Cage Warriors 178 Preview; Riley headlines, Dara Ward returns

The second night of the Cage Warriors double header goes down on Saturday in the BEC arena in Manchester. Cage Warriors 178 has eleven fights on deck and all fighters have been declared safe to compete under the most stringent checks in European MMA.

Luke Riley (9-0) was due to compete recently on the Contender Series, however visa issues put paid to that. The Englishman earned the spot with a cracking decision win over John de Jesus, which in turn was on the back of a classic war against Alexander Lööf. The Next Gen Liverpool man is one of the finest Europeans to watch on the feet. The 25-year-old throws combos, bounces in and out, can take a shot himself, and he’ll win your heart with his all action displays. Alexandre Junior (6-2) is an LFA veteran who’s won three of his last four. The Brazilian crosses the ocean for the first time and is known as a well rounded fighter. The 30-year-old is more likely to keep it standing and use his power, however he has a submission game to be wary of. Riley should cruise through this and proceed towards the UFC.

Ieuan Davies (5-0) is emerging as one of Wales’ best prospects. The Wrexham man has dominated the pro scene with his grappling to date. The tall lightweight has secured four submission victories and also a ground and pound knockout win, beating two Team KF standouts along the way. As an amateur, he showed a good kickboxing game with finishing capabilities. Amaury Junior (16-11) returns for his third appearance in the yellow gloves. The Brazilian has most of his success in the submission game, particularly with his arm triangle. The 36-year-old had a great knockout win against Giuseppe Ruggeri in March. I fancy Davies via ground and pound.

Fabian Ufs (3-1) makes his promotional debut after some good work on the local scene. The Norwegian represented his country at IMMAF level, and has shown great grappling prowess in his fledgling pro career. Whether by submission or by ground and pound, the 22-year-old is one Muay Thai stylist you don’t want to underestimate in grappling exchanges. Jack Humphries (1-0) debuted in May with a great first round rear naked choke win. The Englishman was a standout performer for England on the amateur scene and is also an IMMAF vet. The 21-year-old loves to snatch necks. Two young men that could generate some fantastic scrambles, an exciting matchup.

Dean Trueman (10-8) is a UK MMA legend and former CW featherweight champion. The Englishman has lost his last four, however it was against an absolute murderer’s row of opponents. This veteran is mean on the feet and packs a punch, and is a gem on the floor as well. He’ll be keen to show he still belongs in the yellow gloves. Gavin Hughes (10-4) is a Bellator and ACA veteran on a similar run to Trueman, winning one of his last five. The Englishman is a powerful striker with a wicked guillotine. The 36-year-old can wrestle and smash with ground and pound as well. Tough to choose but I’ll side with Trueman.

Dara Ward (2-0) is an early pro who splits his time between the Honeybadger Academy under Phil Mulpeter, and in Team KF in Swords. It’s been so far so good for the Irishman so far, winning his debut by knockout and his sophomore both by rear naked choke back in April. His MMA career so far has shown great grappling prowess with his submissions and his ground and pound. He’s coupling that well with his kickboxing. George McManus (3-4) is well known as being a very promising fighter who takes insanely difficult fights. The Englishman is a good grappler who excels in the choke game. He struggles when he can’t get the fight where he wants to, and can come undone by a good kickboxing display. Team KF head coach Chris Fields has been here before with Ian Garry and Omran Chabaan, so I’m expecting Ward to hit the trilogy.

Shay Ingram (debut) makes his first walk. The Englishman had a perfect amateur record where he showed solid wrestling, heavy ground and pound, and a good submission game. Marc-Philippe Ngatchou (debut) also turns pro on Saturday. The German’s amateur career spanned over twenty fights, the highlight being representing his nation at the IMMAFs, finishing with silver in the Europeans. He’s got a good kickboxing game and can grapple. The records now get wiped and i reckon Ngatchou will enter enemy soil and come out with a knockout win.

Joe Fields (2-0) had a great CW debut in May with a first round rear naked choke win. As well as having a good choke game, as an amateur he showed excellent kickboxing skill and a killer touch. Costin Bunhă (1-2) came up short in his premier CW foray, falling to a third round knockout. The Romanian won his sole victory by a guillotine choke. The Brasov man has decent kickboxing, however I see Fields being ahead in the development at this moment in time.

Cameron Chamberlain (2-1) makes the promotional walk for the first time. The Oldham man favours his grappling game and his likely method of finish is submission. The SBG Rochdale man is competent on the feet. Nick Beukema (2-0) was supposed to face Nik Bagley in May but the fight fell through prior to the event. The Dutchman is a good kickboxer with knockout power, with that classic Dutch submission threat if you don’t mind your Ps and Qs. I’m expecting Beukema to edge it.

Sheldon Ryan (3-2) is a hardy scrapper who’s tough as nails. The Salford man is looking to bounce back from a split decision loss to Michelangelo Lupoli. The 30-year-old is great at taking the back and sinking in a choke, and he causes havoc with his power on the feet. Gregory Wamytan (2-3) is a multi medalist BJJ player both nationally and in the Europeans, in the gi and nogi. Born in North Caledonia, he now trains in France where both of his victories have come via submission. Ryan’s grittiness should help him avoid getting tapped.

Stef Murray (1-0) is a man who used his amateur career to compete against the best of the best in the country. The Englishman used that experience to win his debut with a first round rear naked choke. The Manchester man will be keen to show his quality on Saturday. Harry Shaw (1-1) can be seen training out of the GB Top Team. That loss on the record was to Liam McCracken, an absolute buzz saw. The Englishman has very classy boxing and loves to work the body. Knockouts come very naturally to him and I’m picking him to show just that on Saturday.

Matthew Friel (1-1) hails from Derry in the north of Ireland. The 25-year-old is a promising BJJ player who loves a choke more than Arsenal Football Club. He’s dabbled in amateur kickboxing as well, and he fought the best of the best in Ireland before turning pro. Jordan Molinari (0-1) is a Next Gen Liverpool newcomer who represented England at IMMAF level. The Englishman dropped his debut by decision. The 31-year-old will be keen to show his well rounded game this time and go on a run with a flurry of activity. Friel by submission for me.

Cage Warriors 178 is live and exclusive this Saturday on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off at 18:30.