CES 45: Gooch v. Coutinho
Travis Lizotte
The
atmosphere will be electric at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island
Friday night as Heavyweights get set to headline a star studded card top to
bottom, at CES 45: Gooch vs. Coutinho. Gooch who won the CES Heavyweight Crown
when he knocked out fan favorite Greg Rebello in the third round of their title
fight at CES 37, will be making his first defense of his belt as he welcomes
Juliano Coutinho back to the CES cage. Both fighters will be looking to bounce
back off losses in the World Series of Fighting as they return to Rhode Island,
and the CES cage, with the ultimate bragging rights on the line; the CES
Heavyweight Title. August 11th will mark the first time Heavyweights
have headlined a CES card since Josh Hendricks submitted Josh Diekmann in the
first round of their fight at CES 9: Extreme Measures in March of 2012. In the
Co-Main event another CES belt will be on the line, perhaps the most highly
touted title in the promotions history; the CES Featherweight Belt will reach
interim status as current Champion Matt Bessette heals from a hand injury
suffered in his fight on Dana White’s Contenders Series, and gives way to Pedro
Gonzalez vs. Saul Almeida who will do battle for the 145 pound Crown. In what should be a tremendous display of
grappling and Jiu Jitsu Gonzalez and Almeida will battle it out for the right
to fight Bessette upon his return and for the title of Interim Featherweight
Champion, an honor both men have worked their entire careers to achieve. In
what should also be considered the Co-Main event on the card, two of New
England’s top Lightweights will meet in a matchup that has been a long time in
the making on the local scene; Nate Andrews is widely regarded as the top
Lightweight in all of New England but he will have his hands full when he
squares off with perhaps the longest tenured ranked Lightweight in New England
history; Bruce Boyintgon. Andrews is going to have to find a way to solve the
flashy stand up game of Boyintgon if he hopes to survive the Lightweight
veteran and further his case for a shot in the UFC.
Also
appearing on the Main Card that can be seen live on AXS TV; two of the most
promising prospects in the promotion will look to keep their perfect 4-0
records clean as Bantamweight Kris Moutinho and Flyweight Richie Santiago both
look for their fifth wins while remaining undefeated. The Dynamic Duo from BST
MMA; Moutinho and Santiago will face off with Brendan Seyler and Miguel
Restrepo respectively as they both look to further their climb up their
respective divisions. Rounding out the Nationally Televised Main Card; surging
Cranston, Rhode Island native Gary Balletto Jr. will attempt to run his winning
streak to four fights when he draws one of the most highly anticipated Welterweight
talents in New England; Team Link Hooksett’s, Nick Alley, who hopes to bounce
back quickly after suffering his first career loss at Bellator 178 to Kastriot
Xhema.
The
undercard kicks off in the Heavyweight Division as Veteran Eric “Lucky Strikes”
Bedard steps up on short notice for an injured Jose Campos as he takes on
Marquis Allen who looks to make good on back to back wins in the CES cage to
kick off his Professional career. Also,
two time regional Amateur Champion John Douma will take to the CES cage for the
second time in his career when he makes his Pro Debut against the hungry Ohio
Native Jason Rine. Rising undefeated Featherweight Dylan Lockard returns to
Twin River and welcomes back New York’s Ahsan Abdullah. The undercard
culminates in the Lightweight Division when veterans Andrew Osborne and Leon
Davis have a score to settle once the bell rings on their preliminary bout. CES
45 promises to be a “can’t miss” fight card from the promotion’s home at Twin
River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Doors Open at 6 pm with the opening bell
sounding at 7 pm. The main Card which will air live on AXS TV is scheduled to
get underway at 9 pm. For tickets visit CESMMA.com or the Twin River Casino box
office.
Undercard: Non
Televised
Eric Bedard (6-7) v. Marquis Allen (1-0)
Heavyweight
Eric Bedard
Affiliation: Tri-Force
Record: 6-7 (4 wins by Knockout, 2
wins by Submission)
Summary: Bedard makes his 8th
appearance in the CES cage Friday night when he steps in on short notice to
fight Marquis Allen. Eric is looking to bounce back from three straight losses
including a loss to Parker Porter in the Bellator cage over two years ago.
