Matt Bessette

Matt Bessette
Born Matthew James Bessette
December 28, 1984[1]
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Other names The Mangler
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division Featherweight (145 lb)
Lightweight (155 lb)
Reach 67.0 in (170 cm)
Fighting out of Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Team Underdog Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Trainer Stand-up: Russell Leak[1]
BJJ: Fabiano Teles
Rank Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Fabiano Teles[1]
Years active 2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 20
Wins 14
By knockout 3
By submission 4
By decision 7
Losses 6
By submission 1
By decision 4
By disqualification 1
University University of Hartford
Notable school(s) Stafford High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Matt Bessette (born December 28, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Featherweight division.

Background

Bessette was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He was diagnosed with leukemia on August 13, 1988 at the age of three and was hospitalized for it. The doctors gave him 50% chance of survival, but became more optimistic after the initial treatments, which reduced significantly the leukemic cells. Bessette also developed asthma at an early age, although that never prevented him from competing in sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, and football. After graduating from Stafford High School in 2003, Bessette attended the University of Hartford. While still in the university, he was introduced to mixed martial arts at the age of 22 and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Bessette started his professional career in 2007. He fought mainly for Connecticut-based promotion Reality Fighting.

Bessette faced Anthony Kaponis on October 9, 2010 at Reality Fighting: Eruption for the vacant lightweight title. He defeated Kaponis via split decision in a five-round bout.[2]

Bessette was set to make his first title defense against Joe Proctor on October 8, 2011 at Reality Fighting: Gonzaga vs. Porter. He lost his title via unanimous decision after five rounds.[3]

In 2012, Bessette signed with Bellator.[4]

Bellator MMA

Bessette made his promotional debut against Saul Almeida on March 30, 2012 at Bellator 63. He won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).[5]

Bessette faced The Ultimate Fighter 12 competitor Paul Barrow on November 16, 2012 at Bellator 81. He won via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).[6]

Bessette faced Nick Piedmont on September 7, 2013 at Bellator 98. He won via knockout early in the first round.[7]

Bessette faced Diego Nunes in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament on February 28, 2014 at Bellator 110.[8] He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Bessette faced Daniel Weichel in the tournament semifinals at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bessette faced Scott Cleve on September 5, 2014 at Bellator 123. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

Bessette faced Josh LaBerge at Bellator 134 on February 27, 2015.[10] He won the fight due to a doctor stoppage between the second and third rounds.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–6 Josh LaBerge TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 134 February 27, 2015 2 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 13–6 Scott Cleve Decision (unanimous) Bellator 123 September 5, 2014 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 13–5 Daniel Weichel Decision (unanimous) Bellator 114 March 28, 2014 3 5:00 West Valley City, Utah, United States Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Semifinal
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–4 Diego Nunes Decision (split) Bellator 110 February 28, 2014 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–4 Nick Piedmont KO (punches) Bellator 98 September 7, 2013 1 1:41 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Drops down to Featherweight.[7]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–4 Jeff Anderson Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: New Year's Bash January 5, 2013 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States 150 lb Catchweight bout.[12]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–4 Paul Barrow Decision (unanimous) Bellator 81 November 16, 2012 3 5:00 Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–4 Aniss Alhajjajy Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Naples vs. Lee September 22, 2012 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 8–4 Andres Jeudi DQ (illegal upkick) Reality Fighting: Mohegan Sun June 2, 2012 3 4:43 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–3 Saul Almeida Decision (unanimous) Bellator 63 March 30, 2012 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 7–3 Joe Proctor Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Gonzaga vs. Porter October 8, 2011 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Lost RF Lightweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–2 John Benoit Submission (guillotine choke) GFL 10: Benoit vs. Bessette April 15, 2011 2 4:59 Lowell, Massachusetts, United States Won GFL Lightweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–2 Anthony Kaponis Decision (split) Reality Fighting: Eruption October 9, 2010 5 5:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Won RF Lightweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–2 Andrew Amaral Submission (guillotine choke) Reality Fighting: Ignition July 17, 2010 2 3:30 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–2 Andrew Carron Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Ferocity November 7, 2009 3 4:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 3–2 Chris Chappell Submission (guillotine choke) FFP: Untamed 26 February 28, 2009 3 2:13 Westport, Massachusetts, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–1 Jeff Camera TKO (punches) Reality Fighting: Collision July 19, 2008 2 2:18 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–1 Andres Lebron Submission (rear-naked choke) Reality Fighting: Nightmare April 12, 2008 2 2:45 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 1–1 Bill Jones Decision (split) Reality Fighting: Annihilation January 19, 2008 3 3:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Chris Correira Submission (guillotine choke) Reality Fighting: Invictus September 15, 2007 3 N/A Concord, New Hampshire, United States

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 David J. Bessette. "Matt Bessette's biography". Mattbessette.net. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Reality Fighting: Eruption official results". Mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  3. ↑ Alvin Benjamin Carter III (October 8, 2011). "Local Scene: Carter's live report – Reality Fighting at Mohegan Sun". MMAtorch.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ Press release (March 27, 2013). "Bellator 63 stacked with local talent on March 30". Fightnetwork.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  5. ↑ Brian Knapp (March 30, 2012). "Amoussou, Baker, Rickels, Saunders advance to welterweight semis at Bellator 63". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  6. ↑ Brian Knapp (November 16, 2012). "Marcin Held, Dave Jansen punch tickets to lightweight final at Bellator 81". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 MMAjunkie.com staff (September 7, 2013). "Bellator 98 results: Shlemenko retains title in slugfest with Cooper". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  8. ↑ MMAjunkie.com staff (January 24, 2014). "Pairings revealed for featherweight-tourney opening round at Bellator 110". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Bellator 123 results: 'Pitbull' Freire gets revenge, takes title from Pat Curran". mmajunkie.com. September 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Bellator 134 prelims: 'The Silencer,' 'The Freight Train,' 'The Irish Bad Boy,' 'The Barn Cat'". mmajunkie.com. February 5, 2015.
  11. ↑ "GFL 10 results: Matt 'The Mangler' Bessette wins lightweight title". MMAmadman.com. April 16, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Matt Bessette vs. Jeff Anderson (Reality Fighting: New Year's Bash)". Tapology.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.