We were a few minutes later than we wanted to be at Cage Titans due to Papa Gino's taking too long across the street. After being shuffled around a few spots I eventually found a spot at the cage. There are a total of 19 fights tonight and the show is completely sold out. The venue is packed with fight fans so I highly expect it to be very loud in here!! There are many local mma stars in the house including Chuck O'Neil, Jon Manley, Keith and Pete Jeffreys, Bruce Boyington, Kaline Medieros, Sarah Click, Pat Walsh, Chip Moraza-Pollard, Johnny Campbell, Jimmy Quinlan, Doomsday Howard, Dany Lauzon and Loco Lobo. The refs are Gary Ebelin and Gary Foreman for the night. At the beginning of the show an awesome band played called Midnight Society. Let's get the night started!
25 AM Nick Amendola (0-0, Speed School MMA) vs Nirav Modi (0-0, MassBJJ)
They come out guns blazing. Nirav is looking for the takedown and gets it. Nick gets the sweep using the kimura and it is reversed and then he gets it again. He ends up on full mount and gets bucked off then they are standing again. Nick gets the takedown with a slam and is now working the guard. Nirav has an armbar from the bottom but can't get it fully extended. Nirav gets the reverse and is on top looking to get some ground and pound. No dice and they are back to their feet. Nick connects with a good punch and looks to have hurt Nirav. He tries to get the finish with more punches but runs out of time.
Amendola 10-9
Rd 2: Both fighters get in a strike. Nirav gets the takedown and Nick gets an awesome seep and ends up on top full mount. Nick threatens with an armbar and ends up standing after the roll. He drops down with a punch and ends up working the side. Nirav gets the takedown again and Nick pushes off and they are standing as the round ends.
Modi 10-9
Rd 3: Nick connects with a kick to the liver that seems to have hurt Nirav. He gets in a few more punches and Nirav gets the quick takedown. Nick has the his back to the side and is getting in punches to the head from the side. Nirav is working his way up but Nick is still getting in punches. He gets the stoppage.
Nick Amendola defeats Nirav Modi via ref stoppage to strikes at 1:59 in Rd 3.
155 AM Jim McSweeney (1-1, Team Link) vs Chris Mehu (1-1, Gate City MMA)
Both fighters are establishing their jab. Chris connected with a right hand that dropped Jim. He let out a huge barrage of strikes and got the stoppage.
Chris Mehu defeats Jim McSweeney via tko stoppage to strikes at 27 seconds in Rd 1.
125 AM Jessie Pires (1-6, Team BKJA) vs Miguel Trinadad (0-0, TriForce)
Jessie fires two quick jabs. Jesse is getting in some strikes under the clinch. Miguel jumps up and gets a guillotine and gets the tap.
Miguel Trinadad defeats Jessie Pires via tapout to guillotine at 53 seconds in Rd 1.
180 AM Steve Young (0-0, FightZone) vs Myles Reid (1-5, Indy)
Myles rushes in with some strikes and gets Steve down. Steve works his way up and gets the takedown. Myles is working his way up and Steve gets the tap.
Steve Young defeats Myles Reid via tapout to guillotine at 56 seconds in Rd 1.
HVY AM Gravin Guillen (2-1, Indy) vs Jeff Soivilien (1-2, Boston Muay Thai)
Gravin connects with a few jabs and Jeff gets the takedown. He moves to full mount and is trying to get in some strikes. Gravin bucks him off and Jeff gets it back to full mount. Gravin uses the cage and bucks him off again. Jeff is getting in some more punches and Gravin gives up his back. Jeff gets the stoppage.
Jeff Soivilien defeats Gravin Guillen via tko to strikes at 2:55 in Rd 1.
145 AM Timothy Cenabre (0-0 Speed School MMA) vs John Douma (0-0, TriForce)
John dives for the single leg and gets it. Timothy throws his legs up and gets some space and John presses him right back to the mat. Timothy is looking for an armbar but can't rip the arm loose. John slams him back to the mat. John is on top the rest of the round.
Douma 10-9
Rd 2: John connects with a few punches and then goes for a single leg and gets it. Timothy is looking for the kimura but can't get it from the bottom. John takes the side and and gets in a few punches to the head. He takes the back and gets the tap.
John Douma defeats Timothy Cenabre via tapout to rear naked choke at 2:27 in Rd 1.
