Cage Warriors 180 Preview; Clamp v Webb, McCorry Returns

Cage Warriors are back in the big smoke to continue their hard end-of-year push this Friday. They’re back at the Indigo, the baby brother of the O2 Arena. Thirteen fights are on deck, with a lot of sparks waiting to cause a fire.

The main event will feature the first defence of the CW Light Heavyweight Championship. Andy Clamp (13-2) won the strap with a third round knockout victory over Matthew Byfield. The Englishman packs a punch on the feet, and has stopped eight opponents due to strikes. “The Vice” earned his nickname due to his grip in the submission exchanges, once he catches hold of you, it’s near impossible to break free. He’s tall with long legs, dangerous with triangles off his back and has a good top wrestling game. James Webb (10-5-1) is a former CW Middleweight champion and he’s moving up in weight here. The Colchester man split training with Team KF in Swords and over in the UK. The 34-year-old has strong wrestling and good control, and when he’s at his best he pairs it up with a heavy right hand. His BJJ is high level and when he finishes, it’s generally due to an arm triangle or a rear naked choke.

Nik Bagley (5-1) is a talent out of GB Top Team, and he’s coming in on a three-fight win streak with a recent win over Ryan Shelley. The Englishman is a grappling specialist, with a wicked submission game. If he takes you down, he’s likely to take your back and sink in a choke. Jordy Bakkes (6-2-1) is another man whose last win was over Ryan Shelley. The Dutchman makes his first CW appearance of the year and third overall after struggling with injuries in recent years. The 30-year-old is a very fun grappler with a couple of submissions on his record, both via arm triangle.

Paddy McCorry (4-1) returns following a relatively successful stint on The Ultimate Fighter. The 26-year-old is a menace on the feet and has looked great in the yellow gloves to date. The West Belfast man also has a deadly guillotine should you try and go for a sloppy takedown. He’s an exciting fighter. Tye Palmer (6-7) is a scrapper. The 34-year-old never fails to say yes to a fight, and he’ll battle you on the feet or on the floor. The Englishman is well rounded and carries both a striking and grappling finishing threat.

Blood will spill in the next one. Wessley Maia (9-6) is a fierce competitor who loves to throw with immense power. The Brazilian is a true fighter, willing to go blow for blow with the toughest opponents. The GB Top Team man rarely takes a step back and he’s going to meet the opposition in the middle. Alexander Lööf (7-2) is a violence machine, and he probably looks saner due to training with Tobias Harila. The Swede is a Muay Thai specialist, and boy does he like to use it. The bell will ring and he’ll work on knocking down that tree. The 26-year-old is going to bring fifteen minutes of damage.

Jimmy Quinn (3-1) is building quite the highlight reel so far as a pro. The Englishman has never needed the judges, even as an amateur. The 25-year-old throws big power shots, with a particularly nice left hand, and he’s also got a wicked guillotine. Giovanni Fernandez (2-2) is someone who struggles to get fights and many opponents have lost the bottle pre fight. The Frenchman is a kill or be killed kind of fighter, and he’s never needed to see the second round. He’s likely to prefer to stay and trade on the feet, however he’s got a submission threat.

Cameron Stewart (debut) is turning pro after developing himself on the CW Academy scene. The Englishman is a well rounded finisher and has recently fought under kickboxing rules. His strikes are heavy, and has the ability to sink in a choke. Yusuf Nazokatov (1-1) is a hard nosed Bellator veteran fighting out of GB Top Team. Activity has always been his issue, with this being his first fight this year and only the third since 2021. He’s always been highly touted, now is the time to show it in the cage. The Englishman beat Stephen Costello by heel hook in his pro debut.

Teddy Stringer is one of Britain’s most promising talents. The Chesterfield man had an extensive amateur career and was active on the IMMAF scene. The 24-year-old has shown the hard work pays off by putting on spectacular performances since strapping on the yellow gloves. The Englishman’s first plan will be to take you down, take the back and tap you. His striking isn’t to be sniffed at either, as shown against Italo Julio in his second CW bout. Shaun Fraser (2-0) is another one off the GB Top Team mats. The Englishman is strong and durable. The 27-year-old can wrestle, land damage from the top via ground and pound, and trouble you on the feet with heavy blows.

Danny Blundell (6-2) was originally supposed to take on Team Ryano’s Adam Darby before the Dubliner pulled out. The 32-year-old has been ploughing away on the scene since 2016 and he’s another man who is tougher than a two euro steak. The ground is his domain, wrestling is his go to and he likes to use damaging ground and pound to open up a submission. He’s also a leg lock specialist. Tariq Pell (3-1) was a CW amateur champion at regional level. The Englishman took his time and honed his skills before switching to the paid ranks, and it paid dividends. The 26-year-old is looking to bounce back from his first defeat, and to show his good grappling and submissions. His striking is coming along nicely as well.

Jawany Scott (5-1) is another one who brings joy to our screens. Under the tutelage of Brad Pickett, he’s been in great form the last couple of years. The 27-year-old is well rounded, showing nice wrestling and always does damage. He really grows into rounds and finds openings once he’s downloaded the data. He’ll be a threat throughout. Davide Scarano (5-2) is a man who has only been defeated by Lon’er Kavanagh and Connor Wilson, so you can forgive that. The Italian is a fantastic grappler who will be arm and neck hunting. The 27-year-old is tough and hard to stop, and can take a shot.

Tommy Brunning (1-1) is another CW Academy graduate who has shown potential as a pro. The Londoner has a heavy punch and tricky submissions. His only misstep was getting caught in Team Holohan’s Gheorge Grozav’s kimura. Richard Kallos (2-2) comes from Fearless MMA under CW veteran Vaughan Lee. The Romanian is Birmingham based and trains with the likes of Jake Hadley. The Bellator veteran is a submission specialist and excels at arm techniques.

Joshua Onwordi (5-5) is a man more talented than his record would suggest. The Englishman can dominate to a decision when he’s on, and he’s won three of his last four. “Flash” needs to be careful on the feet as durability has been an issue. Joe Ambler (1-2) was an FCC champion at amateur level. The Englishman has been caught in a few guillotines thus far as a pro, however he’ll be keen to display his own submissions and ground and pound on Friday.

Thomas Paull (12-6) is a man who fights adversity in this realm, not letting being deaf discourage him. The Englishman is a Contender Series veteran and is a man who likes to knock out his opponents, either on the feet or via ground and pound. All but one of his wins was by finish. Orlando Wilson Prins (5-3) is a recent challenger to Harry Hardwick in a vacant title fight. The Dutchman has strong submission fundamentals, very slick on the mat. He’s recently shown good talent on the feet with a bit of power.

Callum Haighan (debut) is another GB Top Team entering the pro ranks. The Englishman has done his hours in the amateur ranks and brings his submission skills to five minute rounds. He’s an expert at the triangle choke, amongst other techniques. Marko Sarasjärvi (3-2) makes his fourth walk under the CW banner. The Finn has huge experience in IMMAF competition. The rear naked choke has been his go to in his career, and he’s very good at getting it. He only loses to good guys.

Cage Warriors 180 is live and exclusive this Friday on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off at 17:30.