Matt Bessette vs. Charles Cheeks III to headline CES MMA 60 in Rhode Island

Former UFC featherweight Matt Bessette is set to compete for the second time since being released from the promotion.

At CES 60, Bessette (23-9 MMA) will take on Charles Cheeks III for the promotion’s vacant featherweight title.

CES 60 takes place Friday Jan. 24 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I. The main card streams on UFC Fight Pass. No other bouts have been announced for the card at this time.

Bessette, 34, held the CES 145-pound strap from 2016-18. In the summer of 2017, Bessette competed in the main event of the series premiere of “Dana White’s Contender Series.” Initially ruled a first-round TKO loss, Bessette’s fight was deemed a no contest when his opponent Kurt Holobaugh admitted to illegal pre-fight IV use.

In early 2018, Bessette signed with the UFC. A short-notice replacement in his debut, Bessette lost to Enrique Barzola by unanimous decision. In his sophomore outing, Bessette lost a split decision to Steven Peterson. He was subsequently released by the promotion.

In March, Bessette got back in the win column when he defeated Tim Dooling by unanimous decision at CES MMA 55.

Cheeks (14-7 MMA) has won three out of his most recent four outings. A veteran of Legacy FC, LFA, and Fury FC, Cheeks has picked up six of his wins inside the distance.