Cage Titans 36 Preview: “Slippery” Pete vs. TJ Brown
Travis Lizotte
With Halloween weekend in the books for most, Cage Titans wraps up the week long holiday festivities with their 36th show and following in suit with the Halloween holiday antics this 14 fight, fight card should get a little...well;weird! As many people know Halloween is a somewhat sacred holiday in the state of Massachusetts, the home of the Salem Witch Trials; Salem, Massachusetts has become a must visit on the list of Halloween destinations, and just down the road in Abington, Massachusetts Halloween adventurers travel in droves to experience Barrett’s Haunted Mansion. As synonymous as the Barrett name is with Halloween fans; so is it with the fans of New England combat sports. As kin folk to the aforementioned Barrett’s; “Slippery” Pete Barrett (8-1) has done his own part to instill fear into the hearts of many, as he has brutally smashed his way to the top of the New England Professional Featherweight rankings, doing so with an absolutely dynamic display of of striking and the heart; to go toe to toe with anyone who dares stand across the cage from him. Barrett, who started his career an impressive 8-0, will be looking to bounce back off the two toughest fights of his career; a hard fought decision victory over Vince McGuinness (5-7) (the first decision of Barrett’s career), followed by the first loss of his career last time out as Drew Morais (7-4) stunned the Cage Titans crowd at Cage Titans 34 with a first round Knockout of the then undefeated slugger; Barrett. Barrett will not be interested in making this a long affair, as he intends to go into this fight with guns blazing and looking for the early finish. Standing “Slippery Pete’s” way; Arkansas's “Downtown” TJ Brown (9-5), Brown, like Barrett, will also be looking to bounce back from a loss in his last fight as the submission specialist fell victim to a first round submission to Trey Ogden at LFA 21 in September. Brown will be looking to play the act of spoiler as the he looks to hand Barrett just his second loss in front of his hometown crowd.
In the night’s co-main event, fan favorite Don “Shameless” Shainis (4-1) will be making his much anticipated return to the Cage Titans promotion following two successful outings on the national stage with Bellator MMA when he squares off with New England Lightweight staple; Jeff “Candyman” Anderson (10-16). Anderson who’s has dropped his last 12 decisions after starting his career 10-4 will again be tasked with trying to handle one of the best Featherweights in New England, Anderson (opponents combined record over his 12 fight losing streak is 85-21) has been known to step in against some of the toughest opponents promotions put in front of him and Saturday will be no different against one of the hottest Lightweights on the New England scene in Shainis. Don Shainis vs. Jeff Anderson has been scrapped due to an out of state suspension of Anderson.
Taking place of the Shainis vs. Anderson fight for the evening’s Co-Main event will be a pair of Welterweights, both making their professional debuts. Hyannis, Massachusetts’ Myles Reid (1-7 Amateur) won his first Amateur fight before being finished in each of his last seven bouts and his jump to pro doesn’t get any easier as he steps in with South Shore Sportfighting's Zach DiSabatino (4-0-1) who started his Amateur career 4-0 before suffering a tough majority draw in his last fight, against Gerald Meuse at Cage Titans 34. DiSabatino will be making his fourth trip to the Cage Titans cage this year and looks to be a heavy favorite against Reid, who will look to turn his career around amongst the ranks of the Professionals. The night’s fourth fight; Jay Ellis (13-73) vs. Connor Barry (3-1) has also fallen victim to a problem with the Athletic Commission and has been scrapped from the card as well, a tough blow to a card that has seen so many big fights drop off due to injuries or suspensions. Now; a pair of Amateur title fights will now be featured on the Cage Titans 36 Main Card. The First; a pair of Featherweights; Chris Sniger (2-1) and Pat Gilbride (2-0) will throw down with the vacant Cage Titans Amateur Featherweight strap on the line. The Second; will be a rematch of a battle that occurred on the Cage Titans 35 card which Heavyweights Rob Brown (2-2) and Jeff Soivilien (4-3) battled to a split decision that saw Soivilien leave with the Cage Titans Amateur Heavyweight crown but also set us up for an immediate rematch. If their first fight is any indication of what we can expect from this rematch this should be a close hard fought battle between two Heavyweight Sluggers. The remaining eight fights will take place amongst the ranks of the Amateurs and will set the stage for the night’s main card, here is a quick look at all the matchups:
Austin Schalla (1-8) v. Matt Alger (1-1)
160 Pounds (Amateur)
Austin Schalla
Affiliation: Dexter MMA
Record: 1-8 (1 Submission)
Last fight: Unanimous Decision loss to Nicholas Giuletti at Reality Fighting.
