CES Heavyweight Championship
Travis Lizotte
Update: We are live from Twin River Casino event center; follow this article throughout the evening for live round by round coverage of all the action as it goes down here, in Lincoln, Rhode Island for CES MMA 57.
Lincoln, Rhode Island, July 26, 2019; just a week removed from the heaviest heatwave to hit the region this year; CES MMA returns to Twin River Casino Event Center Friday night with some serious heavy heat of their own as “New England Heavyweight King” Greg “Ribz” Rebello (24-9) puts his coveted CES Heavyweight Title on the line in the Main Event against fellow New Englander; Kevin “The Northwoods Nightmare” Haley (6-5). CES fan favorite; Rebello makes a highly anticipated return to the CES cage following a brief retirement which allowed “Ribz” to recover from both hand and knee injuries accumulated in his loss to Josh Parisian (8-3) on Dana White’s Contender Series last June, as well his round one TKO of Travis Wiuff (76-22) last February at CES 48. The heavy handed Rebello will be right at home as the Providence, Rhode Island native headlines yet another CES MMA card in his own backyard against New Hampshire’s Haley. Hailey is no stranger to adversity however, “The Northwoods Nightmare” cut his teeth against some of the fiercest competition in the Northeast across his six year professional career squaring off against UFC veterans Eric Spicely and Pat Walsh and holding a win over current UFC Light-Heavyweight; Mike Rodriguez (10-4) along the way.
In the Co-Main event CES MMA’s Bantamweight Title Challenger; Kris “The Soul Snatcher” Moutinho (7-3) looks to bounce himself back into title contention following a loss to heavily favored CES Bantamweight Champion; Tony Gravely (18-5) at CES 54 in January. Moutinho returns to fight New England mainstay; Johnny “Cupcakes” Campbell (17-12) in an exciting contrast of old school and new school. Campbell has been competing as a professional since Moutinho’s Junior year at Milford High School, Campbell will be making just his third walk to the CES cage, in what will be his 30th career pro fight. On the other hand Moutinho has competed ten times for CES since turning pro in 2016 and looks to show the veteran Campbell that the CES Bantamweight division will soon belong to “The Soul Snatcher.” Rhode Island native and former UFC rostered Sean Soriano (11-6) makes his fifth straight appearance for his hometown organization as he welcomes back ten fight CES veteran Featherweight; Saul “The Spider” Almeida (20-10) in what will be Soriano’s first fight since losing the Vanant CES Featherweight Title to Bruce Boyington (17-11) last August. Soriano looks to vault his name back into title talks in the CES Featherweight division as he draws the tough task of solving the unique style of Saul Almeida.
The Pride of East Providence Rhode Island; “The Portugese Man of War” Dinis “Sweetbreat” Paiva Jr. (11-7) will end a layoff of over 13 months when he enters the cage with his sights on Ohio’s Antonio “The Mexican Muscle” Castillo Jr. (10-12). Paiva will have his eye on the CES Featherweight strap if he can put away Castillo in dramatic fashion and return to his winning ways that saw “Sweetbread” reel off four straight wins before his third round loss to Champion Andre Ewell at CES 50 for the belt last June. Former UFC Flyweight; Boston’s Tateki “Tech” Matsuda (14-9) looked sharp in his decision victory over Josh Ricci (4-2) at CES 54 and looks to further stamp his place amongst the best Flyweights in the Northeast as he squares off with Submission hungry New Yorker; Matt Almy (4-2). Almy stunned CES fans in his last start, needing just 55 seconds to dispatch then undefeated Richie Santiago (7-2) by D’arce Choke at CES 49.
