CES MMA XXVI @ Twin River Casino, RI
Classic Entertainment & Sports delivered another hard-hitting night of MMA to New England fans this past Friday. From the opening undercard bout’s first-minute TKO to the main event’s gorgeous armbar from the bottom, the action was non-stop.
The Welterweight belt was up for grabs in the main event, a fight between UFC alumni Ricardo Funch and Chuck O’Neil. Despite suffering a scary, illegal blow to the spine during a ground exchange that cost Funch a point deduction, O’Neil went on to prevail in the second round by catching Funch in a quick armbar for the tap.
The co-main event was history in the making, as undefeated heavyweight John Johnston cemented his legacy by knocking out Keith Bell in the first round, bringing his professional record to 7-0 (7 knock-outs!) and then announcing his retirement at age 43.
Other notable fights:
- Nuri Shakir earned a TKO over Todd Chattelle, who verbally submitted after fielding a barrage of strikes to the right eye.
- Underdog Leon Davis finished Jimmy Davidson with an arm triangle in the last seconds of the fight.
- James Murrin dispatched Devin Pilkington in 59 short seconds in the first fight of the night.
Chuck O’NEIL def. Ricardo Funch (Armbar @ 2:51 of Rd 2)
John JOHNSTON def. Keith Bell (TKO – Punches @ 2:20 or Rd 1)
Nuri SHAKIR def. Todd Chattelle (TKO – Punches @ 4:08 of Rd 2)
Andre SOUKHAMTHATH def. Tom English (RNC @ 2:17 of Rd 2)
Leon DAVIS def. Jimmy Davidson (Arm Triangle @ 4:36 of Rd 3)
Greg REBELLO def. J.A. Dudley (UD)
Kyle BOCHNIAK def. Ruslan Khubejashvili (UD)
Terrell CLARK def. Joe Cronin (Guillotine Choke @ 1:07 of Rd 1)
James MURRIN def. Devin Pilkington (TKO – Punches @ 0:59 of Rd 1)
