CES returns this Friday to the Twin River Casino on August 14th, 2015. The main card will be televised on AXS TV. They have a total of 11 professional fights including the main event that is the much anticipated rematch between Julian Lane vs. Luis Felix which is a title fight. Tickets will be available at the door of course and on their website so make sure u order your tickets early as this one could very well sell out. Also fighting locally is TUF star/Invicta FC fighter Peggy Morgan and TUF star Pat Walsh. Also on the card is Bellator fighter Matt Bessette and WSOF fighter Dan Lauzon. Let me break down the card for you.
155 PRO GARY BALLETTO JR. (0-0.) vs. ANTHONY GIACCHINA (0-0 Maxum BJJ)
The first match up is 155 lb fight between Gary Balletto Jr and Anthony Giacchina. Both of these fighters will be making their pro debut. Anthony Giacchina trains out of Maxum BJJ and had a 3-4 record as an amateur with 2 sub and 1 decision victory. I am sure the fan favorite will be Gary Balletto and it is going to be a great way to kick off a solid night of fights.
135 PRO JACOB SMITH (FAA 0-0) vs. CHRIS CATERINO (Bucket Brigade 0-0)
Next up is a 135 lb double pro debut between Jacob Smith and Chris Caterino. Smith is a local Western Mass fighter who trains with Fighting Arts Academy. He had a stellar amateur record of 8-1 with 3 ko/tko 2 subs and 3 decision victories. Now he is ready to show off his skills to the big show of CES. His opponent is Chris Caterino who is also making his pro debut. He trains out of New Hampshire with the Bucket Brigade and as an amateur had a 4-3 record. For his wins he had 3 wins by sub and 1 decision. For his losses he lost 2 split and 1 by ko/tko. This is an exciting match up as both of these fighters are fast paced and love to finish. However, with that said I see this one coming down to a decision.
145 PRO MANNY BERMUDEZ (SSSF 1-0) vs. MAK KELLEHER (Varner's Combat Academy 0-1)Next up is a 135 lb double pro debut between Jacob Smith and Chris Caterino. Smith is a local Western Mass fighter who trains with Fighting Arts Academy. He had a stellar amateur record of 8-1 with 3 ko/tko 2 subs and 3 decision victories. Now he is ready to show off his skills to the big show of CES. His opponent is Chris Caterino who is also making his pro debut. He trains out of New Hampshire with the Bucket Brigade and as an amateur had a 4-3 record. For his wins he had 3 wins by sub and 1 decision. For his losses he lost 2 split and 1 by ko/tko. This is an exciting match up as both of these fighters are fast paced and love to finish. However, with that said I see this one coming down to a decision.
Next up is 145 pro fight between Manny Bermudez against Mak Kelleher. Bermudez trains out of SSSF and is a ground specialist. He comes into this fight with a 1-0 record with 1 win by ko/tko against Manny Torres at a previous Cage Titans event. As an amateur he went 7-1 with 7 wins by submission. His opponent is Mak Kelleher who trains with Jamie Varner's Combat Academy. He is coming to fight from New York and as an amateur had a 3-3 record. As a pro he comes into this fight with an 0-1 record with 1 decision loss to Rico Disciullo who is fighting later that night. His only losses as an amateur were all by decision and all 3 of his wins were by submission. As you can see on paper both of these guys are solid on the ground. I highly suspect that this fight will be taken to the ground rather quickly and I give the edge to Manny Bermudez on this one.
145 PRO RICO DISCIULLO (Sityodtong 4-0-1) vs. JAKE CONSTANT (John Geyston's MMA 6-7)
At 145 Rico Disciullo will face off against Jake Constant. Rico trains with Sityodtong and comes into this fight with a 4-0-1 record. He has 1 win by ko/tko to strikes and 3 wins by decision. As an amateur he was 9-3 with 5 wins by ko/tko and 4 subs. He has the heavy hands and has the power to knock his opponents out. His opponent is Jake Constant who comes into this fight with a record of 6-7. He is fighting out of Illinois and trains with John Geyston's MMA. He has 2 wins by ko/tko, 3 sub and 1 win by decision. For his losses he has 3 by ko/tko, 3 by sub and 1 by decision. Constant has the fight experience edge in this one but I give the edge to Rico and I see him winning this one by ko/tko to strikes.
