CES MMA: Classic
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Travis Lizotte:
On January 27th CES MMA will take
its first step in attempts to live up to its New Year’s resolution of providing
its fans the most stacked cards in Northeast MMA as they present the 41st
show in the promotions history in Lincoln, Rhode Island at Twin River Casino.
The promotion kicks off 2017 the only way it knows how, by filling the card top
to bottom with talent and fan favorites. Speaking of fan favorites; look no
further than the headline bout, Matt “The Mangler” Bessette, who was announced
as the “All Time Fan Favorite Fighter” in the promotions history at CES 40,
will but his Featherweight World Title on the line against Albuquerque, New
Mexico’s own Kevin “The Hard Hitting Hillbilly” Croom. Croom, who like Bessette, is a veteran of the
Bellator Cage, will be making his CES debut in what is likely to be one of the
most adverse situations you could ask for, against the Champion (Bessette), the
fan favorite, in the Champ’s house! The Co-Main Event is a battle of
Heavyweight brawlers when another CES Fan Favorite; Greg “Ribz” Rebello looks
to bounce back from a Knockout loss, and continue his winning ways in the CES
cage when he squares off against heavy hitting Danyelle “Southern Boy” Williams
who looks to connect on his third knockout in 4 fights. The third fight on the
card comes out of the Bantamweight Division and includes another fighter that
needs no introduction to the Twin River crowd; Dinis “Sweetbread” Paiva who is
coming off a huge TKO victory over Xtreme Couture (Las Vegas) product Zane
Behrend at CES 40, will take on Top-10 Southwest Region Bantamweight Jordan
Espinosa, who has stacked up a 9-4 record in some of the country’s top regional
promotions. Another CES veteran; Kody “Norwegian Assassin” Nordby, will also
look to defend home turf against David Garcia, who totes with him from
Illinois, a three fight win streak, and looks to make it back to back CES
upsets after submitting Rico DiSciullo in September at CES 38. Next up in the Cruiserweight Division CES Veteran and former “Ultimate Fighter” Alum;
Patrick Walsh takes on “The Northwoods Nightmare” Kevin Haley, whose victory in
his last fight came at the expense of CES Light Heavyweight Contender Mike
Rodriguez via Toe Hold Submission. Heavyweights Tyler “The Marauder” King and
Keith “BadnewZ” Bell have a score to settle when they square off in a battle of
Top-10 Ranked Heavyweights in New England. Rounding out the Main Card will be a
pair of Flyweights; as Top-5 ranked New England Flyweight Carlos “The Cannon” Candelario
welcomes Miami’s “Magic City Mauler” Miguel Restrepo to the CES Cage. CES 41
kicks off the New Year with all seven fights on the main card being televised
live on AXS TV.
Preliminary(Non-televised) bouts feature; (125) Sarah
“Switch Kick” Click vs. Maria Rivera, (135) Kris Moutinho vs. Jason Rine, (135)
Richard Santiago vs. Raymond “The Reaper” Yanez, (125) David Baxter vs. Dan
“The Hamburgler” Cormier, (155) Connor “Bareknuckle” Barry vs. Travis “The
Sauce” Foster, (205) Mike “Bones” Rodriguez vs. Hector “Spartan” Sanchez.
Non-Televised
Undercard:
Sarah Click (1-1) v. Maria Rivera (Pro Debut)
Women’s Flyweight
Sarah Click
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston
Record: 1-1 (both decisions)
Summary: Click is a highly regarded
of prospect out of Sityodtong Boston who used flashy and technical muay thai to
launch a Professional career that got started in Invicta FC in a decision loss
to Ashley Greenway and culminated into her first professional win by split
decision against Ronni Nanney at Cage titans 31.
Last fight: Split decision victory
over Ronni Nanney at Cage Titans 31.
Maria Rivera
Affiliation: Framingham Taekwondo
Record: Debut (1 TKO win as
Amateur)
Summary: Maria will be making her
Pro Debut after just one impressive victory on the Amateur circuit. She will be
looking to upset the upstart Click to show that she made the right move by
moving to the professional level.
Last fight: Second round TKO
Victory over Rachel Reinheimer at Combat Zone 59.
Breakdown: Click is looking to finally show that she is one of the
top women in the New England fighting game after her first two Professional
fights went to decision she would like to add a finish to her record. Rivera,
on the other hand, is as green as a fighter as you could imagine, in a Women’s
Flyweight division that is just starting to make its mark on the Northeast
region, needing only one Amateur fight before she steps up to fight the highly
touted Click. An upset by Rivera would show that this entire division could be
up for grabs.
