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Matt Bessette

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Matt Bessette
Bessette in 2015
BornMatthew James Bessette
(1984-12-28) December 28, 1984 (age 39)[1]
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Other namesThe Mangler
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionFeatherweight (145 lb)
Lightweight (155 lb)
Reach67.0 in (170 cm)
Fighting out ofHartford, Connecticut, United States
TeamUnderdog Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
TrainerStand-up: Russell Leak[1]
BJJ: Fabiano Teles
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Fabiano Teles[1]
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins18
By knockout5
By submission6
By decision7
Losses7
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision4
By disqualification1
UniversityUniversity of Hartford
Notable school(s)Stafford High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Matt Bessette (born December 28, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Featherweight division.

Background

Bessette was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He was diagnosed with leukemia on August 13, 1988 at the age of three and was hospitalized for it. The doctors gave him 50% chance of survival, but became more optimistic after the initial treatments, which reduced significantly the leukemic cells. Bessette also developed asthma at an early age, although that never prevented him from competing in sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, and football. After graduating from Stafford High School in 2003, Bessette attended the University of Hartford. While still in the university, he was introduced to mixed martial arts at the age of 22 and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Bessette started his professional career in 2007. He fought mainly for Connecticut-based promotion Reality Fighting.

Bessette faced Anthony Kaponis on October 9, 2010 at Reality Fighting: Eruption for the vacant lightweight title. He defeated Kaponis via split decision in a five-round bout.[2]

Bessette was set to make his first title defense against Joe Proctor on October 8, 2011 at Reality Fighting: Gonzaga vs. Porter. He lost his title via unanimous decision after five rounds.[3]

In 2012, Bessette signed with Bellator.[4]

Bellator MMA

Bessette made his promotional debut against Saul Almeida on March 30, 2012 at Bellator 63. He won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).[5]

Bessette faced The Ultimate Fighter 12 competitor Paul Barrow on November 16, 2012 at Bellator 81. He won via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).[6]

Bessette faced Nick Piedmont on September 7, 2013 at Bellator 98. He won via knockout early in the first round.[7]

Bessette faced Diego Nunes in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament on February 28, 2014 at Bellator 110.[8] He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Bessette faced Daniel Weichel in the tournament semifinals at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bessette faced Scott Cleve on September 5, 2014 at Bellator 123. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

Bessette faced Josh LaBerge at Bellator 134 on February 27, 2015.[10] He won the fight due to a doctor stoppage between the second and third rounds.

After a two fight stint with CES MMA, Bessette returned to Bellator and faced Kevin Roddy at Bellator 144 on October 23, 2015. He won via submission with a heel hook in the first round.[11]

Bessette faced Keith Richardson at Bellator 153 on April 22, 2016. He won in the second round due to a doctor stoppage.[12]

CES MMA

Bessette made his promotional debut on June 12, 2015 in the co-main event of CES MMA 29 against Kharma Worthy. He won via knockout in the second round.[13] He returned for CES MMA 30 on August 14, 2015 against Lenny Wheeler. He lost via knockout in the first round, making it the first time in his career that he was knocked out.[14] After a return to Bellator, Bessette returned to CES MMA on March 11, 2016 to face Taurean Bogguess at CES MMA 33. He won via submission with a triangle choke in the first round.[15] He was originally scheduled to fight Tito Jones, but Jones backed out three days before the event due to injury.[16] Bessette returned to CES MMA on June 10, 2016 to face Jairo Soares at CES MMA 36, but Soares was pulled the day before the fight for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. [17] Soares's replacement was Ran Weathers, whom Bessette defeated via submission in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

