*Pro Bantamweight Title*
Travis Lizotte
Plymouth, Massachusetts - Saturday January 26th Cage Titans will unveil the first event of their 2019 catalogue as Michael Polvere presents Cage Titans 42: Moy v. Perrin. Cage Titans will once again roll out a card that is rich with talent from top to bottom and littered with both intrigue, as well as storylines. Cage Titans 42 could be one of the most exciting fight cards in the promotion’s history; with Co-Headliners looking to grab an early vote for “2019 Fight of the Year.” Newly crowned Cage Titans Bantamweight Champion; Jay “Savage” Perrin (7-3) puts his belt on the line for the first time Saturday night in the Main Event against striker; Kin “Kong” Moy (9-3). Perrin and Moy will put their friendship aside once the cage door closes, as their careers cross paths, with Perrin’s Bantamweight strap on the line. In the Co-Main Event; Ultimate Fighter alum and Cage Titans fan favorite Joe “Skeletor” Giannetti (7-1-1) looks to battle his way back into title contention against Stoneham’s Connor “Bare Knuckle” Barry (5-2). Barry made a name for himself amongst Cage Titans fans last time out, at Cage Titans 39, when he took the arm of Peter Barrett home with him, along with the third submission victory of his pro career. Giannetti knows that a win gets him title consideration, which is the first step in his journey back to the UFC roster.
Sixteen fights combine to form the Cage Titans 42 card which kicks off live from Historic; Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts at 6pm local time. A detailed breakdown of the Main Card, as well as the full lineup of fights, looks as follows;
Undercard:
Am. 170 - Brian Velasquez (0-0, Tri-Force) v. John Ciampa (2-4, Connors MMA)
Am. 155 - Xavier Cardona (0-1, Lakeville MMA) v. Alberto Rodriguez (0-0, Sityodtong)
Am. 205 - Floran Kacaku (2-3, 617 Fights Sports) v. Stephen Kimball (2-2, Nostos)
Am. 135 - Jeff Joy (1-0, Juniko) v. Will Alfano (0-0, Connors MMA)
Am. 145 - Justin Stevens (0-1, Lakeville MMA) v. Mike Albert (0-2 Skeletor MMA)
Am. 130 - Felipe Barbosa (0-1, Savery BJJ) v. Chris McDonnell (1-1, SSSF)
Am. 145 - Stavros Batsinelas (2-3, Citadel MMA) v. Ed Forlenza (3-2, Juniko)
Main Card:
Fouad Shahin (2-0) v. Arthur MPofu (2-0)
Amateur Bantamweight Title
Fouad “Heart of the Falcon” Shahin
Fighting out of:
Affiliation: Defensive Edge
Record: 2-0 (1 Knockout, 1 Submission)
Last fight: First round Submission (Armbar) of James Ploss at Combat Zone 64.
Arthur MPofu
Fighting out of: Meriden, Connecticut
Affiliation: SBG East
Record: 2-0 (2 Decisions)
Last fight: Split Decision victory over Daniel Pena at Cage Titans 41.
Breakdown: After two impressive performances in the Cage Titans cage, Arthur MPofu caught the eyes and hearts of Cage Titans fans, as well as Cage Titans’ owner/matchmaker Michael Polvere. With the Amateur Bantamweight title now vacant and up for grabs, MPofu was a popular pick to challenge for the strap. In search for a dancing partner for MPofu, Polvere turned to another impressive Bantamweight prospect in New Hampshire’s Fouad Shahin. In two fights in his home state of New Hampshire at Combat Zone, Shahin has tallied two wins via finish and has put the New England Amateur Bantamweight division on notice. While both men like to stand and bang, each is not afraid to test one another on the ground, with five rounds to audition for the Bantamweight title, I see this fight going back and forth for the better part of the allotted 15 minutes.
Rob Fuller (0-1) v. Randy Costa (3-0)
Featherweight
Rob “The One-Percenter” Fuller
Fighting out of: Lakewood, Colorado
Affiliation: Klinch Tribe
Record: 0-1 (2-9 Overall)
Last fight: First round TKO loss to Andres Rodriguez at Combat Zone 67.
