Memorial weekend started early for fans of mixed martial arts and Titan Fighting was leading the charge. Kansas City, Kansas was the site for Titan Fighting Championships 18, the event was broadcast live on HDNET this past Friday. Headlining a 7 bout card was Jens Pulver against Brain Davidson. Davidson, a local Kansas City fighter who stepped out from retirement for a chance to take on the legendary former lightweight champion.
The third bout of the night was a stand up showdown as Nick Budig faced Bobby Cooper. At the opening round Nick Budig comes out throwing big shots on Cooper who counters with a couple high kicks. Budig continued to charge backing Cooper up against the cage and as the two exchanged shots Cooper pressed the action back to the center. Nick Budig continued to try and get inside but Cooper made him pay each time with combination striking. In the following rounds it’s more of the same except the stiff jab of Cooper is landing at will. By the end of the fight Cooper has managed to close the left eye of Nick Budig and dominate him with precise striking, earning a unanimous decision victory.
The co main event saw plenty of action as former UFC veteran Jake Rosholt snatched defeat from the jaws of victory after destroying John Ott. Rosholt established his dominance from the opening round over powering Ott with powerful take downs and vicious elbow strikes that busted up Ott in the first round. The ground and pound beating continued throughout until a referee time out was issued in the third allowing the doctor in attendance to examine John Ott. Not ready to give up Ott continued to fight and Rosholt resumed the bloody beating. Late in the final round Rosholt either out of frustration or as an act of mercy ends his ground assault and suddenly stands up. As John Ott struggles to rise to his feet Rosholt deliverers an illegal knee resulting in an immediate disqualification.
Jake’s younger brother fared better In the fourth fight of the night, a heavyweight match against Kirk Grinlinton. Jared definitely turned a few heads in the MMA world. The big Texan quickly terminated Grinlinton with an explosive double leg take down and a flurry of hard strikes from full mount earning him an impressive first round TKO..
The action packed night concluded with Jens Pulver taking on Brain Davidson. The main event match was supposed to be a chance for Pulver to build from his two win fight streak and prove that he’s still got what it takes to be an exciting fighter with main event marketability. That plan didn’t work for the former UFC and WEC star, as although he was able to take down Davidson he failed to establish control. Brain Davidson out hustled Pulver on the ground and as a result locked in a rear naked choke submitting the legendary Lil Evil in round one. It was a disappointing loss for Pulver who made no excuses in the post fight interview but a great win for Grind House MMA coach Brain Davidson who hoped the victory would get them some additional exposure.
Results from the main card of Titan Fighting Championships 18.
Catchweight (140 lbs) bout: Jens Pulver vs. Brian Davidson
Davidson defeated Pulver via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:04 of round 1.
Catchweight (200 lbs) bout: John Ott vs. Jake Rosholt
Ott defeated Rosholt via DQ (illegal knee strike) at 4:23 of round 3
Welterweight bout: Rudy Bears vs. Darryl Cobb
Bears defeated Cobb via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:30 of round 1.
Heavyweight bout: Jared Rosholt vs. Kirk Grinlinton
Rosholt defeated Grinlinton via TKO (punches) at 1:37 of round 1.
Catchweight (176 lbs) bout: Bobby Cooper vs. Nick Budig
Cooper defeated Budig via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
Lightweight bout: Joe Wilk vs. Jesse Zeugin
Wilk defeated Zeugin via submission (anaconda choke) at 3:36 of round 1.
Lightweight bout: Deryck Ripley vs. Sean Wilson
Wilson defeated Ripley via submission (toe hold) at 2:00 of round 1.
