Titan FC returned last night with a stacked fight card, containing no fewer than 4 title fights. The title action began with top prospect Brett Johns facing Walel Watson for the bantamweight crown and featured UFC vets Pat Healy, Chase Gormley and Jon Madsen. In the main event former Bellator standout Desmond Green, put his Titan FC title on the line against Kurt Holobaugh.
Titan FC Featherweight title: Kurt Holobaugh def. Desmond Green via Split Decision (49-46, 48-47, 47-48)
Kurt Holobaugh came into his main-event title fight with Desmond Green as an underdog. Desmond Green had looked incredible over the last 18 months bar his lone loss to Daniel Weichel but surprisingly, Holobaugh used superior footwork and striking to systematically pick Green apart at times. Green had a big wrestling advantage on paper, but was unable to utilise it in the cage and ended up getting out struck on the feet for the better part of 5 rounds.
While the official decision reads a split decision, there really wasn’t much doubt in the result. Holobaugh clearly won and looked good doing it.
Titan FC Heavyweight title: Chase Gormley def. Jon Madsen via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Well, I jinxed this one. In my preview on Friday I said that there was no chance that this fight would go the distance but boy was I proved wrong. For 5 rounds these two heavyweights waged a war of exceptionally sloppy proportions. This fight was really painful to watch and proved the lack of talent in the heavyweight division outside the UFC.
In the end Gormley was just too good for Madsen on the feet and thoroughly deserved his victory. I feel however that if Dave Herman is indeed next in line for a title shot with Titan FC he will handily beat Gormley.
Titan FC Lightweight title : Pat Healy def. Kurt Kinser via Split Decision (49-46, 49-46, 47-48)
Kinser vs. Healy was really an exciting back and forth fight, Kinser looked to have Healy’s number in the first round but Healy came back and showed his veteran savvy to secure the 2nd and 3rd rounds. In the 4th, Healy showed his superior grappling coming close to a Kimura and it was more of the same in the 5th. As Healy looked set to win a clear unanimous decision, or so it seemed until one judge bizarrely scored the fight for Kurt Kinser.
It was nice to see Healy win gold given his history in the sport and while he is most certainly in the twilight of his career, it will be interesting to see who he faces next time out.
Andre Harrison def. Cody Bollinger via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody Bollinger has made a name for himself for being a controversial character but his in-cage exploits have never quite matched his out of cage exploits and in Andre Harrison, he was faced with a very tough opponent on for his Titan FC debut.
Andre Harrison entered the cage with an unblemished record and over the course of 15 minutes, he showed just how talented he is. Harrison took Bollinger down at will and truly controlled the former WSOF fighter with ease, Bollinger looked out classed throughout and Harrison looked like he has the potential to perhaps be a title contender for Titan FC in the near future.
Titan FC Bantamweight title: Brett Johns def. Walel Watson via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 3:06
Eyebrows were raised when Titan FC signed Brett Johns and gave him an immediate title shot, but Johns proved the doubters wrong last night with a dominant performance against UFC veteran Walel Watson .
In the first round, Johns established dominance on the feet with some decent combos, but it was when the fight hit the canvas that the Welshman really began to impose his will with an onslaught of elbows which cut Watson before the end of the round. It was more of the same in the second round for Johns. The round started with Johns slamming Watson to the ground from a high crotch, Watson tried to get back to his feet and it was then that Johns saw his opportunity to finish, craftily locking in a rear naked choke in a scramble and forcing Watson to tap.
Here’s a Youtube video of the finish:
Preliminary Card Results
Anthony Gutierrez scored the knockout of the night when he starched Austin Lyons with a beautiful head kick. Check out the GIF from Reddit MMA.
Anthony Gutierrez def. Austin Lyons by Technical Knock Out, Round 3, 3:28
Belal Muhammad def. Keith Johnson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Brian Davidson def. Estevan Payan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Marcus Edwards def. Adam Nijem by submission, Rear-Naked Choke, Round 1, 1:20
Andrew Ulrich def. Bobby Cooper by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
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