Connor Berry (2-0) v. Travis Foster (0-2)
Lightweight
Connor Barry
Affiliation: FAF Gym
Record: 2-0 (1 Submission, 1
Decision)
Summary: Barry went 5-1 as an Amateur with 5 stoppage
finishes. Last time out Connor added his first stoppage as a pro and brought
his record to 2-0 amongst the professional ranks.
Last fight: First round Submission
Choke of Anthony Giacchina at CES 39.
Travis Foster
Affiliation:
Record: 0-2 (1 KO, 1 Decision loss)
Summary: Foster went 7-0 and an
Amateur, but has lost his last two fights since turning Pro. Foster will be
coming down from the Welterweight Division for this fight at 155 in hopes to
notch his first career pro win.
Last fight: First round TKO loss to
Robert Plotkin at Dead Serious 20 (Philadelphia, PA)
Breakdown: This is going to be an exciting fight between two
fighters with very successful Amateur careers. Foster went 7-0 amongst the
ranks of the Amateurs with 3 finishes, but he sits at a disappointing 0-2 to
start his Pro Career. Travis hopes a drop in weight will be just what he needs
to notch his first professional win against a tough opponent in Connor Barry.
Barry built on a successful Pro debut with a first round Submission at CES 39
and looks to show Foster his ability to finish fights.
David Baxter (3-1) v. Dan Cormier (5-6)
Flyweight
David Baxter
Affiliation: USMMA
Record: 3-1 (2 Submission, 1 TKO)
Summary: Baxter is an exciting
Flyweight with the ability to finish his opponents, finishing all three of his
Professional wins. His lone loss came to another exciting CES Veteran Josh
Ricci, at CES 32.
Last fight: First round TKO of
Ernesto Ornelas at Cage Titans 30
Dan Cormier
Affiliation: Tri-Force MMA
Record: 5-6 (4 Decision wins)
Summary: Cormier is a veteran of
New England MMA who has come up on the wrong side of some tough decisions,
However Dan had his hand raised his last time out against one of the toughest
Flyweights around in Kenny Murphy
Last fight: Decision Victory over
Ken Murphy at Premier FC 21
Breakdown: Cormier has a history of three round fights and grueling
wars, perhaps none bigger than his decision win against Kenny Murphy in October
at Premier FC 21. Baxter is not looking to let this fight go to the judges, his
mission will be to take Dan out before the fight gets too deep, so, will
Cormier be able to weather Baxter’s storm? That will be the true question in
this matchup.
Bantamweight
Richard Santiago
Affiliation: BST MMA & Fitness
Record: 2-0 (2 Submissions)
Summary: Santiago is currently on a 6 fight winning
streak that spans into his Amateur career. His last 5 fights have been finished
by first round Choke Submissions.
Last fight: First round Submission
(Choke) against Devin Pilkington at CES39
Raymond Yanez
Affiliation: Fight Farm
Record: 4-8 (5 Submission losses)
Summary: Ohio’s Yanez finally got
back into the win column with a Submission victory over Joe Reverdes at CES 40
to snap a 6 fight loss streak.
Last fight: First round Submission
of Joe Reverdes at CES 40.
Breakdown: Santiago has made his name of late for first round
chokes and Yanez has been on the short side of some first round finishes in the
past. This fight is going to be Yanez’s second for the Promotion and he is
hoping to add to his win total following a string of losses in his home of
Ohio. Yanez is certainly going to have his hands full with the speedy Santiago,
who is looking to make it another first round choke in the CES cage.
Kris Moutinho (2-0) v. Jason Rine (0-1)
Bantamweight
Kris Moutinho
Affiliation: Rivera Athletics
Record: 2-0 (2 decision wins)
Summary: Kris has gone the distance in his last 4
fights racking up a 2-0 record as a pro and his last loss came as an amateur
against highly touted Manny Bermudez. Moutinho would like to add a finish to his
undefeated professional record.
Last fight: Decision win against
Mike Karam at CES 40.
Jason Rine
Affiliation: Black Dragon MMA
Record: 0-1 (1 Submission Loss)
Summary: Rine was 4-2 at the Amateur level with 3
Submission victories and is looking to get his hand raised for the first time
as a Pro.
Last fight: First round
Submission loss to Anthony Mychael at Michigan Mixed Martial Arts: Series 1
Breakdown: Both fighters
will be looking to make a statement in this fight. Ohio’s Rine is looking to
avenge a loss and looking to do so against a talent pool from an unfamiliar
region of the United States. While Moutinho will once again try and avoid the
judges table in his attempts to dispatch Rine and continue his undefeated pro
career. Moutinho looked impressive in
all facets of his game in his last bout which resulted in a decision win at CES
40.
