next event “NEF 69: Crossfire” on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The promotion returns to the arena portion of the venue for the first time since May 2025. The event is scheduled to feature both mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and kickboxing bouts. Tickets are on sale now at www.TicketMaster.com. The event is sponsored by Long Coast www.drinklongcoast.com.
Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight MMA bout to the card. Ray “All Business” Wood (8-5) will take on Ali “V.I.P.” Zebian (10-7) at a fight weight of 155 pounds.
Wood will make his return to the MMA cage for the first time since 2017. He was one of the early superstars to emerge during the infancy of NEF. All five of his wins in NEF have been finishes. Wood competed on the promotion’s very first event in February 2012. After turning pro, Wood captured and successfully defended the NEF featherweight title before going on to compete for Bellator. Originally from Bucksport, Maine, Wood now competes out of Dade City, Florida. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and owns and operates his own gym in Dade City which has been a successful endeavor for Wood.
“I’m excited to return to the cage where my fighting career began in Bangor, Maine,” stated Wood. “Fighting has taken me all over the country, but Maine will always be home. Ali is going to be a tough test, especially after being away from the cage for almost a decade. But I like my odds! We’ve both traveled similar paths and had our shots at the next level, so there’s zero pressure on me chasing a big-league contract at this point in my career. I’m fighting for one reason: I love this shit. I couldn’t be happier to make my return in Bangor for the best promotion in New England!”
Ali Zebian is another longtime veteran of the New England MMA scene. Zebian started his career in 2013 and has gone on to fight throughout the region. He made his NEF debut in 2023, losing a split decision in a highly competitive bout with Wood’s former training partner Ryan Sanders (23-12). Zebian represents Underground MMA Fight Team based in Massachusetts.
“They gave me a whole three months to get ready to beat this guy in three minutes,” exclaimed Zebian.
“NEF 69” takes place on Saturday, November 14, 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. The event is sponsored by Long Coast www.drinklongcoast.com.