Record holder, Dinis Paiva, enters CES MMA cage for 15th time, Jan. 27
DINIS PAIVA DRAWS JORDAN ESPINOSA FOR CES 41 IN JANUARY
After ending the longest layoff of his career earlier this month, Dinis “Sweetbread” Paiva is hungry to continue making up for lost time at CES MMA 41.
But standing opposite the hard-hitting Paiva at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., on January 27 will be Jordan Espinosa, who’s 5-1 since making his CES MMA debut in 2014.
In Paiva’s most recent bout — his record 14th trip to the CES MMA cage — he quickly ended his layoff a jaw-dropping, first-round finish. When the cage door locks in January, he’ll be gunning for his eighth similar stoppage victory.
“The fans love a quick finish, and I definitely do too,” said a smiling Paiva. “A first-round finish is definitely the goal every time I get in the cage, and this next one is no exception. Knock you out or submit you, I’m always looking to end your night early, man.”
Pump the breaks, interjects the red-hot Espinosa, who’s riding high on a five-fight win streak.
An Albuquerque fighter who was born and raised in Meriden, Conn., Espinosa isn’t coming all the way from New Mexico just to be another mark on Paiva’s impressive resume.
“Dinis has six knockouts, so obviously he has some heavy hands. But my striking is improving every day and has come a long way the last few years,” said Espinosa, a state wrestling champ in high school and former standout amateur fighter. “He has power, but he has to hit me first. I’m faster than him and I’ve got a big advantage on the ground.”
