Saul Almeida to Fight Pedro Gonzalez for Interim Featherweight Title at CES MMA 45

CES MMA announced on Wednesday that Saul Almeida will take on Pedro Gonzalez for the promotion’s interim featherweight title next month’s CES MMA 45. The action will take place at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., on Aug. 11 and will be televised live on AXS TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The winner of the Almeida-Gonzalez matchup will eventually meet reigning 145-pound king Matt Bessette once “The Mangler” is recovered from injuries he sustained during last week’s inaugural Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series event, CES officials announced.

Headlining CES 45 will be the heavyweight championship, as Ashley Gooch will put his belt on the line against Juliano Coutinho. Nate Andrews will face off against Bruce Boyington is a lightweight bout in the co-feature while Nick Alley will take on Gary Balletto Jr., also at 170 pounds. Kris Moutinho will oppose Brandon Seyler at bantamweight, which will open the AXS TV telecast.

Off-TV bouts include a 130-pound catchweight scrum between Miguel Restepo and Richie Santiago; a lightweight duel pitting Leon Davis against Andrew Osborne; John Douma versus Jason Rine at featherweight; and Billy Keenan against Tim Tyler, also at 145 pounds.