Category: MMA & Other Fight Sports

Nathias Frederick vs Andreas Michailidis confirmed for CW114: Birmingham

Post author By f/s
Post date February 17, 2020

Birmingham’s Nathias “Notorious” Frederick (8-2) will defend his Cage Warriors Middleweight world title in a European super clash with Greece’s much touted Andreas “The Spartan” Michailidis (12-3).

After winning the belt in dramatic fashion in a grudge rematch with James Webb, Frederick will carry the mantle handed on by his teammate Jai Herbert, who recently signed with the UFC, as Birmingham’s reigning champion.

“All my life I’ve wanted to be a Champion,” said Frederick.

“Winning this belt was a life changing moment – I’ve proved that with determination, anything can be conquered. Defending my belt against such a tough opponent is my next challenge. And to do it in my city is a dream come true.”

His opponent Andreas Michailidis travels to Birmingham with 7 wins via TKO and 4 via submission, and trains out of both Greece’s EFL Academy and Sweden’s All Stars Training Centre, home to UFC stars Alexander Gustafsson and Ilir Latifi. He brings a well-rounded MMA style to the table, with many touting him as a future UFC star.

Recently Birmingham has become a hotbed for MMA talent, with headliner Leon Edwards and his teammate Jai Herbert – formerly Cage Warriors Lightweight Champion – confirmed on the upcoming UFC London card.

“In 2018 we made a commitment to be part of building the sport of MMA in Birmingham and we’ve been good to our word,” said CW President Graham Boylan.

“Having listened to our local partners, we’ve taken their advice and brought the Cage Warriors party right to the heart of the second city at the Arena Birmingham following two great events at the NEC. Saturday 18th April promises to be a lot of fun.”

Alongside Frederick, Birmingham’s Jake Hadley will make his Cage Warriors debut as one of the city’s hottest prospect in the sport. A former champion in another organisation, Hadley holds a 5-0 record and is ready to make his mark in Europe. He takes on Cage Warriors veteran Shaj Haque in an explosive flyweight matchup.

Cage Warriors 114 takes place at the Arena Birmingham on April 18th. Fans can save 20% on Early Bird tickets until midnight on Monday 24th February.

Buy limited Early Bird tickets here at 20% off

FRENCH SPORTS MINISTRY CHOOSES BOXING AS HOST FEDERATION FOR MMA

Post author By f/s
Post date January 22, 2020

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) welcomes the announcement earlier today that the French Boxing Federation has been given the responsibility of supervising the first phase of development of the sport of MMA in France.

This decision, announced by the French Sport Ministry, is part of a historic legalisation of the sport of MMA in France. In a statement, the Ministry said: “Having requested and analysed all relevant information received from a number of combat federations who were interested in welcoming MMA, we have decided, by an official Ministerial Decision, to delegate the sport of MMA to the French Boxing Federation.”

It has been made clear that this will be a temporary arrangement and, after a year, the Ministry will decide whether MMA is ready to become an independent federation in France.

Kerrith Brown, IMMAF President said;

“We are delighted to see that Boxing will now be the partner of MMA in France, where it has extremely well established and respected structures. Above all, we believe that by partnering with boxing, MMA will show that it shares a willingness to create the right culture and values, especially in membership and education programmes for athletes, coaches and officials. “

Densign White, IMMAF CEO said:

“This is another significant milestone for the sport of amateur MMA. France is a major sporting nation and host of the Olympic Games in 2024, so partnering with boxing will be a massive boost in the growth of MMA in the country. This is a major step in the ongoing campaign by IMMAF for international recognition of MMA as a sport with Olympic values.”

Mason Jones will take on Italian UFC veteran Danilo Belluardo – CW113

Post author By f/s
Post date January 17, 2020

Top lightweight contender Mason Jones (8-0) will take on Italian UFC veteran Danilo Belluardo (13-5), alongside an exciting crop of bouts just announced for March 20th.

In the biggest fight of his career to date, Welshman Mason Jones gets his first taste of former UFC competition.

‘The Dragon’ remains undefeated in the lightweight division, and was crowned 2019 Fighter of the Year in Cage Warriors’ fan-voted End of Year Awards.

The more seasoned Belluardo enters CW113: London with more than twice the experience of Jones, and is keen to stop the prospect’s rise and prove he belongs at the top of Cage Warriors’ Lightweight division.

Belluardo has competed on two UFC on ESPN cards alongside some of Europe’s very best, including Alexander Gustafsson, Jimi Manuwa and Jack Hermansson.

