Cage Titans XVII 1/25/2014 Event Review

Warchild and I made our 2.5 hour trip to Plymouth Mass.  We arrived an hour early and had to check out the gourmet pizza at Papa Gino's right around the corner.  Next we got our press credentials and found our seats.  Cage Titans brings us a total of 16 fights.  The female bout between Shannon Harney/Erin Cooney is off the show due to Erin not making weight and the weight could not be agreed upon.  Cage Titans tells us that they are hoping to get the rematch on the April 5th show.  The announcer tonight is once again Harry Jones who does a great job.  The refs are Brian Minor and Steve Rita.  For local celebs I have seen Christian Morecraft, Joe Lauzon, Joey Proctor, Doomsday Howard and Chip Moraza-Pollard.  All the top dogs are in the house tonight!  The hall is packed with fans and it is announced that it is a sold out show!  Now onto the fights.



FIGHT 1: 115lb AM - Val Parker (0-0, Independant) vs Nick Iaciofano (0-0, USMMA)

Nick rushes in and they are going at it. He is connecting with some big shots and knocks him down for the ref stoppage.

Nick Iaciofano defeats Val Parker via tko stoppage to strikes at 34 seconds in Rd 1.

FIGHT 2: 125lb AM – Tim Flores (1-1, Legal Beatdown) vs Yushun Tsou (1-0, Redline)

Both fighters exchange leg kicks.  Yushun gets in a jab. Tim takes down Yushun with a slam.  Yushin is working a triangle but Tim slips out.  Tim is on top and takes his back during the scramble. He tries for a rear naked choke but Yushun slides out and ends up on top in guard.  Yushun gets in some ground and pound as the round ends.

Tim 10-9

Rd 2: Tim gets in an inside leg kick.  They clinch and they both exchange knees. Yushun gets the trip takedown and is working the guard.  Yushun works an armbar but Tim slips his arm out. He is now on top and gets in some ground and pound as the round ends.

Yushun 10-9

Rd 3: Tim misses with a kick and rushes in for the takedown.  Tim is working the side. Tim sinks a rear naked choke but cant finish.  He switches to an arm bar and gets the tap.

Tim Flores defeats Yushun Tsou via tapout to armbar 1:44 in Rd 3.

FIGHT 3: 185lb AM – Mitchell Barrish (0-0, Wai Kru SS) vs Scott Sullivan (0-0, MAXX)

They come out swinging. Mitchell gets the double leg takedown. Mitchell is dropping some heavy bombs from the guard.  Scott is trying to get to his feet but Mitchell is keeping him down and peppering the face with strikes.

Mitchell 10-9

Rd 2:  Mitchell rushes in and gets the quick takedown.  He is working some ground and pound.  Scott pushes him off and gets to his feet.  Mitchell takes him down again and is right back in guard.  Mitchell stands up and drops some more hammerfists.  They roll and have their legs tied up as the round ends.

Mitchell 10-9

Rd 3:  Scott gets in a leg kick.  Scott rushes in for a takedown but is stuffed.  Mitchell works a guillotine in and gets the tap.

Mitchell Barish defeats Scott Sullivan via tapout to guillotine at 56 seconds in Rd 3.


FIGHT 4: 135lb AM – Dave Baxter (0-0, USMMA) vs Javier Rodriguez (0-0, Florian MMA)

Javier slams down Dave and is working the side.  He passes to half guard.  Dave bucks him off and they are back to their feet.  Javier slams him down once again.  Dave jumps guard and tries for an armbar.  Javier is now on top in guard.  Dave rolls and they are back to their feet.

Javier 10-9

Rd 2:  They clinch and Dave gets the takedown.  They roll and Javier gets a deep guillotine for the tap.

Javier Rodriguez defeats David Baxter via tapout to guillotine at 1:41 in Rd 2

FIGHT 5: 170lb AM – Nick Renaud (0-0, Boneyard) vs Billy Connors (0-0, Boston Muay Thai)

Billy connects with a right hand that drops Nick. He works a rear naked choke but cant get the finish.  Nick is now on but gets swept and Billy is trying to drop bombs as the round ends.  