Hector Sanchez (3-13) v. Mike Rodrigues (5-2)
Light-Heavyweight
Hector Sanchez
Affiliation: Elite MMA
Record: 3-13 (6 Submission and 7
TKO losses)
Summary: There is no doubt Sanchez
has nothing to lose in this fight, with a record of 3-13 Sanchez is looking to
ruin Mike Rodriguez’s return to the CES cage after his recent Submission loss
to Kevin Haley.
Last fight: First round KO of
Kurtis Pirisi at CES 36
Mike Rodrigues
Affiliation: Lauzon MMA
Record: 5-2 (3 KOs/ 2 Submissions)
Summary: Rodriguez comes into this
fight looking to get back to his dominant winning ways after a tough Submission
loss to Kevin Haley. Rodriguez will likely use this fight to gauge whether or
not the move to 205 was a good one after being dominant in the Middleweight
division.
Last Fight: First round Submission
loss to Kevin Haley at CES 39
Breakdown: These fighters are obviously at two very different spots
in their careers. Rodriguez has to prove that he has put a submission loss to
Kevin Haley behind him and that he is still one of the top fighters in the CES
Promotion. Rodriguez will be looking to put together his superior technical
game on display in order to get his hand raised once again in front of the CES
fans. For Sanchez, he is looking to put a feather in his cap by adding a win to
his total and a big name to his resume.
Main Card: Live on AXS TV:
Carlos Candelario (4-0) v. Miguel Restrepo (4-2-1)
Flyweight
Carlos Candelario
Affiliation: Underdog MMA
Record: 4-0 (2 Submissions/ 1TKO)
Summary: Carlos has never lost a
fight; in nine career fights, spanning his professional and amateur career.
Candelario also leaves his victories in no doubt, finishing his opponent in
eight of nine career fights which leaves him ranked in the top-five Flyweight
Professionals in New England.
Last fight: First round Submission choke
victory over Roosevelt Archie at CES 36.
Miguel Restrepo
Affiliation: MMA Masters
Record: 4-2-1 (2 TKO, 2 Decisions)
Summary: Miguel will be making his
Northeast Debut after seven fights in his home of Miami, Florida. The 35 year
old Floridian will be looking to bounce back from his second professional loss
in his last fight when he takes on the undefeated Candelario.
Last fight: Unanimous Decision Loss
to Ricky Bandejas at CFFC 61.
Breakdown: Candelario is going to be looking to give Restrepo a
rude welcome to the Northeast MMA scene when they step in the cage Friday
night. Carlos has essentially walked through his first nine opponents during
his career and looks to do so again against Miami’s Restrepo. Miguel will do
his best to neutralize Carlos’ attack and become the first blemish on Carlos’
so far undefeated career. The CES crowd could be treated to another knockout,
in what could be a dramatic fight to kick off the Main Card.
Keith Bell (7-9-1) v. Tyler King (12-4)
Heavyweight
Keith Bell
Affiliation: New World Academy
Record: 7-9-1 (5 TKO/ 2
Submissions)
Summary: Bell will be looking to
bounce back off two consecutive losses including a TKO loss to Greg Rebello at
CES 33. Bell may have a record below the .500 mark but it’s not due to his willingness
to go to put on entertaining fights. In Bell’s 17 professional bouts; only one
has gone to the judges table.
Last fight: First round TKO Loss to
Allen Crowder at NLFC 5.
Tyler King
Affiliation: Connors MMA
Record: 12-4 (7 Submission wins)
Summary: King is riding high off
three consecutive Submission Choke victories including Lorenzo Hood at World
Series of Fighting and Josh Diekmann at Bellator 163. King stepped up on short
notice when Bell’s original opponent Juliano Coutinho went down with an injury.
Last fight: Second round Submission
Choke victory over Josh Diekmann at Bellator 163
Breakdown: There will be no love lost when these two monsters enter
the cage; fighters have gone back and forth on social media. Some fighters take
changes in opponents differently but when Bell heard his original opponent
Juliano Coutinho was injured bell said “I was relieved, I went from fighting a
stud to a bum.” King fired back
saying he was taking this fight to do one job; “I don’t take easy fights,” King
responded. “If anything this is a gift for CES. You want me to put this bum out
of his misery? Sure, I’ll do you a favor.” These guys cannot wait to get their
hands on each other. King is no doubt the favorite in this fight given his
background and resume of bigger fights on the national level being a veteran of
both World Series of Fighting and Bellator. Bell could care less; he wants to
show that he has the ability to finish anyone, if he can land some power
punches, lights could very well go out!
