Connecticut native Matt Bessette endured some early punishment against Khama Worthy at CES MMA XXIX, but — as he’s prone to do — he overcame the adversity.
Bessette scored a second-round victory over featherweight Worthy in the co-main event in Lincoln Rhode Island Friday night. He dropped in the first round by Khama, but from that point on began to figure out his range. He finally finished Khama in the second round with an overhand right.
With the win, the Bellator veteran Bessette improves his record to 15-6.
In the main event at the Twin River Casino, Dominique Steele stopped former UFC fighter Chuck O’Neil via unanimous decision to win the welterweight title. The scores were 48-47, 49-46, 48-47 for Steele.
CES MMA XXIX official results:
-Dominique Steele def. Chuck O’Neil via unanimous decision
-Matt Bessette def. Khama Worthy via knockout (punches) at 2:42 of R2
-Eric Spicely def. Harley Beekman via submission (armbar) at 4:30 of R1
-Dinis Paiva def. Bruno Marques via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:07 of R1
-Greg Rebello def. Tyler King via TKO (punches) at 3:10 of R3
-Nate Andrews def. Jay Bakanowski via TKO (strikes) at 2:50 of R1
–Joe Pingitore def. James Murrin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-Evan Parker def. Pete Rogers Jr. via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:55 of R1
-Toby Oden def. Wayne Ahlquist via knockout (punches) at 2:35 of R1
-Kody Nordby def. Jesse Gutierrez via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:03 of R1
-Ricardo Scalissi def. Devin Pilkington via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:43 of R2