News
CW 141 | ‘Unmissable’ card set to illuminate mammoth weekend for MMA in London
Two decades since its first imprint was left on the mixed martial arts landscape, Cage Warriors is finalising preparations for an event that’s on course to be one of the most spectacular in its decorated history, CW 141.
For Europe’s leading MMA organisation, it all began in July 2002 when the likes of Paul Jenkins, Rosi Sexton, Alessio Sakara and Jean Silva featured at London’s York Hall for CW 1.
Having staged more than 150 events across 14 different countries since then, the journey continues a few miles down the road this Friday night for CW 141 at the Indigo at TheO2.
For the 20th anniversary celebrations, esteemed matchmaker Ian Dean has put together a stacked card worthy of the occasion. Some of the biggest names on the CW roster will display their talents, with a pair of title bouts taking centre stage.
Home favourite Sam Creasey defends his flyweight belt against undefeated Italian Dylan Hazan, and a new lightweight champion will be crowned when England’s George Hardwick meets American Kickboxing Academy product Kyle Driscoll.
“This organisation has been producing the goods for two decades now, but this card has the potential to be the most exciting one we’ve ever assembled,” said Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan.
“Every single fight is going to be unmissable, and the unique, intense atmosphere of the Indigo will make for the perfect setting for an event that you’ll be hearing about for many years to come.
“With a UFC show taking place 24 hours later, MMA fans in London are going to be absolutely spoiled with the amount of talent on show this weekend.”
The pivotal role played by Cage Warriors in the development of MMA in Europe will also be in evidence at TheO2 on Saturday, where nine former CW stars – including Molly McCann, Paddy Pimblett and headliner Tom Aspinall – will be in action at UFC Fight Night 208.
“It’s fitting that we’re celebrating Cage Warriors’ achievements of the past by shining a light on the bright future that’s in store, because a quick glance at Friday’s card will tell you that our roster has never been in better health,” added Boylan.
“We’ve already added over 50 athletes to our stable of exclusive talent this year, as well as strengthening our full-time office staff with several new hires. That rate of expansion is only going to accelerate even further from here, so these are exciting times for Cage Warriors.”
Cage Warriors 141 | LIVE on UFC Fight Pass
Main card – 9pm (BST)
Kyle Driscoll vs. George Hardwick (lightweight title)
Jimmy Wallhead vs. Daniel Skibiński
Sam Creasey (c) vs. Dylan Hazan (flyweight title)
Mick Stanton vs. Darren Stewart
Agy Sardari vs. Michal Figlak
Prelims – 5.30pm (BST)
Jeremy Petley vs. Steve Aimable
Reece McEwan vs. Kingsley Crawford
Naglis Kanišauskas vs. Will Currie
Nathan Fletcher vs. Araik Margarian
Tobias Harila vs. Samuel Bark
Sam Spencer vs. Adam Amarasinghe
Jesse Urholin vs. Madars Fleminas
Ander Sanchez vs. Lone’er Kavanagh
Kevin Simon Cesari vs. Luke Riley
Alexander Lindgren vs. Omiel Brown
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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