Titan FC 31 Date: October 31, 2014 Arena: USF Sun Dome City: Tampa, FL Welterweight bout: Tyler Stinson (-190) vs Jose Figueroa (+150) Fight Breakdown: Welterweights Tyler Stinson and Jose Figueroa are set to collide at tonight’s Titan FC 31, and the Strikeforce veteran Stinson is the betting favorite heading into this 170-pound scrap at -190 ($190 to win $100), with the return on his opponent Fiueroa being +150 ($100 to win $150) at Several Bookmakerss. Tyler Stinson (27-9 MMA, 0-0 Titan FC) is coming off a first round knockout loss at the hands of Josh Burkman at WSOF 9 seven months ago, which marked the first time he has been defeated via T/KO in his professional mixed martial arts career which spans eight years. Coming off the brutal loss, Stinson will be looking to bounce back into the win column tomorrow night. The 28 year old is a talented striker who puts together some effective combinations, and likes to be aggressive on the feet, often dictating cage control. He has great footwork, and likes to move forward. His striking defense is good, too, and up until his last bout, had displayed a solid chin. Stinson generally has a good submission game, both offensively and defensively, which is incredible, considering the fact that he had absolutely zero grappling experience for the first six months of his professional mixed martial arts career. The Strikeforce veteran prefers to strike, so he rarely attempts takedowns. He has decent takedown defense himself, but when taken down, is very active off his back, constantly attacking with submission attempts and elbows. The 28 year old loves to put his elbows to use, both on the mat and on the feet, and he is ruthless with them. He loves to throw kicks, and has a variety of them in his arsenal he likes to employ, including leg kicks, head kicks, spinning kicks, body kicks, and the push kick. Stinson likes to switch stances, and has a dangerous left hand, which is his best weapon in the cage. He loves to throw left hooks, and the overhand left. Training in high altitude at the Grudge training center in Colorado, Stinson generally has good conditioning, and I believe he will be ready to go three rounds tomorrow night in Tampa. Jose Figueroa (13-6 MMA, 0-0 Titan FC) is a veteran of the sport who has suffered defeat every time he has stepped up in competition, including when he faced now-flyweight Jonathan Brookins back in 2007. He is most notable for being a knockout victim on Edson Barboza’s highlight reel. That said, Figueroa has not tasted defeat since 2011 and currently enjoys a three fight winning streak, including a first round TKO over Bellator veteran Dominique Steele in his last outing three months ago. The 30 year old is skilled on the feet and quite versatile, owning a powerful right hand and being effective with all limbs. He puts together some excellent 1-2 combinations and possesses a solid uppercut, as well as a dangerous over-hand right, which are two punches he favors closing his 1-2 combos with. Figueroa does a great job of using his length and reach by leaping and looping in with his punches and catching his opponents. He moves around well on the feet, as he possesses good footwork. His defense is decent, though he has been knocked out in three of his six defeats. To compliment his hands, Figueroa has a nice kicking game, including some solid high kicks, including a nice left high kick, which was what he used to hurt his latest opponent Dominique Steele, before continuing with a barrage of strikes to earn the TKO stoppage. Gabe’s Thoughts: Both of these welterweights stand tall at 6’3” and are predominantly strikers, so I expect this battle to play out on the feet, where I feel somebody will fall. I think one of these guys will connect, and I think there’s a good chance it happens in the very first round of action, so with the total of Over 1.5 rounds being at the current betting price of -125, I think there’s enough value to warrant a play. I think this fight ends under 1.5 rounds more often than not, and personally think the line should be -200. Gabe’s Call: Stinson by KO (punch, 1:00 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Under 1.5 rounds (-125) 2.5u to win 2u
