Andre Soukhamthath returns to CES MMA, meets Da’Mon Blackshear at CES 61
Andre Soukhamthath (13-8) will return to CES MMA on April 24 for his first fight since departing the UFC late last year. The 31-year-old “Asian Sensation” will meet Da’Mon “The Diamond” Blackshear (7-3) in a bantamweight bout at CES 61 in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Soukhamthath was a staple for the CES MMA promotion before getting a shot on the big stage. He first appeared with CES MMA at the promotion’s ninth show in February 2012. He competed for the organization 13 times, winning the CES MMA bantamweight title, before getting called to fight inside the octagon.
While with the UFC Soukhamthath did not have the best of luck. While he was never finished inside the octagon, the Asian Sensation came up short on the judges’ scorecards five times in his seven bouts there.
Blackshear returns to CES following a second round submission win over Kody Nordby at CES 59. Nordby, coincidentally, was the man that Soukhamthath defeated to capture the CES title in 2016.
In the night’s main event at the Twin River Casino, CES MMA flyweight champion Blaine Shutt (8-4) defends his 125-pound title against Richard Santiago (8-2). Shutt recently won the promotion’s inaugural strap with a split decision win over Johnny Lopez. Santiago enters the contest riding a second round TKO win over Giorgi Kudukhashvili.
The CES promotion has also teased the return of former UFC fighter Kyle Bochniak (8-5) for the April 24 fight card, although an opponent has not yet been formally announced. Bochniak was undefeated as a professional before getting called up from CES MMA to the UFC in 2016.
CES 61 will be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass. More bouts are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Current CES 61 fight card:
Blaine Shutt (champion) vs. Richard Santiago for the CES MMA flyweight title
Andre Soukhamthath vs. Da’Mon Blackshear – bantamweight bout
