This Friday night, Titan FC is back to host Titan FC 72 at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, FL. The Titan FC flyweight championship is on the line in the main event as Victor Dias (9-2) defends his belt for the first time against Kyrgyzstan’s, Ryskullbek Ibraimov (19-8). In the co-main event, top bantamweight prospect, Ryan Kuse (4-0), takes on tenured MMA vet, Rob Fuller (1-12). Also on the card, Dana White’s Contender Series veteran, Muhammad Naimov (5-2), top flyweight prospect, Roy Echeverria (5-0), and Glory Kickboxing veteran, Asa Ten Pow (0-0).
Main Card (UFC Fight Pass 8pm):
Victor Dias (9-2) vs. Ryskullbek Ibraimov (19-8)
Titan FC flyweight champion, Victor Dias, is set to defend his belt for the first time after a dominant first-round submission win over former champion Wascar Cruz at Titan FC 68 in March. The Brazilian does his training at the world renowned American Top Team with the likes of Marlon Moraes and many other world class martial artists. Dias is 2-1 in Titan FC and is currently on a three fight win streak. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has four wins by way of submission and also two by knockout. Dias is dangerous everywhere, especially on the ground. His transitions to his opponents back are slick. It’s inevitable Dias will be attacking submissions so this fight could come down to Ibraimov’s grappling defense.
Ryskullbek Ibraimov is on fire as of late. The two-time pro MMA champ is on an 8-fight win streak and hasn’t lost in almost three years. In fact, he is 12-1 since 2017. Ibraimov has quite the submission skillset as well, considering his wins by anaconda choke, kimura and armbar. The Kyrgyzstan native is also a multiple time champion in combat sambo and a Brave CF veteran. Ibraimov is the #3 ranked flyweight in all of Central Asia, while Dias is the #7 ranked flyweight, outside of a major organization, in all of America. In a battle between two top flyweights outside of a major organization, we are in for a treat.
Ryan Kuse (4-0) vs. Rob Fuller (1-12)
Titan FC fan favorite and highly touted bantamweight prospect, Ryan Kuse, is set to make his fourth walk to the Titan FC cage this weekend. Kuse is everything you can ask for when describing an electrifying future star. Kuse has won three of four by way of stoppage and is an extremely well-rounded martial artist. The Goat Shed’s captain seeks his third win of the year come Friday night and looks to get it done in spectacular fashion. Kuse is a high level grappler with a versatile striking skillset. It’s accurate to say that Kuse is a master of the Goat Shed’s patented “smesh grappling” and an expert in ground-and-pound. Don’t be deceived by Kuse’s three TKO’s wins because he is dangerous wherever the fight goes.
41-year-old, Rob Fuller, makes his Titan FC debut Friday. The 13-fight veteran steps into the cage on a four fight skid, but seeks to derail the Kuse hype train. Fuller is an aggressive striker who has yet to be out of the first round in the entirety of his pro career. In fact, his longest pro bout was just 2:51. The Colorado native makes his was to Miami to make a statement. However, he will have to be at the top of his game come fight time.
Muhammad Naimov (5-2) vs. Andres Ponce (5-6-1)
Dana White’s Contender Series veteran and former Titan FC featherweight title challenger, is set to make his return to the Titan FC cage this weekend. Naimov is nothing short of an entertaining scrapper, who throws ever strike with fight ending intentions. His previous bout with current champ, Olivier Murad, is up there for Titan FC fight of the year. Although he’s on a two fight skid, his losses are to current UFC featherweight, Collin Anglin and Titan FC featherweight champ, Olivier Murad. Naimov does his training with the likes of Cory Sandhagen, who will be in his corner, and Drew Dober at Elevation Fight Team in Denver, Colorado. The Tajikistan native is a very high level striker who throws insanely powerful kicks. However, his submission game is a bit underrated. Naimov’s toughness and durability is second to none as well.