160 AM Derek Peterson (0-3, Gillett’s MMA) vs Rob Moser (0-2, Redline)
Derek goes for the takedown and gets it. Rob works his way up using the cage. They are clinching up on the cage for a bit until they both strike their way out. Moser misses with a kick and Derek gets the takedown. Derek controls the rest of the round on top.
Peterson 10-9
Rd 2: Derek gets in an outside kick. Derek is looking for the takedown and Moser gets the reverse. Moser is getting in some knees to the body. Derek pushes him to the mat and is now working the side. Not much action and the ref stands them up. Rob is getting in some combos. Derek closes the distance and is pushing Rob up against the cage as the round ends.
Peterson 10-9
Rd 3: Peterson gets the takedown and is in guard. Derek is getting in some strikes to the head and Rob bucks him off. Rob gets in a combo and Derek goes for a double leg takedown. Not much action and the ref breaks it up. Rob gets in a strike and Derek falls to the mat trying to get Rob to come to the mat.
Peterson 10-9
Derek Peterson defeats Rob Moser via unanimous decision.
155 AM Jimmy MacDonald (1-1, FightZone) vs Jimmy Bruce (1-1, Upstate BJJ)
Jimmy Mac connects with a combo. Bruce pulls guard and Macdonald is on top for the rest of the round with not much action at all.
MacDonald 10-9
Rd 2: Jimmy Mac connects with a punch that drops Bruce. Bruce is looking for the takedown and he gets it. Bruce is getting in a few strikes from the top.
Bruce 10-9
Rd 3: Bruce eats a shot and is looking for the takedown. He gets the single leg and is in the guard. He postures up and is getting in some ground and pound.
Bruce 10-9
Jimmy Bruce defeats Jimmy MacDonald via unanimous decision.
120 AM Randi Beth Knowles (1-0, Youngs) vs Danielle Hindley (0-0, SSSF)
Danielle closes the gap and Danielle gets the takedown. She takes Randi's back and is looking for the rear naked choke. Randi gets the roll but Danielle still has her back. Randi gets out and Danielle works a triangle then turns it into armbar for the tap.
Danielle Hindley defeats Randi Beth Knowles via tapout to armbar at 2:03 in Rd 1. Mad props to both of these fighters for taking this fight on a few days notice.
205 AM Yorgan De Castro (2-1, Lauzon MMA) vs Sean Evans (2-0, Simmler BJJ)
Sean dives for a takedown and gets it. Yorgan keeps working his way up and Sean keeps scooping him back down.
Evans 10-9
Rd 2: Yorgan connects with a punch and the crowd erupts. Sean goes for a takedown and gets him to the mat. He continues to work the body very little for the rest of the round.
Evans 10-9
Rd 3: Yorgan connects with a right as Evans is looking for the takedown again. Rest of the round is Evans looking for the takedown with some occasional knees to the leg.
Evans 10-9
Sean Evans defeats Yorgan De Castro via unanimous decision.
135 AM Arslan Otciev (2-1, K Dojo) vs Max Barrett (4-4, GFMMA)
Max is pushing the pace and gets in a good uppercut. Arslan gets the takedown and is working the guard. Arslan is looking for triangle but can't get it and they are back to their feet after their scramble. Max reaches forward and connects with two jabs. Arslan gets the toss and is working the side.
Otciev 10-9
Rd 2: Both fighters come out swinging. A low blow and a few seconds are taken by Max and they are right back at it. Max gets the slam and Arlsan bounces back up. Max is clinching him up against the fence and Arslan gets the hip toss. Max has his hand in the cage a few times but the ref doesn't see it. Arslan has his back as the round ends.
Barrett 10-9
Rd 3: They clinch up against the cage and Arlsan gets a point deducted for holding onto the cage. Arslan is holding onto the single leg but can't get it. Max gets in some strikes as they break. Max is clinching him up against the cage as the round ends.
Barrett 10-8 due to point deduction.
Arslan Otciev and Max Barrett as a majority draw. I thought Max had enough to get the win but the key factor was the point deduction on Arslan.
155 AM Devin Carrier (2-1, Lauzon MMA) vs Jacob Weeks (2-1, SBG East)
Weeks gets the takedown and is working the half guard. He jumps over him and moves to the side. He gets pushed back to half guard and eventually gets full mount. He takes the back and cant get the rear naked choke as the round ends.
