Categories
MMA & Other Fight Sports

CW101 full fight card and broadcast details

 

Cage Warriors 101 fight week has begun. This Saturday February 16th, Europe’s leading MMA promotion kick off what promises to be a massive 2019 with their first show of the year at Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre.

 

A brand new Cage Warriors venue will host ten professional fights this weekend for Liverpool fight fans, with a heavyweight clash between Tom Aspinall and Sofiane Boukichou topping the bill.

 

Aspinall is fast becoming one of the most talked-about heavyweight fighters on the North West scene, having finished every one of his professional wins within the distance. He’s a long-time training partner of UFC Welterweight contender Darren Till, and a former sparring partner of unbeaten British boxing superstar Tyson Fury.

 

 

He faces a stern test in the more experienced Frenchman Boukichou, who is currently riding a four-fight win streak and finished his last two Cage Warriors fights with both knockout and submission.

 

Also on the main card in a fight that’s sure to have the Liverpool crowd on it’s feet, two local fighters meet in a Merseyside Derby when Adam Ventre takes on Tim Barnett. Ventre has had great success in his recent bouts in the Cage Warriors Academy North West, picking up 3 back-to-back finish wins to take his record to 7-3. He’s yet another prospect fighting out of Next Generation MMA, home of former Cage Warriors champions (and now UFC stars) Molly McCann and Chris Fishgold, both of which will be meeting fans alongside UFC legend Dan Hardy and Octagon Girl Edith Labelle at the CW101 Meet and Greet from 8.20PM.

 

 

Tim Barnett, who trains out of Liverpool’s MMA Academy, has established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting strikers and is looking to get back to winning ways after a loss to Alex Lohoré at CW100.

 

Other Liverpool names on the card include former middleweight title challenger Mick Stanton and bantamweight prospect Bryan Creighton, who makes his first Cage Warriors Liverpool appearance in six years.

 

And that’s not all. Before the CW101 pro card, a seven-fight Cage Warriors Academy North West card will showcase the top amateur talent from Liverpool and across Europe from 5PM.

 

Doors at the Exhibition Centre open at 4.30PM. The last remaining CW101 tickets are available HERE.

 

 

How to watch

Main Card (from 9PM) will be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass and a host of premium global partners including:

Eleven Sports Network: Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland,  Taiwan

ViaPlay: Scandinavia  (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden)

K+: Vietnam

C+: Myanmar

Cignal: Phillipines

D Sports: India

CYTA: Cyprus

Gol TV: Spain

Setanta Eurasia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Pro Prelims (from 7PM) will be LIVE and FREE on the Cage Warriors Facebook page.

Main Card (9PM)

Tom Aspinall vs Sofiane Boukichou – Heavyweight

Bryan Creighton vs Manuel Bilić – Bantamweight

Tim Barnett vs Adam Ventre – 160lbs catchweight

Matt Bonner vs Madars Fleminas – Welterweight

Mick Stanton vs Jenaid Ebanks – Middleweight

Pro Prelims (7PM)

James Sheehan vs Ian Garry – Welterweight

Andrew Lofthouse vs Gavin Kelly – Featherweight

Anthony O’Connor vs Steven Hooper – Lightweight

Mark Kinsella vs Tomasz Wojtyna – Welterweight

Adam Wilson vs Harry Ettridge – Bantamweight

CWA North West Amateur Card (5PM)

Adam Shelley vs Marcus Lewis – Lightweight

Joffe Houlton vs Carl Dilks – Light Heavyweight

Adam Caldwell vs Ben Petches-Kelly – Lightweight

Harrison Teare vs Tom Somerset – Welterweight

Oskar Stachura vs Jamie Hayes – Welterweight

Teddy Stringer vs Richie Lunt – Lightweight

Danny Dixon vs Mariusz Mikolajewski – Welterweight

 

 

 

 

 

Read more on Cage Warriors HERE

 

Categories
Boxing News

FLODIN: “I HAVE THE SIZE, SPEED AND POWER TO WIN”

“I’m very satisfied with my preparations. I’ve been in a good shape for a long time and I’m feeling strong,” says Flodin. “I’ve sparred a lot of rounds with Sven Fornling and Denis Radovan, and I’m now finishing my training in Karlsruhe.

 

 

FLODIN: “I HAVE THE SIZE, SPEED AND POWER TO WIN”

 

Oliver Flodin (4-0) believes he has the necessary attributes to claim a career best win over Abdul Khattab (15-2-1, 4 KOs) when they clash in an eight-round Scandinavian middleweight thriller at the Struer Energi Park on January 19.

