The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt beat the striker at his own game. Juliano Coutinho (8-3, 4 KOs), fighting out of West Yarmouth, Mass., captured the CES MMA World Heavyweight Championship Friday at Twin River Casino, defeating reigning title-holder Ashley Gooch (10-7) of Arizona by knockout 4 minutes, 18 seconds into the second round of their […]
Like father, like son: Balletto Jr. makes TV debut Friday
Gary Balletto Jr. was only five years old around the time his father, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, became a household name in the boxing world through the exposure of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Through the years, he’s learned to appreciate the legacy his father built, whether from old family VHS tapes or the wonder of YouTube, […]
MMA brings life into focus for Navy vet Restrepo
There’s something strangely calming about the sound of the cage door closing for Queens, N.Y., bantamweight Miguel Restrepo. A former U.S. Marine, twice deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, rendered homeless upon discharge, left battling post-traumatic stress disorder wondering where his next meal would come from, Restrepo fights for a living knowing no opponent he faces […]
Almeida, Gonzalez collide for interim title at CES MMA 45
It’s been a long time coming for both Saul Almeida and Pedro Gonzalez, two of the northeast’s most successful, talked-about fighters, who finally get their opportunity to lock horns for a title one week from Friday. Combined, the veteran Massachusetts featherweights have fought 43 times over the span of nine years, boasting resumes as good […]
CES MMA 45 on Aug. 11th
Returning to its home base of Twin River Casino for the first time in nearly three months, CES MMA is bringing out the heavy artillery for its next AXS TV showcase. “CES MMA 45,” scheduled for Friday, Aug. 11th, 2017, live on AXS TV Fights, features two world-title bouts, including the long-awaited return of reigning […]
CES MMA 44 Results
Reigning CES MMA World Featherweight Champion Matt Bessette retained his title for the second time Friday night in the main event of “CES MMA 44” at Twin River Casino in a thrilling back-and-forth war on AXS TV Fights. Facing tough Texan Rey Trujillo (22-19), who replaced original challenger Jeremy Spoon on just two weeks’ notice, […]
CES MMA 44 on May 12 – Twin River Casino
Over the past 25 years, longtime boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. has been an advocate for women’s combat sports, opening the door for many female fighters to achieve their lifelong dream at a time when other promoters refused to take such risks. Add cage doors to that list. In recent months, CES MMA, which Burchfield […]