Weeks 10-9
Rd 2: Weeks gets the takedown and Carrier tries for a guillotine but can't get it. Now Weeks is on top in half guard. Carrier is working his way up and Weeks takes his back and is looking for the rear naked choke again. He gets the tap.
Jacob Weeks defeats Devin Carrier via tapout to rear naked choke at 1:30 in Rd 1. Some words were said after the fight and commission quickly broke it up.
Cage Titans is giving out some awards...
KO/TKO of the night: Mehu
Sub of the Night: Danielle Hindley
Fight of the Night: Amendola and Modi
155 AM TITLE Alex Ortiz (2-0 Renzo Gracie CT) vs. Don Shainis (3-0 Victory)
Shainis gets the takedown and Ortiz bounces right back up. Don connects with a knee to the groin and it looked brutal. Alex tries for a takedown but can't get it and now Don is looking for a takedown. He gets it and Alex throws up his legs and they are back to their feet. They are both swinging away and getting in knees to the body. Don gets the takedown and has the back. He is looking for the rear naked choke as the round ends.
Shainis 10-9
Rd 2: Don rushes in for a takedown but can't get it. They roll and end up right back with Don looking for the single leg. They both fall to the mat and Don takes the back and is looking for a rear naked choke. Alex fights it the rest of the round.
Shainis 10-9
Rd 3: Don gets the takedown by a trip and is now working the side. Alex pushes him off and is now back standing but gets taken down once again. Alex is trying to work his way up but Shainis is all over him controlling the fight.
Shainis 10-9
Rd 4: Don gets another takedown and moves to full mount. Alex spins and Don has the back and finishes him off with some ground and pound.
Don Shainis defeats Alex Ortiz via tko stoppage to strikes at 52 in Rd 4. Shainis gets the strap!
145 AM TITLE Jeff Perez (5-2 SBG East) vs. Mark Cardarelli (3-1 Rivera Athletics)
Mark is getting us started with some outside kicks. Mark is looking for the takedown and not much action so the ref breaks it up. Mark gets in a jab. Mark is looking for the takedown but gets reversed.
Cardarelli 10-9
Rd 2: Mark misses with a head kick. Mark gets in a kick to the body. Jeff connected with a right hook. Jeff backed Mark into the corner and Mark is looking for the single leg. He can't get it and Jeff pulls guard with a guillotine. He doesn't get the tap but is on top in full mount and is getting in some strikes as the round ends.
Perez 10-9
Rd 3: Jeff got in a combo and Mark counters with an uppercut. Mark is looking for the takedown and gets reversed. Mark falls to the mat and Jeff takes his back. Mark is shrimping and Jeff can't get the legs hooked. It looks closer to finishing but Jeff runs out of time.
Perez 10-9
Rd 4: Mark reaches in for a jab to the body. Mark is looking for the single leg and can't get it. Jeff reverses and gets the takedown. He is in half guard and moves to the side. Perez then moves to full mount and is looking to get in some ground and pound. He gets in some here and there and won the round for sure.
Perez 10-9
Jeff Perez defeats Mark Cardarelli via doctor stoppage at the start of Rd 5. Perez retains the belt. For those wondering it looked due to sheer exhaustion. Mark is 42 years and went 4 rounds with the champ in an epic battle.
185 AM TITLE Shane Mulligan (CCFA/GFMMA 2-0) vs. Pat McCrohan (3-0 Gillett's MMA)
Pat rushes in with a strike and Shane gets the takedown. Pat works his way to his feet and is swinging hard. He is connecting with some punches. Shane gets in a leg keg kick and a jab of his own. Shane is warming up now and gets in a jab. Shane gets the takedown and gets full mount. Shane has the back and they are back to their feet swinging as the round ends.
Shane 10-9
Rd 2: Pat connected with 3 solid punches. Shane connects with a leg kick and punch to the head. Pat looks for the takedown and gets it and he moves to the side. Shane bucks him off and they are to their feet again. Pat gets another takedown and he is getting in some knees to the inner thigh.
Pat 10-9
Rd 3: They clinch and Shane gets in a nasty knee to the body. Pat gets the takedown and is in guard He postures up and gets in some hammerfists. He postures up and gets in some more hammerfists. Shane gets some space and works his way up and Pat takes him down again.