Top training partner of newly minted UFC Heavyweight Yorgan DeCastro; Regiment Training Center’s Pat McCrohan (4-2) will make his sixth career trip to the CES cage (3-2 in five fights) and this time he welcomes CES newcomer and fellow Middleweight; Florida’s Andre “Rumble” Hall (3-1). Four preliminary bouts are due to set the stage Friday night as Peter San Antonio (2-2) takes on Brazilian; Moses Monteiro (1-4) at Lightweight, Welterweights Sanad Armouti (Debut) and Rodolfo Rocha (1-2) meet in their CES debuts, Lightweights Rob Best (0-2) and Arslan Otchiyev (0-1) both search for their first professional victories and Strawweight Prospect Hilarie Rose (3-1) looks to run her winning streak to four straight as she welcomes Kaiyana Rain (1-4) back to New England for her second straight CES appearance. Opening bell for CES 57 is due to sound at 7 pm Eastern time from the Events Center at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island and will be broadcast live on UFC Fightpass.
Rob Best (0-2) v. Arslan Otchiyev (0-1)
Lightweight
Rob “The Beast” Best
Fighting out of: Utica, New York
Affiliation: Mohawk Valley MMA
Record: 0-2 (12-13 as Amateur)
Last fight: First round TKO loss to Brendon Marotte at Combat Zone 67
Arslan Otchiyev
Fighting out of: West Haven, Connecticut
Affiliation: Fighting Arts Academy
Record: 0-1 (4-4-1 as an Amateur)
Last fight: First round Knockout (Knees and Punches) loss to Brendon Marotte at CES 50: Paiva v. Ewell.
Result:
Round 1: Best comes out like a house on fire and throws an opening kick that misses as he looks to put the pressure on early. Rob lands a low kick and takes Arslan down and goes to work from the guard and lands some elbows. Rob sits back for a heel hook and Arslan sweeps to the top and gets side control and works elbows to the body of best. Arslan continues to soften up the body with elbows as he passes to mount and starts to land some ground and pound and threatening an arm triangle. Arslan postures up and lands more heavy elbows followed by some heavy hammer fists. Best gives up his back to avoid further damage as Arslan works the rear naked choke, best does a good job fighting the hands best rolls and Arslan is on top again as the round ends. 10-9 Arslan.
Round 2: Best lands the opening strikes in the second round but Arslan changes levels and takes Rob down with ease but Rob lands on top and goes to work in dominant position for the first time in the fight. Rob looks content to work from Arslan's guard as he doesn't look to pass but is landing some moderate ground and pound. Arslan turns to his hip to get up and Rob looks to take his back and has one hook in. Arslan uses the fence to work to his feet as Rob presses Arslan to the cage and lands knees as the round ends. 10-9 Best.
Round 3: Arslan comes out with a leg kick and Rob comes forward with strikes grabs a guillotine and pulls guard. Arslan fights the guillotine and ends up on top as Rob goes for another leglock and Arslan ends up on Rob's back and them moves to north south and Rob rolls to guard. Rob throws up a triangle attempt but Arslan moves back to half guard and looks to pass to side control. Rob sweeps and has the top briefly before Arslan moves back to guard and Rob throws up another triangle attempt. With 20 seconds left Arslan starts landing strikes from the top until the closing bell. Close round 10-9 Arslan.
Decision: Arslan Otchiyev defeats Rob Best by Split Decision (29-28 Best, 29-27 Arslan, 29-28 Arslan)
Sanad Armouti (Debut) v. Rodolfo Rocha (1-2)
Welterweight
Sanad Armouti
Fighting out of: Boston, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Florian Martial Arts Center
Record: Pro Debut (2-0 with 2 finishes in the first round)
Last fight: Round one TKO (Retirement) of Billy Goff at Cage Titans 40.
Rodolfo “Caicara” Rocha
Fighting out of: New York, New York
Affiliation: Renzo Gracie Philly
Record: 1-2 (1-1 in Brazilian Regional circuits)
Last fight: Second round Submission (Rear Naked Choke) loss to Jesse Kosakowski at Bellator 216.
Result:
Round 1: Fighters touch gloves and Armouti lands an opening kick that is matched by Rocha, Armouti opens up with a series of combinations that land as Armouti is connecting early and often and Rocha is bleeding from the left ear. Rodolfo changes levels and lands an emphatic takedown ut Armouti scrambles to the top and the to his feet. Sanad again leads the striking as he tags Rocha with some heavy strikes and Rocha clinches up and puts Armouti on the cage. Armouti locks in a tight standing d'arce and Rocha knees Sanad in the cup and Kevin MacDonald stops the action. We quickly resume and Sanad lands a right cross that starches Rocha and MacDonald stops the fight! A Right hand right to the button and its lights out!
