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Several ex-UFC fighters featured in Titan Fighting Championship's return on February 28th

Titan FC is back, and they're making a push to be more than just a Kansas-based promotion. Their first card under new ownership is set for February 28th and includes several UFC, Bellator, and Strikeforce veterans.

By Mookie Alexander
Anne-Marie Sorvin-US PRESSWIRE

Kansas-based Titan Fighting Championship was a fixture on HDNet/AXS TV, featuring predominantly prospects and local talent, but also current and former UFC fighters such as Jason High, Jamie Varner, Tim Sylvia, Zak Cummings, and Anthony Johnson. Resurrection Fighting Alliance merged with Titan FC in late 2012, but president Joe Kelly ran two more shows before the organization was purchased by current CEO Jeff Aronson of Alchemist Management fame.

Now under new management, Titan FC has a deal with CBS Sports Network to broadcast main card fights on the digital cable subscription channel as well as stream all of the prelims on cbssportsnetwork.com. The first event for Titan under Aronson will be February 28th, and features Mike Ricci and Jorge Gurgel in the main event, with Matt Riddle moving up to middleweight to take on Michael Kuiper in the co-main. The card also includes the infamous Pedro Nobre, Kurt Holobaugh, and TUF 18's Anthony Gutierrez.

According to Aronson, you can expect the following:

  • Fighters receiving locker room bonuses for finishes.
  • A bigger emphasis on signing UFC/Strikeforce/Bellator veterans, as well as prospects with at least 4 pro fights. The last 18 fighters they've added to the roster have a combined record of 171-18.
  • Holding shows outside of Kansas City and venturing towards other states.
  • All fighters will have an opt-out clause in the event they're approached by the UFC to be signed.
By Aronson's own words he is heavily invested in the success of Titan without directly competing with Zuffa, which he says "no one is going to be able to do". It looks like Titan FC is going to become a hub for potential new stars as well as an opportunity for those released by Zuffa or Bellator to stay active, get a few fights in, and potentially re-sign with a bigger organization.

If Titan FC can thrive under Aronson then they should definitely be considered a viable "feeder league" to the UFC. While I'm certain the interest in Mike Ricci is fairly minimal after his dismal UFC run, he's still a young fighter, as are Riddle, Kuiper, Gutierrez, etc. so they're not "has-beens", and can earn another crack at the Octagon if they string together a few impressive wins.

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