CES MMA

Classic Entertainment & Sports
Industry	Mixed martial arts promotion
Founded	2010
Founder	Jimmy Burchfield, Sr.
Headquarters	Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Website	cesfights.com

CES MMA (Classic Entertainment & Sports) is a mixed martial arts promotional firm based out of Providence, Rhode Island founded by boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. It promoted the first sanctioned professional mixed martial event in the state of Rhode Island on September 17, 2010, at Twin River Casino.^[1]

Since its inception, CES MMA has promoted and developed the careers of several current and former Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) contenders, including Chuck O'Neil, Tateki Matsuda, Charles Rosa, Alex Karalexis, , Dominique Steele, Rob Font and Ricardo Funch.^[2]

Other UFC veterans to appear on CES MMA cards include David Loiseau and Drew Fickett. Several CES MMA alums have also made successful transitions to Bellator MMA, most notably Brennan Ward, who won his first three professional fights under the guidance of CES MMA before winning Bellator's middleweight tournament in 2013.^[3]

In October 2012, CES MMA promoted its first pay-per-view event at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, featuring the professional MMA debut of former WWE wrestler Dave Bautista, before signing a multi-year broadcast deal with AXS TV in September 2014 which ended in 2019.^[4]

In January 2019 CES MMA started airing live events on UFC Fight Pass with the debut event on UFC Fight Pass being CES 54.

Inaugural event[]

Magno Almeida, top, chokes out Mike Campbell in CES MMA's inaugural event in 2010.

CES MMA held its first event September 17, 2010, at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island, the state's first sanctioned professional mixed martial arts event. The card featured seven bouts, including the main event between Rhode Island native and former World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Reality Fighting vet Mike Campbell and Magno Almeida of Woburn, Massachusetts. Almeida won by rear naked choke submission at the 4:03 mark of the opening round.^[5]

Titled "First Blood," CES MMA's inaugural event also featured the debuts of eventual CES MMA fixtures Luis Felix, Pete Jeffrey and Saul Almeida. Also on the undercard, heavyweight Parker Porter defeated Lee Beane by first-round submission (rear naked choke) and Rhode Island vet Mat Santos won his farewell bout following a four-year layoff by defeating Stephen Stengel via kneebar submission in the opening round.

Early success[]

Following its inaugural event, CES MMA successfully promoted seven events between 2010 and 2011, including its Foxwoods Resort Casino debut on Oct. 22, 2010. The event featured a main event rematch between Felix and Massachusetts native Joe DeChaves, who also fought on the undercard of "First Blood" the previous month. DeChaves avenged his September loss with a split-decision win, one of nine bouts on the card.^[6]

CES MMA returned to Twin River on Dec. 2, 2010 for the first of 10 consecutive events at its home venue. Massachusetts native Dan Lauzon, the brother of UFC vet Joe Lauzon, defeated fellow Massachusetts native Damien Trites in the main event.^[7] The undercard also featured the CES MMA debuts of Bellator MMA vet Greg Rebello, Rhode Island's Ruben Rey, Tyson Chartier, Matsuda and Bellator MMA vet Tiawan Howard of Cleveland, Ohio, who would make another appearance with CES MMA a year later.

CES MMA made headlines in 2011 with the signing of former UFC and WEC vet Alex Karalexis, a Boston, Massachusetts native. Karalexis made his CES MMA debut June 10, 2011, at Twin River and lost a controversial split decision to Howard in the main event.^[8]

Later that year the promotion crowned its first champion at its November 18 event, titled "Undisputed." Pawtucket, Rhode Island veteran Todd Chattelle won the promotion's inaugural middleweight championship by defeating Massachusetts native Brett Oteri via guillotine choke submission in the opening round of a scheduled five-round bout.

Having established itself as New England's most prolific promotional firm, CES MMA was eventually named the Boston Herald Local MMA Promotion of the Year in 2011. Patrick Sullivan earned Best Matchmaker honors and the June 10 event featuring the Karalexis-Howard main event was named the region's best local card of the year. After finishing 4–0 in 2011 and capturing the CES MMA middleweight title, Chattelle won the Herald's Comeback Fighter of the Year award.^[9] CES MMA also announced three additional signings in 2011, including Chattelle, Saul Almeida and Boston's Scott Rehm.

Pay-per-view debut[]

Former WWE champion Dave Bautista, top, strikes Vince Lucero during their pay-per-view super heavyweight bout at The Dunkin' Donuts Center in 2012

On October 6, 2012, CES MMA promoted its first pay-per-view event in association with June Entertainment at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, featuring the MMA debut of Dave Bautista. The event, titled "Real Pain," was made available through DirecTV and featured 13 bouts, including former UFC contenders Loiseau, Howard and Stevens.

