Back in business at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Florida, Titan FC 41 features an undercard that has been ravaged by injuries and last minute changes, but a pair of championship fights will cap a night that should be electric.
Here’s a look at what to expect when the action hits UFC FIGHT PASS on Friday night.
Carina Damm (23-12) vs. Kalindra Faria (17-5-1) for Inaugural Women’s Bantamweight Title
Not only is this a championship bout, but it’s also a rubber match between these two heated rivals that have split their first two meetings and have serious bad blood for one another.
Damm won the first encounter between these two all the way back in 2009, picking up a stoppage finish under two minutes into the second round when Faria’s corner said their fighter had had enough. Four years later, Faria drew level with a first-round submission win. Damm came away from that bout with an injured arm as Faria made sure to get her money’s worth after catching her rival in an armbar.
Now they’ll settle things inside the Titan FC cage, with the winner not only leaving with a 2-1 edge in their rivalry, but championship gold around their waist as well.
Damm enters off a tidy decision win over Sarah Alpar in her Titan FC debut back in June, and she has shared the cage with a collection of the most recognizable names on the women’s side of the sport over the years, while Faria has picked up consecutive wins and has only ever lost to some of the sport’s elite, including current UFC stars Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Expect this one to start quickly and run hot until it ends.
Andre Harrison (13-0) vs. Alexandre Bezerra (19-4) for Featherweight Title
Harrison is one of the top fighters competing outside of the UFC at the moment, and if a few more of his victories had come by way of stoppage, “The Bull” would probably already be plying his trade in the Octagon.
Six events, three days – UFC FIGHT PASS has you covered this weekend. Join now and don’t miss out
The unbeaten product of Long Island’s Bellmore Academy has been on his grind since arriving in Titan FC, picking up victories over Cody Bollinger, Kurt Holobaugh and Steven Siler, with three additional wins scattered in there as well. A powerhouse on the mat with a suffocating control game, if Harrison adds another victory to his resume he could get the call to the big show.
Watch the #UFCFIGHTPASS interview with undefeated champ @Drethebull ahead of #TitanFC41!https://t.co/rzedkt5ocK pic.twitter.com/9fdtsnFhtG
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) September 8, 2016
While he doesn’t have the same spotless record, Bezerra could be on the brink of a promotion to the major leagues as well, especially if he halts Harrison’s unbeaten run in impressive fashion. The 28-year-old is 4-1 over his last five fights, with his lone setback coming against UFC vet Levan Makashvili and unlike his opponent on Friday night, “Popo” has a penchant for finishing, with 17 of his 19 career wins coming inside the distance.
Jason Jackson (5-2) vs. Rodrigo Cavalheiro Correia (18-5)
Jackson should feel comfortable in this matchup as the TUF 21 alum enters into another bout against a representative of American Top team. The promising Blackzilians prospect picked up a first-round TKO win over regional vet Victor Moreno last time out under the Victory FC banner and his two losses thus far have both come to familiar names repping ATT – Colby Covington and Hayder Hassan.
The 33-year-old Correia has a vast edge in experience over Jackson and has shared the cage with a few more established talents over the years, but enters off a loss in June. With 14 TKO wins out of 18 career victories, it’s pretty clear what the Brazilian will be looking to do once the cage door closes for this one.
Others to Watch on Friday Night
Raush Manfio (7-1) has won three straight, including collecting a second-round knockout of Luis Zequeira in his Titan FC debut back in June. Coming from a great camp and showing some upside, the 24-year-old ATT product is one to track going forward.
Ciao Uruguai Rocha (5-0) picked up a decision win over Team Lloyd Irvin prospect Peter Petties last time out to maintain his unbeaten record. Like Manfio, Rocha is a young fighter from a great camp (The Blackzilians) making steady progress up the competitive ladder and he bears watching.
Steve Mowry (0-0) makes his professional debut against 3-0 Marino Eastman. Another member of The Blackzilians stepping into the Titan FC cage on Friday night, the shallowness of the heavyweight ranks throughout the sport means 24-year-old neophytes are always on the radar and this is a chance for “Tall Steve” to make a strong first impression.
