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A CES MMA bantamweight title, historically, has been a ticket to an eventual trip to the UFC.
That may be in Joshua Smith’s (10-6) future after he submitted Dinis Paiva (13-9) to win the 135-pound title in the CES MMA 62 main event Friday at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Fla.
Smith tapped Paiva at the 4:01 mark in the second round with a rear-naked choke. After the loss, Paiva took off his gloves and announced his retirement from the sport after 22 fights. The only fight of his pro career that wasn’t under the CES banner came in September 2020, when he lost a decision to Kyle Driscoll at Dana White’s Contender Series.
Smith kicked high early, then tried to find a home for some low kicks. When Smith moved in 45 seconds into the round, Paiva touched him with an uppercut to back him up. Ninety seconds in, Smith shot for a takedown, but Paiva easily defended it. The two traded kicks and punches throughout the frame, and Paiva put Smith down briefly a second time with a right hand.
Midway through the second, Smith landed a pair of punches that hurt Paiva and wobbled him. His nose was banged up and bleeding all over the cage, and Smith shot for a takedown to try to change the dynamic. A few moments later, Smith again worked for a takedown.
He got the fight to the canvas and tied Paiva up with a body lock. Paiva got back to his feet, but Smith stayed on him. He worked for a rear-naked choke, but Paiva fought it off. A few seconds later, though, Smith got the choke again, tightened it up, and Paiva had to tap.
CES MMA 62 results:
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Joshua Smith def. Dinis Paiva via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:01 – to win vacant bantamweight title
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Gary Balletto Jr. def. Dahlen Wilson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:26
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Adriano Capitulino def. Hugh McKenna via submission (triangle choke) – Round 3, 2:56
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Da’Mon Blackshear def. Joe Penafiel via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 3:27
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Carlos Espinosa def. Leonardo Carvalho Muller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Yuri Panferov def. Greg Smith via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:24