CES returns this Friday at Twin River Casino on January 8th, 2016 with their 32nd show to date. This is earlier in the year than most of their shows in the past but as usual CES doesn't skip a beat. There were many fight changes throughout the course of this show but they made it work. This show's main card will be televised on AXS TV and we will be there with the live play by play. There are a total of 11 professional fights and one of them is a title fight. Let me break down the card for you all. Please keep in mind that this might not be the exact fight order.
170 PRO KEENAN RAYMOND (2-2) vs. RYAN TODD [0-0]
The first fight of the evening is Keenan Raymond against Ryan Todd. Raymond comes into this fight with a 2-2 record with 1 submission and 1 decision victory so far in his pro career. For his two losses, he lost 1 by submission and 1 by ko/tko to strikes. He can scrap and this should make for a good match. His opponent is Ryan Todd coming from New York. As an amateur he went 2-1 with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 by decision. Now Todd is set to make his pro debut this Friday under the CES promotion.
125 PRO NICK IACIOFANO (2-0 USMMA) vs. LUAY ASHKAR (1-0 Team Andrello )
In the second fight of the night Nick Iaciofano will face off against Luay Ashkar at 125 lbs. Nick trains with USMMA and comes into this fight with a 2-0 record. He has 1 win by ko/tko and 1 win by submission with both pro fights ending in the first round. His opponent is Luay Ashkar and he trains with Team Andrello out of New York. He comes into this fight with a record of 1-0 with his sole win by ko/tko to strikes. This is a great match up as both of these fighters hit hard and are both young in their mma career. I do not see this one going to a decision!
125 PRO DAVID BAXTER (2-0 USMMA) vs. JOSHUA RICCI (Team Andrello 0-0)
In another 125 pro fight David Baxter takes on Joshua Ricci. Baxter trains with USMMA and comes into this fight with a 2-0 record with both wins by way of submission. When Baxter enters the cage, he leaves it all in there and always an exciting fighter to watch. His opponent is Josh Ricci and he trains with Team Andrello. He will be making his pro debut and as an amateur went 6-3. Most of his wins came by decision so he has no problem going the distance. I think this is a good fight for both fighters and I see this one going to a decision.
185 PRO PAT McCROHAN (1-0 Gillett's MMA ) vs. MIKE RODRIGUEZ (2-0 Trifecta MMA)
At 185 lbs Pat McCrohan returns to the CES cage against Mike Rodriguez. Pat trains with Gillett's MMA and had a big successful debut against Buck Pineau when he slammed him hard and which looked to break Buck's arm. Now he is looking to continue that momentum into another big fight against Mike Rodriguez. Rodriguez trains with team Trifecta. Mike comes into this fight with a 2-0 record with 2 wins by ko/tko. Both of these guys love tough fights and this is going to be an insane fight. I don't see this fight being boring at all and I do not see it going to a decision. Fight of the night contender here.
145 PRO JAMES MURRIN (3-3 Broadway Jiu Jitsu) vs. MAK KELLEHER (Varner's Combat Academy 0-2)
At 145 lbs James Murrin will face off against Mak Kelleher. Murrin trains with Broadway Jiu Jitsu and comes into this fight with a 3-3 record. For his 3 wins he has 2 by ko/tko and 1 by submission so far in his pro career. For his losses, he has all 3 losses by decision so he has never been finished before. His opponent is Mak Kelleher and he trains out of Jamie Varner's Combat Academy. He has a record of 0-2 with 1 loss by decision and 1 loss by submission. I give the slight edge to Murrin in this one and I see him winning this one by ref stoppage to strikes in rd 2.
145 PRO MANNY BERMUDEZ (3-0 SSSF) vs. EVAN PARKER (5-3)
Then at 145 lbs Manny Bermudez will square off against Evan Parker. Bermudez trains with SSSF and comes into this fight with a 3-0 record. Manny continues to win just as he did as an amateur with 1 win by ko/tko and 2 wins by submission. His opponent is Evan Parker and he trains in Worcester MA. He comes into this fight with a 5-3 record with 1 win by ko/tko, 3 by sub and 1 by decision. For his losses, he lost all 3 by decision. I see this fight being a ground battle and I think there will be submission attempts galore.