Pat 10-9
Rd 4: Pat is looking for a takedown and Shane gets in a knee to the body. Shane gets a d'arce choke and wants the finish. Pat is now on top in the guard. Shane has a triangle and it looks deep and Pat fights through it.
Shane 10-9
Rd 5: Pat works two quick jabs. Pat gets the takedown and is working the side. Shane gets another triangle and is trying for the finish. Pat gets out of it and gets moved to guard. Pat almost has a crucifix and gets in some ground and pound to finish the round strong.
Pat 10-9
Pat McCrohan defeats Shane Mulligan via unanimous decision. Pat gets the strap! One of the best fights I have seen in a long time.
145 PRO TITLE Frank Sforza (SSSF 4-0) vs. Taylor Trahan (Team Link 5-2)
Frank rushes in for a takedown and gets it. Taylor is lookign for an armbar but can't get it. Frank gets in a couple of hammerfists. Frank is putting the pressure on Taylor on the mat and controlling the round.
Frank 10-9
Rd 2: Taylor connects with a leg kick that you can hear from the back of the room. Frank gets the takedown and is getting in knees to the body. Taylor gets some space and Frank pushes him right back to the mat. Frank is getting in some heavy fists to the head. Frank gets in some elbows as the round ends.
Frank 10-9
Rd 3: Taylor is looking for the takedown and gets it. He has the back and has a body lock on. Frank gets out and is working the side. He is getting in some more elbows. Taylor pushes him off and gets in an upkick. Frank backs off and Taylor stands back up. Frank takes him down and is in guard as the round ends.
Frank 10-9
Rd 4: Taylor has some swelling in eyes. Frank gets the takedown and is controlling the action on top. He is working more ground and pound with short elbows. He moves to full mount and finishes off with some body shots and to the head.
Frank Sforza defeats Taylor Trahan via ref stoppage to strikes at 4:59 in Rd 4. Sforza still has the strap.
145 PRO Manny Torres (2-3 Kipp's Basement) vs. Scott Gorgone (1-0 Mass BJJ)
Scott gets the takedown and is in half guard. He works a kimura for the tap.
Scott Gorgone defeats Manny Torres via tapout to kimura at 58 seconds in Rd 1.
170 PRO Sean Lally (2-1 GFMMA) vs. Addison O'Neil (DCNU 1-3)
Addison gets the takedown and takes the back. Sean has Addison's back up against the cage. Addison is softening him up with some strikes. Sean works his way up and is pressing Addison up against the cage. Sean gets in a pair of knees to the body. Sean gets the takedown and gets in some hammerfists. He gets in some heavy shots and Addison isn't defending. Ref stops the fight.
Sean Lally defeats Addison O'Neil via ref stoppage to strikes at 4:40 in Rd 1.
125 PRO Remo Cardarelli (4-1 Rivera Athletics) vs. Andy Aiello (2-1 Lauzon MMA)
Remo gets in a good combo. Remo gets in a leg kick to the body and Andy counters. Andy gets in a 1-2 combo. Remo misses with a superman punch then get in another punch. Remo connects with a left hook. Andy connected with a combo to the body that looked to the solar plexus. Found out later it was a liver shot.
Andy Aiello defeats Remo Cardarelli via tko to strikes at 3:13 in Rd 1.
CityBoy Awards:
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Shane Mulligan vs. Pat McCrohan..one of the best fights I have seen all year...hands down.
SUB OF THE NIGHT: Very impressive submission from newcomer Danielle Hindley from SSSF
KO/TKO OF THE NIGHT: Andy Aiello and his liver punch to Remo Cardarelli...made me cringe from my chair
BLUNDER OF THE NIGHT: Mass Commission in the first round of Trahan/Sforza fight was only 3 minutes instead of five...yeah people noticed.
The fighters came to fight and it was an awesome night of fights. It was the first time Cage Titans sold out before the doors opened. If you all take this as a sign to come then buy your tickets early Cage Titan fans so you aren't left out. CT had a band that played at the beginning of the show and at the end and they were fantastic. The judging was spot on for the night and the reffing was pretty good. I only had to yell out once when the ref missed the tap that he was standing right in front of. Thankfully no injuries ensued. All of our photos will be posted to our facebook and Cage Titans and Kelly MacDonald will be posting tons of photos so make sure you all pay attention on facebook to those. Feel free to share our photos online and our review!