However once the cage door locks; “Lucky Strikes” possesses the ability to shut
the lights out on anyone.
Last fight: First round Submission
Leglock loss to Tyler King at CES 35: Mass Invasion.
Marquis Allen
Affiliation:
Record: 1-0 (1 win by Knockout)
Summary: Allen will be making his long awaited return
to the CES cage following a first round Knockout of Dan Randall in his pro
debut over a year ago. Allen was initially scheduled to face Jose Campos in his
pro debut but medical issues kept Campos from fighting. Allen will now have his
hands full with the 13 fight Heavyweight veteran Eric Bedard, in a big step up
in competition.
Last fight: First round Knockout of
Dan Randall at CES 36: Andrews s. Muro.
Breakdown: Marquis would love to repeat his last CES performance
and log another first round knockout. But standing across the cage will be the
veteran Bedard who has stood and traded strikes with the best Heavyweights in
New England time and again. This fight should be a slugfest, and fans should
arrive early as Heavyweights promise to kick this show off with a BANG!
John Douma (Pro Debut)
vs. Jason Rine (0-2)
Featherweight
John Douma
Affiliation: Tri-Force
Record: Debut (5-2 Amateur)
Summary: Douma put an emphatic cap
on his Amateur career last time out when he took Combat Zone Featherweight
Champion Brendan Marotte to the judges’ scorecards and captured his second
Amateur title (Cage Titans) in as many fights. Douma’s quest for Professional
gold will begin August 11th as he enters the CES cage for the second
time.
Last fight: Unanimous Decision
victory over Brendan Marotte for the Combat Zone Featherweight title at Combat
Zone 61: Resurrection.
Jason Rine
Affiliation: Lashley Training
Center
Record: 0-2 (4-2 Amateur)
Summary: Rine is certainly hoping
for a different result this time, after the his first trip to the CES cage
lasted just ten seconds when he fell victim to a perfectly timed headkick by
Kris Moutinho. The Ohio native Rine, is looking to show the CES fans that his
last fight will not define him as a fighter as he writes the next chapter in
his career.
Last fight: First round Knockout
loss to Kris Moutinho at CES 41: Bessette vs. Croom.
Breakdown: Douma has shown ever improving high class wrestling
ability on his tear through the Amateur ranks, making the two time champion one
of the more highly anticipated Amateurs to turn Pro in New England this
calendar year. Douma draws Jason Rine who is 0-2 in two professional bouts, and
he is hungry to wash the taste of two straight defeats out of his mouth as he
welcomes the highly regarded Douma to the professional ranks.
Dylan Lockard (3-0) v. Ahsan Abdullah (7-8)
Featherweight
Dylan Lockard
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston
Record: 3-0 (1 Knockout, 1
Submission)
Summary: Dylan’s three straight
wins (seven fight win streak overall) to open up his Professional career have definitely
put him on the radar with some of the fastest rising Featherweights in the
Northeast. With a strong wrestling pedigree and a Judo game honed under Rick
Hawn, Lockard could solidify his case for New England’s next rising star if he
can down the veteran of 15 professional fights in Ahsan Abdullah.
Last fight: First round Knockout of
Brandon Odom at Combat Zone 62: Legendary.
Ahsan Abdullah
Affiliation: Bombsquad
Record: 7-8 (2 Knockouts, 4
Submissions)
Summary: New York’s Abdullah will
be making his fourth appearance for the promotion and his first since being
submitted in the first round by Rob Font at CES 21 in 2014. Abdullah has thrown
down with some big names from New England in his 15 fight career including Rob
Font, Ray Wood and Joe Pingatore earning him this matchup with the upstart
Lockard.
Last fight: Second round Knockout
loss to Francisco Isata at Stellar Fights 34.
Breakdown: Lockard will be facing the toughest task of his career in
Abdullah, in his attempt to further his status as a top Featherweight. Abdullah
has had his share of scraps with tough guys in the past on his way to seven pro
wins. Abdullah would probably prefer to keep the fight on the feet to try and
avoid Lockard’s superior grappling game and crafty submissions.
