Matt Bessette defends title against Kevin Croom at CES MMA 41
Matt Bessette defends title against Kevin Croom at CES MMA 41
Matt Bessette will defend his CES MMA World Featherweight Championship versus Kevin Croom in the main event of CES MMA 41 on January 27 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I.
In 2016, Bessette finished all of his opponents and took out Joe Pingitore for the CES MMA title in August. This has been the best year of the Hartford, Conn., product’s fighting life, and he’s looking forward to kicking 2017 off with a bang versus Croom.
“I’m so excited for this fight. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for a fight. Kevin goes out there and he doesn’t give a (expletive), which is going to make for a really awesome fight,” said Bessette, a five-time CES MMA vet who was recently voted by fans as the organization’s Top All-Time Fan-Favorite Fighter. “The belt adds to the excitement, for sure, but I’m just excited to fight a guy who comes out there and throws down, just like me.”
Like “The Mangler,” Croom couldn’t help but smile when asked about his clash with Bessette for the 145-pound title.
After an incredible 20-0 amateur MMA career, Croom has spent the better part of the past decade travelling the world, taking the toughest fights possible in Canada, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia and across the United States.
Now, “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly,” as he’s known among MMA fans, makes his New England debut in the biggest fight of his well-respected career.
Croom has three words for Bessette: “Bring it on!”
“In Albuquerque, where I’m from, we have some of the best training in the world, but there aren’t enough fights. So every time I’m fighting, I’m going against the grain, into hostile territory against the fan-favorite,” said Croom. “This is just every day for me, man. Let’s go.”
