WHAT: Cage Warriors 92: Super Saturday
WHEN: Saturday March 14th 2018 [Prelims 1630GMT | Main Card 1 1800GMT | Main Card 2 2100GMT]
WHERE: The O2 Indigo, London
The UK's premier platform for Mixed Martial Arts are set to return to London with a jumbo event this Saturday. Wondering who the next European standout is? Checking out Cage Warriors is always a good bet!
The event has been titled "Super Saturday" due to the main card being double stacked with 8 (yes, eight) bouts. Notably there are also five very good prelims before all of that gets under way. Needless to say Cage Warriors are putting their best foot forward by booking such a bumper event at a time when the UK circuit has been galvanised by recent announcements from the UFC and Bellator.
For the purpose of the preview, I'll start from the Main Event and work my way backwards!
Bantamweight champion Nathaniel Wood (12-3) will look to make the second title defence of his crown against dangerous Italian Luca Iovine (12-1), both fighters will have an eye on upcoming UFC events scheduled in Europe in hope of receiving the nod. As a contest it should be fast and explosive with both men having a penchant for first round violence.
The penultimate bout of the evening will feature on-form Craig White (13-7) fresh off an impressive first round TKO over veteran Matt Inman in October, a win here should secure him a crack at the currently vacant Cage Warriors welterweight title. Also looking to perhaps put himself into that position however is Alex Montagnani (10-2-1), a dangerous fighter whom like Craig is also riding a three fight winning streak.
The remaining portion of the second main card has a two excellent contests on it, Welsh prodigy Jack Shore (7-0) drops to bantamweight for the first time to take on former UFC competitor and UK veteran Vaughan Lee (14-13-1) in a bout which could see a passing of the torch. Finally this portion of the card opens with an exciting featherweight clash between Corrin Eaton (9-2) and Dean Truman (7-4).
In the final bout of the first main card the heavyweight strap is up for grabs as defending champion Mauro Cerilli (11-2) will try and retain his gold against highly thought of Irish prospect Karl Moore (8-1). Karl is already the current occupier of the light heavyweight belt and adding a second piece of gold to his collection should be enough to attract the UFC, that said Cerilli provides a big test for the Irishman.
More gold is up for grabs when 125er Sam Creasey (9-1) takes on Nathan Greyson (5-2). Champion Creasey has amassed an impressive 9-1 record by collecting recent wins over some of Europe's best talent at Flyweight, Greyson on the other hand returned after a 4 year break from MMA to string together two recent stoppages over game opponents.
Two more welterweight bouts precede the titles as we see the excellent Sam Boult (9-2) square off against Jamie Richardson (6-3) in a clash of North-vs-South, additionally veteran Brad Wheeler (16-11) who is fresh out of his TriStar training camp, will face rising star Mehrdad Janzemini (8-2) and with the welterweight title currently vacant all four of these fighters will be looking to impress matchmaker Ian Dean and position themselves for a title shot.
MAIN CARD 2
Nathaniel Wood vs. Luca Iovine
Craig White vs. Alex Montagnani
Jack Shore vs. Vaughan Lee
Corrin Eaton vs. Dean Truman
MAIN CARD 1
Mauro Cerilli vs. Karl Moore
Sam Creasey vs. Nathan Greyson
Sam Boult vs. Jamie Richardson
Brad Wheeler vs. Mehrdad Janzemini
PRE LIMS
Thomas Terjeman vs. Cameron Else
Aiden Lee vs. Thomas Mearns
Pelu Adetola vs. Modestas Bukauskas
James Webb vs. Marcin Prostko
Salih Kulucan vs. Darren O'Gorman