Travis Lizotte "Full Contact Writer"
Chris Disonell (5-4) vs. Will Smith (3-3)
Bantamweight
Age: 28
Fighting out of: Albany, New York
Affiliation: Renzo Gracie
Record: 5-4 (1 Knockout, 1 Submission)
Last fight: Split-Decision victory over Turpal Khamzayev at CFFC 95: Kamchybekov vs. Smith. (04/03/21)
“The Skinny”: 28 year old Chris Disonell has earned his stripes in his 9 professional fights, taking on some of the toughest opponents the Northeast’s Bantamweight division has to offer including wins over Turpal Khamzayev, and Mike Kimbel at CFFC and Bellator respectively. Disonell is also no stranger to the bright lights as he makes his CES debut against fellow Bellator veteran and CES Bantamweight Will Smith Friday night at CES 63. Disonell brings a well rounded game to the CES cage as he looks to hand the talented Will Smith his third straight loss.
Age: 31
Fighting out of: West Haven, Connecticut
Affiliation: Black Wolf Martial Arts
Record: 3-3 (1 Submission)
Last fight: Split-Decision loss to John Douma at Bellator 256. (04/09/21)
“The Skinny”: Connecticut’s Will Smith is also no stranger to top level competition, or the bright lights and big fights, Smith’s three career losses have come to; John Douma (Split-Decision at Bellator 256 a fight many believe Smith should have won), Lucas Brennan and Ashiek Ajim. Spending the majority of his pro career inside either the Bellator or CES cage, “Sriracha” feels right at home when all eyes are on him. Smith is in serious need of a win after dropping back to back contests over the last twelve months, earning that "W" over a guy like Disonell would not only end that skid but provide Will Smith with the biggest win of his pro career.
Breakdown: Both of these guys continue to find themselves in tough fights and Friday night doesn’t look to be any different as their careers cross paths in Springfield, Massachusetts at CES 63. Many believe Connecticut’s Smith was robbed by the judges last time out when he saw a split-decision at Bellator 256 go in favor of his opponent John Douma. Smith really needs to put the sting of that loss behind him, but the task ahead of him remains tall, as he welcomes Albany, New York’s Chris Disonell to the CES cage for the first time. Disonell also got locked into a split-decision in his last appearance at CFFC 95 that saw him come away victorious. Following contrasting results in split-decisions I don’t believe either of these guys intend to leave this one in the hands of the judges.
I give a slight edge to Black Wolf’s Will Smith in the Talent and Athleticism categories in this matchup but Chris Disonell possesses the heart and grit to go deep into fights, testing his opponents will to win at all junctures. I promise you this is a tougher fight than it looks like on paper for “Sriracha”, Disonell is a serious threat to hand Smith his third loss in a row, a result that would be catastrophic to the former Bantamweight prospect’s career trajectory. This could turn into a pretty fun fight as both of these guys are well rounded martial artists, fighting to keep their heads above water in a crowded Northeast Bantamweight division. If forced to choose a winner I’ll take Will Smith by decision on home turf, but nothing would surprise me coming from the crafty veteran Chris “Showbiz” Disonell.