Decision: Sanad Armouti defeats Rodolfo Rocha by Knockout at 4:40 of the first round.
Peter San Antonio (2-2) v. Moses Monteiro (1-4)
Lightweight
Peter San Antonio
Fighting out of: North Andover, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Mohawk Valley MMA
Record: 2-2 (1 knockout, 1 submission)
Last fight: Round one TKO (retirement) of Nick Alley at Combat Zone 65.
Moses Monteiro
Fighting out of: Quincey, Massachusetts by way of Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina
Affiliation: Trifecta MMA
Record: 1-4
Last fight: Loss to Luis Rafael Laurentino at Catarina Regionals in 2013.
Result:
Round 1: Moses comes out with a front kick that almost lands and gets San Antonios attention but Peter comes back with some combinations of his own. Both guys look like they are having no trouble striking at range as this fight gets rolling. Moses is testing the lead leg with some low kicks but Peter counters and has Moses opened up as they stand in the center of the cage and trade shots. Both fighters appear to be bleeding from the nose as the output gets heavy, Moses lands a vicious uppercut followed by two headkicks that hurt Peter and send him circling. Moses lands a huge take down and is on the back of Peter landing heavy shots, Peter gives the thumbs up but Bryan Miner has seen enough and calls a stop to this contest.
Decision: Moses Monteiro defeats Peter San Antonio by TKO at 4:11 of round number one. What a fight these dudes just traded shots for the better part of 4 minutes!.
Pat McCrohan (4-2) v. Andre Hall (3-1)
Middleweight
Pat McCrohan
Fighting out of: Berkley Massachusetts
Affiliation: Regiment Training Center
Record: 4-2 (3 knockouts)
Last fight: First round TKO (Ground and Pound) stoppage of Jason Markland at Bellator 215.
Andre “Rumble” Hall
Fighting out of: Pensacola, Florida
Affiliation:
Record: 3-1 (1 Knockout, 1 Submission)
Last fight: Second round Submission (Rear Naked Choke) of Mike Morgan at Island Fights 52.
Result:
Round 1: Hall comes out behind the jab and lands some combinations before Pat can jab his way in and get the takedown but Andre ends up on top in McCrohan's half guard. Andre is working a kimura and McCrohan scrambles and Hall takes the back but Pat gets out the backdoor, but Hall once again sweeps to the top and McCrohan is bloody. MCCrohan works a Kimura of his own and rolls to top position but Andre once again sweeps and looks for another back take. Hall gets the back and has both hooks in and softens Pat up with some hammerfists before sinking his arm under the chin of McCrohan for the tap.
Decision: Andre Hall defeats Pat McCrohan by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:46 of the first round
Hilarie Rose (3-1) v. Kaiyana Rain (1-4)
Strawweight
Hilarie Rose
Fighting out of: Norfolk, Massachusetts
Affiliation: USMMA
Record: 3-1 (1 knockout, 1 submission)
Last fight: Split decision win over Rose Acevedo at CES 55: Wells v. de Jesus.
Kaiyana Rain
Fighting out of: Los Angeles, California
Affiliation: Fight Science MMA
Record: 1-4 (3 Decision Losses)
Last fight: Third round Submission (Rear Naked Choke) loss to Marisa Messer-Belenchia at CES 51: Andrews v. Owens
Result:
Round 1: Hilarie comes out swinging kicks and she sets up a combination and Rain Clinches and has Hilarie pressed against the cage. Rain gets the trip but Hilarie sweeps quickly to the top and lands a hue elbow as she looks for the back of Rain. Rose sinks in both hooks and looks to harvest the neck of Rain. Rain fights the hands briefly but Rose sinks the forearm under the chin of Rain, Kaiyana attempts to fight the hands but the choke is deep and Rain taps.
