The main event of Titan FC 33 is a five-round featherweight title fight between Titan FC featherweight champion Desmond Green and challenger Kurt Holobaugh. According to the current betting lines available at Several Bookmakers, Green is a -205 favorite (bet $205 to win $100) while Holobaugh is a +165 underdog (bet $100 to win $165). MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened up Green as a -260 favorite and Holobaugh as a +180 underdog, and so far action has come in on the underdog Holobaugh. This is a very close fight, but I do lean towards the champion to retain his title. Here’s why. Green (14-3) is the Titan FC featherweight champion and is 2-0 in the promotion thus far with wins over Steven Siler and Miguel Torres. The 25-year-old American was a member of the Bellator roster from 2013 – 2014 and compiled a 3-2 record in Bellator before being cut following his loss to Daniel Weichel in the featherweight tournament final last May. Most fans and media considered Bellator to have cut Green too soon, and he’s proven they did by winning the Titan FC belt. Green has always been a solid grinder, but training at TriStar in Montreal now, he’s improved his striking as well and showed off those improvements with his brutal KO of Torres. Considering he’s only 25, Green has a bright future in the sport, and if he can get past Holobaugh this weekend, the UFC may call him up to the big show. Holobaugh (13-2) is 2-0 in Titan FC with wins over Lloyd Woodard and Eric Marriott. The 28-year-old American is currently riding a four-fight win streak since being cut by Zuffa following a 0-2 stint in the UFC/Strikeforce, where he lost to Pat Healy and Steven Siler in competitive fights. Most thought Holobuagh was cut too soon after the Siler fight, and he’s proven his worth as a fighter with all of his wins since then. A well-rounded, dangerous fighter, Holobaugh has 10 stoppage wins in his career including seven by submission. He’s a pretty good wrestler, has solid striker, and his ground game is legit as well. However, he can be taken down, and it cost him in his fights against Siler and Healy. And considering Green is a wrestler as well, one would have to imagine he’ll be looking for takedowns in this spot, and if Holobaugh hasn’t improved his TDD enough, he’s going to have a hard time not getting laid on for three rounds. I’m very expecting a very close, competitive fight here between two well-rounded mixed martial artists. I think Holobaugh has the edge in the striking department, but I give Green the edge in the grappling. I believe this fight will go the full five rounds, and I think the difference is going to be Green’s ability to control where the fight takes place with his takedowns. I think he can win three rounds out of the five to win the title. I’m not confident enough to lay 2-to-1 on him, but I do favor him to win. If anything, OVER 4.5 rounds at -145 is worth a look here as I see this fight going the distance. It’s a tough one, but I think you have to lean towards the champ to get the job done.
