Titan FC 67 Preview: Danny Sabatello vs. Da’Mon Blackshear

Titan FC returns for the first time in 2021 this Friday, February 12th, at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, Florida.

Titan FC 67 hosts 11 total fights and is headlined by, current Titan FC bantamweight champion, Danny Sabatello and Da’Mon Blackshear. The featherweight title will be on the line in the co-main event between, Muhammad Naimov and Olivier Murad.

Danny Sabatello (9-1) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (8-3)

The reigning Titan FC bantamweight champion, Danny Sabatello, makes his return to the Titan FC cage after picking up a dominant win on Dana White’s Contender Series. Sabatello is one of the more highly touted prospects outside of the UFC. Training out of American Top Team, the 3-time Division 1 national qualifying wrestler has all the resources to make it there. Da’Mon Blackshear will stand in his way on Friday night.

Blackshear may be looked at as a grappler due to his five submission wins, however he has some serious pop in his punches. Blackshear made the move to Jackson Wink MMA for this camp, as he looks to make a statement this weekend. Due to Blackshear missing weight, he will be ineligible to win the Titan FC bantamweight title in this bout.

Both fighters are finishers, as they both have finished all, but two of their wins. However, Sabatello expects himself to be the one doing the finishing come Friday night.

“The Titan FC fans can expect a war, I’m going to come out ferocious,” said Sabatello. “I will try to get the finish at all costs.”

Overall, this high stakes title bout will be a clash you won’t want to miss.

Muhammad Naimov (5-1) vs Olivier Murad (4-0)

In the co-main event, the featherweight strap is on the line as Muhammad Naimov and Olivier Murad are set for battle. Naimov returns to the Titan FC cage following a unanimous decision loss on Dana White’s Contender Series to UFC Featherweight Collin Anglin. Naimov is well rounded martial artist. Training out of Elevation Fight Team, he gets looks at UFC talent regularly. He is one of the most entertaining fighters one the regional scene. Naimov has a high level kickboxing game, including powerful low kicks.

Olivier Murad is an undefeated Featherweight, 4-0, who hold a 100% finish rate. He has proven in his four pro bouts his well-rounded skillset and high fight IQ. Coming off a first round knockout in 2019, he will look to maintain his form. Murad fights out of Freedom Fighters and has the chance to add his second pro MMA title to his trophy case.

Dilano Taylor (4-1) vs. Lewis Gonzalez (11-3)

Dilano “The Postman” Taylor is back in the Titan FC cage for the third time in six months on Friday. Taylor is on a three fight win streak finishing all three bouts in the first round. He has totaled under five minutes of cage time since July 2019. Taylor is not only a long, dynamic striker, but also has some sneaky submission skills. He submitted Michael Cora in December by the rare Ezekiel Choke just 2:09 into the fight.

Taylor is a bright prospect in this Welterweight division and seems to get matched up with tenured veterans often. However, when he is the inferior fighter in experience, he makes up for with athletic ability.

“My opponent is tough, very tough,” said Taylor. ” But tough guys don’t fare well with me.”

Lewis Gonzalez has fought on the biggest stage in the sport, as he is a UFC veteran. Gonzalez has not only faced warriors like Luis Palomino, but has also defeated the likes of Emmanuel Sanchez and Justin Bucholtz. He originally comes from a wrestling background, but has been a part of some stand up battles. Gonzalez hasn’t fought since 2016, therefore it will be interesting to see him take on someone as active as Taylor.

Evelyn Martins (1-0) vs. Melissa Croden (2-0)

The 18-year-old Brazilian, Evelyn Martins, made her professional debut at Titan FC 64 back in September and defeated Serena DeJesus by unanimous decision. Since her debut, she took her talents to American Top Team to train with some of the best Women’s Mixed Martial Artists on the planet. Martins is a great kickboxer, yet she has serious submission ability as well. She will have her hands full with her second opponent out of Syndicate MMA in Melissa Croden.

Croden, 2-0, has finished both of her pro bouts by KO. The Canadian striker, has proven her kickboxing is a force and she will look to add another feather in her cap on Friday with a win over Martins. Croden won her last fight by knockout halfway through the second round. At 5’10, her height and range could play a huge factor in how it plays out.

Alberto Montes (4-0) vs. Richie Santiago (8-2)

Venezuela’s own, Alberto Montes, is 4-0 with two of his wins coming by way of submission. Montes is a Jiu-Jitsu specialist, but uses his kickboxing well and has serious hand speed. He is the owner of MMA Masters Coral Gables and trains will Daniel Valverde. Montes hasn’t fought since 2017, however he has had quite a few bouts fall through between then and now. In his last bout in 2017, he got a decision win.

Richie Santiago, 8-2, is the third Dana White’s Contender Series alum on the card. Santiago is a warrior; he fights for the finish. Santiago has been to decision just once in his career and has won 6 fights by submission and 2 by KO. As a New England native, Santiago does his training at Tri-force MMA. Santiago redeemed his Contender Series loss in his last fight, winning by second round knockout, and looks to start a streak.

Adrian Garcia (2-1) vs. Rudy Isidro (0-0)

Adrian Garcia makes his second Titan FC appearance on Friday. Garcia got a decision win in his Titan FC debut and put on a show. He mixes in his wrestling extremely well with his striking. Training out of the Goatshed Academy, it’s safe to say Garcia is ready for war. His opponent Rudy Isidro is making his professional MMA debut. Isidro has one amateur MMA belt on his resume and is 2-0 in Muay Thai. This should be a battle on the feet as these are two young, experienced strikers compete to make a name for themselves.

Adi Alic (7-4) vs. Carlos Espinosa (5-3)

Adi Alic is making his Titan FC debut this weekend at Titan FC 67. Alic is a kickboxer that has a ton of experience in combat sports, however just hasn’t been able to put together a winning streak. He has fought some high level competition, like Irwin Rivera and Danny Chavez. He looks to bounce back in his first bout since 2018. Alic lost by decision in his last bout to John De Jesus. Alic’s opponent, Carlos Espinosa, has been the more active of the two. Espinosa won both his fights in 2020, one by knockout. Espinosa is well known for his striking, but has used crafty takedown techniques to show his unique grappling skills. Stylistically, this is a great match up between two of the more experienced martial artists on the card.

Titan FC 67 Updated bout order:

Main Card:

Danny Sabatello vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (For Titan FC bantamweight title)

Muhammad Naimov vs. Olivier Murad (For Titan FC featherweight title)

Dilano Taylor vs. Lewis Gonzalez

Evelyn Martins vs. Melissa Croden

Alberto Montes vs. Richie Santiago

Adrian Garcia vs. Rudy Isidro

Adi Alic vs. Carlos Espinosa

Prelims:

Roy Echeveria vs. Earnest Walls

Sal Guerriero vs. Matt Quigley