(May 9, 2023) – Domingos Barros (7-1) waited his entire MMA career for an opportunity to fight for a heavyweight world title.
On Friday, May 12th, Barros finally gets his shot, when he faces William “The Knightmare” Knight (11-5) for the vacant CES MMA Heavyweight Championship at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, MA.
The main event tops a stacked card featuring several of New England’s top professional and amateur prospects. The main card will be televised live on UFC Fight Pass starting at 9pm EST, with 2 free bouts streamed on the CES MMA Facebook page beginning at 8pm EST.
“This fight means everything to me,” says the 31-year-old Barros. “I want to thank CES MMA for the opportunity, and I promise that I won’t let my people down.”
Considering he first entered an MMA gym less than a decade ago, Barros has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the sport.
“It all started almost 9 years ago,” recalls Domingos of his first experience in an MMA gym in his native Portugal. “I was a security guard and a friend of mine invited me to train. That’s all it took for me to fall in love with the sport, and I never stopped since.”
Shortly thereafter, Bellator took note of Barros and offered him a move to the United States, where he settled in Fall River, MA. There he met his coach, former UFC fighter Yorgan De Castro, and “The Destroyer” was born.
The pairing has been a success, with Domingos winning 7 of 8 bouts leading up to this Friday’s world title bout. But while The Destroyer has been in against some tough opposition, UFC veteran Knight represents his biggest name opponent by far. “The Knightmare” is a physical specimen, with power in both hands and experience against the likes of Alonzo Menifield, Da Woon Jung and Cody Bundrage.
“I know he has more experience, but the difference is that I was born for this and I live for it,” explains Barros. “He’s trying to be something he’s not.”
While Barros appears unfazed by Knight’s credentials, he has prepared for a war, spending several weeks in camp with legendary UFC champion Jon Jones.
“This is definitely the best camp I’ve ever had,” declares Barros. “I was in New Mexico in training camp with the best fighter on the planet, Jon Jones. I was practically there for 2 months, and I feel more than prepared to win this fight.”
Since CES MMA announced the title bout, Barros and Knight have been trading barbs on social media, with Knight taking exception to a perceived lack of respect shown by Barros. The tension has reached a boiling point, and if it spills over into the cage, fans are in for a memorable night.
“It is personal,” concedes Barros. “Since I was little, I was taught to be a man outside the cage as well as inside of it. I think he is in the wrong profession, and I will show him this on the 12th. You talked a lot of sh*t and now you’re going to pay for it!”
Tune into CES MMA 73 – Knight vs. Barros this Friday, May 12th at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, MA and live on UFC Fight Pass. Tickets on sale now, priced at $50, $70, $100 and $125. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets now, as this event is projected to be a sell out.
For more information on CES MMA 73 and all other CES MMA events, visit cesfights.com.
