PROVIDENCE, RI (September 4, 2019) – Known for promoting exciting events featuring evenly matched, entertaining shows, Classical Entertainment and Sports (CES) has become a gateway to UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial organization, for MMA fighters on the East Coast.
Since reaching a multi-year agreement this past January to live stream “CES MMA” events on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, four fighters who competed in CES MMA events have signed UFC contracts.
Following impressive CES MMA performances, Eric Spicely was recalled by UFC, while Yorgan Decastro, William Knight, and former CES MMA welterweight champion Tony Gravely were all invited to participate on Dana White’s Contender Series, after which they each earned a UFC contract.
The next CES MMA “graduate” to UFC could very well be current CES MMA World Welterweight champion
Vinicius De Jesus, who makes his first title defense this Saturday night in the CES MMA 58 main event against challenger
Chris “The Cleveland Assassin” Lozano.
“CES MMA 58″will be streamed exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS, live from the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, beginning at 8 PM E.T. / 5 PM P.T. “CES MMA 58” is in the coveted Saturday night slot on a huge MMA doubleheader day, preceded by
UFC 242®: KHABIB VS. POIRIER, airing live from Abu Dhabi on
pay-per-view.
“We take pride in that fact that CES MMA athletes are showcased to the hardcore fight fans of the world through UFC FIGHT PASS,” CES MMA president Jimmy Burchfield Jr. said. “We believe our reputation is that our athletes are UFC ready. Who is going to be next?”
By fighting on UFC FIGHT PASS East Coast fighters are provided invaluable exposure to be scouted by UFC matchmakers.

Brazil native De Jesus (pictured to left), fighting out of Norwalk, CT, became CES MMA welterweight champion in his last fight (Mar. 29, 2019), earning a five-round unanimous decision over
Jeremiah Wells. Riding a three-fight win streak, De Jesus has won three of four Bellator fights.
Former chef De Jesus has been doing all his cookin’ inside the CES MMA cage with aspirations of becoming a UFC fighter, something several of his CES MMA predecessors have already accomplished, by convincingly defeating Lozano, a veteran from Cleveland.
Hartford fan favorite, heavyweight Parker Porter, faces veteran Brazilian fighter Dirlei “Mao de Pedra” Broenstrup in the co-featured event. Coming off an impressive victory on May 31 at CES MMA 56 in Hartford, Porter defeated Kevin Ray Sears by locking in a kimura for a second-round submission. A dramatic victory would certainly have possible title-shot implications for Porter.
Another popular local fighter, Waterbury, Conn. lightweight Jesse James Kosakowski, can make waves and draw UFC attention. He takes on veteran Reggie Merriweather in what promises to be the stiffest test of Kosakowski’s young pro career.He will enter the cage undefeated in all three of his pro MMA fights, including an opening-round triumph at CES MMA 56, in which he submitted Ryan Jeff with an arm bar.
Also slated to fight on UFC FIGHT PASS is:
- Norwich, Conn. native, Pete “The Heat” Rogers, Jr., who will be showcased against the more experienced “Relentless” Robbie Leroux, of Fall River, Mass.
- Massachusetts bantamweight Harris Bonfiglio vs. Jornell Lugo
- Lightweight Nick Giuletti vs. Cody “Lightning” Schieve
Three additional bouts, which will not be streamed on UFC FIGHT PASS, include:
- Meriden, Conn. flyweight Justin Valentin vs. Adrian Haly
- Granby, Mass. heavyweight Dan Randall vs. Jesse Baughman
- Springfield, Mass. bantamweight Will Smith vs. pro-debuting Aaron Reese
**Fight card is subject to change. This is an all-ages event.
Tickets for “CES MMA 58” start at $35 and are available online at cesmma.com or by calling the CES box office at 401-724-2254.
Twin River Event Center doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first fight scheduled to start at
7 p.m. ET.
The main card will stream live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS.
“CESMMA 58” OFFICIAL WEIGH IN & FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY
The “CESMMA 58” official weigh in and final press conference will be held this Friday (Sept. 6), starting at 5 p.m. ET, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. The public is welcome.