Randy “The Zohan” Costa
Fighting out of: Taunton, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Lauzon MMA
Record: 3-0 (3 Knockouts)
Last fight: First round Knockout (Body Shots) of Chris Thorne at Cage Titans 41.
Breakdown: Lauzon MMA’s Randy Costa ended a four year layoff from competition in 2018 by turning pro at Cage Titans 39, notching the first of what would be three first round knockouts over the course of the calendar year. Costa sat down Stacey Anderson, Kenny Lewis and Chris Thorne in order, on his way to becoming one of the fastest rising prospects under the Cage Titans banner as well as one of the promotion’s biggest draws. Costa will welcome Colorado native Rob Fuller to the Cage Titans cage for the first time, Fuller flaunts a “kill or be killed” mentality that makes for exciting fights but has also left Fuller with more ups than downs across his combat career, this fight isn’t likely to make it out of the first round, do.not.blink!
Matt Lyall (0-1) v. Mitch Raposo (Debut)
Catchweight 130lbs.
Matt “Lightning” Lyall
Fighting out of: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Affiliation: Lightning MMA/ Cardo Urso
Record: 0-1 (18-6 Professional Muay Thai)
Last fight: First round Knockout loss to Peter Kim as Stellar Fights 39.
Mitch Raposo
Fighting out of: Fall River, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Regiment Training Center
Record: Debut (6-0 as Amateur, Cage Titans Amateur Flyweight Champion)
Last fight: Unanimous decision Victory over David Michael Durao for the AMMO Fight League Amateur Flyweight Title.
Breakdown: Now former Cage Titans Amateur Flyweight Champion Mitch Raposo, will leave behind one of the most impressive Amateur careers the region has ever seen, going 6-0 and capturing two Amateur titles, without ever losing a single round as he turns pro against Muay Thai veteran striker; Matt “Lightning” Lyall. Although Raposo’s striking accolades pale in comparison to that of Lyall, Mitch’s hands are not to be overlooked, where Roposo holds a distinct edge is in the grappling game. Roposo has shown the uncanny ability to get the fight to the mat, where he remains dominant with overwhelming top control and invasive ground and pound. I look for Roposo to showcase himself as one of the most dynamic Flyweight in all of New England Saturday night as he faces his first professional test; the 39 year old combat sports veteran; Matt Lyall.
Montoyia Swilling (0-12) v. Brandon Fleming (4-3)
Welterweight
Montoyia “The Son of God” Swilling
Fighting out of: Watertown, New York
Affiliation: American Top Team
Record: 0-13 (seen the second round just once as a pro)
Last fight: First round TKO (Ground and Pound) loss to Marty Navis at Cage Titans 41.
Brandon “Bad Luck” Fleming
Fighting out of: Marshfield, Massachusetts
Affiliation: South Shore Sportfighting
Record: 4-3 (1 Knockout, 1 Submission)
Last fight: Unanimous decision loss to Blair Tugman at Bellator 123.
Breakdown: Brandon Fleming is now nearly five years removed from being one of the most dangerous Featherweight prospects in New England. Fleming took time away from the cage to focus on his education and career, with a degree from Johnson & Wales University in hand, Marshfield’s Fleming returns to the cage as he looks to resurrect his career as a Welterweight. That journey starts Saturday night, as the still dangerous SSSF product squares off with Welterweight journeyman striker Montoyia Swilling. It is no secret that Swilling needs a win if he is to continue his career in the cage, Montoyia does possess some heavy hands that could test the chin of Fleming but the glaring hole in Swilling’s game is in the grappling department. Swilling needs to show that he can keep this fight standing if he hopes to grace the Cage Titans cage beyond his appearance at Cage Titans 42.
Albert Tulley (1-0) v. Marty Navis (1-0)
Welterweight
Albert Tulley
Fighting out of: Gouverneur, New York
Affiliation: G3 Training Center
Record: 1-0 (1 Knockout)
Last fight: First round Knockout of Eddie Haws at XCP: Rutland - No Way Out.