145 PRO LEON DAVIS (FAA 5-3) vs. ANDRES JEUDI (Sityodtong 7-4)
In another 145 fight Leon Davis will be taking on Andres Jeudi. Davis trains with Fighting Arts Academy and comes into this fight with a 5-3 record. He has 1 win by ko/tko, 1 by sub and 3 by decision. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 2 by sub. Leon uses his strength to take his opponents to the ground and smother them. He is relentless and controls the action on the ground. His opponent is Andres Jeudi and he trains with Sityodtong. Jeudi comes into this fight with a 7-4 record with 3 wins by ko/tko, 3 by decision and 1 DQ victory. His 4 losses were all the result of a decision. Jeudi is a striking expert and wears his opponents down with his fast in and out strikes. This fight is going to come down to whether Davis can get his takedowns and control the fight on the ground. For Jeudi to win he will need to use his kicks and keep the distance and of course defend the inevitable takedowns. This fight is going to be awesome.
145 PRO PEGGY MORGAN (Mass BJJ 3-3) vs. JESSY MIELE (IMBCT 4-1)
In a female showdown Peggy Morgan takes on Jesse Miele. Morgan trains out of Mass BJJ and comes into this fight with a 3-3 record. She has all 3 wins by decision and has fought for Invicta FC her last 3 fights. For her losses, she lost 2 by decision and 1 by submission. She uses her height to her advantage and can out work her opponents with her striking. She also has incredible heart and as you can see is very tough to finish. Her opponent is Jessy Miele and she trains with IMB of CT and comes into this fight with a 4-1 record. She has 1 win by ko/tko, 2 sub and 1 decision victories so far in her pro career. Her only loss came in just 19 seconds by submission against Andria Wawro. Peggy has the edge in the striking and Jessy has the edge in the ground game. This is going to be an awesome battle that you don't want to miss.
135 PRO DINIS PAIVA (Gracie Fitness 7-5) vs. CHINO DURAN (Gladiator Wrestling 8-8)
At 135lbs Dinis Paiva takes on Chino Duran in the CES cage. Paiva trains with Gracie Fitness and Keith Allen's gym. He comes into this fight with a 7-5 record riding a 4 fight win streak 3 of them were by way of his fist. Paiva has shown in the cage that he has the heavy hands and he also has solid wrestling and can take his opponents down if needed. His opponent is Chino Duran and he trains in Florida with Gladiator Wrestling. He comes into this fight with an 8-8 record with 4 wins by ko/tko, 2 by sub and 2 by decision. For his losses, he lost 3 by ko/tko, 3 by sub and 3 by decision. I give the edge to Paiva on this one and I see him winning this one with ko/tko in Rd 1.
205 PRO PAT WALSH (Victory 5-2) vs. JESSE McELLIGOTT (Connor's MMA 5-2)At 135lbs Dinis Paiva takes on Chino Duran in the CES cage. Paiva trains with Gracie Fitness and Keith Allen's gym. He comes into this fight with a 7-5 record riding a 4 fight win streak 3 of them were by way of his fist. Paiva has shown in the cage that he has the heavy hands and he also has solid wrestling and can take his opponents down if needed. His opponent is Chino Duran and he trains in Florida with Gladiator Wrestling. He comes into this fight with an 8-8 record with 4 wins by ko/tko, 2 by sub and 2 by decision. For his losses, he lost 3 by ko/tko, 3 by sub and 3 by decision. I give the edge to Paiva on this one and I see him winning this one with ko/tko in Rd 1.
