News
Dan Hardy disappointed Dom Wooding hasn’t received UFC call
MMA fans around the UK and Europe aren’t the only ones who have been calling for Cage Warriors prodigy, Dom Wooding, to receive the life-changing call from the UFC. Former fighter and fight caller, Dan Hardy, is ‘disappointed’ the UFC are still yet to sign the young star.
Speaking on VMTV Vaults: “The first one that stands out in my mind that’s missing is Dom Wooding. After his last couple of performances on Cage Warriors I was expecting him to get the call up and i’m disappointed that he hasn’t because I think it’s time for him.”
Hardy’s disappointment highlights the elite skillset of Dom Wooding, as Dan Hardy’s eye for skill comes after years of experience calling the fights of some of the best in the business.
Cage Warriors has, and always will be, a breeding ground for elite fighters to showcase their talent in Europe. And Dom Wooding is the most recent fighter to do just that.
‘Black Panther’ went on a tear in 2021, making it his breakthrough year inside the cage, winning the Cage Warriors Bantamweight title while he was at it. In his first title defence under the banner, he put on an absolute clinic against Carlos Abreu. He came in looking laser focussed. And the performance that proceeded was unmissable. A complete artist in all senses of the word.
His infectious style inside the cage is utterly mesmerising and he showcased that to the full extent in his domination over Abreu. He is slick on his feet with his speed, and his striking is calculated and pinpoint accurate. His picture perfect knockout came after a beautiful slip counter right hook which sat Abreu down momentarily. But the Brazilian will wish he stayed down, as the flying knee that proceeded will be played over and over again, and never get old.
Rewind 6 months from his starching of Abreu, Wooding put on an absolute masterclass in his Cage Warriors debut, with a first round KO over Cameron Hardy. Again, his light on the feet style with the ability to counter strike from what seems to be any angle, showcased what a problem the MMA world has learnt ‘Black Panther’ can be. His KO over Hardy exhibited how calculated he is as a fighter. He set up an inch-perfect left high kick with front kicks to the body, which subsequently led to the huge right hook KO.
So why is the electrifying 25-year-old not in MMA’s biggest promotion yet, especially when Cage Warriors has become Europe’s proven path to the UFC? Nobody knows. But with high profile names worldwide getting behind ”Black Panther”, it can only be a matter of time.
Do you think Dom Wooding deserves the call-up?
News
Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out
Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170.
An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest.
The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health.
CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega.
The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners.
The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest.
The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name.
“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career.
Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors.
‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round.
Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature.
Interviews
“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21
Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines.
The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.
Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday.
“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said.
“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”
When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action.
He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set.
Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.
“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said.
“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”
News
UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas
Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.
Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.
***
Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)
Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout
Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout
Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout
Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout
Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout
Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout
Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)
Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout
Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout
Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout
Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout
Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout
Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout
Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout
***
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