On October 20, 2023, MMA fans were treated to a thrilling evening of mixed martial arts action at CES MMA 75, which took place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT. With a stacked card and some remarkable bouts, the event delivered on its promise of excitement.
The main event showcased a lightweight clash between two talented stars, Charles Rosa and Jonathan Gary. Rosa made his return to the CES cage after being released from the UFC over a year ago, and he was determined to make a statement.
After facing losses in his last three UFC appearances, Rosa was eager to get back to his winning ways. He was pitted against former Bellator star Jonathan Gary. In the second round, Rosa managed to secure a guillotine submission, sealing his victory. What made his win even more touching was his announcement during the post-fight interview. Rosa revealed that he would be donating his winnings to a memorial fund dedicated to breast cancer research, showing his generosity and commitment to a greater cause.
In his post-fight social media post, Rosa expressed his gratitude for the love and support he received from his fans.
He considered this victory as one of the greatest moments in his career.
Rosa had previously been in talks with the PFLÂ about joining the $1 million featherweight tournamet aiming for high-stakes showdowns. His record in MMA now stands at 15 wins and 8 losses, with his last UFC bout resulting in a loss to Nathaniel Wood in July of the same year.
The co-main event featured a welterweight clash between two experienced stars, Nate Andrews and Ali Zebian. Both \had previous appearances in Bellator and PFL. The fight concluded in a unique fashion, as Ali Zebian secured a TKO victory due to an arm injury in the first round, earning him a remarkable win in the co-main event.
In addition to these exciting bouts, the main card included several other thrilling fights:
Arslan Otchiyev defeated Pat Gilbride via TKO in the first round in a featherweight bout.
Quentin Pasley defeated Turner Williams via TKO in the first round in a light heavyweight bout.
Tim Flores defeated John Medina via TKO in the first round in a bantamweight bout.
Justin Sumter defeated Eric Spicely via a submission \\in the first round in a light heavyweight bout.
Regivaldo Carvalho secured a submission victory in the first round, earning the CES Featherweight World Championship title by defeating Don Shainis.
The main event was truly a standout moment at CES MMA 75, as Charles Rosa’s victory and his heartfelt donation announcement left a lasting impression. It was a night full of thrilling fights and memorable moments, showcasing the talent and heart of the fighters in the cage.