Nobody rolls with the punches quite like Matt Bessette

There are still plenty of people who call themselves natural born fighters, but usually -- particularly in the fight game -- that’s just an easy way of justifying an existence in the cage. Not so for Matt Bessette, who brings out hundreds of fans every time he fights in New England. He is closer to literal on the notion than most. He is more than a local attraction. He is a born fighter.

Bessette, who will face Khama Worthy at CES MMA XXIX on Friday night in Lincoln, Rhode Island live on AXS TV, took his first blow just before he turned three years old. He was diagnosed with leukemia. At the time he didn’t realize it was a blow. He just remembers the adults -- his family, doctors, strangers…