Marty Navis
Fighting out of: Middleboro, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Lauzon MMA
Record: 1-0 (1 Knockout)
Last fight: First round TKO (Ground and Pound) of Montoyia Swilling at Cage Titans 41.
Breakdown: Fighting out of possibly the most successful gym in the Northeast; Lauzon MMA’s Marty Navis is one of the larger Welterweights you’ll come across. Marty made his professional debut at Cage Titans 41 with a lopsided drubbing of Montoyia Swilling that put the rest of the Cage Titans Welterweight roster on notice. Marty will need every ounce of the power he possesses if he wants to make it two straight wins to open his professional career, when he squares off with New York’s Albert Tulley. Tulley is also 1-0 as a professional but do not let that fool you, he is far from “green” in the sport of MMA, as his 24-fight amateur career saw Tulley enter the winners circle 14 times. Despite a layoff of over two years, Tulley still totes the ability to test the skills of the up and coming Navis. This fight promises to pack some serious punch with both these men having the skill set to finish the fight, wherever the action takes place.
Shane Manley (4-5) v. Jeff Perez (4-0)
Featherweight
“Super” Shane Manley
Fighting out of: Syracuse, New York
Affiliation: Team Andrello
Record: 4-5 (1 Submission)
Last fight: Second round Submission (Guillotine) loss to Anthony Facchini at Ring of Combat 66
Jeff Perez
Fighting out of: Wareham, Massachusetts
Affiliation: SBG East
Record: 4-0 (3 Submissions)
Last fight: First round Submission (Rear Naked Choke) of Seth Basler at Cage Titans 40.
Breakdown: SBG’s Jeff Perez will enter the Cage Titans cage Saturday night for the thirteenth time in his career, as he looks to notch his fifth straight win since turning pro in early 2017. While locked inside the cage, Perez has battled with the who’s who of fighters across the New England Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions. Perez has carved his name into the sport with his relentless grappling pressure, once Perez closes distance he is on you until the final bell, unless of course, you don’t last that long. Standing across the cage from Perez Saturday night will undoubtedly be his toughest grappling opponent to date, in the form of Shane Manley. The book on Manley is very similar to that of Perez, a grappler who’s earned his keep, dragging his opponents into deep water and testing their will. Manley has matched whits with New England grapplers Blair Tugman and Dylan Lockard and also draws the distinction of sharing the cage with former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody “No Love” Garbrandt. Given his grappling pedigree and all-world experience inside the cage, Manley will without a doubt be the toughest draw of Perez’s pro career.
Darius Estell (4-1) v. Zach DiSabatino (5-0)
Lightweight
Darius “Solo Beast” Estell
Fighting out of: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Affiliation: Michigan Top Team
Record: 4-1 (2 Knockouts, 2 Submissions)
Last fight: Third round Submission (Guillotine) of Erick Rodriguez at AMMO Fight League 5.
Zach “DiSab” DiSabatino
Fighting out of: Marshfield, Massachusetts
Affiliation: South Shore Sportfighting
Record: 5-0 (3 Knockouts, 2 Submissions)
Last fight: First round Knockout of Johnny Adams at Cage Titans 40.
Breakdown: When the cage door slams behind Zach DiSabatino, he has one mode;“Seek and destroy,” Zach wastes little time going to work, looking to finish his opponent as quickly as possible. Afterall, in a profession where you are paid to show up and not by the minute, being deliberate pays dividends and DiSabatino knows that all too well, finishing all five of his professional fights in the first round. Looking to give DiSabatino his toughest test to date will be Michigan native; Darius Estell, who has a similar business like attitude according to Matt Frendo (CEO of Lights Out Championship; Grand Rapids,Michigan) former Matchmaker for Knockout Promotions who is very familiar with Estell from his fight at KOP 58 in 2017. “He’s fun to watch!” Frendo recalled. “He gets his Medicals done and shows up! Always makes weight. Always has a creepy sadistic smile on his face. It’s kill or be killed with him. He’s either going to knock you out or get knocked out, but either way it’s going to be a really entertaining fight!” Given the nature of both fighters, this fight should not last very long, with one man getting his hand raised and the other going out on his shield!