Matt Alger
Affiliation: Florian Martial Arts
Record: 1-1 (1 Submission)
Last fight: First round Submission (Choke) of Alex Dolan at Cage Titans 27.
Breakdown: Although Schalla has eight losses on his resume he has only been finished once and looks to offer some tough opposition for Alger who will be chasing his second career win in his third fight. Alger does have one submission win to his credit and will be seeking another stoppage against the tough to finish Schalla.
Brandon Vogel (Debut) v. Rich Szeligowski (0-2)
150 Pounds (Amateur)
Brandon Vogel
Affiliation: BST MMA
Record: 0-0 (Debut)
Last fight: Debut
Rich Szeligowski
Affiliation: Forge Martial Arts
Record: 0-2 (Both losses in first round)
Last fight: First round Submission loss (Armlock) to Pat Gilbride at Cage Titans 35.
Breakdown: Vogel comes into this fight as a worthy foe for the 0-2 Szeligowski, who has been finished in the first round in both of his Amateur fights. Vogel trains and one of the best up and coming gyms in New England at BST MMA with the likes of former Cage Titans Champions; Richie Santiago and Kris Moutinho.
Billy Goff (Debut) v. Dion Rubio (Debut)
160 Pound (Amateur)
Billy Goff
Affiliation: Dexter MMA
Record: 0-0 (Debut)
Last fight: Debut
Dion Rubio
Affiliation: Triforce
Record: 0-0 (Debut)
Last fight: Debut
Breakdown: Always tough to call a double debut but I’m sure these guys are interested in making a big splash when they take to the Cage Titans cage for their first ever Amateur fights. A flashy finish could propel either of these guys on to a successful MMA career.
Floran Kacaku (1-2) v. Patrick Crowley (1-1)
190 Pound (Amateur)
Floran Kacaku
Affiliation: Sityodtong Boston
Record: 1-2 (1 Decision Victory)
Last fight: First round Submission (Choke) loss to Terrance Jean-Jacques at Combat Zone 63: Mayhem in Manchester.
Patrick Crowley
Affiliation: Florian Martial Arts
Record: 1-1 (1 Knockout)
Last fight: First round Knockout of Brandon Conrad at Cage Titans 34.
Breakdown: Both fighters come into this fight with strong backing from two of the best fight camps around and will look to display a high level of excitement and athleticism. Crowley’s first round knockout of Brandon Conrad at Cage Titans 34 has to have him eager to put on another show at the expense of Sityodtong fighter; Floran Kacaku.
Danilo Portugal (Debut) v. Blaine Waterman (0-2)
Featherweight (Amateur)
Danilo Portugal
Affiliation: BST MMA
Record: 0-0 (Debut)
Last fight: Debut
Blaine Waterman
Affiliation: New England Combat
Record: 0-2 (2 Decision Losses)
Last fight: Unanimous Decision loss to Stavros Batsinelas at Cage Titans 35.
Breakdown: Portugal is another BST MMA product and will be making his Amateur debut looking to hand Blaine Waterman his third consecutive loss to start his Amateur career. Waterman has gained some stripes in his first two fights (both losses), having gone the distance each time.
Rob Knight (0-1) v. Brian Harrington (1-0)II
Light Heavyweight (Amateur)
Rob Knight
Affiliation: Independent
Record: 0-1 (Submission loss)
Last fight: First round Submission (Choke) loss to Brian Harrington at Cage Titans 35
Brian Harrington
Affiliation: South Shore Sportfighting
Record: 1-0 (1 Submission)
Last fight: First Round Submission (Choke) of Rob Knight at Cage Titans 35.
Breakdown: Both of these guys made their Amateur debut against one another at Cage Titans 35, when Harrington secured a quick stoppage victory over Knight via Submission. Knight will have his chance at redemption this time as he has the opportunity to avenge his first loss. Harrington will be looking to solidify that first win with yet another finish of Rob Knight, that would move his record to 2-0.
Jon Ciampa (1-3) v. Marty Navis (2-2)
Welterweight (Amateur)
Jon Ciampa
Affiliation: Connor’s MMA
Record: 1-3 (1 Submission)
Last fight: First round Knockout loss to Tommy Lee Davis at Cage Titans 32.
