Women’s flyweight title up for grabs at NEF 43
New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus. The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur women’s flyweight title bout to the card. “Charming” Chelsea Tucker (3-3) will take on Caree Hill (6-2) for the vacant NEF Amateur Women’s Flyweight Championship. The title was vacated by reigning champion Glory Watson (6-1) after her decision to turn pro on the “NEF 43” fight card was announced.
Chelsea Tucker is on a three-fight win-streak since starting her amateur MMA career with three straight losses. It is a streak that began with her last NEF appearance in November 2018 that saw Tucker defeat BJ Garceau (1-1) via technical knockout in the third round. She has gone on to win fights in New Hampshire and Vermont since that time. Tucker proudly serves in the United States Coast Guard, stationed in Boothbay, Maine. She currently represents First Class MMA based in Brunswick, Maine.
“I really look forward to fighting Caree,” said Tucker. “This is a very good matchup. She’s a tough girl and so am I. I’m looking forward to putting on my best performance and having that belt around my waist.”
This will be the second time in less than a year that Caree Hill has ventured cross-country from her home in Oregon to challenge for NEF’s 125-pound amateur women’s strap. She took on Glory Watson for the belt at “NEF 39” last June and lost an extremely close split decision. Hill has gone on to win her next two fights, including capturing a regional title in Oregon. She represents Team Quest based in Gresham, Oregon and founded by UFC legends Randy Couture (19-11) and Dan Henderson (32-15). The gym has produced top names like Chael Sonnen (31-17), Nate Quarry (12-4), and the late Evan Tanner (32-8) just to name a few.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to come back and fight for New England Fights again,” said Hill when reached for comment. “I have been training hard and am ready for wherever the fight goes. I look forward to putting on an exciting fight for the fight fans in Maine.”
New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets are on sale now at www.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.
