For those looking to avoid having their entire weekend consumed by MMA, hopefully you can find some free time on Sunday to be a human being. It was already expected that Saturday would be a busy one for MMA fans, as the UFC has 21 fights scheduled between their Macau and Tulsa events. However, Friday’s schedule may have snuck up on you, and it’s even busier. After starting over in Amman, Jordan for Cage Warriors in the afternoon, the scene will shift to South Dakota and North Carolina in the evening, as both RFA and Titan FC have cards scheduled. Friday dates are normal fare for RFA, but Titan decided to go head-to-head with the AXS TV promotion rather than the UFC, in the most rational decision to be made given the circumstances. Although not originally planned as such, Titan FC 29 will be headlined by Mike Ricci and George Sotiropoulos in a lightweight bout. This will be Ricci’s second time headlining a Titan card since the brand was relaunched earlier this year. Sotiropoulos will be making his Titan debut. This will be his first fight since being cut from the UFC following his seven-fight win and subsequent four-fight losing streaks. The co-main event is probably the most anticipated fight on the card, as Lloyd Woodard drops down to featherweight to face Kurt Holobaugh in a 145lb title eliminator. After dropping three of his past four fights, Woodard is looking to reignite his career in the lighter weight class. Holobaugh was seen as one of the more undeserving cuts in recent UFC history, and looks to build on the win he picked up in his Titan debut. Unfortunately scheduled bouts like Ben Saunders vs. Matt Riddle, and Vinny Magalhaes vs. Dustin Jacoby were scratched from the card, otherwise this would be a very impressive offering from the promotion. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for Titan FC 29 today at Several Bookmakers. Take a look: ——————– MAIN CARD (CBS Sports Network, 10pm ET) Mike Ricci -315 George Sotiropoulos +235 Kurt Holobaugh -165 Lloyd Woodard +125 Bristol Marunde -155 Micah Miller +115 Mike Bronzoulis -170 Keith Johnson +130 Kevin Smith -260 Brian Davidson +180 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: It just seems like George Sotiropoulos doesn’t have much left to offer in his MMA career. He’s not quite in the Gray Maynard territory where you worry about him every time a punch lands, but he’s not far off. Ricci is going to be taller with significant reach and striking advantages, and Sotiropoulos doesn’t have the wrestling to get this to the ground consistently. Ricci seems like a guy that Titan wants to push, and with a second consecutive opponent who is a bit long in the tooth, it should work. Perhaps Ricci will get a more suitable opponent next time out, but he seems safe for parlays here. Holobaugh and Woodard should produce an entertaining bout wherever it takes place, but I expect it will take place a bit more on the ground than on the feet. Holobaugh has an edge there, but he’s also fallen in love with his striking a bit more lately and that’s dangerous since his defense on the feet is questionable. Both of these fighters are tough to finish (only one career stoppage loss between the two), so it’s hard to see anything other than a decision, where I lean slightly to Holobaugh. What exactly is featherweight Micah Miller doing at welterweight? Unless he’s spent some serious time in the weight room with Vitor Belfort’s workout regiment, he just doesn’t belong fighting guys this size. Bristol Marunde obviously isn’t a great talent at 170, but at least he belongs there. As far as skills go, I think Miller might actually be the better fighter, but I just can’t see those talents translating this high up the scales. Keith Johnson is a solid overall fighter with a good submission game. It’s going to be interesting to see if he can get past the wrestling of Mike Bronzoulis in order to put that game to work, and if he does get this fight to the ground if it actually will work. Bronzoulis hasn’t been submitted since his pro debut back in 2007, so that won’t be easy. I think the likeliest scenario is Bronzoulis using his pressure striking to win rounds and eventually taking a decision, but the 35-year-old has never been a great fighter and could be on the downside of his career at this point after being KO’d for the first time in January. Brian Davidson is a holdover from the old days of Titan FC, and despite being skilled is now 38 and hasn’t competed in almost 15 months. Those are not good numbers, especially when going up against a prospect like Kevin Smith. In his last bout, Smith submitted solid journeyman Ronnie Rogers in the first round, which was the quickest loss of Rogers’ 30+ fight pro career. If Davidson can keep this standing, he probably has a better chance to win, but Smith has been making improvements on the feet as well, so I’m siding with the youngster to get it done.
