After big wins at Titan FC 54, Herbert Burns and Rafael Alves earn spots on Contender Series
UFC President Dana White was in attendance last night as Titan Fighting Championship held Titan FC 54 at Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Fighters looked to impressed the UFC frontman in hopes of earning a UFC contract but it was one man who would steal the show, only to have the opportunity he was after, not come through after all.
In the main event, Titan FC featherweight champion Jason Soares remained undefeated with a fourth round TKO win over challenger Ariston Franca. It would appear that White and crew who were in the building filming ‘Dana White: Lookin’ For a Fight,’ were extremely interested in signing the promotion’s top 145-pound fighter.
Soares controlled much of the fight but then dropped and was opened up under his left eye following a big knee from Franca. Soares fell victim to several dozen big shots from the top while fighting off his back. He somehow managed to gain his composure back, scoop a double-leg takedown, and then ground and pound Franca to victory, an amazing comeback win that surely seemed like Soares had punched his ticket into the UFC.
Plot twist: White did not believe that Soares did enough to earn a shot, at least not yet. The UFC President passed on signing Soares, and instead chose two other fighters on the card to earn spots on the upcoming season of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series.
Submission specialist Herbert Burns will have the opportunity to join his brother Gilbert Burns in the UFC, but first he must get a win on DWTNCS later this year.
“The Blaze” Burns made quick work of Luis Gomez last night, submitting him in the very first round. The 145-pound fighter then got on the microphone and pleaded with White for a shot.
Rafael Alves, who won Titan’s interim lightweight title with a second round knockout of Felipe Douglas will also earn an opportunity to please the boss live and in person once again as he too will get a shot on DWTNCS.
The snub to Soares comes as shock to many to include the Titan FC commentators who repeatedly stated they thought he would sign a contract in the back following the win. Unfortunately that did not happen, but it does not mean that the opportunity will not present itself a second time.
Look for Alves and Burns to compete on DWTNCS later this summer.