Decision: Hilarie Rose defeats Kaiyana Rain by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:27 of the first round.
Tateki Matsuda (14-9) v. Matt Almy (4-2)
Bantamweight
Tateki “Tek” Matsuda
Fighting out of: Boston, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston
Record: 14-9 (4 Knockouts, 2 Submissions)
Last fight: Unanimous Decision victory over Josh Ricci at CES 54: Andrews v. Logan.
Matt Almy
Fighting out of: Binghamton, New York
Affiliation: Apex MMA
Record: 4-2 (1 Knockout, 3 Submissions)
Last fight: First round Submissions (D’arce Choke) of Richie Santiago at CES 49: Curtis v. Norwood.
Result:
Round 1: Matsuda answers the bell sprinting across the cage as he comes out firing the jab, ALmy fires some glancing leg kicks early as the fighters find their range. Matsuda lands a combination that sits Almy down but Matt scrambles back to his feet. Both fighters miss on looping left hands as range still is hard to come by for both of these fighters. Matsuda lands a lone right hand but it doesn't amount to anything. Tateki lands a combination now that sends Almy back into the cage but Matsuda doesn't follow. Almy throws a spinning back kick that touches Matsuda and Tateki clinches and is landing heavy knees as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Matsuda.
Round 2: Tateki once again comes out quickly behind that jabbing left hand, Almy lands a leg kick and range continues to be a problem for these two. Tateki comes forward and closes distance for the takedown as Almy grabs the guillotine and pulls to guard. Tateki passes to half guard and lands some short strikes followed by some elbows. Matsuda works to side control as Almy looks to rolls to his hip and looks for the escape. Matsuda is landing some nice strikes from the top but none look to threaten the end of the fight, Almy covers up and survives the final 30 seconds of the round. 10-9 Mastuda.
Round 3: Tateki once again leads the way with the left jab as round three gets under way. Matsuda lands a right hand followed by the left that sends Almy stumbling but he immediately gets back to his feet and returns to striking range. Almy starts throwing the jab out there but gets caught by another combination from Matsuda. Matsuda lands some low leg kicks and the fighters trade jabs and then trade some combinations. Almy shoots for the takedown and Matsuda sprawls and lands some hammerfists as the fight comes to an end. 10-9 Matsuda.
Decision: Tateki Matsuda defeats Matt Almy by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Kris Moutinho (7-3) v. Johnny Campbell (17-12)
Bantamweight
Kris “The Soul Snatcher” Moutinho
Fighting out of: Milford, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Tri-Force
Record: 7-3 (2 Knockouts)
Last fight: Fourth round TKO (Hammerfists) loss to Tony Gravely for the CES Bantamweight Title at CES 54: Andrews v. Logan.
Johnny “Cupcakes” Campbell
Fighting out of: Whitman, Massachusetts
Affiliation: South Shore Sportfighting
Record: 17-12 (5 Knockouts, 6 Submissions)
Last fight: Second round Submission (Americana) of Jose Lugo at Reality Fighting.
Result:
Round 1: Campbell lands a low kick as they are feeling eachother out early, Campbell goes for the takedown and Moutinho stuffs and pushes Campbell against the fence and starts to land some short strikes to the veteran Campbell. Campbell circles out and they return to striking distance and Campbell lands a stiff jab and a left hook. Campbell lands a single leg and Kris gets right back to his feet and pressures Campbell to the fence. Campbell lands a left hand on the break as he looks for another takedown and Moutinho stuffs once again and has Campbell against the fence and gets the takedown. Moutinho now works from top control as he looks to pass the guard of Campbell. Campbell looks to scramble but Moutinho maintains top control for the remainder of the round. 10-9 Moutinho.
Round 2: Campbell comes out for round 2 throwing some more high kicks as Moutinho again looks for his range. Campbell lands a left hook that crumbles Moutinho but he recovers and gets back to his feet, Campbell lands another power shot that wobbles Moutinho, Kris lands a double leg and gets top position but Campbell throws up a triangle and follows it with some brutal elbows and Bryan Miner has seen enough as he stops the fight.
