AUBURN — Organized fighting is in Jesse Erickson’s blood.

From his childhood training in judo to recent dual championships in a statewide grappling competition, Erickson has proven himself versatile, tenacious and a quick study.

Perfect, in other words, for the fast-growing sport of mixed martial arts.

“You can’t just be a wrestler or a boxer,” Erickson said. “You have to be able to put it all together to be successful in the cage. If you’re not, you’re going to get caught and get knocked out.”

Early in his newfound career, it’s Erickson, 25, who has delivered the knockouts.

The Auburn man stopped Tollison Lewis with a barrage in the first round of his last appearance in June at Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

On Saturday night, the Auburn amateur will take his 2-1 record into the cage against R.J. Letendre, a fighter ranked regionally in the 160-pound class.

It’s the third Lewiston card for the upstart New England Fights promotion started by Rumford’s Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo of Massachusetts. Both the February debut and the June encore lured crowds of 3,000 to the venerable ice arena.

“Jesse and Matt Peterson definitely had an influence on me getting started. I had been trying to go after some out-of-state fights before and they fell through every time,” Erickson said. “The NEF promotion has made it a lot easier. There’s nothing better than fighting in your backyard in front of your family and friends.”

Erickson is a lifelong student of traditional martial arts.

In addition to his judo roots, he began training at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the watchful eye of Travis Wells about four years ago.

“I just think he’s very talented. He’s an up-and-coming star in the sport,” Wells said. “He’s a good athlete, very flexible. Just a joy to be around. Very eager and very coachable.”

Back-to-back titles at the Maine Skirmish grappling showcase in Winslow sent Erickson in search of a new challenge, one that was neatly provided by the MMA craze.

The discipline of jiu-jitsu strengthens what Wells calls “the ground game” of cage fighting.

Jesse Peterson, a onetime high school wrestling state champion at Mountain Valley, also trains at Wells’ gym and has worked with Erickson to perfect the skills inherent to that sport. Wells also brought in boxer Ryan Gamache, nephew of two-time world lightweight champion Joey Gamache, to hone the fistic element.

“You have to focus on all the phases to be a successful fighter,” Wells said. “Especially with mixed martial arts, it’s the best athlete who can be more well-rounded who will win.”

Typical of the fighters who are the lifeblood of any regional promotion, Erickson could be classified as a weekend warrior.

Most weekends, though, he is focused on his work at the Walmart Distribution Center in Lewiston.

“They’re really great to me. I have a schedule that is usually Saturday, Sunday and Monday, so I have the rest of the week off to train,” Erickson said. “And they’re helpful about giving me time off for my fights.”

Erickson trains four or five days a week. In addition to the Central Maine gym, he travels south to work out at South Shore Sportfighting, a prominent stable in Norwell, Mass.

One of his fellow South Shore fighters previously stepped into the cage with Letendre, a link that has helped with his preparation.

“I’ve been able to learn a little bit from him, and I’ve watched some fights online. He’s mainly a straight-up fighter,” Erickson said. “Our reach is about the same. It should be a good match.”

Erickson’s background in a ring or on a mat is less extensive than many of his peers in MMA.

Those who have watched his early fights say that he compensates with his attitude and attention to detail.

“In conversation, he is very mellow. However, as a competitor, he is fierce and has a mental toughness that you don’t often find in guys like him that didn’t come up through the ranks from any specific combat sports background like wrestling or boxing,” Matt Peterson said. “He’s a disciplined student of jiu-jitsu and is seeing some real success as he transitions into MMA.”

By his unassuming nature, Erickson doesn’t see himself as a pioneer, but he could be classified as one.

Erickson is one of four fighters out of his gym at 1120 Center Street expected to see action Saturday. Erik Nelson and Connor Murphy will join Erickson and Peterson on the card.

Wells has heard the buzz and seen the bump from this year’s flurry of local fight cards.

“Guys like him are making mixed martial arts grow in Maine,” Wells said of his protege. “A lot of people are being drawn to it.”

[email protected]