Billy 10-9

Rd 2:  They are swinging for the fences! Nick is connecting with some big punches.  Billy pulls guard and Nick is making him pay with hammerfists.  Blood is coming outside the side of the left near the eye. Doctor checks it out and fight resumes.  Billy gets the reverse and now has the back.  He is trying for a rear naked choke but cants finish.

Nick 10-9

Rd 3:  They clinch and Billy is getting some knees to the body in.  They break and start swinging! Both of them connect with some good shots.  Billy gets the takedown and is right in full mount.  He is working a rear naked choke as the round ends.

Billy 10-9

Billy Connors defeats Nick Renaud via unanimous decision 29-28.

FIGHT 6: 135lb AM – Chris Suarez (1-3, Independant) vs Marc Novaco (0-0, Team Trifecta)

Chris connects with a right hand and Marc goes for a takedown and gets it.   They scramble and get back to their feet.  Chris gets the hip toss takedown.  Marc is trying to finish with ground and pound. Marcs left eye is completely swollen shut.

Marc 10-9

Doctor checks the eye and the fight resumes.

Rd 2:  Marc rushes in for the takedown and is working the back.  He is trying to finish with a rear naked choke.  Marc tries to soften him up with some strikes but cant get the finish.

Marc 10-9

Rd 3:  Marc gets the takedown and has the back.  He is working for the rear named choke again.  

Marc 10-9

Marc Novaco defeats Chris Suarez via unanimous decision 30-27.

FIGHT 7: 145lb AM – Travis Demko (1-0, Wai Kru) vs Jeff Perez (2-1, SBG East Coast)

They start out aggressive. Travis gets hit and slips but quickly gets back to his feet.  Travis is working a takedown but cant get it.  Travis connects with a counter right hand.  Travis throws a punch and slips to one knee. Jeff connects with a jab.  Jeff gets in a combo.  

Real close and could go either way. I give it to Travis 10-9. I think he connected more.

Rd 2:  Both fighters are being cautious.  Jeff is pushing the pace.  Travis is getting in some good kicks.  

Real close I give it to Jeff 10-9 for controlling the octagon

Rd 3:  Jeff is pushing the pace. Travis is working his kicks. Jeff gets a takedown and is now in guard.  Jeff gets in a few punches before the round ends.

Jeff 10-9

Travis Demko defeats Jeff Perez via split decision.

FIGHT 8: 155lb AM – Mike Robertson (1-2, Independant) vs Nick Mahoney (0-0, Redline)

This fight is off due to Mike getting hurt warming up.

FIGHT 9: 145lb AM – Aslan Otciev (0-0, Renzo Gracie CT) vs David Espino (1-1, Team Trifecta)

David starts us out with a kick.  Aslan gets the takedown but gets right back up.  They clinch and then break.  They both get their jabs in. Aslan gets in a right hand right as the rounds ends.

Aslan 10-9

Rd 2:  Aslan gets in a leg kick.  David connects with a combo.  Aslan gets a hip toss takedown. David works his way back to his feet. David gets a takedown and is working the side.  He moves to half guard. Aslan gets back to his feet as the round ends.  

David 10-9

Rd 3:  David is clinching and Aslan jumps into a guillotine and gets the tap.

Aslan Octiev defeats David Espino via tapout to guillotine at 50 sec in Rd 3.

FIGHT 10: 170lb AM – Carlos Correia (0-0, DCNU) vs Rich McLaughlin (0-0, Lauzon MMA)

Rich gets the takedown and is in half guard.  Carlos is trying for an arm bar and Rich slams him down.  Carlos bucks him off and gets a takedown of his own.  He is trying for a rear naked choke but runs out of time.

Carlos 10-9

Rd 2: Carlos getsbin a front kick.  Carlos gets gets the takedown from a toss.  Carlos has the back and has a body lock on.  Carlos eventually sinks in the rear naked choke for the tap.