  • Reality Fighting
    • RF Lightweight Championship (one time)[2]
  • Global Fight League
    • GFL Lightweight Championship (one time)[18]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
27 matches 20 wins 7 losses
By knockout 5 1
By submission 8 1
By decision 7 4
By disqualification 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 20–7 Joe Pingitore Submission (heel hook) CES MMA 37: Summer Gold August 12, 2016 2 4:38 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Won the CES Featherweight Championship
Win 19–7 Ran Weathers Submission (guillotine choke) CES MMA 36: Andrews vs. Muro June 10, 2016 1 4:50 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Win 18–7 Keith Richardson TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 153 April 22, 2016 2 3:14 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 17–7 Taurean Bogguess Submission (triangle choke) CES MMA 33: Soukhamthath vs. Nordby March 11, 2016 1 2:41 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Win 16–7 Kevin Roddy Submission (heel hook) Bellator 144 October 23, 2015 1 3:47 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 15–7 Lenny Wheeler KO (punches) CES MMA 30: Felix vs. Lane August 14, 2015 1 0:39 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Win 15–6 Khama Worthy KO (punch) CES MMA 29: O'Neil vs. Steele June 12, 2015 2 2:42 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Win 14–6 Josh LaBerge TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 134 February 27, 2015 2 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 13–6 Scott Cleve Decision (unanimous) Bellator 123 September 5, 2014 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 13–5 Daniel Weichel Decision (unanimous) Bellator 114 March 28, 2014 3 5:00 West Valley City, Utah, United States Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Semifinal
Win 13–4 Diego Nunes Decision (split) Bellator 110 February 28, 2014 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal
Win 12–4 Nick Piedmont KO (punches) Bellator 98 September 7, 2013 1 1:41 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Drops down to Featherweight.[7]
Win 11–4 Jeff Anderson Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: New Year's Bash January 5, 2013 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States 150 lb Catchweight bout.[19]
Win 10–4 Paul Barrow Decision (unanimous) Bellator 81 November 16, 2012 3 5:00 Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
Win 9–4 Aniss Alhajjajy Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Naples vs. Lee September 22, 2012 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 8–4 Andres Jeudi DQ (illegal upkick) Reality Fighting: Mohegan Sun June 2, 2012 3 4:43 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 8–3 Saul Almeida Decision (unanimous) Bellator 63 March 30, 2012 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 7–3 Joe Proctor Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Gonzaga vs. Porter October 8, 2011 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Lost RF Lightweight Championship.
Win 7–2 John Benoit Submission (guillotine choke) GFL 10: Benoit vs. Bessette April 15, 2011 2 4:59 Lowell, Massachusetts, United States Won GFL Lightweight Championship.
Win 6–2 Anthony Kaponis Decision (split) Reality Fighting: Eruption October 9, 2010 5 5:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Won RF Lightweight Championship.
Win 5–2 Andrew Amaral Submission (guillotine choke) Reality Fighting: Ignition July 17, 2010 2 3:30 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Win 4–2 Andrew Carron Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Ferocity November 7, 2009 3 4:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 3–2 Chris Chappell Submission (guillotine choke) FFP: Untamed 26 February 28, 2009 3 2:13 Westport, Massachusetts, United States
Win 3–1 Jeff Camera TKO (punches) Reality Fighting: Collision July 19, 2008 2 2:18 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Win 2–1 Andres Lebron Submission (rear-naked choke) Reality Fighting: Nightmare April 12, 2008 2 2:45 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 1–1 Bill Jones Decision (split) Reality Fighting: Annihilation January 19, 2008 3 3:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Win 1–0 Chris Correira Submission (guillotine choke) Reality Fighting: Invictus September 15, 2007 3 N/A Concord, New Hampshire, United States

References

  1. ^ a b c d David J. Bessette. "Matt Bessette's biography". Mattbessette.net. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Reality Fighting: Eruption official results". Mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  3. ^ Alvin Benjamin Carter III (October 8, 2011). "Local Scene: Carter's live report – Reality Fighting at Mohegan Sun". MMAtorch.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  4. ^ Press release (March 27, 2013). "Bellator 63 stacked with local talent on March 30". Fightnetwork.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  5. ^ Brian Knapp (March 30, 2012). "Amoussou, Baker, Rickels, Saunders advance to welterweight semis at Bellator 63". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  6. ^ Brian Knapp (November 16, 2012). "Marcin Held, Dave Jansen punch tickets to lightweight final at Bellator 81". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  7. ^ a b MMAjunkie.com staff (September 7, 2013). "Bellator 98 results: Shlemenko retains title in slugfest with Cooper". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  8. ^ MMAjunkie.com staff (January 24, 2014). "Pairings revealed for featherweight-tourney opening round at Bellator 110". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  9. ^ "Bellator 123 results: 'Pitbull' Freire gets revenge, takes title from Pat Curran". mmajunkie.com. September 5, 2014.
  10. ^ "Bellator 134 prelims: 'The Silencer,' 'The Freight Train,' 'The Irish Bad Boy,' 'The Barn Cat'". mmajunkie.com. February 5, 2015.
  11. ^ Bellator 144 results: Rafael Carvalho kick stuns Brandon Halsey to win 185 title. MMAjunkie (October 23, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  12. ^ Bellator 153 results: Andrey Koreshkov dominates Benson Henderson to retain title. MMAjunkie (April 22, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  13. ^ CES MMA 29 video highlights: Yeah, that guy is out on his feet. MMAjunkie (June 13, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  14. ^ CES MMA 30 video highlights: Luis Felix gets payback, plus a 39-second KO. MMAjunkie (August 15, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  15. ^ CES MMA 33 results: Andre Soukhamthath wins title with incredible flying knee KO. MMAjunkie (March 11, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  16. ^ Matt Bessette vs. Tito Jones booked for CES MMA 33 – The MMA Report. Themmareport.com (February 2016). Retrieved on June 11, 2016.
  17. ^ James Lynch on Twitter: "Matt Bessette is now fights Ran Weathers at #CES36. His original opponent Jairo Soares has recently tested positive for PED & isn't cleared". Twitter.com (July 12, 2009). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  18. ^ "GFL 10 results: Matt 'The Mangler' Bessette wins lightweight title". MMAmadman.com. April 16, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  19. ^ "Matt Bessette vs. Jeff Anderson (Reality Fighting: New Year's Bash)". Tapology.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
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