Three Former Maine Champions To Be Featured at Fight Night I

Posted on | December 19, 2011 | No Comments

Lewiston, ME (December 19, 2011) – Nick Disalvo Promotions announced today that when Fight Night, Maine’s newest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, debuts on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 at the famous Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, it will do so with the most Maine State Wrestling Champions ever to be assembled on one card.

“I’m really proud to have three former Maine State Champs on our show,” stated DiSalvo. “Winning a state wrestling championship is one of the greatest accomplishments one can achieve in high school sports and all three of the wrestlers-turned-fighters featured on this card did it in spectacular fashion during their respective dominant seasons. The State of Maine is a hotbed for wrestling. I think you’re going to see top MMA fighters coming out of Maine high school wrestling programs for years and years to come.”

The three former champions featured on the February 11th card include 1995 125-pound champion John Raio from Gardner; 2000 189-pound champion Jesse Peterson from Mountain Valley; and 2002 189-pound champion Cody Lightfoot from Marshwood.

“All of these guys know how to compete–and win,” stated DiSalvo. “Jesse hasn’t fought MMA in over three years, but at the time he was forced into inactivity due to injuries he was a ranked fighter. Cody’s currently ranked #3 in the Northeast at Light Heavyweight and John is making his amateur MMA debut so get on board early with this guy because he is very skilled.”

“I am excited to have this opportunity,” stated Raio. “I’ve wanted to do this since I graduated from college, but I wasn’t able to do so until now due to the birth of my son and my work schedule. I’m very excited to finally be able to get into the cage.”

“I’m wicked pumped to be able to finally fight in Maine,” stated Lightfoot, who after high school went on to achieve All-New England honors while wrestling for Norwich University. “I’ve been waiting for a long time to compete in MMA in my home state in front of my friends and family–and I’m going to make the most of the moment now that it’s finally here.”

Fight Night I will feature both professional and amateur fighters representing the top martial arts schools in the Northeast including Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMAthletix, Team Havoc, Bombsquad, Sityodtong, Team Burgess and many others.

For more information and to stay up-to-date on the latest announcements regarding the inaugural event of Fight Night visit www.mma-fightnight.com.

About Fight Night I

The inaugural event of “Fight Night,” a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions company, will feature a Main Event professional welterweight bout between undefeated, fast-rising Maine prospect Ryan Sanders (2-0) from Young’s MMA and top Northeast middleweight Dan Keefe (7-2) out of Wai Kru/IntenZe. Promoter Nick DiSalvo has booked the Androscoggin Bank Colisee for “MMA Fight Night I,” which was the venue for the 1965 Heavyweight Boxing Championship rematch between Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali. The 4,500 capacity arena is the premiere venue in the Lewiston/Auburn, Maine region. The facility has added over $4 million in renovations in the last four years including food court/taverns and other amenities to provide fight fans with a top-flight experience.

About Nick DiSalvo Promotions

Nick DiSalvo Promotions is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. Nick DiSalvo Promotions’ mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. DiSalvo Promotions’ executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing and advertising.