This week marks the return of the restructured Titan Fighting Championships organization. After a multi-year run on AXS TV, the promotion now has a new deal with CBS Sports Network. The new business model also seems to be more about bringing in recognizable national names rather than focusing on regional development. How the company fares over the long-term is unknown, but their first card (the numbering structure has remained in tact, so it is actually Titan FC 27) will provide a good indication, as it will be right in the thick of a tremendously busy weekend for MMA. Titan takes place on Friday, February 28th — the same night as Bellator’s return on Spike TV with more recognizable names such as ‘Rampage’ Jackson and ‘King’ Mo, and the first airing of WSOF Canada on NBC Sports Network (a taped version of the event held last Friday) — and if they can gain a foothold amidst the rest of the MMA landscape it would be a coup for their debut effort with the CBS family. While the card doesn’t necessarily jump off the page, it features known fighters and quality bouts, so it’s definitely worth checking out. The main event pits two ‘Ultimate Fighter’ veterans against each other as Jorge Gurgel (14-9) takes on Mike Ricci (8-4). Gurgel’s MO has been to stand and trade for years, and Ricci should oblige him, as that style of fight will certainly suit the Canadian. At 37-years-old, Gurgel is definitely on the downside of his career. In fact, since Ricci debuted in June 2008, Gurgel has posted a 2-6 record in MMA, which hardly makes this an A-level fight. Perhaps the best and most intriguing fight on the card is between Michael Kuiper (12-3) and Matt Riddle (7-3, 2 NC). Kuiper looked to be well on his way to a long run in the UFC, but issues with his submission defense resulted in him being released after just four bouts. Until the bell rings for this bout, Riddle will be one of a very short list of fighters to compete solely in the UFC. Both of these guys are still capable of competing inside the octagon, and this should turn into a good scrap. Moving down the card, familiar names such as Kurt Holobaugh (10-2) and Anthony Gutierrez (4-0) are both featured on the card as well. Certainly a solid cast of fighters for the new Titan’s debut. Today MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for Titan FC 27 at Several Bookmakers. Take a look: ——————– Mike Ricci -825 Jorge Gurgel +475 Matt Riddle -120 Michael Kuiper -120 Anthony Gutierrez -505 Charlie DuBray +335 Kurt Holobaugh -425 Eric Marriott +305 Kevin Croom -305 Bryan Goldsby +225 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: The main event here is a very easy fight to read. Gurgel has very rarely used his wrestling in MMA, and when he has, it hasn’t been all that effective. On the feet, he’ll be outmatched by the longer and more technical Ricci. Add in the fact that Gurgel is 37, and just 1-3 this decade, and this is an easy recipe for a Ricci win. The only question is if you’re willing to throw him in a parlay or not. The co-main event offers the most interesting betting opportunity to me. Riddle was making some solid strides towards the end of his UFC tenure — in every area except passing drug tests — but hasn’t fought in over a year due to an odd stand-off with Bellator. Against Kuiper however, he’s taking on a fighter used to facing bigger men, and who had a great deal of success stuffing their takedowns. If that turns out to be how the wrestling plays out here, and this ends up as a striking battle, Kuiper has the edge. Despite his issues on TUF, Anthony Gutierrez is a skilled prospect, especially as a submission grappler, and he’s facing an opponent who has been submitted six times in his career. That seems pretty clear cut as far as paths to victory go. A similarly sized favorite, Kurt Holobaugh went from being incredibly competitive against Pat Healy and Steven Siler, to facing Eric Marriott. Marriott has some decent skills, and has never been finished in his MMA career, but he’s no better than good in any one area, and has faltered every time he’s stepped up above the regional level. Kurt Holobaugh is better than a regional level fighter. Aside from a surprising win in Bellator over Jeff Curran, Bryan Goldsby is the stereotypical journeyman in MMA. He wins against bottom of the barrel fighters and loses to anyone better than that (and some fighters who aren’t better than that). Kevin Croom is better than that. His losses against Yaotzin Meza and Ramiro Hernandez show that he’s not ever going to amount to a great fighter, but he should be able to tap Goldsby.
