Titan FC 31 Date: October 31, 2014 Arena: USF Sun Dome City: Tampa, FL Featherweight bout: Desmond Green (-205) vs Miguel Torres (+165) Fight Breakdown: Featherweights Desmond Green and Miguel Torres will square off at tonight’s Titan FC 31, and both fighters are eager to earn a victory in their promotional debuts. Green is the betting favorite heading into this one at -205 ($205 to win $100) and Torres is the underdog at +165 ($100 to win $165) at Several Bookmakerss. Desmond Green (12-3 MMA, 0-0 Titan FC) is coming off a second round rear naked choke submission loss to Daniel Weichel under the Bellator banner just under six months ago and will be looking to bounce back into the win column in his Titan FC debut against arguably the biggest test of his professional mixed martial arts career in former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres. I don’t think Green is a very good striker, but he has been making improvements in the department. Though still lacking in technique and power on the feet, he does possess good speed and footwork. He has also been developing a decent kicking game and enjoys implementing his knees in his offensive striking attack. The four time Bellator veteran is a former High School State Champion wrestler who works decent takedowns and has a good top game, where he likes to stay heavy and use his sharp elbows. He is a well-conditioned athlete who will be able to go the three round distance against Torres, should this 145-pound scrap hit the judges’ scorecards for a decision. Miguel Torres (43-7 MMA, 0-0 Titan FC) is set to make his promotional debut on the heels of a three fight winning, which makes for the first three fight winning streak he has had since 2009. He is a well-rounded mixed martial artist who was at the top of his game when he was young, but his 30s were not kind to him, as he dropped three straight fights for the first time in his professional mixed martial arts career. Torres will be enjoying a height and reach advantage over Green in this match-up, and in my opinion he will have a technical striking advantage, as well. A few years ago, I would say he would destroy Green, but he just has not been the same fighter he was once was. He could be resurging, though, I for one will not count him out just yet. The American born Mexican is talented on the mat, owning an excellent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game, both offensively and defensively. He has an incredible guard, from where he is very active with both strikes and submission attempts. I expect Torres will have enough in the tank for three hard rounds against Green, should this fight go the distance. Gabe’s Thoughts: I think Torres has more ways to win here. I think a decision could go either way, but if the fight hits the judges’ scorecards, I would actually favor Green to take the nod, probably for takedowns scored and time spent in top position. That said, I could see Torres just betting the better of Green on the feet and keeping the fight there to pick up a convincing nod. If Green is able to take a unanimous decision over Torres just by striking, then I would say that Torres really is done. I think his size, reach and technical edge should be enough to get the better of Green on the feet, especially with Faras Zahabi of Montreal’s famed TriStar Gym in his corner. I could even see Torres winning this fight off his back, as I think he would be more effective off his back than Green would be from top position. I think this could be a close fight, and in my opinion the betting odds should be closer than they currently are. I think this fight is a coin-flip, so at the current underdog betting odds of +165, I like Torres for the value play. Gabe’s Call: Torres by Submission (triangle choke, 3:41 round 3) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Torres (+165) 1u to win 1.65u