Leon “Dynamite” Davis (10-3) v. Andrew “Ozzy” Osborne (7-10-1)
Lightweight
Leon Davis
Affiliation: Fighting Arts Academy
Record: 10-3 (3 Submissions, 1 KO)
Summary: Stepping back into the CES
cage, winner of his last 4 bouts, Leon Davis has fought twice since his last
promotional appearance, in those two fights for AMMO fights, he won, and
successfully defended his Welterweight title. For the natural Lightweight
Davis, a return to CES will mean a step up in competition as he draws North
Carolina’s Andrew Osborne in his first fight back.
Last fight: First round Submission
Choke of Jay Ellis at Ammo 2: Dawn of War.
Andrew Osborne
Affiliation: Angel’s Gym
Record: 7-10-1 (2 Knockouts)
Summary: Osborne is coming off one
of the bigger upsets the CES promotion has seen this calendar year when he held
off the upstart Connor Barry to win a unanimous decision at CES 43: Mass Invasion
II. Osborne would earn back to back wins for the first time since 2012, if he
can stage his second straight upset in the CES cage and disrupt Leon Davis’
current four fight winning streak.
Last fight: Unanimous Decision
victory over Connor Barry at CES 43: Mass Invasion II.
Breakdown: Former CES Lightweight turned AMMO Welterweight
Champion, Leon Davis makes his return to the CES cage as the favorite against
Fayetteville, North Carolina’s Andrew Osborne, who’s 18 fight Pro career has
spanned 6 years and includes fights against some of the top Lightweights on the
Eastern seaboard, including a decision victory over Tommy Macellino and a hard
fought battle with Ryan LaFlare that ultimately resulted in a third round
submission loss. Leon Davis ranks as one of the tougher opponents in Osborne’s
career, as he looks to impose his will on Osborne and avoid being the second
straight upset victory for Osborne in the CES cage (Barry).
Main Card: Televised Live on AXS TV.
Richie Santiago (4-0) v. Miguel “Magic City Mauler” Restrepo (4-3-1)
Flyweight
Richie Santiago
Affiliation: BST MMA
Record: 4-0 (4 Submissions)
Summary: Richie faced some
adversity in his last fight, likely losing the first round of his professional
career to Chad Kelly at CES 42, but Richie bounced back in round 2 to submit
Kelly, furthering his undefeated record as a Bantamweight pro to 4-0. Richie
will be returning to the Flyweight division, a division he once held an Amateur
title in with Cage Titans, in hopes to remain undefeated and secure his spot in
the CES Flyweight title picture.
Last fight: Second round Submission
choke of Chad Kelly at CES 42: Curtis vs. Santiago.
Miguel Restrepo
Affiliation: MMA Masters
Record: 4-3-1 (2 wins by Knockout)
Summary: Restrepo returns to the
CES cage for the second time, with the same goal he had the first time he made
the trip; upset the promotion’s next up and coming star. Miguel fell victim to
the undefeated Carlos Candelario, in his first attempt at shocking the CES fans
but hopes for a different outcome against the also undefeated and surging
Richie Santiago.
Last fight: Second round Submission
loss to Carlos Candelario at CES 41: Bessette vs. Croom.
Breakdown: Santiago has burst on to the CES scene with “guns-a-blazing”
finishing all four of his professional bouts in the CES cage with submission
stoppages inside the first two rounds. Floridian Restrepo will be the most
experienced opponent of Santiago’s career, and hopes to hand the undefeated
Santiago the first loss of his career, something he failed to accomplish in his
CES debut against Carlos Candelario. Santiago has his eyes set on emphatically
putting a stop to Restrepo and holding up his end of the bargain as he and BST
MMA teammate Kris Moutinho attempt to remain undefeated in their pro
careers.