4 further fights have also been announced for March 20th.

In a featherweight war that’s tipped to be an early contender for 2020’s Fight of the Year, former title challenger Steve “Diddy Kong” Aimable (14-6) will take on Perry “The Predator” Goodwin (9-7).

In the same division, rising Scottish contender Aidan Stephen (6-2) comes up against Emrah Sonmez (11-2).

Dangerous Welterweight finishers Håkon Foss (9-8) and Nathan Jones (13-9) will come head-to-head on the same night, and Matthew Bonner (6-5-1) and Jamie “Young Gun” Richardson (8-5) will face off in what’s sure to be a grinding war between two of the Middleweight division’s toughest.

More big-name fights for CW113: London are to be announced in the coming weeks. Already announced on the card are Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett and Flyweight Champion Samir Faiddine, who takes on Luke Shanks for the title.

CW113: London takes place on Friday, March 20th at the London Indigo at the O2 Arena. The following day, the UFC will hit the O2 on Saturday March 21st, making this the biggest weekend on the 2020 UK MMA calendar.

For a limited time, every Cage Warriors London ticket buyer will receive an early access code for UFC London tickets. Tickets are available HERE.

CW113: London Fight Card

Samir Faiddine vs Luke Shanks – Flyweight Title Fight

Paddy Pimblett vs Donovan Desmae – Lightweight

Danilo Belluardo vs. Mason Jones – Lightweight

Perry Goodwin vs Steve Aimable – Featherweight

Håkon Foss vs. Nathan Jones – Welterweight

Aidan Stephen vs. Emrah Sonmez – Featherweight

Matthew Bonner vs. Jamie Richardson – Middleweight

More TBC.

Confirmed Names

Ian Garry

Coner Hignett

Darren O’Gorman

Kingsley Crawford

James Hendin

Cartwright, Proctor, Stapleton and more confirmed for CW112: Manchester

Post author By f/s
Post date December 11, 2019

Cartwright, Proctor, Stapleton and more confirmed for CW112: Manchester

Many of the North West’s finest MMA prospects will meet in Manchester on March 7th for Cage Warriors’ opening event of the New Year, headlined by Bantamweight Champion Jack Cartwright.

A stacked list of 14 names has now been revealed for Cage Warriors debut event in Manchester.

At the top of the bill, reigning bantamweight champion Jack Cartwright will put his belt on the line in his first defence against a soon-to-be-announced opponent.

This will be Cartwright’s first appearance since Cage Warriors Unplugged 2 in September, when fans witnessed the Manchester knockout artist finish Scott Malone and Marko Kovacevic in the first round to win the Bantamweight Title Tournament.

Also announced is top UK welterweight Adam Proctor, who now boasts a record of 11-1 with wins over Angelo Rubino and Olli Santalahti since signing for Cage Warriors last year.

Joining him on the card are North West fan favourites Martin Stapleton, Adam Ventre and Mick Stanton, who has his eyes set on the Middleweight Title after winning all 3 of his bouts in 2019.

Other big names on the card include surging prospect Liam Gittins, former Middleweight Champion James Webb and Scotland’s Scott Malone, who looks to bounce back after losing out on the title to now-UFC star Jack Shore this year.

With Manchester being the stomping ground of multiple combat sports champions including former Cage Warriors champion and UFC legend Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping, which new rising stars will etch their name in history on March 7th?

Tickets for CW112: Manchester are on sale now, with 20% off Early Bird tickets for a limited time. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

CW112: Manchester Confirmed Names

Jack Cartwright – Bantamweight Champion

Adam Proctor

Martin Stapleton

Adam Ventre

Liam Gittins

James Webb

Mick Stanton

Scott Malone

Matthew Bonner

Nathan Fletcher

Sam Spencer

Anthony O’Connor

Kyran Sturrock

James Sheehan

Debut Manchester event among 7 new UK dates for 2020 schedule

Post author By f/s
Post date November 21, 2019

Debut Manchester event among 7 new UK dates for 2020 schedule

Cage Warriors confirm 7 new dates for their 15-event 2020 schedule, including their first ever event in Manchester.

2020 will be Cage Warriors’ most ambitious year yet, with a record-breaking 15 events for the promotion.

Just added to the schedule are dates in Manchester, London, Birmingham and Cardiff. That’s 10 events now confirmed for the new year, with further events still to be announced.

