Travis Lizotte “Full Contact Writer”
Don Shainis (8-2) vs. Nate Williams (12-7)
Featherweight Title
Age: 30
Fighting out of: St. Louis, Missouri by way of Easton, Massachusetts
Affiliation: Glory MMA & Fitness
Record: 8-2 (4 Knockouts, 3 Submissions)
Last fight: Second Round Knockout victory over Kevin Barbarena at Cage Titans 47. (01/25/20)
“The Skinny”: “Shameless” Don Shainis made a huge statement in January of 2020 at Cage Titans 47 when he overcame a big step up in competition while notching a second round knockout of Kevin Barbarena in the process. With his eyes firmly on cracking the UFC’s roster Shainis wants all the smoke at 145, the tougher the competition; the bigger the spot and that is what Don thrives on. So when the time came for Cage Titans to return post-covid there was only one real choice to headline the card and that choice was ”Shameless.” What ended up being the trickier part of that equation was finding Don an opponent, Shainis had been scheduled to fight Darius Estell at Cage Titans 48 for the Cage Titans vacant Featherweight Belt but just two weeks before the bout Estell was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury. With just a short window of time to save the bout, Cage Titans boss Michael Polvere called on Atlanta’s “Nasty” Nate Williams, and Williams was quick to accept the challenge.
Currently riding an impressive four fight win streak all coming by stoppage Don Shainis has shown no signs of slowing down since making a comeback from a career threatening neck injury. An in your face brawler, Don has dynamite in his hands and sneaky submission techniques once the fight hits the canvas. Shainis has taken his game to a new level this camp having moved to St. Louis to train at Glory MMA under the tutelage of one of the nation’s most highly regarded coaches, UFC Middleweight; James Krause. Cage Titans fans will be eager to see that move pay dividends this tomorrow night, when Shainis returns home to Plymouth Memorial Hall.
Age: 33
Fighting out of: Atlanta, Georgia
Affiliation: X3 Sports
Record: 12-7 (1 Knockout, 5 Submissions)
Last fight: Second Round Knockout loss to Damir Ferhatbegovic at Valor Fighting Challenge 83. (06/04/21)
“The Skinny”: Representing X3 and Fighting out of the ATL “Nasty” Nate Williams is an extremely athletic well rounded fighter who has faced some stiff competition in the Southeast across his 19 fight professional career. With 12 wins to his credit, six coming by way of stoppage including five submissions the BJJ Black Belt poses a serious threat to the well being of anyone locked inside the cage with him. Nate also unveils a high volume striking approach that he will use to back his opponents to the cage before summoning thunderous takedowns that set the stage for his top notch submission game.
Williams passed on an opportunity to fight in front of Dana White on Dana White’s Looking for a Fight to make this trip to New England, to headline Cage Titans 48, to challenge Don Shainis for the Cage Titans Featherweight strap and send the Cage Titans fans home with a sour taste in their mouths. For Williams, it’s all business and business isn’t finished until he is on his way back to the “Dirty South” with a W in his back pocket and that strap around his waist.
Breakdown: Ask for the smoke and you get the smoke, in my opinion Williams is a much tougher challenge to Shainis’ current winning streak than former challenger Daruis Estell. Williams is massive for the division, standing at 5’11” and carrying a 74” reach “Nasty” Nate will outsize Don Shainis nearly everywhere. One area that Williams will have trouble outsizing Shainis is heart, fueled by the Cage Titans faithful and a desire for greatness Don Shainis has been on a warpath over the last two years collecting four bodies on his way to a shot at the Cage Titans title. A win here would not only earn Shainis the coveted Cage Titans belt but likely propel his career near the cusp of the UFC.
“Nasty” Nate Williams has similar aspirations to the streaking Shainis, mentioning yesterday at the Cage Titans 48 press conference that he values another win on his resume more than leaving Plymouth wearing Cage Titans gold. “I’m here to bring home the “W”” Williams said when asked about the prospect of winning the Cage Titans belt. “The UFC is looking for wins so that’s what I came here for.” Both sides of this highly anticipated title fight are talented enough to challenge in the UFC and we have the pleasure of watching them perform Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd at Plymouth Memorial Hall as “Shameless” Don Shainis and “Nasty” Nate Williams headline the return of Cage Titans when they lock horns for the vacant 145 pounds strap!
