Titan FC 33 Betting Odds

Friday night will be a busy one for title bouts, as Titan FC 33 has four separate belts up for grabs. From bantamweights up to heavyweights, the promotion’s title picture is in for a major shakeup. Three of the four champions who will emerge on Friday will be the first at their weight in Titan FC history. The main event sees the only title defense on the card, as Desmond Green puts the featherweight title he captured last event on the line against UFC and Strikeforce veteran Kurt Holobaugh. Green has added some improved striking to his wrestling base of late, but he will likely be at a disadvantage on the feet against the explosive Holobaugh. The biggest (literally) of the title fights features a pair of UFC veterans, as Jon Madsen takes on Chase Gormley in the heavyweight division. This will just be Madsen’s second appearance in MMA since his lone loss to Mike Russow back in March 2011. His last bout was just over a year ago, as he defeated Matt Foster by TKO in South Dakota. Gormley has been much busier of late, including a 3-0 2014 campaign. In the lightweight division, Strikeforce and UFC veteran Pat Healy takes on undefeated wrestler Kurt Kinser for another title. Healy was cut from the UFC after going 0-4 with 1 no contest in the promotion, but rebounded with a win over Ricardo Tirloni in his first bout outside the promotion. Kinser returned from two years away from MMA to up his record to 8-0 back in November, and picked up his seventh stoppage along the way. Healy will be a tough out, but can be a great gauge of exactly how good Kinser can be in MMA. The fourth title fight on Titan FC 33 will actually take place on the CBS Sports Network prelim stream, as former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion Brett Johns looks to add a North American organization’s belt to his mantle, as he takes on Walel Watson. Johns is a strong wrestling-based fighter (especially for a Brit), and Watson has historically struggled against strong grapplers, even though he presents his own challenges no matter where the fights go. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for the four title bouts, as well as two additional fights from Titan FC 33 today at Several Bookmakers. Take a look: MAIN CARD (CBS Sports Network, 11pm ET)

PRELIMINARY CARD (CBSSportsNetwork.com, 10pm ET)

Brad’s Analysis: I think there is some definitely dog potential on this card, as the two Kurts both have excellent shots at walking out with a belt. I think Holobaugh is the more dangerous fighter, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see his fight with Green look very similar to Green’s bout with Daniel Weichel in Bellator. Green usually does get a decent amount of support from the public however, so it may be wise to wait on this line as it may produce a better number. As for Kinser, I think that Pat Healy may just be too faded to compete with a strong, young wrestler at this point. Kinser has never been as deep in a fight as Healy is likely to take him, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him control the early rounds and hold on for a decision. As for the heavyweight and bantamweight bouts, I expect both favorites to use their superior grappling skills to earn victories. The difference is that Chase Gormley likely won’t be able to hold on for five rounds to see the scorecards, whereas Walel Watson can use his crafty defensive skills to avoid taking too much punishment against Brett Johns. The two non-title fights are both tough to call. Andre Harrison wasn’t particularly impressive in his Titan debut, but I think he’s got more skills than he showed in that fight. Cody Bollinger is talented but mercurial, both on the scales and in fights. If he doesn’t show up 100% for this bout (and he rarely does when forced to cut to the bantamweight limit), Harrison can outbox and outwrestle him. That’s what I expect too happen, and if the public flips this line I’ll consider a play on Harrison. The Gutierrez/Lyons bout is one I just want to stay away from entirely as Gutierrez is equally as proficient on offense as he is deficient on defense. Lyons is tough to put away, and that alone may allow him to stay in this bout long enough to find an opening on Gutierrez. I still lean towards to more talented fighter in Gutierrez, but he wouldn’t be a confident play for me.