At 205 lbs Pat Walsh will square off against Jesse McElligott. Walsh trains with Victory Combat Academy and comes into this fight with a 5-2 record. He has fought for the UFC twice in his career and is now back in New England to kick some ass once again. He has 2 wins by ko/tko, 1 sub and 2 wins by decision. He lost 1 fight by submission and 1 fight by decision. Walsh has a great takedown and a solid ground game. He also has proven he can submit and used pure strength to win with a kimura over Bedard. His opponent is Jesse McElligott and he also has a 5-2 record. Jesse trains with Connor's MMA and has 2 wins by ko/tko, 2 subs and 1 decision. He lost 1 fight by decision and one fight by submission. This is another awesome match up for CES and it is going to be a memorable one for sure. I see this one being an all out war.
145 PRO MATT BESSETTE (Underdog BJJ 15-6) vs. LENNY WHEELER (Wulfrun MMA 8-3)
Next up is Matt Bessette taking on Lenny Wheeler at 145 lbs pro. Bessette trains with Underdog BJJ and comes into this fight with a 15-6 record. For his wins he has 4 ko/tko, 4 by sub and 7 by way of decision. For his losses he has 1 sub, 4 decision and 1 by DQ. Bessette has fought for Bellator 7 times and with another CES win under his belt the UFC should be knocking at his door! His opponent is Lenny Wheeler and he is from Canada with team Wulfrun MMA. He comes into this fight with an 8-3 record with 5 wins by ko/tko and 3 wins by submission. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 2 by submission. Another real close match up for CES and of course I will be rooting for The Mangler Matt Bessette and not just because of his fight shorts this time.
170 PRO DAN LAUZON (Reality Self Defense 17-5) vs. CHIP MORAZA-POLLARD (Gracie Fitness 9-8)
At 170 lbs Dan Lauzon will take on Chip Moraza-Pollard at a 170lbs. Dan trains with Reality Self Defense and comes into this fight with a 17-5 record. Dan is a finisher as you can see with his wins he has 9 wins by ko/tko, 7 subs and 1 decision. For his losses, he lost 2 by ko/tko, 2 by sub and 1 by decision. Dan hasn't fought in the CES cage since 2010 and has fought for WSOF twice and UFC 3 times in his pro career. His opponent is Chip Moraza-Pollard who trains with Gracie Fitness. Chip comes into this fight with a 9-8 record and picks his opponents apart with his striking. For his wins he has 4 wins by ko/tko, 1 sub and 4 wins by decision. Chip also will fight anyone in his division at any time with no backing down. Pure Business. For his losses, he 1 by ko/tko, 1 by sub and 6 by decision which proves he is very tough to finish. I see this fight being a very close fight and this is going to be a war. I see it coming down to a decision and its going to be a fight of the night contender for sure!
155 PRO CES MMA TITLE PRO JULIAN LANE (Elite Sports Academy 9-3) vs. LUIS FELIX (NE Combat 13-8)
The main event is for the 155 CES MMA Title and Julian Lane is the champ defending it against the challenger Luis Felix. Lane comes into this fight wtih a 9-3 record. He trains with Elite Sports Academy in Ohio. He has 1 ko/tko, 5 sub and 3 wins by decision so far in his pro career. For his losses, he lost 2 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. His opponent is Luis Felix who no doubt will be the crowd favorite at CES this Friday. Felix trains with NE Combat and comes into this fight with a 13-8 record. He has 5 wins by ko/tko, 5 wins by sub and 3 by way of decision. For his losses, he has 2 by ko/tko, 3 by submission and 2 by decision and 1 DQ for his pro career. This is a much anticipated rematch and in the first battle Lane won in the 3rd round by submission with just 4 seconds left in the round. Both fighters know what is at stake and are going to leave it all in the cage. I see this one going deep into the rounds again.
There you have the complete breakdown of the entire CES MMA card that will take place this Friday at Twin River Casino. Thanks for being a loyal reader and reading the preview. Pat Sullivan has once again done an excellent job on the match making. The Artist and I will be making it to the show to cover for you all so make sure you stop by the media table to say Hi. As always if you can't make it stay right here for the live play by play as we get you closer to the cage.