CES MMA makes the inaugural plunge into the world of Connecticut state regulation on March 29th, 2019. The organization hosts the first mixed martial arts event in the state of Connecticut which is also sanctioned by the state. From the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Connecticut CES 55 goes down live on UFC Fight Pass.
At no loss for numbers, CES 55 is the second show broadcast on UFC Fight Pass. After the success of CES 54 despite beginning at an uncommon time (Fights began at 3 PM EST), CES 55 returns to a customary time. Fights begin at 9:00 PM (EST).
Withdrawals
Unfortunately, due to issues out of the promotions control, two high profile bouts dropped from the card. New England prospects, William Knight and Fabio Cherant lost their opponents. According to Tapology, Carlton Little (Opponent of Knight) failed to show at weigh-ins. In the case of Marquis Allen, also reported by Tapology, legal issues came between him and a battle with Cherant. A heavyweight bout between Rakim Cleveland and Parker Porter also fell to the chopping block.
Featured Fights
Still set to compete at CES 55, Dan Dubuque, Hilarie Rose, and Justin Valentin. The top of the CES main card features two title fights. As well as the return of a UFC veteran. In the first of two title bouts, Tony Gravely returns to New England to defend his bantamweight title for a second time. He faces Darren Mima. The other title fight features welterweight champion Jeremiah Wells defending his title against Bellator stand-out, Vinicius de Jesus.
UFC veterans Eric Spicely and Matt Bessette also compete at CES 55.
CES 55 Results
Main Card UFC Fight Pass (9 PM EST)
VINICIUS DE JESUS def. JEREMIAH WELLS [c] via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
MATT BESSETTE def. TIMOTHY DOOLING via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ERIC SPICELY def. CAIO MAGHALAES via KO at 4:00 of round 2
DAN DUBUQUE def. ANTONIO CASTILLO JR. via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
HILARIE ROSE def. ROSA ACEVEDO via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
TONY GRAVELY [c] def. DARREN MIMA via submission (Rear-naked choke) at 4:54 of round 2
Preliminary Card (7 PM EST)
JASON HUNTLEY def. JUSTIN VALENTIN via majority decision
GIL PINHEIRO vs. TOM CONNOLLY def. GIL PINHEIRO via KO (Punch) at 0:15 of round 1
CARLOS RIVERA def. MIKE DIORIO via split decision