Kris Moutinho (4-0) v. Branden “Soku” Seyler (6-5-1)
Bantamweight
Kris Moutinho
Affiliation: BST MMA
Record: 4-0 (1 Knockout)
Summary: Kris Moutinho furthered
his campaign of New England’s fastest rising Bantamweight prospect last time
out, as he picked apart veteran Lloyd Reyes on the feet on his way to a
dominant decision victory, winning all three rounds on my scorecard. Kris looks
to turn up the level of competition once again when he faces off against a
former Bellator fighter in Branden Seyler, on his quest to stay undefeated as a
pro.
Last fight: Unanimous Decision victory
over Lloyd Reyes at CES 42: Curtis vs. Santiago.
Branden Seyler
Affiliation: Next Generation
Record: 6-5-1 (4 Submissions, 1
Knockout)
Summary: Making his second
appearance for the Promotion, Seyler will once again step in against one of the
fastest rising stars on the roster in Moutinho after falling to Kody Nordby in
his promotional debut. Looking to avoid three straight losses Seyler will
likely try and get this fight to the ground in search of what would be the
fifth submission victory of his career.
Last fight: Unanimous Decision loss
to Jarrell Hodge at Bayfront Brawl 2.
Breakdown: Moutinho, the other undefeated rising star from BST MMA
on the CES 45 fight card will also attempt to run his record to 5-0 as New
Englands fastest rising Bantamweight star faces off with his strongest
opposition thus far in Branden Seyler. Moutinho has shown great diversity in
his four pro wins but will likely try to keep this fight standing against North
Carolina’s Seyler who is the owner of six pro wins and four coming by
submission. Moutinho has polished an already impressive standup game since the
last time we saw him in the CES cage, earning himself an impressive victory in
his first Muay Thai contest earlier this summer. The undefeated BST Product
will need his full complement of skills in order to get his hand raised against
the veteran of 12 pro fights and former Bellator competitor in Seyler.
Gary “Batman” Balletto Jr. (3-1) v. Nick “JC” Alley (3-1)
Welterweight
Gary Balletto Jr.
Affiliation: Tri-Force
Record: 3-1 (2 Submissions, 1
Knockout)
Summary: Gary Balletto will be
looking for a signature win to add to his resume as the Cranston native takes
on his most seasoned opponent to date, with his previous four opponents holding
a combined 0-6 record as pros. Alley will undoubtedly be Balletto’s toughest
test in the CES cage, but for Balletto he has no problem showing that he
belongs.
Last fight: First round Submission
of Christopher Rico Torres at CES 42: Curtis vs. Santiago.
Nick Alley
Affiliation: Team Link Hooksett
Record: 3-1(2 Submissions, 1
Knockout)
Summary: Alley is coming off the
first hiccup of his pro career, when he got caught with strikes in the first
round of his Bellator Debut with Kastriot Xhema. But for the hardnosed Alley;”
if he is not winning he is learning.” Nick is looking to show that he is still
one of the most promising Welterweight prospects in the region, when he throws
down with Balletto in what will be Nick’s long awaited CES debut.
Last fight: First round TKO loss to
Kastriot Xhema at Bellator 178 Straus vs. Pitbull 4.
Breakdown: Both fighters enter this contest with identical 3-1
records with their three wins coming in equally identical fashion with two
submissions and one knockout to their credit. Both men also come from two of
the top MMA schools in the Northeast; Tri-Force (Balletto) and Team Link
Hooksett (Alley). Alley will likely have the advantage if the fight hits the
ground, while Balletto looks to have a slight advantage in the standup
game. Alley enters the fight with a more
established list of opponents on his record, but what Balletto lacks in
experience his makes up for in pedigree as the son of former Boxing standout
Gary “Tiger” Balletto. This is without a doubt my early favorite for “Fight of
the Night” honors.
Nate “The Snake” Andrews (10-1) v. Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (14-10)
Lightweight
Nate Andrews
Affiliation: New England Combat
Record: 10-1 (5 Submissions, 5
Knockouts)
Summary: Andrews will once again
look to catch the attention of the UFC brass when he steps in with World Series
of Fighting veteran and fixture atop the New England Lightweight ranks; Bruce
Boyington. Andrews seems happy to dispatch all challengers in his attempt to
strike a deal with the UFC, Boyington being Nate’s most well known and seasoned
opponent to date. Andrews, who is thought to be the region’s top Lightweight,
has used a well rounded approach to martial arts to rack up 10 professional
wins against just one defeat with nine wins coming inside the CES cage. The
matchup with Boyington could garner the attention Andrews needs to launch
himself on to the national stage, if he can translate the matchup into his 10th
career CES win.