 

Flodin faces a significant step up in class as he takes on Khattab in just his fifth professional contest, but the 22 year-old from Jonkoping, Sweden, says he is pleased with his preparations and is confident of defeating his Danish rival.

 

 

“I’m very satisfied with my preparations. I’ve been in a good shape for a long time and I’m feeling strong,” says Flodin. “I’ve sparred a lot of rounds with Sven Fornling and Denis Radovan, and I’m now finishing my training in Karlsruhe.

 

 

 

 

“Khattab is the toughest opponent I’ve fought as a professional. He has a lot of experience, but I’ve sparred and fought the toughest and most experienced amateurs in my career, and I’ve sparred with other professionals that are more experienced than him, so I don’t think that will be a problem.

“I know he’s going to be a tricky opponent, but I’ve trained hard and I’m confident I can beat him. I have the size, speed and power to win!”

 

Khattab will have Mikkel Kessler, one of the best boxers to come out of Scandinavia, in his corner on fight night, yet, despite being a fan of the ‘Viking Warrior’, Flodin insists it will not affect his focus.

 

“I’m a big fan of Kessler. He was a great boxer in his prime, but that doesn’t bother me. I will just be focusing on what I’m doing,” says Flodin, who also has no issue fighting in his opponent’s home country. 

“I don’t have a problem with fighting in Denmark either, and I’m expecting to have a good fan base from Sweden coming over to support me as well.”

 

Dina Thorslund tops the bill in Struer, defending her WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title against Alesia Graf, while former European Champion Dennis Ceylan rematches Jesus Sanchez for the EU Featherweight crown.

 

Oliver Flodin faces Abdul Khattab in a Scandinavian middleweight thriller, heavyweight hope Kem Ljungquist takes on Dominik Musil, Lolenga Mock continues his World title chase against Mateo Damian Veron, Mikkel Nielsen meets Bulgaria’s Angel Emilov, and Adam Bashanov faces Ivan Nikolov.

 

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.dk

 

Read more on Thorslund vs Graf HERE

Read more on Flodin vs Khattab HERE

Read more on Sauerland Promotion HERE

 

Image by Jorgen Jonsson

 

 

Categories
Boxing News

DANISH HEAVYWEIGHT LJUNGQUIST MEETS MUSIL ON THORSLUND-GRAF UNDERCARD

“I feel I’m getting better by sparring with the best, and I’m getting matched harder and harder in my fights. In 2019, I look forward to developing more against even stronger opponents.”

 

 

DANISH HEAVYWEIGHT HOPE LJUNGQUIST MEETS MUSIL ON THORSLUND-GRAF UNDERCARD

 

Kem Ljungquist (6-0, 4 KOs) meets Dominik Musil (3-1, 2 KOs) on the undercard of Dina Thorslund‘s WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title defence against Alesia Graf on January 19 at the Struer Energi Park.

 

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring,” said the Danish heavyweight hope. “Musil is an exciting opponent, but he is one that I should be able to beat. I look forward to entertaining the fans in Struer!”

 

Ljungquist was last in action on September 28 in Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, as part of the World Boxing Super Series final between George Groves and Callum Smith, scoring a second-round stoppage against Egypt’s Morad Omar.

 

“It was a good fight for me and a great experience to be part of the World Boxing Super Series,” he says. “Morad Omar came to win, but I quickly found the right openings and was happy with the win.”

 

The 28 year-old has enjoyed a perfect 2018. Ljungquist has claimed five wins from five fights, and also acted as sparring partner for the returning Tyson Fury.

 

“It was a great experience to spar Fury,” said Ljungquist. “I know he has recommended me to other top heavyweights, and I hope he will call again.

 

“I feel I’m getting better by sparring with the best, and I’m getting matched harder and harder in my fights. In 2019, I look forward to developing more against even stronger opponents.”

 

 

 

The Herlev boxer calls himself his own worst critic, and while he admits he is still in the development phase, it is clear his eyes are on the prize.

 

“My motivation, to achieve something big in my career, is huge,” he says. “It’s a privilege to make a living from boxing and I would like to go all the way. I want to keep improving until I finally get the big fights for the big belts.

  
“It’s all about training hard, full throttle and living right. I have managed to do well so far and if I continue to do that, then the opportunities will come.”

