This Friday, Titan FC will crown their first champion since rebranding, as Jason Brilz and Vinny Magalhaes square off in the main event of Titan FC 30. The card will have five fights in total airing on CBS Sports Network, including a featherweight title eliminator, and a pair of UFC veterans in action. The light heavyweight title bout between Brilz and Magalhaes is an interesting style matchup, as both men do their best work on the mat, but in very different ways. Brilz will be looking to get top position to grind Magalhaes out, while the Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion hunts for a sub. On the feet, both men are capable, but flawed enough that this should hit the mat and give the best account of the two men fighting for the belt. The co-main event features former UFC fighter Walel Watson looking to stop the momentum of (sort of) TUF veteran Anthony Gutierrez. Although each man is extremely long for 135lbs, Watson would seem to have a striking edge, with Gutierrez being more effective on the ground, but both fighters are dangerous wherever the fight goes. In addition to the title bout in the light heavyweight division, a title challenger will be determined at featherweight. Brazilian prospect Gleristone Santos takes on journeyman Robert Washington, and the winner will take on Kurt Holobaugh for the 145lb belt. Washington has decent power and wrestling, and they’ll need to be at their best against the well-rounded skills of Santos. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for the three fights mentioned above, as well as two additional main card bouts for Titan FC 30. The odds were released at Several Bookmakers, and you can check them out below: ——————– MAIN CARD (CBS Sports Network, 10pm ET) Titan Light Heavyweight Title Vinny Magalhaes -165 Jason Brilz +125 Anthony Gutierrez -185 Walel Watson +145 Gleristone Santos -385 Robert Washington +265 Richie Martinez -280 Leville Simpson +200 Pedro Nobre -350 Nick Honstein +250 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: I really don’t understand why Vinny Magalhaes still gets treated like an elite fighter by fans and bettors. His best career win is over Mikhail Zayats, and he’s been beaten by a lot of mediocre fighters. Jason Brilz is certainly better than mediocre, and I think he’s got a pretty good style to pick up the win over Magalhaes and become Titan’s light heavyweight champion. Brilz should be able to avoid takedowns, and on the feet if he can land a couple shots early, he’ll make Magalhaes tentative and should be able to pile up points. As a dog, I think he’s worth a small play, but given his age I can’t go too crazy. Anthony Gutierrez was one of the big prospects in Titan’s original incarnation, then went off to TUF and got himself exiled from the UFC, and now he’s back in Titan. It’s been quite the ride for the 23-year-old, but he’s shown great talent all along the way. Each of his pro fights have ended in the first round, but I think that streak ends here. Walel Watson is very seasoned against top competition, and he’s got a surprisingly well-rounded game. Gutierrez’ wrestling isn’t his best asset, and if he’s unable to get Watson to the mat, this will be very competitive (and even on the mat Watson is sneaky with his sub game). I’m hoping the public comes in heavy on Gutierrez, as Watson could be worth throwing a small play on, or putting in a round robin if he’s higher than +200. Unlike Watson, whose 7 losses have all come to respectable competition, Robert Washington has lost to some very iffy competition. Against Gleristone Santos that doesn’t bode well, as even though I’m not as high on him as others (he’s definitely not the top featherweight prospect in the world), he is a solid, well-rounded fighter. He should be able to avoid Washington’s takedowns and win the striking battle, or perhaps even get some top position of his own, which would be even worse for Washington. I’m not interested in backing him at a high price, but can’t really blame others if they really think he’s that good. I really haven’t seen enough of Martinez or Simpson to have a good read on this fight, and I doubt there will be much action on this bout overall. Martinez seems like a talented grappler, with all 3 wins coming by submission and training at 10th Planet, but his competition hasn’t been much thus far. I would think Titan wants to see Martinez go over, but at 4-1 and just 24 years old, Simpson has potential too. If Nick Honstein was taking this fight with a full camp, I’d consider picking him due to his impressive submission game and toughness, but coming in on short notice I think Nobre will be able to keep things standing. On the feet, Nobre has a sizeable advantage and he should be able to parlay that into a decision at the very least. Honstein’s clear path to victory is enough to keep me away from Nobre however.