Marty Navis
Affiliation: Lauzon MMA
Record: 2-2 (2 Knockouts)
Last fight: Split Decision loss to Trevor Gudde at Cage Titans 34.
Breakdown: Coming into this contest Jon Ciampa has been the victim of two knockout losses early on in his Amateur career. Across the cage stands Marty Navis who has two knockout wins on his resume and looks to make Ciampa number three when the two collide inside the Cage Titans cage on Saturday night.
Brandon Murphy (1-1) v. Trevor Gudde (3-0)
165 Pounds (Amateur)
Brandon Murphy
Affiliation: Golden Falcon
Record: 1-1 (1 Knockout)
Last fight: Knockout of Rick Hacking at Cage Titans 32
Trevor Gudde
Affiliation: Florian Martial Arts
Record: 3-0 (1 Knockout)
Last fight: Split Decision win over Marty Navis at Cage Titans 34.
Breakdown: Gudde comes into this bout with an unblemished record kicking off his Amateur career with three consecutive victories and will be looking to keep that streak alive Saturday when he squares off with Brandon Murphy who is coming off his first Amateur win by Knockout will hope to have a punchers chance against the undefeated Gudde.
Rob Brown (2-2) v. Jeff Soivilien (4-3)
*Heavyweight Amateur Title*
Rob Brown
Affiliation: Santos
Record: 2-2 (1 Knockout)
Last fight: Split Decision loss to Jeff Soivilien at Cage Titans 35.
Jeff Soivilien
Affiliation: South Shore Sportfighting
Record: 4-3 (2 Knockouts)
Last fight: Split Decision win over Rob Brown at Cage Titans 35.
Breakdown: These two battled to split decision at the last Cage Titans event, that time for the vacant Heavyweight title, this time it will be Soivilien’s belt to lose as Rob Brown gets his immediate shot at a rematch with the Heavyweight Champion. If their first battle is any indication of what we should expect this time; we are in for an absolute war.
Chris Sniger (2-1) v. Pat Gilbride (2-0)
*Featherweight Amateur Title*
Chris Sniger
Affiliation: SBG East
Record: 2-1 (1 Knockout)
Last fight: Unanimous Decision over Antoine Caparotta at Cage Titans 34.
Pat Gilbride
Affiliation: Lauzon MMA
Record: 2-0 (2 Submissions)
Last fight: First Round Submission (Armlock) over Rick Szeligowski at Cage Titans 35.
Breakdown: Pat Gilbride has needed just under three minutes in the cage to start his career 2-0 with two submission victories. Sniger is on his own current two fight winning streak as both fighters enter the biggest fight of their early careers as the square off for the Cage Titans Amateur Featherweight Title.
Myles Reid (Pro Debut) v. Zach DiSabatino (Pro Debut)
Welterweight
Myles Reid
Affiliation: Independent
Record: 1-7 Amateur (Pro Debut)
Last fight: First round Submission (Choke) loss to Steve Young at Cage Titans 23.
Zach DiSabatino
Affiliation: South Shore Sportfighting
Record: 4-0-1 Amateur (Pro Debut)
Last fight: Majority Draw with Gerald Meuse at Cage Titans 34.
Breakdown: There is no doubt that Myles Reid is in desperate need of a win to get his career back on track, standing across the cage from him will be Zach DiSabatino who’s five career Amateur fights have all taken place during the time that Reid has been away from the cage. Reid will enter the cage for the first time since early 2015 against a fast rising prospect in DiSabatino.
TJ Brown (9-5) v. Peter Barrett (8-1)
Featherweight
“Downtown” TJ Brown
Affiliation: Westside MMA
Record: 9-5 (6 Submissions, 2 Knockouts)
Last fight: First round Submission (Choke) loss to Trey Ogden at LFA 21.
“Slippery” Pete Barrett
Affiliation: Sityodtong
Record: 8-1 (6 Knockouts)
Last fight: First round Knockout loss to Drew Morais at Cage Titans 34.
Breakdown: In the Main Event of the evening Hometown favorite and Knockout artist “Slippery” Pete Barrett will look to bounce back off the first loss of his professional career (Knockout loss to Drew Morais at Cage Titans 34) when he faces off with his toughest test to date in Arkansas’ “Downtown” TJ Brown. A finisher in his own right, Brown, will be looking to add to his already impressive resume which tallies him eight finishes in nine career professional victories. If Brown can withstand the pace and striking of Barrett he will leave with his and raised and the Plymouth Hall crowd silenced.