One of the biggest challenges for a mixed martial arts fighter is surviving the rigors of training camp.
The uncertainty makes for many a fight postponement, and former Bangor-area fighter Ray “All Business” Wood now has experienced both sides of that frustration within the last two weeks.
First his scheduled opponent for a bout in Lewiston on Saturday night had to cancel due to injury.
Then Wood (6-1) secured his biggest career opportunity to date as a replacement fight of sorts, signing last week to fight on the undercard of Bellator 146 on Friday night at the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
Now the Bucksport High School graduate and former New England Fights featherweight champion has had to back out of that scheduled three-round featherweight contest against Mark “Tricky” Dickman of Las Vegas, Nevada, for health reasons of his own.
“I’m very displeased to announce I will not be making my Bellator debut November 20,” said Wood in a Facebook post from Amarillo, Texas, where he now resides. “I sustained an injury during training and am forced to pass up on the opportunity. Thank you to everyone who showed your support and were eager to watch me compete. Hopefully another opportunity will come my way.”
Before signing for the Bellator bout, Wood had been preparing to return to Maine to fight undefeated Vovka “KGB” Clay of Amherst, New Hampshire, this Saturday on the NEF XX MMA-boxing card until that bout fell through.
Boetsch to appear at NEF XX
Lincolnville native and UFC veteran Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch will be the guest of honor for Saturday night’s NEF XX mixed martial arts and boxing card at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.
Boetsch will be available to meet fans in attendance and sign autographs from 6 to 7 p.m. leading up to the first fight of the night.
Boetsch (18-9) currently is training at Marcus Davis’ Team Irish MMA Fitness Academy in Brewer for his upcoming middleweight bout against Ed Herman as part of UFC Fight Night 81 in Boston, Massachusetts, on Jan. 17, 2016.
“Very excited to be supporting Maine MMA,” said Boetsch. “Looking forward to watching a full card of great fights and meeting all the fans that come out to see an exciting show.”