Bautista made quick work of his opponent, Vince Lucero, earning a knockout win at the 4:03 mark of the opening round due to excessive unanswered punches.^[10] The Boston native Howard, who had previously won the CES MMA middleweight championship by beating Chattelle in April in his CES MMA debut, defeated Brett Chism via second-round knockout on the undercard for his third consecutive win with CES MMA. Chattelle suffered his second consecutive loss just 27 seconds into his bout with Chandler Holderness due to a knockout from a flying knee while Felix defeated Stevens by unanimous decision.

Campbell earned a unanimous decision win over Philadelphia, Pennsylvania vet Gemiyale Adkins and Loiseau stopped Chris McNally via first-round knockout at the 2:30 mark. Ward made his final appearance with CES MMA on the undercard, defeating Shedrick Goodridge by knockout 2:36 into the opening round.

Championship expansion[]

CES MMA featherweight champion Rob Font

CES MMA kicked off 2013 by introducing its second title, the CES MMA lightweight championship. Campbell won the crown on February 1, 2013, at Twin River by defeating former Spanish Olympic boxer and Barcelona, Spain native Abner Lloveras by unanimous decision.^[11] It would coincidentally be the final fight of Campbell's career. Titled "Undisputed 2,"' the card was a sequel to CES MMA's "Undisputed" event in 2011 in which Chattelle won the promotion's inaugural middleweight championship.

"Undisputed 2" was also noteworthy as the first CES MMA appearance of Font, the Boston bantamweight who earned an upset win over Saul Almeida on the undercard, beginning a stretch of six consecutive wins with CES MMA before making his UFC debut in July 2014. Font would eventually become the second fighter under CES MMA's guidance to return or advance to the UFC, preceded by Howard, who won five consecutive fights by knockout with CES MMA before returning to the UFC in August 2013.

Font would also go on to capture CES MMA's inaugural featherweight championship with a first-round knockout win over Connecticut native Chris Foster on August 9, 2013, at Twin River in the main event of "Gold Rush."^[12]

20th event[]

With four events already in the books for 2013, CES MMA closed out the year at Twin River with its 20th show, titled, "CES MMA XX." It marked the first time CES MMA began numbering its events chronologically.

"CES MMA XX" featured 10 bouts. Font defeated Matt DiMarcantonio by unanimous decision in the main event. Woonsocket, Rhode Island bantamweight Andre Soukhamthath won his seventh consecutive bout under the guidance of CES MMA on the undercard by defeating Corey Simmons via first-round TKO. Soukhamthath also tied Chattelle as the promotion's winningest fighter with seven victories.^[13] Rebello, Felix, Rosa and Oteri also won on the undercard.

AXS TV debut[]

Luis Felix, left, delivers the knockout blow against former UFC vet Drew Fickett in 2013.

CES MMA introduced its fourth championship on March 14, 2014, at Twin River when Boston heavyweight John Johnston defeated former UFC challenger Josh Hendricks by knockout at the 4:36 mark of the opening round due to excessive punches.

The heavyweight title bout was the co-feature of "CES MMA XXII," also noteworthy for Fickett's first and final appearance with CES MMA. The longtime UFC vet challenged Felix, who earned the biggest win of his career by knocking out Fickett with a head kick at 2:29 of the opening round.^[14]

On August 8, 2014, at Twin River, CES MMA made its long-awaited AXS TV debut with "CES MMA XXV." Former The Ultimate Fighter reality television alum Julian Lane defeated Felix in the main event to capture the CES MMA lightweight crown vacated by Campbell. Lane earned the victory via guillotine choke submission at the 4:56 mark of the third round.^[15] The stage had been set between Lane and Felix when the two were supposed to fight at "CES MMA XXIV," but Felix was forced to withdraw due to an injury.^[16]

The televised portion of "CES MMA XXV" featured six bouts, including a second-round knockout win for Brazilian Gil de Freitas over George Sheppard and Matsuda's submission win over Robbie Leroux. Matsuda would make his UFC debut a month later.^[17] Rosa also fought his final bout with CES MMA on the main card, defeating Jake Constant via first-round armbar submission. Rosa went on to face Dennis Siver in his UFC debut two months later. Adkins returned to Twin River at "CES MMA XXV" and defeated Rhode Island's Nate Andrews by unanimous decision.