Last fight: Third round Submission
Choke of George Sheppard at CES 40: Andrews vs. Sheppard.
Bruce Boyington
Affiliation: Young’s MMA/
Boyington’s TKD
Record: 14-10 (2 Submissions, 7
Knockouts)
Summary: For years the New England
Lightweight Division was owned by Bruce Boyington, with wins against the Likes
of Devin Powell, Jesse Erickson and Jon Lemke to his credit, Boyington added a
win against Saul Almeida as a Featherweight in the World Series of Fighting to
further his legacy in New England MMA. Boyington took a loss his last time out
for WSOF, to quite possibly the fastest rising Featherweight nationwide in
Andre Harrison (16-0), who is currently the promotion’s Featherweight Champion.
Boyington returns to the regional circuit for the first time in over a year, and
makes his CES debut, where he hopes to continue his success amongst the top
Lightweights in New England when he faces Andrews, who is widely considered the
best Lightweight of them all.
Last fight: First round Submission
loss to Andre Harrison at WSOF 34: Gaethje vs. Firmino.
Breakdown: For Nate ”The Snake” Andrews, his path to the UFC will
meet its biggest obstacle to date Friday night when he is locked across the
cage from New England MMA Legend Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington. At 10-1, Andrews seems destined to debut in
the Octagon in the not so distant future, as a ten fight CES veteran looks to
add the final piece to his regional resume with a signature win against the
former NEF Lightweight Champion turned World Series of Fighting Mainstay
Boyington. The 38 year old Boyington warns; that if Andrews thinks he is just a stepping stone on his quest to
crack the UFC roster, the Providence Native Andrews will be “sadly mistaken.”
Boyington has some of the most stylish striking in all of New England and
Andrews will likely have to get the fight to the ground if he hopes to find
success against the Bangor, Maine native.
Saul “The Spider” Almeida (19-8) v. Pedro “The Beast” Gonzalez (12-5)
Interim Featherweight Title
Saul Almeida
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston
Record: 19-8 (5 Submissions, 13
Decision wins)
Summary: Saul will be coming off a
perfect display of his game, as he out grappled and grinded Josh LaBerge for
nearly three rounds before sinking in a Rear Naked Choke in the final ten
seconds of the fight to gain the stoppage. As always Saul’s lengthy frame for
the 145 pound division will play a major factor in a tough stylistic matchup
with Pedro Gonzalez for the interim Featherweight Title. Saul is at his best
when he can use his grinding grappling techniques to set up his submission
game, but that technique will play right into the game plan of Pedro who will
be more than willing to grapple and play Jiu jitsu with Almeida. Saul could be
effective using his long limbs and technical Thai Clinch to grind Gonzalez on
the feet in efforts to avoid Pedro’s takedowns and arsenal of submissions.
Last fight: Third round Submission choke
of Josh LaBerge at CES 42: Curtis vs. Santiago.
Pedro Gonzalez
Affiliation: Redline
Record: 12-5 (11 Submissions)
Summary: Gonzalez has shown time
and again that he has the distinct ability to drag his opponent into deep water
and unleash one of the most suffocating submission games in the region, all the
while leading to 11 career wins by submission, and a current five fight winning
streak. Coming off his biggest win to date against Jacare Dias at CES 43: Mass
Invasion via second round choke, Gonzalez will definitely have his hands full
with the talented Almeida, who poses the biggest threat of Pedro’s career.
Although height and reach advantages go to Almeida, when it comes to Strength
and Jiu Jitsu submission fighting, Gonzalez has to like his chances against the
Framingham resident Almeida. Pedro may be the one fighter on the roster that
matches up best with Saul, as he attempts to capture the CES Featherweight Belt.
Last fight: Second round Submission
choke of Bruno Dias at CES 43: Mass Invasion II.
