Andre Harrison Puts Titan FC Belt on the Line Again, Continuing Push Towards UFC

Though he’s only fought once so far in 2016, Titan FC featherweight champion Andre “The Bull” Harrison feels like he’s been making the right strides forward to further his career.

In picking up a TKO win over Deivison Ribeiro in June, Harrison was able to show his growth into a more complete fighter, and an ability to not rely so much on his ground game.

“I’ve started to display more stand-up and not as much wrestling,” Harrison told MMAWeekly.com. “I felt like in that (third) round is where things just started picking up. I started finding range with a lot of things. It was good though.”

Harrison’s TKO of Ribeiro was his first finish in three years. His streak of decision victories was something that Harrison was more than happy to break, not only for his own good, but to show others he can be an exciting fighter that can finish his opponents.

“It was a sense of relief to not have to go a full 25 minutes,” said Harrison. “I felt like this is how it was supposed to be. It was nice not having to go the full 25 minutes.

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“I know I have the ability to finish fights. I just have to be more aggressive in looking for finishes, which I’m definitely working on. I’m getting more comfortable in the cage, so there’s only going to be more finishes the more I go out there.”

Harrison (13-0) will look to add another finish to his record when he takes on Alexandre Bezerra (19-4) in his Titan FC 41 featherweight title defense on Friday in Coral Gables, Fla.

“He’s a tough guy,” Harrison said of Bezerra. “He’s very durable. He’s got real good, sneaky jiu-jitsu. I just have to apply pressure, implement my game, and back him up. I think if I’m able to do that, I’ll be more successful.”

Having gone undefeated over the course of his career so far, with multiple Titan FC title defenses to his credit, Harrison believes it’s time for him to step up to the next level. And if the move doesn’t come sooner than later, he’ll continue to do what he can until it happens.

“I’m at the point now that I think I’m ready for the transition,” said Harrison. “Pretty much all my workout partners have gotten into the UFC already. I’ve had more fights than them, and I have more cage time than them, so I feel I’m overdue.

“At the same time, I can’t let that frustrate me and throw me off my game. I’ve still got tough opponents ahead of me. I’ve just got to prepare the best way I can.”

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