Six weeks later, AXS TV announced it had signed a multi-year broadcast deal with CES MMA. On October 10, 2014, CES MMA crowned a champion in a new weight class when O'Neil won the promotion's inaugural welterweight title with a second-round armbar submission over fellow UFC alum Ricardo Funch in the main event of "CES MMA XXVI" at Twin River. The promotion's reigning heavyweight champion Johnston also won that night via first-round knockout over Keith Bell and subsequently announced his retirement at the age of 43, ending his career with a perfect 7–0 record with all seven wins coming by knockout.^[18]

The first event of the new broadcast deal with AXS TV took place January 30, 2015, with "CES MMA XXVII." Lane defended his CES MMA lightweight title with a split-decision win over Boston's Lucas Cruz and O'Neil, a former The Ultimate Fighter alum, knocked out Emmanuel Walo 11 seconds into the opening round of their main-event welterweight bout.^[19]

On June 12, 2015, the promotion's welterweight title changed hands at "CES MMA XXIX" when Cincinnati veteran Dominique Steele defeated O'Neil by unanimous decision, 48–47, 48–47, 49–46, in the five-round main event on AXS TV. Rebello earned a knockout win over Tyler King on the main card and former Bellator standout Matthew Bessette knocked out Khama Worthy of Pittsburgh in his CES MMA debut.^[20] Steele vacated the belt in July to fight on "UFC on Fox 16" in Chicago as a replacement for the injured Antonio Braga Neto in a preliminary welterweight bout against Zak Cummings.^[21]

CES MMA celebrated its 30th show on Aug. 14, 2015 with "CES MMA XXX" at Twin River. The main event featured the long-awaited rematch between Lane and Felix for Lane's CES MMA lightweight title. This time, Felix won by unanimous decision, 49–46, 49–46, 48–47, to capture the title and become the promotion's third lightweight champion. "CES MMA XXX" also featured a showdown between Lenny Wheeler and Bessette, which Wheeler won by knockout 39 seconds into the opening round.^[22]

CES MMA 53 was the last CES MMA event on AXS TV as the multi year contract ended in 2019.^[23]

Current champions[]

Division	Champion	Since	Defenses
Heavyweight	Greg Rebello	Feb. 2, 2018 (CES 48)	2
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight	Vinicius De Jesus	March 29, 2019 (CES 55)	1
Lightweight	Matt Bessette	September 17, 2021 (CES 64)	0
Featherweight	Matt Bessette	January 24, 2020 (CES 60)	0
Bantamweight	Jay Perrin	September 17, 2021 (CES 64)	0
Flyweight	Blaine Shutt	January 24, 2020 (CES 60)	0

Events[]

Event Title	Date	Location
CES MMA 64	September 17, 2021	Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
CES MMA 63	August 6, 2021	Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
CES MMA 62	April 30, 2021	Orlando, Florida, U.S.
CES MMA 61	October 14, 2020	Warwick, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 60	January 24, 2020	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 59	October 25, 2019	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 58	September 7, 2019	Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
CES MMA 57	July 26, 2019	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 56	May 31, 2019	Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
CES MMA 55	March 29, 2019	Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
CES MMA 54	January 19, 2019	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 53	November 2, 2018	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 52	August 17, 2018	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
CES MMA 51	August 3, 2018	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 50	June 15, 2018	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA NY	May 4, 2018	Westbury, New York, U.S.
CES MMA 49	April 6, 2018	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 48	February 2, 2018	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 47	November 17, 2017	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 46	October 27, 2017	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 45	August 11, 2017	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 44	May 12, 2017	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 43	April 15, 2017	Beverly, Massachusetts, U.S.
CES MMA 42	March 31, 2017	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 41	January 27, 2017	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 40	November 23, 2016	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 39	November 4, 2016	Plymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
CES MMA 38	September 23, 2016	Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
CES MMA 37	August 12, 2016	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 36	June 10, 2016	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 35	April 16, 2016	Beverly, Massachusetts, U.S.
CES MMA 34	April 1, 2016	Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
CES MMA 33	March 11, 2016	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 32	January 8, 2016	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 31	October 30, 2015	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 30	August 14, 2015	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 29	June 12, 2015	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 28	March 13, 2015	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 27	January 30, 2015	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 26	October 10, 2014	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 25	August 8, 2014	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 24	June 27, 2014	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 23	April 25, 2014	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 22	March 14, 2014	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 21	January 24, 2014	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 20	December 6, 2013	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 19.5	November 15, 2013	Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
CES MMA 19	October 4, 2013	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 18	August 9, 2013	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 17	June 7, 2013	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 16	April 12, 2013	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 15	February 1, 2013	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 14	December 7, 2012	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 13	October 6, 2012	Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 12	August 3, 2012	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 11	June 15, 2012	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 10	April 13, 2012	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 9	February 3, 2012	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 8	November 18, 2011	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 7	September 9, 2011	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 6	June 10, 2011	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 5	April 8, 2011	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 4	February 25, 2011	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 3	December 2, 2010	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
CES MMA 2	October 22, 2010	Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
CES MMA 1	September 17, 2010	Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.