MASHANTUCKET, CT – Gary “Batman” Balletto III (10-3) successfully defended his CES MMA Welterweight World title against Brazilian Bruno Quintanilha (5-4) last night in an absolute war that had fans at the edge of their seats for the duration of the bout. The fight served as the main event for CES MMA 79: ‘Fight for a Cause 2,’ an excellent card taking place at a sold-out Foxwoods Resort Casino and televised live on Swerve Combat TVthat included 12 MMA bouts and 2 worthy causes. Balletto, a fan-favorite from Cranston, Rhode Island, walked into the cage to “Duel of the Fates” from Star Wars’ The Phantom Menace accompanied by Zayden Amato, a shadow boxing 5-year-old MMA fan from A Wish Come True who joined Team Balletto for the night. A Wish Come True is the oldest wish granting organization in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, granting wishes and providing resources to families that have a child struggling with a life-threatening illness. ‘Batman’ was defending his world title just a week after his father, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, was inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame for his memorable career as a power punching lightweight champion. Following in his father’s footsteps, Batman Balletto is already a 2-division MMA world champion (he also holds the CES MMA Middleweight title) and is 4-0-1 (2 KOs) in boxing.In Balletto’s way stood an inspired Bruno Quintanilha, a 34-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist and striker who was determined to bring the title back with him to Amazonas, Brazil. Just a few seconds into the bout, the Brazilian almost made his own wish a reality. Quintanilha landed a counter left hook that stunned Balletto as the two traded strikes. Balletto held on to clear his head, and Quintanilha took advantage by launching several right knees to Balletto’s head, bloodying Balletto’s nose. Once he had his legs back under him, Balletto began to circle the cage and box. By the end of the round, it was Balletto who was landing the harder strikes as Quintanilha retreated. Round 2 was just as exciting, with the fighters trading heavy shots and taking turns hurting one another. Quintanilha caught Balletto with a combination that backed Batman up. The Brazilian pursued, grabbing hold of Balletto and again firing several knees. Balletto covered up to avoid most of the incoming, but he was now also bleeding from a cut under his left eye. The courageous Balletto would not be denied, however, as he withstood the assault before unleashing a ferocious counterattack. Balletto hurt Quintanilha with a right hand before walking the Brazilian down using intelligent pressure and combination strikes. Once he got close enough, Balletto took down his weakened opponent and proceeded to land a series of unanswered right hands that caused referee Bryan Miner to mercifully waive off the fight. It was a thrilling finish to a memorable night that brought smiles to a packed Foxwoods, none wider than CES MMA’s Director of Operations, Patrick Sullivan. Sullivan was championing a worthy cause of his own: his mother, JoAnne Sullivan, passed away in 2008 after a long battle with breast cancer. Patrick and his family set up The JoAnne Sullivan Memorial Fund in her memory to raise donations for the benefit of cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Prior to the main event, CES MMA founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. presented Patrick with a $10,000 donation to the fund. It was an emotional gesture that capped off a thrilling night of fights, both in and out of the cage. Fans who would like to join in the fight against breast cancer can donate here: The JoAnne Sullivan Memorial Fund.
For more information on CES MMA 79 and all other CES events, visit cesfights.com.
INFORMATIONAbout CES MMA
CES MMA is a mixed martial arts promotional company based out of Providence, R.I., founded by legendary boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. It promoted the first sanctioned professional MMA event in 2010. In 2012, CES MMA promoted its first pay-per-view event featuring the professional MMA debut of former WWE superstar Dave Bautista.CES MMA has gained the reputation as being the gateway to the UFC developing the careers of UFC contenders Calvin Kattar, Rob Font, Charles Rosa, William Knight, Mike Rodriguez, Tony Gravely, Andre Soukhamthath and others.
About Foxwoods Resort Casino
Foxwoods Resort Casino offers guests a premier destination resort experience throughout its six world-class casinos, AAA Four-Diamond hotels featuring over 2,200 rooms, dining options for all tastes, luxurious spas, award-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, Tanger Outlet Mall and conference space for groups of all sizes. There is always something new at Foxwoods that gives guests more reasons to stay, including the opening of dining properties like Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Wahlburgers and Grace by Nia; celebrity pastry chef Zac Young’s storefront, Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream; and a landmark deal with Great Wolf Lodge, opening in 2025. When it comes to sports betting and gaming, Foxwoods has partnerships with fan-favorite betting and entertainment platforms, including DraftKings and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s recently formed Wondr Nation. For a detailed look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.
–CES–
Media ContactMariano A. Agmi
CES Publicist
908-358-5683
Mariano.Agmi@gmail.com