Kicking off the year will be Manchester on March 7th, when Cage Warriors will stage their debut fight night in the stomping ground of their former champion and UFC legend Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping.

The city of Manchester has churned out some serious fighting talent in recent years, including current Cage Warriors bantamweight champion Jack Cartwright, who stunned Europe with double knockouts during the title tournament at ‘Unplugged 2’ this September.

Returning to continue building the sport of MMA in numerous UK cities, Cage Warriors President Graham Boylan has also confirmed 2020 dates in Cardiff, London and Birmingham. These cities have produced some of the most elite champions in Cage Warriors history, including Jack Shore, Nathaniel Wood and Jai Herbert.

Boylan said: “Finding and building the next biggest stars of the sport is simply what we do, and 2020 will be no different.

“15 events is the most we’ve ever put on in a single year. It means we can return to places where we’re established to keep giving local fighters a platform to grow – and giving fans the fights they want to see – but also to break into new cities that have called for Cage Warriors shows for a while.

“We’re turning up the dial next year, that’s for sure.”

Cage Warriors’ 2020 schedule is now as follows, with a number of dates still to be announced.

March 7th – Manchester

March 20th – London

April 18th – Birmingham

May 16th – Belfast

June 13th – Cardiff

June 20th – London

July 25th – Cork

September 26th – Belfast

October 10th – Birmingham

November 27th – London

CW111 full fight card and broadcast details

Post author By f/s
Post date November 18, 2019

CW111 full fight card and broadcast details
Fight week is here!

Cage Warriors close the year in style with CW111, their final card of the 2019 schedule, bringing 3 world title fights to the London Indigo at the O2 this Friday night.

Reigning Middleweight Champion James Webb puts his belt on the line for a second time in a rematch with Nathias Frederick, after their highly controversial contest this summer which ended in a majority draw.

UFC vet Mads Burnell will look to hold onto his featherweight title when he takes on Steve ‘Diddy Kong’ Aimable.

And in the third title fight of the evening, London’s own Light-Heavyweight champion Modestas Bukauskas walks out for his first defence against Italy’s Riccardo ‘The Walking Dead’ Nosiglia.

The CW111 Main Card also features the return of Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, who makes his first 2019 appearance against ‘Ultimate Fighter’ veteran Joe Giannetti.

Before that, a stacked pro prelim card will see top contender Alex Lohoré take on Joilton Santos Lutterbach, and Mike Ekundayo return to action against Luca Iovine.

CW111 will take place at the London Indigo at the O2 Arena this Friday night, the 22nd November. Cage Warriors President Graham Boylan has teased that major news regarding the promotion’s 2020 schedule will be released live during the event.

Tickets are on sale HERE, with Cage Warriors expecting a sellout later this week.

Check out how you can tune in from home below.

How to Watch

MAIN CARD (from 9PM) will be broadcast live on UFC FightPass globally and on a host of territorial broadcast partners including:

Eleven Sports Network: Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Taiwan

Viaplay: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden

RMC Sport: France, select other Francophone territories

K+: Vietnam

C+: Myanmar

Cignal: Phillipines

D Sports: India

CYTA: Cyprus

Gol TV: Spain

SSports: Turkey

StarTimes: Sub Saharan Africa

Max Sport: Bulgaria

Mola TV: Indonesia

SportKlub: Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Macedonia

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

BFBS: British Forces Overseas

FightPass exclusive territories include UK, Eire, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the Americas.

PRO PRELIMS (from 5.30PM) will be broadcast live and free on the Cage Warriors Facebook Page.

Main Card (9PM)

James Webb vs Nathias Frederick II – Middleweight Title Fight

Mads Burnell vs Steve Aimable – Featherweight Title Fight

Modestas Bukauskas vs Riccardo Nosiglia – Light-Heavyweight Title Fight

Paddy Pimblett vs Joe Giannetti – Lightweight

Pro Prelims (5.30PM)

Alex Lohoré vs Joilton Santos Lutterbach – Welterweight

Emrah Sonmez vs Daryl Golding – Featherweight

Liam Gittins vs Adam Amarasinghe – Bantamweight

Matthew Bonner vs Warren Kee – Welterweight

Cory Tait vs Ayton De Paepe – Bantamweight

Mike Ekundayo vs Luca Iovine – Bantamweight

Josh Onwordi vs Harry Davies – Lightweight

Jordan Barton vs James Hendin – Featherweight

Kingsley Crawford vs Scott Butters – Featherweight

Read more on Giannetti vs Pimblett HERE