CES MMA 66 set with UFC alum atop the card, two title fights on deck

One of the Northeast region’s top regional promotions has its first event of the new year scheduled with two title fights on tap.

CES MMA 66 takes place March 4 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I. The main card streams on UFC Fight Pass.

In the main event, former UFC fighter Andre Soukhamthath returns to action in his home state when he battles Brazilian bantamweight Diego Silva. Since his UFC departure, Soukhamthath has gone 1-1 with a split decision win over Guilherme Faria and a unanimous decision loss to Jose Quinonez. Silva is 2-1 in his most recent three.

Before the main event, two CES championships will be up for grabs. In the co-main event, Gary Balletto Jr. (7-2) battles Cage Titans champion Billy Goff (5-2) for the vacant welterweight title. Balletto Jr. is the son of renowned New England boxer Gary Balletto. Goff is on a three-fight winning streak, which includes a Bellator victory over Robson Gracie via TKbyO.

The other title fight on the card is between CES bantamweight champion Jay Perrin (10-4) and Ashiek Ajim (5-1). A winner of seven of his most recent eight, Perrin’s only loss in that stretch came against Dwight Joseph by unanimous decision on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. Ajim is a knockout artist whose only career loss came against current UFC fighter Kris Moutinho.

The current CES MMA 66 lineup includes:

• Diego Silva vs. Andre Soukhamthath
• Gary Balletto Jr. vs. Billy Goff – for vacant welterweight title
• Champ Jay Perrin vs. Ashiek Ajim – for bantamweight title