Cage Warriors 150 Preview; Team KF’s Webb & Chaaban in action

UFC 286 fight week festivities includes a big show on Friday night with Cage Warriors 150. The Indigo at the O2 will again host the pre-PPV party. The fans will be treated to a packed card of athletes who want to make it to the big show. There are eleven fights to look forward to.

Jordan Vucenic (9-2) returns and is raring to get back to winning ways after losing to Paul Hughes last time out. Don’t let the loss fool you, “Epidemic” is one of the best fighters at 145 in Europe and is more than capable of holding his own in the UFC. The Englishman is as tough as they come and there’s not a single ounce of quit in him. The 27-year-old is great to watch on the feet and he can also make life difficult for you in the grappling exchanges. Tiziano Ferranti (5-0) is the latest prospect to come in and try to take Vucenic’s hype. The Italian has yet to taste defeat in MMA and has finished all his fights to date. The 23-year-old’s right hand is a problem and is a menace in the scrambles. The step up in competition is immense here so the quick starter will be up against it.

Jamie Richardson (11-8) is a man who never turns down a challenge. “Young Gun” has been wowing fans in the yellow gloves for five years now, and has been exciting in victory or defeat. The 26-year-old is a mean striker who will try to piece you up with his fists and elbows. Very few avoid the crimson against him. Opponents need to be aware of his guillotine when attempting takedowns. Justin Burlinson (7-2) is another lad whose entire career is a highlight reel. The Sunderland man is looking to get back in the win column following defeat to Rhys McKee in Belfast back in June. The 25-year-old is a pick-your-poison type of fighter. If you let him, he’ll eat you alive on the feet. If you’re competitive, he has the ability to change it up with wrestling and submissions. He’s yet to go to a decision and his style doesn’t lend itself to going the distance. Fireworks are guaranteed.

Lone’er Kavanagh (4-0) is one of England’s hottest prospects. The GB Top Team man is a new school kind of fighter who has grown up practising all aspects of the game and gluing them all together. Confidence is huge for the young man and he’ll go for the kill standing or will dominate the grappling. Transitions are seamless for the 23-year-old. Davide Scarano (4-0) comes in without a blemish himself. The Italian is a submission specialist, with half his victories coming via tap out. The Turin man loves to use his ground and pound to set up his Jiu Jitsu.

Jan Quaeyhaegens (10-4) has been obliterating very good opponents since strapping on the yellow gloves. “Q-Bomb” has earned his nickname through the blood and tears of his fallen foes. Since returning to Cage Warriors, he’s flattened Kieran Lister and Erick Da Silva, the latter by spectacular flying knee. Alberto Ciardo (6-0) is another undefeated fighter flying in from the land of pizza and pasta. The Italian has won three times via armbar, with a further two by way of knockout. The 25-year-old hasn’t fought such an experienced opponent before and will likely want to take the Belgian down early.

The Andy Townsend of Irish MMA is back in action. James Webb (9-4-1) was victorious last time out against Paddy McCrory and will want to keep the ball rolling. The Team KF captain is a fantastic wrestler with high level Jiu Jitsu, skills that helped him win the CW Middleweight title in 2019. The Colchester man can smother you when in top position. The 33-year-old is also competitive on the feet. Alan Carlos (13-11) is a veteran of the Cage Warriors and Bellator scene. The Brazilian finds most joy in the submission game. On top he’s very dangerous with arm-triangles and on bottom, he’s always trying to throw a triangle. Webb doesn’t usually give up much in those exchanges though.

Wesley Machado (3-2) is a man who’s career can be split into two. The Brazilian went 1-2 between 2013-2016, then was on a hiatus, returning in 2022 to a two-fight win streak. The latest win came via rear naked choke. Nik Bagley (2-1) is another good talent coming out of GB Top Team. The Englishman was defeated by Ben Ellis last March and this will be the first time we’ve seen him in a year. The 26-year-old has shown great Jiu Jitsu so far in his pro career, with his wins coming via rear naked choke and arm triangle.

Omiel Brown (5-1) may be the hardest man in the whole damn town. The Team Renegade man has one of the meanest guillotines around, and he absolutely obliterates people on the feet. If you find yourself under him, good luck, as his ground and pound will be quick and lethal. His only loss was to James Sheehan. Daniel Skibiński (18-8) is a very talented fighter on a tricky run at the moment. The Pole is a very solid wrestler and trains out of one the country’s top gyms, Ankos MMA in Pozńan. The 32-year-old’s boxing is also very good, with seven of his wins coming via knockout. Cardio has been a problem recently, which has given opponents an edge. Brown is a bad fighter to be giving openings to so he’ll need to use his experience to stay out of danger.

Awa Sow (1-2) is a character and had one of the walkouts of the year in 2022. The Frenchwoman was defeated that night by Americana, so will need to show something here to solidify her spot on the roster. Kate Bacik (0-1) is Muay Thai specialist out of GB Top Team. The Englishwoman has been competing in grappling competitions of late to sharpen her skills.

Ilie Meryacre (2-0) is making the jump from the U.K. regional scene to the top table of European MMA. The bantamweight has one knockout on his record and will be looking to make a great first impression. Jack Eglin (2-2) is a man who joined the main Cage Warriors roster and fought beasts, unfortunately losing both bouts. His pro wins have come via rear naked choke and due to ground and pound.

If Weslley Maia (6-5) is in a building, you’ll know all about it. The charismatic Brazilian is gunpowder ready to be set alight. On the feet, his energetic striking style is fun to watch and he has incredible power. Even in defeat he’s entertaining. Bogdan Barbu (17-14) has been around for a while now, competing in top promotions KSW and ACB as well as his CW stint. The Romanian has good kickboxing and will snatch a sub if it’s presented to him. He’s 2-5 in his last seven so could use a win.

Omran Chaaban (4-1) will open the card. The talented Team KF prospect is 3-0 in the yellow gloves and has looked phenomenal of late, beating George McManus with a vicious body shot and Jack Dedames with an Anaconda. The Lebanese Gorilla looks better every time he steps into the cage. Mush Aslani (4-3) upset Adam Derby in his last fight, landing a standing TKO finish. The Team Renegade man has a habit of causing an upset. Other than the power in his hands, he has a nice submission game.

Cage Warriors 150 is live and exclusive on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off from 18:45 on Friday evening.