Decision: Johnny Campbell defeats Kris Moutinho by TKO (Elbows) at 1:45 of round two.
Sean Soriano (11-6) v. Saul Almeida (20-10)
Featherweight
Sean Soriano
Fighting out of: Providence, Rhode Island
Affiliation: Hard Knocks 365
Record: 11-6 (5 Knockouts, 4 Submissions)
Last fight: Second round Submission (Rear Naked Choke) loss to Bruce Boyington at CES 51: Andrews v. Owens
Saul “The Spider” Almeida
Fighting out of: Framingham, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston/ Alliance BJJ
Record: 20-10 (2 Knockouts, 5 Submissions)
Last fight: Third round TKO of Stacey Anderson at AMMO Fight League 5.
Result:
Round 1: Sean comes out with kick to the body and Saul comes forward with combinations. Sean gets his composure and lands a combination of his own followed by some leg kicks and one to the body. Soriano connects with an overhand right that folds Almeida, Sean follows up with ground and pound before Kevin MacDonald peels Soriano off Almeida!
Decision: Sean Soriano defeats Saul Almeida by Knockout at 1:22 of the first round.
Dinis Paiva (11-7) v. Antonio Castillo Jr. (10-12)
Featherweight
Dinis “Sweetbread” Paiva Jr.
Fighting out of: East Providence, Rhode Island
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston/ Juniko
Record: 11-7 (6 Knockouts, 2 Submissions)
Last fight: Third round Submission (D’arce Choke) loss To Andre Ewell at CES 50: Paiva v. Ewell.
Antonio “The Mexican Muscle” Castillo Jr.
Fighting out of: Canton, Ohio
Affiliation: Mayanz Fight Team
Record: 10-12 (1 Knockout, 2 Submissions)
Last fight: First round Submission (Rear Naked Choke) loss to Nick Newell at CES 56: Boyington v. Dubuque.
Result:
Round 1: Castillo fakes the glove touch and throws the first strike of the fight but Dinis answers with some heat of his own. Dinis lands a big right hand to the body and another one now as Paiva looks to looks to damage the midsection early. Castillo lands a right and Dinis answers with a one two that sends Castillo to a knee as Dinis is getting the better of the exchanges early. Paiva lands a right hand that sends Castillo stumbling backwards, Paiva follows with a right hand and Bryan Miner steps in to save Castillo from further damage.
Decision: Dinis Paiva defeats Antonio Castillo Jr. by Knockout at 2:48 of round number one.
Champion: Greg Rebello (24-9) v. Challenger: Kevin Haley (6-5)
*Heavyweight Title*
Greg “Ribz” Rebello
Fighting out of: Fall River, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Tri-Force MMA/ Lauzon MMA
Record: 24-9 (15 Knockouts, 2 Submissions)
Last fight: First round TKO (Spinning Backfist) loss to Josh Parisian at Dana White’s Contender Series 2018.
Kevin “ The Northwoods Nightmare” Haley
Fighting out of: Dover, New Hampshire
Affiliation: Nostos MMA
Record: 6-5 (2 Knockouts, 2 Submissions)
Last fight: First round TKO (Ground and Pound) loss to William Knight at CES 54: Andrews v. Logan.
Result:
Round 1: Rebello comes out and establishes the center of the cage and stalks Haley around the cage. Haley lands a low kick and Rebello fires a left hand as they look to find their distance. Haley ducks under an overhand from Rebello and looks for a takedown as he pushes the champion to the fence. Haley throws a knee that hits the cup of Rebello and Kevin MacDonald stops the action. Kevin lands another low kick on the restart as Rebello looks like he is picking his shot. Haley is working on the lead leg of Rebello and Greg unloads a left upper cut that lands flush and Rebello follows with some more smoke for the TKO stoppage by Ref Kevin MacDonald.
Decision: Greg Rebello defeats Kevin Haley by TKO at 3:45 of the very first round to retain his CES Heavyweight crown!