 

Ljungquist’s eight round heavyweight clash with Musil is the latest addition to a stacked card in Struer. Dina Thorslund defends her WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title against Germany’s Alesia Graf, former European Champion Dennis Ceylan rematches Jesus Sanchez for the EU Featherweight crown, and Oliver Flodin faces Abdul Khattab in a Scandinavian middleweight thriller.

 

 

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.dk

 

Read more on Thorslund vs Graf HERE

Read more on Flodin vs Khattab HERE

Read more on Sauerland Promotion HERE

 

Image by KGZ Fougstedt

 

Categories
Boxing News

DOUBLE TROUBLE: FLODIN AND KHATTAB SET FOR SCANDINAVIAN SHOWDOWN

“Fans can expect a good performance from me. I’m hungry, and I feel stronger than ever. I believe one hundred percent that I will beat Flodin, and then I’ll be ready for a title fight in 2019. The time for fun is over, I’m serious now!”

 

 

 

FLODIN AND KHATTAB SET FOR SCANDINAVIAN SHOWDOWN ON THORSLUND-GRAF UNDERCARD

Double Trouble

 

Oliver Flodin (4-0) and Abdul Khattab (15-2-1, 4 KOs) are set for a Scandinavian showdown on the undercard of Dina Thorslund’s WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title defence against Alesia Graf on January 19 at the Struer Energi Park in Denmark.

 

Khattab, from Copenhagen, returns to the ring for the first time following his draw with Ronny Mittag on October 27, 2017 at the Sport and Congress Centre in Schwerin, and the 25 year-old is eager to prove he still has more to give in the professional ranks, starting with a victory over his Swedish rival Flodin.

 

“I’ve been keeping myself in top shape and waiting for the right opportunity,” says Khattab, who is trained by Danish boxing legend Mikkel Kessler. “That opportunity is here now, and I’m looking forward to a great fight on January 19.

“Of course, there is always something extra when a Danish fighter meets a Swede. It gives me even more motivation, and I’m sure it will make for a great atmosphere. I have no doubt that my hand will be raised after the final bell.

“I’ve seen some of Flodin’s fights. He is a good young boxer, who is just starting to make his way as a professional. He was good amateur, but professional boxing is something completely different, and I am going to show him that.

“Fans can expect a good performance from me. I’m hungry, and I feel stronger than ever. I believe one hundred percent that I will beat Flodin, and then I’ll be ready for a title fight in 2019. The time for fun is over, I’m serious now!”

 

Flodin, the 22 year-old from Jonkoping, has impressed since joining the professional ranks, recording four unanimous points wins, his latest against Nikoloz Gvajava on June 2 at the Swiss Life Hall in Hannover.

 

The Swede can expect a significant step up at the Struer Energi Park, but says he believes this is Khattab’s ‘last chance’, and that his superior ring smarts will prove the difference in their eight-round middleweight clash.

 

“It’s going to be a war,” says Flodin. “This is Khattab’s last chance as a professional, but for me it’s just a great opportunity to climb the ladder.

“I have met and beat many Danes as an amateur, and it will be no different on January 19. I expect to be smarter than Khattab in the ring. I’ve watched him fight, I know he comes forward a lot, and that will suit my style perfectly.

“I have great ambitions for my boxing career, and once I’m finished with Khattab, my plan is to target a European title fight in the next two years.”

 

Promoter Nisse Sauerland says he is looking forward to this fascinating showdown between these two promising Scandinavian fighters.

 

“We are pleased to present this spectacular Scandinavian showdown on January 19 in Struer, with much at stake for both boxers,” he says.

“For Oliver it’s a big step up, and for Abdul it’s a must win. It’s a dangerous fight for both, and fans can expect a great battle between Sweden and Denmark.”

 

Flodin versus Khattab is the latest addition to a stacked card in Struer. Local hero Dina Thorslund defends her WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title against Germany’s Alesia Graf, while former European Champion Dennis Ceylan rematches Jesus Sanchez for the EU Featherweight crown.

 

 

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.dk

 

Read more on Thorslund vs Graf HERE

Read more on Ceylan vs Sanchez HERE

Read more on Sauerland Promotion HERE

 

 

 

Categories
MMA & Other Fight Sports

BIGGEST MMA EVENT IN WELSH HISTORY COMES TO CARDIFF

 

This Saturday night, Cage Warriors bring the biggest MMA event in Welsh history to Cardiff’s Ice Arena. Here’s the full CW97 fight card, the bouts you should be looking out for and how to watch from home.

