CES 76: Balletto Jr. vs. Casey is a mixed martial arts event promoted by CES MMA to take place on February 23, 2024 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut, United States.
Fight Card
Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Gary Balletto Jr. vs. Pat Casey 170 lbs Welterweight Championship
Yorgan De Castro vs. Eric Smith 265 lbs
John Medina vs. Arthur Sorsor 135 lbs
Yuri Panferov vs. Rocky Edwards 185 lbs
Jay Perrin vs. Azjavkhlan Baatar 135 lbs
Hassan Graham vs. Alex Marro 265 lbs
Anthony Benevides vs. Gus D'Angelo 170 lbs
Lucas Rosa vs. Leslie Summers 145 lbs
Preliminary Card
Tommy Kempton vs. Jordyne Tavares 185 lbs
Brandon Reilly vs. Dan Esposito 155 lbs
Donny Williams vs. Isaiah Sanchez
Bruce Wetzel vs. Malang Susso 155 lbs
Erik Meyer vs. Naduev Rakhman 145 lbs
Background
CES MMA has announced a spectacular card taking place on February 23 at “The Wonder of it All,” Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.
Headlining the card is newly minted CES MMA Middleweight World Champion Gary “Batman” Balletto Jr. (8-3), who will attempt to win a world title in a second weight class when he battles Springfield, MA native Pat “The Gorilla Ninja” Casey (10-7) for the vacant CES MMA Welterweight title.
Balletto Jr. won his middleweight title at home in Cranston, RI last July, when he submitted James Cannon via rare naked choke in round 2 to the delight of his hometown fans.
Only six months later, Batman will be fighting for a world title in a second weight class. In Casey, Balletto Jr. will be facing a highly athletic former Bellator fighter with an aggressive style who is seeking his first professional title.
“Here we go again,” said an ecstatic Balletto Jr. to the standing room only crowd. “I’m excited to be sharing this card with Pat. He’s got a great following and is an exciting fighter. This is as bad ass as it gets.”
As ‘The Gorilla Ninja’ took the stage, it was evident that the respect was mutual.
“We’re both well rounded fighters,” said Casey, who played football for American International College before taking up mixed martial arts. “Wherever the fight goes, it’ll be exciting. We both have many ways in which we can finish a fight, and I see no way that this won’t be an exciting fight for however long it lasts.”
In the co-feature, former UFC veteran Yorgan DeCastro (9-5) battles Eric Smith (7-7) in a heavyweight contest. “The Mad Titan,” a Cape Verdean native fighting out of Fall River, MA, made his pro debut with CES MMA and is undefeated with the company in his 4 appearances.
“I don’t think there’s a heavyweight in New England who can deal with me,” said a confident DeCastro. “But I know that talk is cheap, so February 23 I have to go out there and execute.”
In Yorgan’s way stands Eric Smith, who will be making his CES MMA debut after several California Cage Wars and Gladiator Challenges. The California native is extremely motivated to impress CES MMA with the biggest win of his career.
Another intriguing match-up includes the return to CES of “The Russian Polar Bear,” Yuri Panferov (6-1). Panferov is a perfect 4-0 in the CES MMA cage and is looking to bounce back from his only career loss on ‘Dana White’s Contender Series’ last October. Panferov is facing 23 fight veteran Rocky “The Number” Edwards in a middleweight match-up.
Among other bouts confirmed, includes the highly anticipated pro debut of Peabody, MA native Lucas Rosa. The 28-year-old, who trains alongside his older brother Charles Rosa in Boca Raton, FL, was one of the best amateurs in the country with a record of 10-1. Many believe that the Wheaton College graduate is destined for world titles and stardom. He faces Leslie Summers, who is also making his pro debut, in a 3-round featherweight bout.
