UFC and Bellator veteran Don Shainis is set to step back into the cage on January 25th at Cage Titans 69, taking on rising prospect Tom Pagliarulo in Plymouth, MA. Shainis is coming into the fight on a hot streak, having notched back-to-back wins, including a second-round submission victory over Tom Santos that pushed his record to 15 professional wins.
While this fight wasn’t originally on Shainis’ radar, it’s been in the works for a few months. Shainis said, “[Pagliarulo] trains with the New England Cartel. I’ve helped and trained with the New England Cartel here and there and I’m good friends with a couple guys on their team. When they asked for it, I was kind of shocked. He’s looking for a step up in competition, but he f***ed up asking for me.”
Pagliarulo has shown flashes of potential and has hinted in interviews that his wrestling and grappling might surprise people. Shainis, however, doesn’t seem too worried. “I think he’s solid at the fundamentals, and he’s got a good team behind him, but every time he tries to step up, he falls a step behind,” Shainis said. “I feel like I’m good at creating chaos and [my opponents] can’t keep up.”
For Shainis, the game plan isn’t about wearing Pagliarulo down physically but rather breaking him mentally and physically. “I think his cardio is going to hold up,” he said. “But it’s less about drowning him and more about breaking his will. I’m here to break [his] will and make [him] quit.”
Shainis is known for his relentless pressure and high-energy style, something that has carried him through a career filled with tough opponents at every level of the sport. While Pagliarulo is seen as an up-and-comer with a bright future, Shainis plans to make it clear he’s still a level above.
In discussing the matchup, Shainis expressed confidence in his experience and fighting style, emphasizing that he brings a level of pace and chaos that most opponents struggle to handle over the duration of a fight. He acknowledged that his opponent sees this fight as a step up, but made it clear he doesn’t view himself as the type of fighter to test those ambitions against.
Fans in Plymouth are in for a treat as Shainis looks to keep his momentum going and show why he’s one of the toughest fighters in the game. With Pagliarulo aiming to make a name for himself, this fight has all the makings of an all-out war.
Tickets for Cage Titans 69 are on sale now, and with a matchup like this on the card, it’s a night MMA fans won’t want to miss. For those unable to attend in person, the card will be viewable on SpectationSports (use Promo Code: 4OZ for 20% off your subscription).
