The Titan Fighting Championships returns Friday night for their first event this year and offers an exceptional fight card including four championship matchups. Titan FC 33 emanates from The Aeroplex at Brookley in Mobile, Alabama and is part of Mobile Aerofest, a weeklong event which gives back to the American military. This star studded card will also feature the promotional debuts of former UFC fighters Jon Madsen and Chase Gormley, as well as former WSOF standout Cody Bollinger. Here are five reasons to tune into Titan FC 33. UFC Audition? In the night’s main event, newly crowned featherweight champion Des Green faces off with former UFC fighter Kurt Holobaugh for the 145 pound title. With Titan having a UFC-out clause in their fighter contracts, this winner of this fight could very well end up with the Las Vegas based promotion. Green earned the featherweight strap when he defeated Steven Siler by unanimous decision in his last fight this past December at Titan FC 32. If the 25-year old can earn his third straight victory – and do so impressively – a UFC call-up may not be far off. Conversely for Holobaugh, a winner of four straight fights, if he can emerge victorious, a return to the UFC would seem likely. Stylistically, the Tristar product Green will want to keep this bout on the feet as Holobaugh boasts seven wins by submission. Neither fighter has ever been knocked out in their career, so we could expect an all-out war in this championship showdown. Healy Goes For Gold 51-fight veteran Pat Healy competes for the promotions vacant lightweight title against undefeated Kurt Kinser. Following four straight losses inside the octagon, Healy was released from the UFC last year, but did pick up a win this past December at Arena Tour 4 over Bellator veteran Ricardo Triloni. Aiming for his first two fight win streak since early 2013, Healy faces a hungry up and comer in 27-year old Kinser. The Indiana native Kinser has fought primarily on the regional circuit and has only gone the distance once in his eight fight career. Neither of these fighters are afraid to stand and bang, so expect this championship matchup to be a candidate for “Fight of the Night.” Heavyweights Collide For the Title A pair of UFC veterans duke it out for the vacant Titan FC heavyweight title as Jon Madsen meets Chase Gormley. The TUF 10 contestant Madsen has been relatively inactive since his UFC release in 2011 and last fought in March of 2014, picking up a first round knockout victory over Matt Foster. Gormley meanwhile is riding a four fight win streak and most recently competed for RFA in December where he picked up a unanimous decision victory over Dale Sopi. As with most heavyweight encounters, don’t expect this one going the distance as both fighters have a combined 10 stoppage victories in 24 career bouts. The Bantamweight Strap Up For Grabs UFC veteran Walel “The Gazelle” Watson looks for his first three fight win streak since 2010 when he battles undefeated Cage Warriors fighter Brett Johns for the vacant 135 pound title. Watson is coming off an impressive first round submission victory over TUF 18 veteran Anthony Gutierrez at Titan FC 30 last September. His opponent, the 23-year-old Johns is making his North American debut and has earned five finishes in his 10 fight career. It’s possible this bantamweight encounter could turn into a jiu-jitsu clinic with 13 submission victories between the two of them, but both fighters also possess knockout power. Prospect Watch Also featured on this event are a number of intriguing up and coming prospects to keep an eye on. Former WSOF title challenger and 23-year old Cody Bollinger looks for his fifth victory in his past six fights when he meets undefeated 26-year old Andre Harrison in a featherweight affair. TUF 18 alum and 24-year old Anthony Gutierrez looks to bounce back from the first loss of his career when he meets fellow bantamweight Austin Lyons. Undefeated 26-year old welterweight Belal Muhammed puts his unblemished record on the line against Keith Johnson, a winner of five straight fights. And finally 25-year old Marcus Edwards, a veteran of the MFC promotion, looks to bounce back from a knockout loss to Shane Campbell as he meets 22-year old Adam Nijem in a lightweight contest. Here’s a full lineup of the Titan FC 33 event Main Card 145lbs- Desmond Green (14-3) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (13-2) ***Featherweight Title Fight 265lbs- Chase Gormley (11-4) vs. Jon Madsen (8-1) ***Heavyweight Title Fight 155lbs- Pat Healy (30-20) vs. Kurt Kinser (8-0) ***Lightweight Title Fight 135lbs- Brett Johns (10-0) vs. Walel Watson (13-7) ***Bantamweight Title Fight 145lbs- Cody Bollinger (17-3) vs. Andre Harrison (8-0) 135lbs- Anthony Gutierrez (5-1) vs. Austin Lyons (12-3) 170lbs- Ben Brewer (10-3) vs. Keith Johnson (10-2) 145lbs- Estevan Payan (15-7) vs. Brian Davidson (12-4) 170lbs- Belal Muhammad (6-0) vs. Colton Smith (3-4) 125lbs- Matt Schnell (5-2) vs. Elias Garcia (3-0) 155lbs- Bobby Cooper (11-4) vs. LeVille Simpson (5-1) 155lbs- Robert Washington (18-9) vs. Luciano dos Santos (10-7)