Breakdown: Stylistically this may be the closest matchup on the CES
45 card when two highly accomplished Submission Specialists lock horns in what
will likely be a Grappling war for the ages with the interim CES Featherweight
Title on the line. The 28 year old Saul Almeida has been in some grappling wars
over his 27 fight Professional career, resulting in five career submission
victories and numerous three round wars.
But the Brazilian Almeida may never have faced a more polished pure
grappler than Pedro Gonzalez. Gonzalez has racked up 12 wins as a professional,
11 of them by submission against just five defeats making him one of the most
feared submission artists in New England. Gonzalez has shown little trouble
forcing the fight to the mat in the past and will undoubtedly look to do just
that against Almeida. Almeida will have to use his grappling experience to
avoid being taken down by Gonzalez so that he can use his reach and technical
striking to pick Gonzalez apart on the feet. Although known mostly for his
grappling technique, Almeida possesses high class striking techniques forged
under the tutelage of Mark DellaGrotte at Sityodtong Boston. Given the
stylistic matchup in this fight, I see this fight going well into the
Championship rounds if not to the judges’ score cards.
Ashley “Gio” Gooch (Champion 10-5) v. Juliano “Banana” Coutinho (Challenger
7-3)
Heavyweight Title
Ashley Gooch
Affiliation: MMA Lab
Record: 10-5 (7 Knockouts, 2
Submissions)
Summary: The 42 year old Ashley
Gooch has gained notoriety as a finisher; in his ten career victories Gooch has
shut his opponent’s lights out nine times. Perhaps the most noteworthy of those
finishes is his upset knockout of Providence’s Greg Rebello at CES 37: Summer
Gold to capture the CES Heavyweight title and silence the crowd at Twin River
Casino. Coming off a first round knockout defeat in his World Series of
Fighting debut to former UFC Heavyweight Shawn Jordan, Gooch will return to the
CES cage to defend his Heavyweight Crown Friday night against Juliano Coutinho as
he searches for his 8th career knockout and first successful title
defense.
Last fight: First round Knockout
loss to Shawn Jordan at WSOF 33: Branch vs. Magalhaes.
Juliano Coutinho
Affiliation: Juniko
Record: 7-3(3 Knockouts, 2
Submissions)
Summary: It is no secret that Coutinho
has faced some challenges over his last three bouts, including two knockout
losses for the World Series of Fighting and a razor thin Split Decision to Chaz
Morgan at CES 33: Soukhamthath vs.Nordby. Coutinho will be looking to return to
the form that saw him victorious in five of his first six professional bouts.
He will need to do just that if he hopes to dethrone the current CES
Heavyweight Champion; Gooch, as the competition continues to be tough for the
Brazilian native. Coutinho intends to put on a career defining performance in
his effort to capture CES Heavyweight Gold.
Last fight: Second round TKO loss
to Justin Willis at WSOF 31: Ivanov vs. Copeland.
Breakdown: The hype is high anytime two talented Heavyweights are
locked into the cage together, put a belt on the line and it can be something
fight fans dream of. For the first time in over a year in the CES cage the
Heavyweight Title will be on the line Friday night between the Heavy Handed
Champion Ashley Gooch who has Knockout power in both hands and looks to finish
fights each time he steps in will put his belt on the line against Challenger
Juliano Coutinho who also possesses the ability to finish fights both standing
or on the ground. Gooch will be looking to end the fight early and leave no
doubt that he is New England’s baddest Heavyweight by successfully defending
his title. Coutinho’s chin will undoubtedly be tested, but if the Brazilian Ju Jitsu Black Belt can
avoid heavy strikes and work this fight into later rounds his odds of upsetting
the current champ grow increasingly better. Coutinho will need to work this
fight to the mat or to the clinch in effort to neutralize the powerful strikes
of Gooch and swing the fight to his favor. But as many of us know all too well,
when two powerful Heavyweights collide, game plans and strategy can go
completely out the window once fists start to fly. This fight promises to live
up to the billing and give the CES fans just what they should be looking for in
a Main Event; Fireworks!
*Fight
Card and bout lineup are subject to change.*