On Wednesday, Jan. 10, the 11-year MMA veteran informed his wife of his intention to retire from the sport after a scheduled CES MMA title defense on Feb. 2. Bessette (22-7) had always wanted to fight in the UFC, but after 29 fights, including a recent seven-fight winning streak, that call had never come. Bessette had other things to accomplish in life.
He knew he needed to move on, especially after a knockout loss turned no-contest to Kurt Holobaugh on the first Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series event last summer. Bessette had come so close — if he won that fight in exciting fashion, he was almost guaranteed a UFC contract — but ultimately missed the boat.