Kevin Haley (6-3) v. Pat Walsh (9-2)
Cruiserweight
Kevin Haley
Affiliation: Nostos MMA
Record: 6-3 (2 KOs/ 2 Submission)
Summary: The “Northwoods Nightmare”
continues to fight some of the biggest names in New England MMA, Kevin
continues to prove that his strength and athleticism are almost unparalleled by
other 205 pounders. Haley has above average wrestling and some sneaky submission
skills, all of which will need to be at their best in the cage against Pat
Walsh.
Last fight: First round Submission
leg lock over Mike Rodriguez at CES 39.
Pat Walsh
Affiliation: Victory Combat Academy
Record: 9-2 (4 KOs/ 2 Submissions)
Summary: Pat comes in on a 4 fight
win streak, his last loss coming by decision to Daniel Kelly at UFC Fight
Night: 60. Pat has continued to prove that he has some of the best wrestling in
the Region at any weight and has no issues putting severe pressure on his opponents
and racking up wins.
Last fight: First round TKO of
Carlos Zevallos at CES 38
Breakdown: There is going to be no lack of shear power in the CES
cage when Haley and Walsh collide in the Light-Heavyweight division. Haley is
an extremely powerful physical specimen who walks the planet ready to fight,
fighting at his natural weight of 205 pounds. Walsh, like Haley, has fought in
three divisions as a pro (185,205,265) and continues to show that he is built
to wrestle; using powerful take downs and top control to stifle opponents’
offensive attacks. These two guys are ready to bring fireworks for the crowd in
the form of, what I predict to be an eventful grappling exhibition. Kevin and
Pat and not unfamiliar with each other , Kevin fought for Walsh’s promotion
Victory Combat Sports in 2014 and the two have stayed somewhat in touch since
then. History will likely matter very little once the cage closes but there is
no doubt that these two guys have a tremendous amount of respect for one
another.
Kody Nordby (7-4) v. David Garcia (4-2-1)
Bantamweight
Kody Nordby
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston
Record: 7-4 (6 Submissions)
Summary: Kody has come out on top
in four of his last five fights, his only loss coming at the hands of Andre
Soukhamthath at CES 33. Of his four victories over that span, Kody reeled off
three consecutive Choke Submissions, all three in the first round and all three
in the CES cage, running his total to six career submission victories.
Last fight: Decision Victory over
Branden Seyler at CES 38.
David Garcia
Affiliation: Team Top Notch
Record: 4-2-1 (2 Submissions/ 2 TKO)
Summary: Garcia has not lost in his
last 4 fights and would like to make it his second consecutive upset in the CES
cage when he battles Nordby on Friday night. Garcia surprised the CES fans his
last time out submitting CES veteran Rico DiSciullo in the first round at CES
38.
Last fight: First round Submission
win over Rico DiSciullo at CES 38.
Breakdown: Garcia had no problem taking down one of the Northeast’s
top Bantamweights in his last fight and seeks to do so again as he faces Kody
Nordby. Garcia has made a living finishing fights and spoiling his opponent’s
night. Nordby, however will be looking for his seventh professional submission
win and his eight win overall as a pro. Nordby will likely have a substantial
advantage in the Wrestling department and would find it very fitting to put
heavy pressure on Garcia and force a submission. Garcia will look to avoid the
wrestling of Nordby if he is to become victorious in the second CES fight of
his career.
Dinis Paiva (8-6) v. Jordan Espinosa (9-4)
Bantamweight
Dinis Paiva
Affiliation: Cape Cod Fighting
Alliance
Record: 8-6 (5 KOs and 2
Submissions)
Summary: Paiva added another
impressive finish to his resume last time out, knocking out Zane Behrend in the
first round at CES 40. Dinis likes to end fights early, finishing the fight in
7 of his 8 professional victories and will look to do no different against
Espinosa.
Last fight: First round TKO of Zane
Behrend at CES 40.
Jordan Espinosa
Affiliation: Luttrell’s MMA
Record: 9-4 (5 Submissions/ 1 KO)
Summary: Winner of his last five
fights Albuquerque’s Espinosa comes in as New Mexico’s top Bantamweight
fighter. After starting his career 4-4, Espinosa continues to climb the ranks
as he stacks up wins. This will be Espinosa’s first fight in the Northeast
since he beat Rico DiSciullo by decision at CES 23.
Last fight: Unanimous Decision
victory over Brett Roller at Rocky Mountain Rubicon 3.
