Titan FC 35: Healy vs. Hawn – Preview and Picks

The Titan Fighting Championships returns this Saturday night on UFC Fight Pass with Titan FC 35: Healy vs. Hawn and features three championship matchups. Here’s a preview of the event which takes place from the Clark County Fairgrounds Event Center in Ridgefield, Washington. Pat Healy (c) vs. Rick Hawn (Lightweight Title)  UFC veteran Healy makes the second defence of his lightweight championship as he faces Olympic judoka Hawn. Healy (29-20) is coming a win over Marcus Edwards at Titan FC 34, where he was able to weather the storm in the first to earn a TKO victory in the second. Since his UFC release last year, Healy has yet to lose a fight. The Washington native also hasn’t been finished in fight since a 2010 submission loss to Josh Thomson at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum and hasn’t been knocked out since a 2007 loss to Rory Markkam at IFL: Moline. Hawn (20-4) returns to Titan FC after earning a unanimous decision over Derek Loffer at CES 28 this past March and will be looking for his third straight win. The Sityotdong Boston product has looked great in the lightweight division, but faces a big step in the current lightweight torch-bearer. While I expect this to be a competitive fight, Healys aggressiveness, youth and overall experience should be the difference in taking home a unanimous decision victory. Healy via unanimous decision Best Bets: Healy wins by unanimous decision prop, OVER 4.5 Rounds.   Andre Harrison (c) vs. Desmond Green (Featherweight Title)  In arguably the most competitive match up on the card, featherweight champion Harrison looks to keep his unblemished record in tact when he faces former Titan FC 145-pound champion Green. Harrison (10-0) recently defeated Kurt Holobaugh at Titan FC 34 to capture the promotions featherweight title, winning by unanimous decision. It was his tenth win in a row and his third straight decision victory. Green (15-4) also competed on that Titan FC 34 card in July and needed just 32 seconds to knock out his opponent Vince Eazelle. The 25-year old has been spending the majority of his training camp down in Florida with the Blackzillians and will no doubt look to put his ever improving striking on display in this championship co-main event. Stylistically both fighters have exceptional wrestling and posses solid power in their hands.  MMA math would suggest Harrison will emerge victorious in this matchup as Green lost to Holobaugh at Titan FC 33 while Harrison defeated UFC veteran. But if Green can stuff  his opponents takedowns and keep this fight on the feet, he should be able to outstrike the champion and earn a judges decision. Green via unanimous decision Best Bets: Green, Green wins by unanimous decision prop. Tim Elliott (c) vs. Felipe Efrain (Flyweight title) Newly crowned flyweight champion Elliott looks for his first two fight win streak since 2013 when he meets promotional newcomer Efrain. Elliott (11-6-1) dominated Illarde Santos at Titan FC 34 to earn a unanimous decision and the promotions vacant 125-pound title. While many fans enjoyed watching the UFC veteran showboat in his last fight, he won’t get away with those antics against the tough 21-year old Chute Box product. Efrain (9-1) makes his North American debut and has won six of his nine fights by finish. The lone blemish on his record was a split decision loss to Jose Alexandre at Circuito de Lutas Fight night 3 back in September 2014. Both fighters are comfortable anywhere the fight goes, but Elliott will have the clear edge in experience having fought six times for the UFC. This will be a fun fight to watch and a potential ‘Fight of the Night’ candidate, but Elliot should do enough to win a close decision. Elliot via unanimous decision Best Bets: OVER 4.5 rounds   Zane Kamaka vs. Belal Muhammad Two of Titan FC’s brightest welterweight prospects lock horns as TUF 16 contestant Kamaka faces Bellator veteran Muhammad. Kamaka (9-1) has gone 3-1 since appearing on The Ultimate Fighter, with two of those victories coming by finish. Training in Hawaii with the likes of UFC featherweight Max Holloway, expect Kamaka to come out aggressive and look to set the pace in this fight early. Muhammad (7-0) is known for grinding out his opponents, where five of his seven wins have come by decision. Holding victories over the likes of Bellator welterweight AJ Matthews and Titan FC’s Keith Johnson, Muhammad faces another exceptional opponent in Kamaka. While Hawaiian has arguably the better striking and will be the bigger fighter in this matchup (standing 6’1 compared to Muhammad who is 5’10) he could have a tough time with Muhammad who is known for neutralizing his opponents. For that reason, expect Muhammad to keep his undefeated record in tact and take home a unanimous decision Muhammad via unanimous decision Best Bets: Muhammad wins by decision prop, OVER 2.5 rounds   Steven Siler vs. Austin Springer UFC veteran Siler makes his return to the Titan cage as he battles TUF 22 contestant Springer. Siler (26-14) lost four straight fights from 2013-2014 but has since turned things around finishing his last three opponents. Most people will remember Springer for his TKO loss to Chris Gruetzemacher on TUF 22 last week, where he was dominated from the opening bell in a fight that many felt should have been stopped much sooner. Outside that exhibition loss, Springer has kept an unblemished 7-0 record, with six of this victories coming by finish. Along with having a height and reach advantage, Siler has a clear edge in experience having fought nine times in the UFC. Expect Siler to come out agressive and look for the early finish, as he sets himself up for a featherweight title shot. Siler via first round knockout Best Bets: Siler inside the distance prop   Undercard Novelli over Brooks Khamanaev over Knight Simon over Soto Smith over Uluilakpa Walker ver Odgen Petties over Abed Bice over Jaime

Written by James Lynch

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