NFA: Titans - Preview

A titan is someone of prodigious size, strength, or achievement. For the 30 men and women on Saturday night's card, it is an opportunity to stand with your hand held high and mark your name on the annals of St. Louis MMA history.

Presented by the Nemesis Fighting Alliance, "Titans" takes place this Saturday at Casa Loma on Cherokee Street. It will be the 3rd of 4 events this year for NFA, and 5th overall since Brad Cary and Marlene Kelly took over the promotion last spring.

As with most NFA events, there's a little something for everyone with some intriguing MMA match-ups, a pro kickboxing bout, women's K1, and even a super heavyweight bout to round things out.

A featherweight main event headlines the card as undefeated Josh Augustine faces Austin Peterson. Augustine is a replacement for Peterson's original opponent, Sean Woodson, who punched his ticket to the UFC with a spectacular knockout victory at Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series.

Peterson,who's biggest claim to fame is a victory over UFC and Rizin-vet Ben Ngyuen in Peterson's professional debut, will be Augustine's toughest match by far. Augustine has cruised in his first couple of fights taking almost no damage in the process, will definitely have his hands full with "Crazy Eyes" Peterson. This bout will show exactly what Augustine is made of, and could propel him to bigger and better things should he find a way to stop Peterson.

Back again and looking to stay unbeaten, Drew Gigax will take on DJ Miller in a K1 rules match. Pro kickboxing in the cage has made for some exciting and breathless moments since the State Athletic Comission signed off on what was previously only allowed in the ring. Gigax has barely been scratched in his handful of pro matches but a seasoned striker in the way Nashville, Tennessee's Miller could be up to the challenge. Miller has a seasoned striking background having competed for over 10 years as an amateur and pro, and could be Gigax's toughest test to date. Since Gigax moved camps to KCB he has looked even better with veteran coach Quinton O'Brien taking charge.

Hoping to put the loss in his comeback fight behind him, Ray Grindstaff returns to the St. Louis fight scene for the first time since December of 2014. Grindstaff returned from his long layoff last month in a bout in Kansas City where he would go on to lose by triangle in the first. Grindstaff will have completely rid himself of 5 years of ring rust by Saturday when he faces off against William Shutt a veteran of over 50 professional fights.

Kevin Brown looks to bounce back from a loss in June's NFA against Jordan Dowdy to find victory over Keyth Dawson. After a somewhat promising amateur career, Dawson dropped his professional debut, and will be hungry to right the ship for his second bout in the cage.

Rounding out the pro main card is a super-heavy weight featuring "Mad" Max McNeely fighting out of Gladiator Academy in Cape Girardeau taking on Charles Rodgers. This bout could end suddenly with both fighters packing serious firepower, but as with most super heavies will come down to who has the biggest gas tank.

Headlining the all-amateur preliminary card is hands down the area's top amateur fighter Sam Paneitz. Paneitz is putting down the microphone and his usual duties as NFA color commentator to enter the cage against David Johnson.

A special treat for fans is a pair of brothers, Harrison and Hunter Mccormick will join their teammate from St. Charles MMA, Josh Augustine, on Saturday's card. Harrison will compete in a K1 rules match while younger brother Hunter takes on Kaehi Makekau in a MMA match.

Full fight card (Subject to change):

Josh Augustine vs Austin Peterson
Drew Gigax vs DJ Miller -- K1
Ray Grindstaff vs William Shutt
Kevin Brown vs Keyth Dawson
Charles Rodgers vs Max McNeely

David Johnson vs Sam Paneitz
Lisa Mucci vs Elizabeth Helton -- K1
Harrison McCormick vs Cortez Snipes -- K1
Tivon Taylor vs TBA
Hunter McCormick vs Kaehi Makekau
John Sarmento vs Steven Needy
Terry Copling vs Austin Wright
Clayton Berry vs Brendan Wolf
Da'rell Fulgram vs Collin Barrett
Davion Trotter vs Tanner Gestes

Nemesis Fighting Alliance: Titans
Saturday, August, 17th
Casa Loma Ballroom, St. Louis, MO