Kurt Holobaugh
Desmond Green had to cut off his dreadlocks to make weight and defend his Titan FC featherweight championship against Strikeforce and UFC veteran Kurt Holobaugh at Titan FC 33. Holobaugh had no intention of allowing the weight cut to be the most difficult part of Green’s weekend.
The majority of the fight was contested on the feet, with Holobaugh (14-2) doing slightly more in the striking game while Green (14-4) would score with a takedown at some point in most rounds, but never being able to do significant work or truly control the fight.
Holobaugh controlled the center of the cage when the two men were striking, forcing Green to retreat for much of the fight while Holobaugh picked his spots to throw strikes. Green’s trainer, Firas Zahabi, spent much of the bout imploring Green to utilize his wrestling, but Green was content to strike, rarely showing a commitment to try to get the fight to the ground over the 25 minutes of ring time, and that decision to stay on the feet and get out-struck cost him dearly.
The fighters would go the distance and the judges awarded the featherweight title to Holobaugh by split decision 48-47, 46-49, 47-48.
Chase Gormley wins vacant Titan FC heavyweight title with controversial decision
John Madsen (8-2) came out for his Titan FC heavyweight title fight with Chase Gormley (12-4) throwing some huge punches that landed repeatedly to the head of the bigger Gormley. Gormley managed to absorb the heavy blows and the first frame settled into a pattern of both men stomping and feinting with neither landing much effective offense.
The slow, grinding nature of the fight changed somewhat in round four when Madsen landed a big flurry that split the eyebrow of Gormley. Later in the round it was more big strikes from Madsen, landing big punches and knees but Gormley was able to survive the barrage again.
The two big men went to the scorecards where Gormley won the vacant title and took a decision that seemed to shock most watching 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
Veteran Healy too much for Kinser in lightweight title fight
The Titan FC lightweight title was on the line when Kurt Kinser (8-1) took on Strikeforce and UFC veteran Pat Healy (31-20). Kinser was looking to make his name against the tough Healy and things were going well for him in the first round, as he almost finished Healy with an armbar and landed some good strikes on the ground.
Round two was another strong one for Kinser until Healy came back, getting good position on the ground and doing some damage. Round three played out similarly before Healy locked in a reverse triangle choke and tried to attack from the position but couldn’t finish before the round ended. Amazingly, it took only seconds into round four before Healy locked the reverse triangle up again and almost finished the fight by adding a kimura to the hold. Kinser fought through it but the fight was pulling more and more even with the veteran Healy finding crafty ways to throw Kinser off his game.
Healy had a strong final round, taking the back early and working strikes and a rear naked choke attempt that didn’t quite get the finish.
The fight went to the judges’ scorecards where 47-48, 49-46, 49-46, awarding Healy with the split decision and the Titan FC title.
The broadcast opened with World Series of Fighting veteran Cody Bollinger (17-4) taking on undefeated Andre Harrison (9-0) in a featherweight bout. Harrison was quick to score with a takedown and controlled the action on the ground. The second and third frames were not much different as Harrison was far too physically dominant, utilizing his wrestling to ground and control Bollinger. In the end, the judges saw it as a clear clean sweep on the scorecards, all seeing the fight 30-27.
Titan FC 33 results:
MAIN CARD
- Kurt Holobaugh def. Desmond Green via split decision (49-46, 47-48, 48-47) – to win featherweight title
- Chase Gormley def. Jon Madsen via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – to win heavyweight title
- Pat Healy def. Kurt Kinser via split deicision (47-48, 49-46, 49-46) – to win lightweight title
- Andre Harrison def. Cody Bollinger via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Brett Johns def. Walel Watson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:06 – to win bantamweight title
- Anthony Gutierrez def. Austin Lyons via knockout (head kick and punches) – Round 3, 3:28
- Belal Muhammad def. Keith Johnson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Brian Davidson def. Estevan Payan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Marcus Edwards def. Adam Nijem via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:20
- Andy Uhrich def. Bobby Cooper via split decision (29-27, 29-28, 28-29)
For more on Titan FC 33, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.