 

In the CW97 main event, Welsh local hero Jack Shore takes on Germany’s Omer Cankardesler for the Cage Warriors bantamweight title. Still unbeaten in 12 amateur and 8 professional showings, Shore is leading the horde of Welsh warriors fighting to put the country on the MMA map this year, but Cankardesler’s run of TKO finishes proves he’s more than capable of stealing the win from Cardiff this weekend.

 

The title on the line at CW97 was formerly held by Welshman and now UFC bantamweight Brett Johns, who became champion during Cage Warriors’ last visit to Cardiff in 2013.

 

“When our previous Welsh champions went for the belts, they were some of the most memorable nights we’ve had in 15 years,” says Cage Warriors President Graham Boylan. “Jack Shore has managed to assemble a Welsh fanbase on a level we’ve never really seen before. Think McGregor in Dublin – this is going to be massive.”

 

 

 

 

Also fighting for Wales are young prospects Cory McKenna and Mason Jones, who are taking on their toughest opposition yet. At just 18 years of age, McKenna boasts a perfect amateur record and is currently 2-0 as a pro, and has been hailed the future of women’s MMA by notable names such as the UFC’s Urijah Faber. Standing in her way is Italy’s Micol DiSegni, who is on a 4-fight win streak with 3 of those being dominant finishes in the early rounds.

 

Mason Jones takes on Poland’s Kacper Formela in a highly anticipated lightweight bout between two ferocious finishers. Jones is still undefeated, but Formela has put his last 3 opponents away within the distance and looks more than capable of spoling the Welshman’s clean sheet. Expect a seriously fast pace throughout this one. Also on the main card is Kris Edwards, long-time training partner of both Jack Shore and the UFC’s Jack Marshman, who meets Brian Bouland in the bantamweight division. Bouland fell short of the title earlier this year and is looking for another devastating knockout to put him back in the top contender spot, but Edwards’ 4-fight win streak proves he’s in the prime of his career.

 

As well as these huge bouts on CW97’s main card, the night will feature a stacked pro preliminary card plus the semi-finals of Cage Warriors’ Academy Grand Prix, which will crown Amateur tournament winners in every division before the end of 2018.

 

Less than 5% of tickets to CW97 are still available HERE, and are expected to sell out early this week.

 

Doors open at 3:30pm, with the pro prelims starting at 7pm and the main card getting underway at 9pm.

How to watch



Cage Warriors has a host of premium broadcast partners, serving countries across the globe.

Main Card (from 9pm) will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1, UFC FightPass and a host of premium global partners including:

Viaplay: Scandinavia
Eleven Sports Network: Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland, Ukraine, Singapore, Italy
SportKlub: Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Macedonia
PPTV: Thailand
D Sports: India
Spo TV: South Korea
CYTA: Cyprus

Pro Prelims will be LIVE and FREE via the Sport Bible Facebook page from 7pm.

In addition to our stacked 21-fight card, CW97 will also feature a fan meet and greet session with Welsh UFC stars Jack Marshman, Brett Johns and Craig White alongside Cage Warriors octagon girl Edith Labelle, free for all ticket holders.

 

 

   

Images by Huw Fairclough

 

 

Main Card (9pm)

Jack Shore vs Omer Cankardesler (Bantamweight Title Fight)

Mason Jones vs Kacper Formela (Lightweight)

Kris Edwards vs Brian Bouland (Bantamweight)

Jamie Richardson vs Aaron Khalid (Welterweight)

Cory McKenna vs Micol DiSegni (Strawweight)

 

Pro Prelims (7pm)

Liam Bennett vs Steve Aimable (161lbs catchweight)

Michael Corston vs Struan Croxton (Lightweight)

Brett Hassett vs Luiz Finnochio (Lightweight)

Luke Shanks vs Jason Jenkins (Bantamweight)

 

Cage Warriors Academy Grand Prix Semi Final

Mitchell Goode vs Christian Duncan (Middleweight)

Joe Draper vs Jordan Peake (Lightweight)

Nathan Johnstone vs Chris Sterling (Featherweight)

 

Amateur Card (4pm)

Dan Kniel vs Scott Pederson (Lightweight)

Liam Shotbolt vs Jack Tucker (Welterweight)

Auri Whitcombe vs Keiran Bennett (Welterweight)

Craig Rawlins vs Jahmel Westcarr (Middleweight)

Liam Herbert vs Roan Crocker (Middleweight)

Rafal Nauberg vs Jaxson Hembury (Middleweight)

Owain Davies vs Kenzie Jones (Bantamweight)

Rob Bennet vs James Price (Lightweight)

Morgan Monk vs Jack Henshall (Bantamweight)