Carlos Correia defeats Rich McLaughlin via tapout to rear naked choke at 2:37 in Rd 2

FIGHT 11: Hvy AM – Jeff Soivilien (1-0, Boston Muay Thai) vs Nick Fonteccio (1-1, Connors MMA)

They clinch and Nick gets the single leg takedown.  He passes to full mount. He gets bucked off and they are back to their feet.  Jeff gets in a solid knee to the body.  Nick gets a slamming takedown but Jeff pops right back to his feet.  Nick gets him down again and is in half guard as the round ends

Nick 10-9

Rd 2:  They come out swinging.  Nick gets the slamming takedown again and Jeff tries to get up.  Nick takes his back and gets the rear naked choke for the tap.

Nick Fontecchio defeats Jeff Soivilien via tapout to rear naked choke at 1:10 in rd 2.

FIGHT 12: 125lb AM – Ryan Kane (0-0, CCFA) vs Jared Dalgleish (0-0, Team Trifecta)

Jared gets in a few jabs and gets the takedown.  Jared  is working the side and then moves to half guard.  He gets pushed back to guard and escapes an armbar attempt as the round ends.

Jared 10-9

Rd 2:  There is a cut above Jared's eye.  Jared gets the takedown and not much action but Jared does get some ground and pound as the round ends.

Jared 10-9

Rd 3:  Ryan misses with a kick but gets right up.  Jared gets the takedown and is in half guard.  He postures up and gets in some strikes to the head.  Ryan spins and Jared takes his back as the round ends

Jared 10-9

Jared Dagleish defeats Ryan Kane via unanimous decision 30-27

Intermission. Awards were given out. 

Fotn Nick Renaud and Billy Connors fight.

Sub javier rodriguez

Ko/tko: Nick Iaciofano

FIGHT 13: 175lb Pro Catchweight Jesse Merrit (1-1 Anubis) vs. Ryan White (SSSF 4-1)

Ryan goes for a takedown but cant get it. Jesse swings away and connects with a right hand that drops Ryan. He was out cold.  

Jesse Merrit defeats Ryan White via ko punch at 1:03 in Rd 1.

FIGHT 14: 125lb Pro Billy Giovanella (5-2 Connor's MMA)  vs Tommy Balzano (1-2 Team Irish)

Billy gets the takedown and moves to full mount.  He gets the sweep and Billy locks in a triangle.  He gets the tap.

Billy Giovanella defeats Tommy Balzano via tapout to triangle at 1:13 in Rd 1.

FIGHT 15: 195lb Catchweight Ralph Johnson (6-7 Independent) vs. Kevin Haley (2-0 Anubis)

Kevin goes for a takedown and gets it.  He has the side and moves to full mount.  Ralph gets the sweep but is caught in a kimura. He is forced to tap.

Kevin Haley defeats Ralph Johnson via tapout to kimura at 1:40 in Rd 1.

FIGHT 16: Pro Heavyweight Juliano 'Banana' Coutinho (5-1 CCFA) vs John Orr (6-6 Grindhouse MMA)

Juliano gets the double leg takedown.  He is working the side and then passes to full mount.  He sinks in the rear naked choke and gets the tap!

Juliano Coutinho defeats John Orr via tapout to rear naked choke at 1:54 in Rd 1

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT:  Nick Renaud and Billy Connors!!
SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT:  Billy Giovanella's triangle was sweet!
KO/TKO OF THE NIGHT:  Jesse Merrit's knockout over Ryan White
BLUNDER OF THE NIGHT:   There was a 5 minute delay before a fight and I heard the rumor was because the fighter was at the top section of the balcony and couldn't find the stage where the fighters walkout!  It is all good, they found it eventually!  [Update] The fighter didn't want to come out because he wasn't ready and wouldn't come out until he was ready!  Thanks for the wait buddy!

Cage Titans had fighters from all over New England on this card and as noted in the intro it was a sold out show.  They announced their next show is April 5th at Plymouth Memorial so mark your calendars.  As always we will have it on our side calendar on the side of WesternMassMMA.com.  Rich O was there taking photos so make sure you look him up to see your photos of the fights.  Special thanks to Cage Titans for allowing us to cover the event and thanks to Warchild for chauffeuring me around this weekend.  It is a tough life being Press Writer of the Year!  Okay it is now 4am and I am going to try to get some shuteye. If you enjoyed our review please share it with your friends and family!  Thank you all for your continued support.