Breakdown: Paiva has made it know he does not see this fight going
into the second round, “We do not get paid by the minute,” says Paiva. Dinis
hopes to derail Jordan’s current five fight winning streak by taking home his
second consecutive first round knockout. Espinosa however, will be a step up in
competition from Paiva’s last opponent and will undoubtedly be the biggest test
of Paiva’s career. Espinosa should be riding high when he returns to Twin River
Friday night, the last time he was there he upset the hometown boy (Rico
DiSciullo) and he has full intention of doing it again with a win over Paiva. I
don’t see this fight going the distance, both fighters are very talented and
can finish fights in numerous fashions and I fully expect one of these guys to
prevail and end their opponent’s night early!
Greg Rebello (20-7) v. Danyelle Williams (8-5)
Heavyweight
Greg Rebello
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston
Record: 20-7 (12 Knockout/TKO)
Summary: “Ribz” suffered a small
setback in his last fight out, for the vacant CES Heavyweight title, when
Ashley Gooch stopped him with punches in the third round at CES 37. Rebello
looks to put that loss behind him and look to continue down a warpath that
included three straight knockout wins and four straight wins overall prior to
the loss.
Last fight: Third round TKO loss to
Ashley Gooch, for the Heavyweight Title at CES 37.
Danyelle Williams
Affiliation: Warrior Spirit MMA
Record: 8-5 (5 Knockout/ TKO)
Summary: Williams is also looking
to bounce back from a loss in a title fight, when his was submitted in the
second round by Cameron Olson at A-Town Throwdown 10 in December. Prior to his
loss Danyelle had piled up back to back knockouts of his own.
Last Fight: Second round Submission
loss to Cameron Olson at A-Town Throwdown 10.
Breakdown: There is no doubt in my mind that both of these fighters
will be looking to take each other’s heads off. Both fighters are known as
being knockout artists and have finished a majority of their professional wins
in knockout fashion. Rebello will have a veteran’s advantage in this fight,
having a resume that speaks for itself, including wins against the region’s top
Heavyweights on the region’s biggest stages. Rebello will also be carrying the
home crowd advantage being a veteran of 14 fights in the CES cage and being
voted one of the Promotion’s” Fan Favorite Fighters.” Williams however, is no
stranger to the cage, veteran of 13 professional fights, fighting out of
Minnesota, he has shown that once he gets his hands on any opponent he can put
them to sleep. Do not expect this fight to go the distance and be looking for a
dramatic finish when these guys clash.
Matt Bessette (20-7) v.
Kevin Croom (17-7)
Featherweight (World Title)
Matt Bessette (Champion)
Affiliation: Underdog Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu
Record: 20-7 (8 Submissions/ 5 TKO)
Summary: Bessette has used technical
striking and effective BJJ to pile up 20 career wins coming predominately in
the CES and Bellator cages. The Promotions current Featherweight Champion made
his dream of one day becoming a World Champion a reality last time out with a
second round Submission against Joe Pingatore for the Featherweight Crown. The
Hartford, Connecticut native doesn’t plan on leaving Twin River Casino without
his title for a very long time.
Last fight: Second Round Leg Lock
Submission of Joe Pingatore at CES 37.
Kevin Croom
Affiliation: Luttrell/ Yee MMA
Record: 17-7 (7 Submissions/ 5 TKO)
Summary: Croom has amassed 17
career pro wins in a career that has allowed him to travel the world, with
fights under his belt in Japan, Russia, Mexico and Canada. The Hard Hitting
Hillbilly has collected wins at Featherweight and Bantamweight for promotions
that include Bellator and Titan FC. Croom is always ready for a fight and his
style is one that quickly earns him fans no matter the venue.
Last fight: Second round Submission
Choke loss to Tatsuya Ando at Shooto Pacific Rim Double Championship.
Breakdown: Croom and Bessette are very similar fighters, both savvy
veterans who are willing to throw down at any time. Croom said it was just a
matter of time before their career paths crossed, and they will do just that
Friday night as the main event on AXS TV from Twin River Casino. Bessette will
be making the first of what he hopes to be many title defenses as he carries
with him the CES Featherweight World Title to the cage with him for the first
time. Bessette made it known that he doesn’t
plan on leaving Twin River without his belt. Croom, who is always down for a
tough scrap says that although the fight is scheduled for five rounds he doesn’t
see either of the fighters needing more than two rounds for finish the other.
Croom will look to upset the CES crowd and the “All Time Fan Favorite Fighter”
in the promotions history in Matt “The Mangler” Bessette when the cage door
closes on Friday night. Fresh off an incredible 2016, CES kicks off 2017 with
an epic headline fight that is guaranteed to create a buzz, and send shockwaves
throughout the Northeast MMA World and the National Ranks alike!