Andres Ponce is a very intriguing featherweight. He is a three time WSOF veteran and even has a submission win over former Bellator bantamweight champion, Juan Archuleta. All of Ponce’s wins have come by way of finish and he’s only been out of the second round three times in his career. Ponce does his training at Jay Page’s Jiu-Jitsu and All Night Striking in Scottsdale, AZ. Although he’s coming off a tough loss, he is 2-1 in his last three bouts, with two finishes in under 5:15. This will be Ponce’s first fight in two years after copious amounts of cancellations. This bout has fight of the night written all over it, don’t blink.
Angel Alvarez (2-0) vs. Xavier Graham (0-0)
Angel Alvarez will make his third walk to the Titan FC cage at Titan FC 72. The 10-time Cuban Judo national champion is a blast to watch every time he steps in the cage. Alvarez does his training at the Goat Shed along with three other members on the card. He is known for his explosive and athletic ability. Alvarez puts relentless pressure on his opponents whether it’s on the feet, in the clinch or on the ground. He’s taking on pro MMA debutant Xavier Graham.
Christian Ynastrilla (6-3) vs. Nate Williams (31-21)
Christian Ynastrilla makes his fifth Titan FC appearance this weekend. The submission specialist is coming off a nine-month layoff. He steps in the cage on a two fight skid however, he’s proved to be a household name in the Titan FC flyweight division. The former Titan FC flyweight title challenger has five of his six wins by submission, four in under 2:05. Ynastrilla is aware of his veteran opponent and expects to get his hand raised Friday night.
Nate Williams is an MMA veteran of 52 pro bouts. Not only does he have experience, but he is a finisher. In his 31 wins, he’s been the victor by stoppage 26 times, 18 of those by submission. Williams has been in the cage with the likes of Zach Makovsky, Brandon Royval and former Titan FC flyweight champion and teammate of Ynastrilla, Juan Puerta. As both martial artists are quality finishers, this should be fireworks.
Asa Ten Pow (0-0) vs. Earnest Walls (2-18)
Glory Kickboxing veteran, Asa Ten Pow, makes his long awaited pro MMA debut Friday night. He is 6-1 in pro kickboxing and 3-0 in Muay Thai. The 31-year-old is a tenured veteran when it comes to fighting. He made his amateur MMA debut in 2012 and has over 50 amateur kickboxing and Muay Thai bouts. He does his training at Sanford MMA and at his own gym, Florida Kickboxing Academy. Asa Ten Pow never fails to entertain so expect nothing less at Titan FC 72.
Earnest Walls makes his fifth walk to the Titan FC cage for his 21st pro MMA bout. He has been extremely active as this will be his 7th pro boxing and MMA bout of the year. Walls is a boxer with a wrestling background and is always a tough opponent. Some notable names Earnest Walls has been in the cage with are Roy Echeverria, Ryan Kuse and former Titan FC bantamweight champion and current Bellator bantamweight, Danny Sabatello.
Soslan Abanokov (5-4-1 1NC) vs. Ty Kalista (6-5)
WSOF veteran Soslan Abanokov makes his return to the cage after nearly two and a half years off. Abanokov is an aggressive kickboxer as well as a quality wrestler. The 32-year-old throws heavy kicks and is expected to bring the fight to his opponent. He recently made the move to American Combat Gym to train with the likes of Charles Rosa, Matt Wagy and Coach Charles McCarthy.
Ty Kalista is a Jiu-Jitsu wizard. Born in Georgia, now living in the Dominican Republic, Kalista has dedicated his life to MMA. At 24-years-old, he’s made a name for himself as one of the more dominant Jiu-Jitsu specialist in the Caribbean. He has four wins by submission including the only submission win by twister in Titan FC history. This will be his second fight in just 13 days. I fully anticipate this to be a banger and believe the judges will probably not be needed here.
Prelims (Titan FC Facebook page 7pm ET):
Roy Echeverria (5-0) vs. Ken Sabino (0-2)
Jarret Betancourt (2-0) vs. Robert Presley (0-0)
By: Coby Weinsier