Titan Fighting Championship Makes HDNet Debut Tonight with Sylvia vs. Wagner Card

(Photo courtesy of Titan FC)

Kansas-based mixed martial arts promotion Titan Fighting Championship (TFC or Titan FC) makes its nationwide HDNet debut tonight at 10pm ET with its un-aired local undercard starting at 8pm ET.  Titan Fighting Championship 16: Sylvia vs. Wagner brings its fans at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas an impressive card stacked with former champions, UFC alumni, and local circuit stars. Headlining the event is a super heavyweight clash between UFC veteran and two-time champion “The Maine-iac” Tim Sylvia (28-6) and The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 alum “Abe” Abraham Wagner (7-2).

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia takes on Abe Wagner in Titan FC 16's super heavyweight main event bout. At yesterday's weigh-ins (pictured) Sylvia came in at 311lbs. (Photo courtesy of Titan FC)

Sylvia has gone 4-2 since requesting he be released from the UFC following his bout with “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 81 in February 2008. Throughout his professional MMA career, the 6’8″ and currently 311lb. Sylvia has earned over two dozen victories including 18 KOs/TKOs, four submissions, and six decisions. His half-dozen defeats have come by way of knockout (one), submission (four), and decision (one). Sylvia holds victories over “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7), “Iron” Mike Whitehead (23-7), “Suave” Ricco Rodriguez (44-11), “The Giant” Gan McGee (13-5), Wes Sims (22-14-1), “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-8), “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (34-10), “The Truth” Brandon Vera (11-6), and “The Executioner” Paul Buentello (28-13).

Abe Wagner comes into the main event fight against Sylvia as the substantially less experienced of the two men, however his reputation as a finisher precedes him. In his seven victories, three have come by way of TKO/KO, two by submission, one by decision, and one via unknown method. Furthermore, he earned five of those victories in the first round. Wagner’s five-year career spans several mixed martial arts promotions as well as a brief stint on TUF 10, in which he was defeated by fellow contestant Jon Madsen (6-0) via Unanimous Decision in their quarter-finals exhibition bout. Wagner is considered the underdog in his Titan FC 16 super heavyweight tilt.

The Titan Fighting Championship 16: Sylvia vs. Wagner card is as follows:

—MAIN CARD (on HDNet)—

Tim Sylvia vs. Abe Wagner
Rudy Bears (12-6) vs. Jason High (10-3)
Rich Clementi (37-16-1) vs. Aaron Derrow (8-2)
Drew McFedries (8-6) vs. Gary Tapusoa (6-1)
Bobby Cooper (5-2) vs. Drew Dober (5-2)
Jon Hollis (1-1) vs. Brian Phillips (3-1)
Jacob Akin (10-3) vs. Anthony Gutierrez (16-3)
Alonzo Martinez (27-12-1) vs. Deryck Ripley (11-18)

—PRELIMS (un-aired)—

Tony Cardello vs. Billy Thomas*
Mac Bailey vs. Mirsad Bektic*
Julian Marquez vs. Jason Perrotta*

*denotes amateur bout