Cage Warriors 174 Preview; Prize Fighter Tournament, multiple Irish interests return

Cage Warriors are delivering us a particularly delightful treat this Saturday, offering us a plethora of fights with an early afternoon start time. The cherry on top is a one-night Prize Fighter tournament, where the winner will be presented with a novelty sized £50k check. We will see twenty fights across the event. All fighters went through the highest level of medical checks in Europe ahead of the show.

The bantamweight Prize Fighter tournament will be the main event. Six men have been chosen to compete for the £50k prize, with a random draw selecting four to compete in a semi final, with two serving as an alternate bout.

In semi-final one, Alexander Lööf (6-1) will bring his insane level of entertainment to the show. The Swede is an all action fighter, tearing across the cage to get into a war. The 26-year-old is a vicious striker who throws in bunches, and can last the duration. Aidan Stephen (10-4) has lost to Lööf’s teammate Tobias Harila in the past, so will be looking to use that experience to switch things up here. The Scot is a fine grappler who has only lost against top European opposition. The 32-year-old likes to back opponents into the cage and wrestle, utilising inside elbows on the fence and if it hits the deck, search for a submission. I’m picking Lööf to advance.

In the second semi-final, Weslley Maia (9-5) will bring his trademark intensity. The Brazilian hits hard and is very aggressive. The GB Top Team man will stand and trade with anyone and doesn’t drop the pace ever. Opposite him is a man he beat via decision a year ago, Shirzad Qadrian (5-1). The Iranian trains out of London and has shown to have a good well rounded game. The 23-year-old is a threat with his hands and on the mat. He’ll need to get his grappling going to change the outcome of the original fight. I’m backing Maia to get through and face Lööf in the main event.

The alternate fight features an Italian derby. Michele Martignoni (9-2) is a former CW champion at 135lbs, and he gets better every time you see him. The 28-year-old has a good kickboxing game, with dangerous high kicks. The Rome native can also utilise his stellar wrestling. Alessandro Giordano (7-3) is also a kickboxer, and carries a bit more power than his opponent. The 26-year-old throws big hooks, works in leg kicks and is dangerous throughout the contest. Martignoni gets my nod due to fighting at a higher level.

Jordan Vucenic (12-2) has been UFC ready for a while, and should be undeniable after Saturday night. The former CW featherweight champion is a submission specialist, with his last four wins coming from tap out. Guillotines and rear naked chokes are his favourite techniques. Adrian Kępa (12-8) is a tough veteran from Poland. Kickboxing is his Plan A, and he has one shot stopping power. His grappling isn’t bad either, however I expect Vucenic to win via rear naked choke in the first couple of rounds.

Ger Harris (5-1) competes in what might be the fight of the weekend. The Team Ryano man is a submission whizz and can whip out an armbar and guillotine in an instant. He’s done a lot of work with Neil Seery in the striking realms. Jawany Scott (5-1) trains out of GB Top Team. The Englishman is also a good grappler, using his wrestling to ground and pound opponents, then taking the back and searching for the choke. I’m picking Harris by decision.

James Webb (9-5-1) is moving up to light heavyweight and is the former CW 185lb champion. The Team KF man is a very solid wrestler and a high level BJJ player. Adam Biegański (9-6) has competed in bare knuckle MMA as well as the traditional rule set. The Pole is a submission fighter with six taps on his record. Webb should be too much for him and a rear naked choke should get it done for him.

Ryan Shelley (7-2) is a Taekwondo expert training out of Team KF in Swords. The Whitehall man is also a strong grappler with three submissions on his pro record. Nik Bagley (4-1) is a GB Top Team prospect and gives up three inches in height here. The 27-year-old is a submission expert with the rear naked choke being his most dangerous move. I’d edge towards a Shelley decision.

Thomas Paull (12-5) is a rarity, a deaf mixed martial artist. The 29-year-old Englishman doesn’t let that hold him back and he is a stand-up fighter with big power. Eleven wins have come via knockout. Milad Ahady (7-1) trains in the north east of England and descends from Afghanistan. The South Shields man is a fun fighter who usually goes to decision. He’s won his last five bouts. Paull is my preference by knockout.

Jamie Richardson (11-10) is a former title challenger and doesn’t do boring fights. The 28-year-old is an exciting striker with big power. The Englishman is in need of a win here. Rafael Arnov (5-5) is a submission player with some good chokes and decent power in his hands. I’ve got Richardson by knockout.

Jimmy Quinn (2-1) is a flashy fighter who has some great highlight reel finishes. The Englishman is a one hitter quitter with a great guillotine choke. Imad Bouamri (6-6) hails from Spain and is a submission fighter with five wins by tap out so far. Quinn via knockout for me.

Gheorghe Grozav (1-0) trains out of Holohan MMA in Tallaght. Most of his success so far has been in the submission game. Tommy Brunning (1-0) is a striker who won his first pro fight by knockout. As an early amateur, he displayed some submission skills too. I’d go with Grozav by submission.

Craig Edwards (6-4) is a well rounded fighter with good wrestling. The Englishman does a lot of damage with his strikes, particularly in the ground and pound. Sergio Gavinelli (5-2) is good on the feet and likes to get things done early. The Italian also has a good rear naked choke. I’d expect him to win via submission.

Nicolas Leblond (10-4) was meant to fight for a title here, but an injury put paid to that. The Frenchman now takes a late replacement. He can do it all, a heavy hitting striker and an eclectic submission player. Finishes come naturally to him. Gerasimos Siotus (5-6) is the brave man stepping up. The Greek has won five of his last six, all going to a decision. Don’t let the record fool you, he’s gotten a lot better than he started out as. That said, I see Leblond cutting through him early.

Rhi Rhi Hudson (debut) is a hot prospect turning pro. The Englishwoman looked great as an amateur on the CW regional scene, and has dominated fights with her striking. Jennifer Trioreau (1-4) is from France and is a kickboxer. She beat Sinéadh Ní Nualláin in a split decision last time out. Hudson should blitz through her.

Jordan Little (1-0) won his debut by split decision. The Englishman is an IMMAF veteran with a long amateur career. Submissions are where he’s got his finishes from so far. Daniel Crooks-May (0-1) trains out of London and got caught in a guillotine in his debut. He’s a decent grappler in his own right, although I can see Little subbing him. 

Eimear Darcy (1-0) is one of Ireland’s most promising talents. The Compound MMA fighter is a powerful striker who won her debut by a first round knockout. Camilla Bergstrom (debut) comes from Norway. She is a Muay Thai fighter who’s come up on the CW amateur scene. Another early Darcy knockout expected here.

Mush Aslani (4-5) is an Iranian veteran who usually goes to decisions when things are going his way. He has beaten Adam Darby by knockout. Other than that, he is more of a submission threat. Giacomo Michelis (5-1) comes from Italy and has good wrestling. The 29-year-old does savage work in the ground and pound. He also has power in his kickboxing attacks. The Italian should win via finish here.

Vanderlei Junior (3-2) comes from Brazil and trains out of Chute Box. He’s lost his last two and will likely try and keep this one standing. Francesco Mazzeo (3-0) is an Italian who looked great on the feet as an amateur. In the pro ranks, he’s displayed more of his grappling prowess. I think he’ll win via knockout.

Matt Elliott (3-1) trains out of Fight Academy Ireland and he is a dominant wrestler. From there he’ll look to work in his submissions. Luca Borrando (4-0) is from Italy and is an IMMAF veteran. Most of his success is in striking exchanges, however can use some of his grappling. Elliott should dominate this one on the mat.

Cage Warriors 174 is live and exclusive this Saturday on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off at 15:00.