Cage Warriors 181 Preview; 2 Title Fights, Harry Hardwick Defends, Freeman Returns

Cage Warriors are back in Newcastle this Saturday with a stacked card full of excitement. The Vertu Motors Arena will host Cage Warriors 181 with eleven bouts on the card, including two title fights. All twenty-two athletes have come through Europe’s most stringent medical testing to compete.

Harry Hardwick (11-3-1) is making the first defence of his CW Featherweight Championship, a strap he won by knockout against Orlando Wilson Prins last May. The Middlesbrough man has been on a tear since 2020, showcasing a very well rounded skill-set along the way. The Englishman has a good boxing game, and he has fun scrambles where he can lock in his submissions. “Houdini” is an action fighter and will throw with volume. His cardio holds for the duration. Keweny Lopes (11-1-1) flys over the Atlantic having earned the title shot mainly in Shooto. The Brazilian has won eleven straight, not tasting defeat since 2016. The 29-year-old is a heavy hitting striker who has eight knockouts on his record. He’s coming in fresh off a first round win against the promising Wellington Prado in LFA.

A new CW Women’s Bantamweight Championship will be crowned in the co-main event. Kennedy Freeman (5-0) has been a wrecking ball on this run in the promotion. The Machine 2.0 is the daughter of the first English UFC fighter Ian “The Machine” Freeman. She’s going to walk over to the centre, swing her powerful shots and try to overwhelm the opponent into defeat. Mafalda Carmona (7-2) is a KSW veteran and is on a four-fight win streak. The Portuguese is tough as nails and can absorb damage. She’s strong and has good grappling on the offence, as well as a competitive striking ability.

Justin Burlinson (8-2) makes his return after 18-months out due to illness. The Bellator and Contender Series veteran was one of the division’s best fighters back then, with a great all round game. The Englishman brings the heat and the action, and will pour shots on his opponents. Added to that, he’s got a great submission game. Theodor Berggren (6-1) is a hot prospect from the Fight Club Rush scene. The Swede is a good wrestler who loves to soften you up with heavy ground and pound. The 24-year-old has a nice kickboxing style as well, with a lot of bite on his punches.

Dumitru Girlean (8-2) has been one of the best Italian imports that we’ve seen so far. The 30-year-old gets most of his work done on the mat, landing big ground and pound, or taking your back for the rear naked choke. He can compete on the feet, and if you’re sloppy with takedowns, he’s got a peach of guillotine. James Power (7-1) is one of the brightest English prospects currently operating in CW. The Artherton man is punishing on the feet, pulverising opponents and scoring six knockout wins. Keep an eye on his head kick, an absolute pearl.

Sean Clancy Jnr (5-0) is a hugely talented prospect, maybe Scotland’s brightest youngster to date. The EMMA amateur veteran is very athletic and is dynamite in the grappling exchanges. He can take you down effortlessly and smash you from top, take the back and sink in the choke. His striking is also very powerful and he’s quite big for the weight class. Fast twitch muscles for sure. Andrey Augusto (16-7-1) is one of those competitive, fighting Brazilians that is a big test for Europe’s best talents. The 32-year-old is aggressive on the feet with power, and has a slick BJJ game. He’s dangerous throughout, durable and tough to finish.

Charles Joyner (4-1) is an Australian training out of Team Fish Tank alongside the likes of Tom Aspinall and Phil De Fries. The 29-year-old is a wicked kickboxer who tenderises calves, incapacitates the body and has the power in his hands to send his opponent to never never land. Three of his four wins have been knockouts. Yannick Bahati (9-7) is an EFC, KSW and Bellator veteran. The 35-year-old is a powerful veteran who’s seen all there is to see in the sport. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he calls Birmingham his home. He’s got knockout power on the feet and the strength to rip your arm clean off with his kimura and key lock.

Aiden Lee (12-8) is a popular veteran on the European scene. The Englishman is an LFL and Bellator veteran who is on his second stint at Cage Warriors, and he truly takes on all comers. The 29-year-old is a top BJJ player and has an unending box of tricks he can use to have you tapping, napping or snapping. Daniel Konrad (6-2) is a recent title challenger, posing James Sheehan all kinds of problems. The Swiss has a superb grappling game of his own, and he’s a master of the armbar. The 28-year-old also has a powerful left that bloodies up his opponents and occasionally sends them crashing to the mat.

Alberth Dias (6-5) is a Bellator veteran who holds a win over Richie Smullen. The Brazilian is competitive on the feet, with good takedown defence. His style is more attritional and designed to work you over for fifteen minutes. This is a man who takes tough fights and gives good opponents big questions to answer. Bailey Gilbert (8-6) is a local Newcastle man. The 24-year-old has a lot of experience for his age and he’s looking for his first promotional win. He’s got a nice wrestling game and is a master of the triangle choke, as well as a wicked guillotine.

Leon Armes (2-0) is a promising Middlesbrough prospect. He’s looked good so far in the yellow gloves, winning both fights, including a lovely guillotine in his pro debut. The Englishman was known as an amateur for his kickboxing and knockout power. Michał Folc (7-6) is a handful to fight against. The Pole is a very good grappler, with a knack of taking the back and sinking in the rear naked choke. The Elbląg man will bludgeon you with his ground and pound to make you give up the position.

Qendrim Pallata (4-1) is a man with an amateur win over Omiel Brown. Born in England of Albanian heritage, he’s got good skills overall, with a particularly powerful kickboxing game. The 31-year-old also specialises in arm holds, both locks and chokes. James Dixon (4-2) comes in from the bare knuckle boxing world, strapping on the four ounce gloves for the first time since 2022. The Coventry man is a quick starter and will come out swinging. He makes mincemeat out of opponents in the first round.

Michael Tchamou (5-4) is back, one of the most entertaining fighters on these northern cards. The 33-year-old is explosive and has the power to end things instantly. His ground and pound is scary. If you’re going to attempt a sloppy takedown, beware of his guillotine because he might pop your head clean off. Delmar Silva (6-7) has won his last three fights. The Brazilian has most success in his submission game, both with chokes and with leg locks. He’s not afraid of a brawl and will take chances.

Cage Warriors 181 is live and exclusive this Saturday on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off at 18:30.