Cage Warriors 187 Preview: Clancy Jr. v Gomes

Cage Warriors are gearing up for a couple of weeks of Celtic events, with Glasgow being first up this Saturday night. CW 187 goes down in the Braehead Arena, where fourteen bouts will entertain fans this holiday weekend.

Sean Clancy Jr. (6-0) is perhaps the most exciting prospect Scotland has ever produced. The Higher Level Martial Arts man has been a wrecking machine since strapping on the yellow gloves, finishing all four bouts within the distance. This kid has very good talent in all of the disciplines and he’s most dangerous in the ground game. His wrestling and BJJ game have made mincemeat out of opponents, and his boxing game is varied and accurate. He’s on a fast track to the UFC based on past performances. Italo Gomes (13-4) is the latest test to try his luck on enemy territory. The Brazilian is an LFA and Shooto veteran, and he’s always looking to put on a show. The Rio man is best known for his submission skills, with a particular fondness of the armbar and rear naked choke. The 28-year-old isn’t afraid of a fistfight and will brawl, especially early on in the fight before he shoots for takedowns.

Reece McEwan (8-3) is back in front of his home nation’s crowd and looking to put together a string of wins after victory against Miguel Haro last September. The 28-year-old is a solid grappler, both on the cage and the mat, where he wears you down before looking to use his extensive choke game. The Scot grows into fights and carries a finishing threat throughout. Weslley Maia (10-6) is one of those dudes that just loves to fight. The Brazilian has picked up impressive wins against Alexander Lööf and Lewis McGrillen-Evans in recent years, which gives you an idea of the skill level he is at. The GB Top Team man is very physical in the striking game, using all limbs to chop down his opponents. He isn’t afraid of mixing it up on the floor either, bringing an all-action style wherever the fight goes.

Michael Blair (4-2) is riding the wave of a two-fight win streak into the Braehead Arena. The Scottish Hit Squad man is talented on the feet with a varied striking offence. Half of his victories have come via knockout so far, as well as scoring many more as an amateur. Mathias Poiron (7-2) is a Bellator veteran looking to get back to winning always after back-to-back defeats destroying his perfect 6-0 start to pro life. The Frenchman is a handful and a bit of a destroyer of worlds. The 28-year-old is great at delivering fight changing damage, causing multiple opponents to be pulled between rounds. The Lyon based fighter is also a danger in the submission game, having a choke for every occasion.

Chris Bungard (20-10) goes into battle with his loud and adoring army of fans yet again. “The Bad Guy” is a colourful character who brings a smothering grappling style to the table. The former Bellator and ACB man softens up opponents with the aim of searching for the submission, finding success lately with his armbar. The 36-year-old is brave in the stand-up, trading blow for blow. Artūrs Leisāns (9-8) is another exciting performer, sometimes showing some gaps in his submission defence. The Latvian is a dangerous kickboxer with massive power early in both his hands and feet. Seven wins have come via knockout.

Aidan Stephen (10-5) was a big part in growing the sport up to getting these shows going regularly. The Scot is another talented grappler who is adept at smothering you on the fence or taking you down in open waters. The 33-year-old has only really had problems with top talents and he’s pretty hard nosed. Finishes have been few and far between in recent years, and the most likely avenue for the tap is by rear naked choke. Jordy Bakkes (6-3-1) makes his fourth promotional walk. The Dutchman is a tough grappler with a penchant for an arm triangle. The 30-year-old is patient, prefers position over submission and will be competitive on the feet, although will lack a bit of power.

Keir Harvie (8-3-2) is another beast from the Higher Level Martial Arts gym, finding himself on a three-fight win streak since joining CW. The Scot is a very experienced fighter who has competed across the globe for the likes of EFC in Africa, as well as for Bellator. The 26-year-old has a lovely submission game with a wicked arm triangle, and is fierce on the feet with a powerful kickboxing game. He’s lethal in the clinch as well. Alexandros Moumtzis (8-0) is a talented prospect from the Hellenic scene making the step up to the big leagues. The Greek is a durable striker who is good at outpointing opponents over the fifteen. The 25-year-old has picked up two knockout wins so far, and he’ll be looking to show he can do it more often in a premier promotion.

Paull McBain (8-3) is a long-time CW veteran, with this being his ninth fight. The Scot returned from a few years off last April and picked up a stoppage victory against the tough Alberth Dias. The 36-year-old does a lot of damage with his fists, both standing and via ground and pound. He’s a hardy and tough gentleman. Bailey Gilbert (9-6) is usually in fun fights and his last win was also against Alberth Dias, this one in November. The Englishman is a submission player with a great guillotine and triangle choke, and can also scrap it out on the feet. The 25-year-old isn’t one to bank on a decision.

Next up is a battle between two pro debutants. Jack Foote (debut) is a veteran of the Budo regional shows, and his biggest strength is his submission game. The Scot has fine chokes, with a dangerous guillotine. Aaron Towns (debut) comes in from Goliath and a few other local shows. The Forfar man was a very experienced amateur who showed a well rounded skill set. The Scot has power on the feet and like his opponent, has a nice guillotine.

Jordan Stronge (3-1) is a good up-and-comer out of Chris Bungard’s team. The Airdrie man has a stellar wrestling and submission game, and carries power on the feet, as evidenced by his first round knockout back in September. Chris Hayes (1-0) enjoyed a heel hook win in the first round in his debut all the way back in 2020, and he returns to the cage after the over four-year layoff. The Englishman is known for his submissions, attacking arms and legs all the livelong day.

Ryan Campbell (2-0) is a tough talent out of the Scottish Hit Squad. The 27-year-old is a hard nosed striker with some power and can take a shot, and also has a good wrestling acumen. He’ll set a good pace. Shaun Fraser (2-0) makes the trip north and comes from the GB Top Team. The Englishman is well rounded and has had some success with ground and pound as a pro. The 27-year-old likes to do damage and is undefeated as an amateur and a pro.

Iain Postlewaithe (7-7) has won four of his last five fights, including a decision win in his only CW bout back last April. The 33-year-old usually likes to wrestle and soften up opponents with ground and pound, and is a capable BJJ player. He’s truly a different fighter since the pandemic. Tom Wright (1-2) trains out of Manchester. The Englishman has some talent in the striking exchanges, with some dangerous power. His sole CW win was a good guillotine choke win over Jimmy Quinn in late 2023.

Gary Priestly (2-2-1) is a long time pro who competes in MMA every few years. The Scot is a BJJ player who trains out of 10th Planet, and his most dangerous submissions are guillotines and triangles. Redgie Hingston (1-1) succumbed to a body kick in his CW debut last September. The Scot is a good kickboxer who is dangerous early on with his power.

Igor Wojtas (11-9) is another member of the Scottish Hit Squad. The Pole has good kickboxing with a knockout threat, and is also experienced in grappling exchanges. The 30-year-old is very experienced and always game. Raz Bring (7-5-1) is a well rounded 29-year-old Bellator veteran who hasn’t won in his last four fights, including two losses in the yellow gloves.

Yusuf Nazokayov (2-1) is a Bellator veteran, where he picked up a heel hook win over Ireland’s Stephen Costello. The 30-year-old Persian won his CW debut last November via unanimous decision. Christian Soda (debut) turns to the pro ranks after a ten-fight amateur career. The Englishman’s finishing threat has been the rear naked choke, and he’s shown some talent striking in the big gloves.

Cage Warriors 187 is live and exclusive this Saturday on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off at 17:30.