Five Reasons to Watch CES 30

CES is back with another action packed event this Friday live on AXS TV, while the rest of the major promotions take the weekend off. Along with the lightweight championship up for grabs in the main event, this card features a number of intriguing matchups and some notable UFC veterans. Here are five reasons to tune in to CES 30 on Friday night. Grudge Match  Make no mistake about it, Luis Felix and Julian Lane do not like each other.  The pair first squared off at CES 25 last August, with Lane taking home the promotions lightweight title. Since that fight, Lane (9-3-1) has continued the trash talk and these two can’t wait to square off in the rematch. The TUF 16 veteran Lane is coming off a hard fought split decision victory Lucas Cruz, while Felix (13-8) is coming off two straight wins including a TKO victory over Reggie Merriweather in his last fight at CES 28. Neither of these fighters are afraid to stand and trade, so look for a potential ‘Fight of the Night” candidate in the main event.   USA vs. Canada In an intriguing featherweight matchup, American Matt Bessette faces Canadian Lenny Wheeler, in a fight that was slated to take place in June at CES 29. After his Bellator release earlier this year, Bessette (15-6) made a splash in his CES debut by knocking out Khama Worthy – who replaced the injured Wheeler – and has now won two straight fights. Edmonton native Wheeler (8-3) has won two straight fights by knockout and has never gone to the judges scorecards in his 11-fight career. While Bessette has the edge in experience, Wheeler is the younger fighter and will be looking to play the role of spoiler in front of the pro-American crowd.   Third Time A Charm?  Light heavyweight Jesse McElligott has only lost twice in his career, with both defeats coming to former UFC fighters Josh Hendricks and David Branch. Now he hopes a matchup against another UFC veteran in Patrick Walsh will break that streak. The 24-year old last saw action in the main event of WSOF 20 this past April where he lost by second round submission to David Branch.  Walsh meanwhile was released earlier this year by the UFC after losing to fellow TUF competitor Dan Kelly at UFC Fight Night 60, despite going 1-1 with the promotion. Both of these fighters have identical 5-2 records and will no doubt be looking to make a statement in this fight as the light heavyweight prospect pool outside the UFC is pretty thin.   Morgan makes her debut  TUF 18 contestant Peggy Morgan looks to get back on the winning track as she faces off with Jessy Miele in a featherweight affair. Morgan is still under contract with Invicta, but wanted to fight on the regional circuit to keep active and refine her skill set.  Morgan (3-3) has lost four of her last five fights and hopes to make a statement in her CES debut. Miele (4-1) won the Gladiator Challenge featherweight title last October and has only gone the distance once in her career. With this being the only female bout on the card, look for both fighters to lay it out on the line and put on a crowd pleasing affair.   Lauzon Returns  UFC/WSOF veteran Dan Lauzon returns to the cage for the first time since October 2013 when he meets Chip Moraza-Pollard. Lauzon (17-5) last saw action at WSOF 6 where he lost by second round knockout to Justin Gaethje. Prior to that loss the 27-year old had a four fight win streak including four finishes. Pollard (9-8) has gone 2-2 in his last four bouts and is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Matt Secor at WSOF 20. Despite the layoff, look for Lauzon to come out and make a statement in his return to CES, as he looks to remain relevant in the lightweight division.   Here’s the full CES 30 fight card. – Julian Lane (c) (9-3-1) vs. Luix Felix (13-8-0) CES Lightweight Championship bout – Matt Bessette (15-6) vs. Lenny Wheeler (8-3) – Dinis Paiva (7-5) vs.  Chino Duran (8-8) – Patrick Walsh (5-2) vs. Jesse McElligott (5-2) – Leon Davis (5-3) vs. Andres Jeudi (7-4) – Peggy Morgan (3-3) vs. Jessy Miele (4-1) – Dan Lauzon (17-5) vs. Chip Moraza-Pollard (9-8) – Gary Balletto Jr. (0-0) vs. Anthony Giacchina (0-0) – Rico DiSciullo (4-0) vs. Jake Constant (6-7) – Manny Bermudez (1-0) vs. Mak Kelleher (0-1) – Jacob Smith (0-0) vs. Chris Caterino (0-0)

Written by James Lynch

Leave a Reply

James Krause: ‘Some of my coaches want me to go to 170’

MMA Odds and Ends for Thursday: Heavyweight Title Fight Announced