Connor Barry (5-2) v. Joe Giannetti (7-1-1)
Lightweight
Connor “Bareknuckle” Barry
Fighting out of: Stoneham, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Defensive Edge
Record: 5-2 (3 Submissions)
Last fight: First round Submission (Armbar) of Peter Barrett at Cage Titans 39.
Joe “Skeletor” Giannetti
Fighting out of: Plymouth, Massachusetts
Affiliation: South Shore Sportfighting
Record: 7-1-1 (6 Submissions)
Last fight: Majority Draw with Josh Harvey at Cage Titans 41.
Breakdown: From a pure MMA fan’s point of view, this is one of the best matchups that could have been made in the New England Lightweight division. Barry v. Giannetti stylistically has all the makings to be a very entertaining technical fight, Barry is aggressive and in your face from the word “go” as he looks to bring the fight to his opponents. Giannetti on the other hand, thrives on his counter attacks, Joe will not allow his opponents to make mistakes; slip up against the submission game of Giannetti and you’re likely waking up staring at the ceiling. Barry is also no slouch on the mats; a BJJ Brown Belt and owner of three submission finishes in his professional career, including the Armbar of Peter Barrett at Cage Titans 39, Barry will be looking to exploit Giannetti’s game as well. Another contrasting note to this fight is that at 6’1” (Giannetti) and 6’2” (Barry) both fighters are used to being the taller fighter in their matchups, which will have to come into play in this fight, as any advantage in length seems to be nullified. I see Barry trying to dictate the pace early in this one, looking to put pressure on the former Ultimate Fighter competitor, and stay one step ahead of Giannetti at all times. Giannetti will likely try to keep the fight at striking distance in the early going, as he likes to showcase some of his flashy counter-striking techniques and damage his opponents on the feet before going to the ground. Once on the ground Giannetti can be dangerous even from a less dominant position as Barry will need to be aware of his dexterity and unique style in grappling exchanges. This fight has all the makings to be the best fight on this entire card as these guys battle for what is likely the number one contender to Dan Dubuque’s Lightweight belt.
Kin Moy (9-3) v. () Jay Perrin (7-3)
) Jay Perrin (7-3)Pro Bantamweight Title
Kin “Kong” Moy
Fighting out of: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Citadel MMA
Record: 9-3 (2 Knockouts, 6 Submissions)
Last fight: Third round Submission (Rear Naked Choke) of Patrick Corrigan as Cage Titans 41.
Jay “Savage” Perrin
Fighting out of: Hudson, New Hampshire
Affiliation: Sityodtong
Record: 7-3 (2 Knockouts, 3 Submissions)
Last fight: Unanimous decision Victory over Johnny Campbell at Cage Titans 40; for the Cage Titans Pro Bantamweight Title.
Breakdown: Lowell, Massachusetts’ own; Jay Perrin added a feather to his cap, and a belt around his waist his last time out, as the 25 year-old Bantamweight outpointed veteran Johnny “Cupcakes” Campbell for five rounds at Cage Titans 40 to capture the Cage Titans Bantamweight crown. Perrin displayed an overwhelming ability to control a fight from the clinch against “Cupcakes” pressing Campbell to the cage and landing some heavy dirty boxing to the body, that resulted in a lopsided decision from the judges. In this fight against Challenger; Kin Moy, Perrin should look to return to form, with a similar game plan against the talented striker. Moy flashed those talented striking skills once again, returning from a two year layoff, at Cage Titans 41 in November. Moy proved that two years away from competition did not slow down what was once a Top Bantamweight Prospect, as Kin dismantled Cage Titans newcomer Patrick Corrigan en route to a third round Choke of the Florida native. As soon as the official decision was declared, Michael Polvere awarded Kin Moy with the first shot at newly crowned Champion Jay Perrin, and the Main Event for Cage Titans 42 was signed. Perrin, resident smack talker, admits that the lead up to this fight takes him a little outside his comfort zone, as he admits his adoration and respect for his opponent; Kin Moy. With the respect mutual and the stakes high; Moy vs. Perrin promises to kick off Cage Titan’s 2019 slate with a Main Event to remember as two of New England’s top talents throw down, for the Bantamweight crown.