Well, this is quite the turn of events.
No longer will the Titan FC lightweight title be defended on tonight’s Titan FC event, but now one of its main event competitors isn’t even with the promotion.
Longtime veteran Yoshiyuki Yoshida withdrew from his main event title fight with Mike Ricci tonight after Ricci didn’t make weight for the fight yesterday. The match was then turned into a catchweight non-title bout but apparently Yoshida wanted no part of it.
Titan FC’s Chief Operating Officer Lex McMahon both confirmed and explained the situation to MMA Fighting.
“Unfortunately, Yosiyuki Yoshida has withdrawn from his scheduled Titan FC 31 bout with Mike Ricci,” McMahon said. “Yesterday, Ricci failed to make weight by two pounds for his scheduled title fight with Yoshida and, as a result, both Ricci and Yoshida agreed to fight a three-round bout. Additionally, it was agreed that Ricci would pay 20% to Yoshida.
“Then this morning, hours before the bout, Yoshida informed Titan FC that he is now refusing to fight.
“Consequently, Yoshida’s promotional agreement with Titan FC has been terminated. Fortunately the Titan FC 31 card is stacked with amazing talent. Miguel Torres will now fight Desmond Green in the main event and Sirwan Kakai (10-2) vs. Joe Barajas (10-0) will move to the televised card and in a fantastic bantamweight bout.”
The Titan FC 31 main card will air on the CBS Sports Network starting at 10pm (EST).
