Cage Contender sign two UFC veterans; Philpott vs Rooney added to Cage Contender 17

A mouth-watering showdown between two of Ireland’s best bantamweights in Damien “The Rage” Rooney (8-3) and Alan “The Apprentice” Philipott (7-4) was announced.

You will not find a bigger Irish bantamweight fight this year. Philpott is fresh off his best year ever and Rooney will be looking to bounce back from his defeat to Paddy Holohan at Cage Contender XIII last April.

Former UFC and Bellator heavyweight Neil “Goliath” Grove (12-6) was also announced to be fighting at the Belfast show.

“Goliath”, whose wins all came via KO/TKO (10 in the first round), is sure to provide fireworks.

The UK based South-African has only ever been finished once by strikes and that was against Todd Duffee. Grove holds notable wins over James McSweeney, Eddie Sanchez and James Thompson.

Another UFC veteran, Andre Winner (14-7), will be making his Cage Contender debut. The Team Rough House fighter made it to the final of The Ultimate Fighter only to lose to teammate Ross Pearson.

Winner fought in the UFC a total of six times against the likes of Pearson, Njokuani, Siver and Oliveira.

Cage Contender XVII takes place in Belfast on April 13th 2013.

Tickets for Cage Contender XVII will be on sale at the next show.

Owner/Editor of SevereMMA.com. Writer, Podcaster, Producer of 'Notorious: Conor McGregor' film, 'Conor McGregor: Notorious' TV series, 'Ten Thousand Hours', 'The Fighting Irish' and more documentary films.

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