135 PRO KODY NORDBY (5-3 Allaire MMA) vs. DEREK SHOREY (3-3 Team Shatterproof)
At 135 lbs Kody Nordby will face Derek Shorey in the CES cage. Nodby trains with Allaire MMA and comes into this fight with a 5-3 record. In the win column, Nordby has all 5 wins by submission and for his losses, he has 2 by submission and 1 by decision. After two opponent changes, Derek Shorey has stepped up to fight Kody. Shorey trains with Team Shatterproof and comes into this fight with a 3-3 record. For his wins, he has 2 by ko/tko and 1 by submission. For his losses, he has 1 by ko/tko and 2 by submission. I see this fight being a stand up battle and if Nordby gets into trouble he will take Derek down. Derek comes out with a ferocious intensity each fight and Kody is going to have to watch out for that.
145 PRO KYLE BOCHNIAK (5-0 Broadway Jiu Jitsu) vs. TAYLOR TRAHAN (5-4 Team Link)
At 145 lbs Kyle Bochniak takes on Taylor Trahan. Kyle comes into this fight with a 5-0 record and trains with Broadway Jiu Jitsu. He has 2 wins by ko/tko, 1 sub and 2 by decision and he is looking to add one more to his win column. His opponent is Taylor Trahan and he trains with Team Link. He comes into this fight with a 5-4 record with 2 wins by submission and 3 wins by decision. In the loss column, he lost 3 by ko/tko and 1 by submission. This should be a great battle as both opponents are very well trained in all aspects of mma and I think their skillsets are very close.
265 PRO JOSH DIEKMANN (15-6 Triforce ) vs. ASHLEY GOOCH (8-4 MMA Lab)
Next up is the huge heavyweight showdown between Josh Diekmann and Ashley Gooch. Diekmann trains with a bunch of local gyms and comes into this fight with a 15-6 record. His recent fights have been for Bellator MMA and most of his wins have been by his fists. After a tough year with losing loved ones, Diekmann is focused and ready for battle. His opponent is Ashley Gooch and he trains with MMA Lab. Gooch comes into this fight with an 8-4 record with 6 wins by ko/tko, 1 sub and 1 decision victory. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko, 2 by sub and 1 by decision. As you can see by their records, both fighters are worthy of the CES cage and I see this one ending by ko/tko to strikes.
160 PRO LUIS FELIX (14-8 NE Combat) vs. RYAN SANDERS (9-7 Young's MMA)
At 160 lbs Luis Felix will take on Ryan Sanders. Felix trains with NE Combat with a record of 14-8. For his win column he has 5 wins by ko/tko, 5 by submission and 4 by way of decision. For his losses, he lost 2 by ko/tko, 3 by sub and 2 by decision and 1 DQ. His opponent is Ryan Sanders who comes from Maine and trains with Young's MMA. He comes into this fight with a 9-7 record with 1 win by ko/tko, 7 submissions and 1 by decision. For his losses, he has 1 loss by ko/tko, 1 loss by submission and 5 by decision. Sanders is hot off a win against Lucas Cruz and Felix is riding a 3 fight win streak. This fight has fight of the night written all over it and I think it is going to be an absolute war.
170 PRO TITLE GIL DE FREITAS (18-5 Team Link) vs. CHRIS CURTIS (12-4 Vision)
The main event brings us Gil De Freitas defending his title against Chris Curtis. Freitas trains with Team Link and comes into this fight with an 18-5 record. For his wins, he has 6 by ko/tko, 3 by submission and 9 by decision. For his losses, he lost 1 by sub and 4 by decision but he it should be noted that he hasn't lost in New England since he came here in 2012. His opponent is Chris Curtis and he trains with Team Vision. He comes into this fight with a 12-4 record with 4 wins by ko/tko, 2 by submission and 6 by way of decision. For his losses, he lost 1 by submission and 3 by decision. Again, another awesome battle that should be a war. I don't see this one going all 5 rounds as both fighters can hit hard.
There you have the complete breakdown of the entire CES fight card that is happening this Friday. Special thanks to CES for always keeping us up to date and sharing all your press releases with us so we can share with you all. We will be there with the live play by play of course for those who can't make it. Where will you be watching it? Live or at home?? Thanks for following along and if you enjoyed it please share it with your friends and family. Til next time!