Cage Warriors 60 Lightweight tournament pairings set; Kelly vs. Stephens also added

Cage Warriors 60 Lightweight tournament pairings set; Kelly vs. Stephens also added

Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

A FOUR-MAN tournament will take place at Cage Warriors 60 to determine a new CWFC lightweight champion, and today officials have revealed details of the semi-final pairings.

Cage Warriors 60 will take place at The Forum in Kentish Town, London, on Saturday, 5 October. Tickets, priced from just £25, are currently on sale HERE.

To be contested on the night, the lightweight tournament will feature Jason Ball (pictured), Ivan Buchinger, Stevie Ray and Mick Sinclair, all of whom will be aiming to pick up the two wins required to clinch a belt that was vacated by Conor McGregor earlier this year.

Buchinger (23-4) will face Sinclair (12-3) in one semi-final, while on the other side of the draw, Ball (20-12) and Ray (12-4) will also clash for a coveted place in the decider.

Each semi-final bout will consist of two five-minute rounds and an additional overtime round will be contested in the event of a draw. Five five-minute rounds will be scheduled for the final.

The semi-finals will feature on the CWFC 60 preliminary card, with the final scheduled to conclude the night’s action as the main event.

In order to facilitate any enforced withdrawals, the previously-announced meeting of Sean Carter and Richard Griffin will act as a reserve bout.

Meanwhile, a women’s bout has also been added to the CWFC 60 card, which will be the promotion’s 10th of 2013.

Former Muay Thai world champion Amanda Kelly (0-0) will make her professional MMA debut in a bantamweight bout against fellow Brit and Muay Thai practicioner Hannah Stephens (2-1).

4 Man Lightweight Tournement Set for Cage Warriors 60

4 Man Lightweight Tournement Set for Cage Warriors 60

A FOUR-MAN tournament will be contested at Cage Warriors 60 to determine a new CWFC lightweight champion.The title, which was vacated by Conor McGregor earlier this year, will be up for grabs when Cage Warriors returns to The Forum in London on Saturday, 5 October, 2013.

Scotland’s Stevie Ray, Slovakian Ivan Buchinger and English pair Mick Sinclair and Jason Ball will battle it out in pursuit of the promotion’s lightweight crown.

The victorious fighter will need to overcome two opponents in one night for the right to be crowned Cage Warriors’ 155lbs champion, with semi-final pairings to be announced in due course.

Each semi-final bout will consist of two five-minute rounds and an additional overtime round will be contested in the event of a draw. Five five-minute rounds will be scheduled for the final.

The semi-finals will feature on the night’s preliminary card, with the final concluding the Cage Warriors 60 bill as the main event. A reserve bout will also be added to the card in order to facilitate any enforced withdrawals.

THE CONTENDERS

JASON BALL (20-12) | Photo: Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors

The most experienced participant in the tournament, Jason Ball will be competing for Cage Warriors for the fifth time in his career and the third time in 2013.

The 29-year-old is a well-rounded fighter, taking nine (T)KO and nine submission wins since making his professional debut in January 2005.

Ball is likely to be on a revenge mission on October 5, having previously suffered decision losses to two of his three tournament rivals - Mick Sinclair and Ivan Buchinger.

The Doncaster native hasn’t been stopped in his last 14 outings, with his most recent stoppage defeat coming via submission against UFC veteran Paul Sass in November 2008.

“This opportunity has been my target since returning to Cage Warriors,” said Ball. “I said then that I wanted to be the champion and this is my chance to get the belt.

“The tournament format adds an extra challenge and excitement. Four tough guys will be aiming to win the belt but I plan on putting on a show and bringing it back to Doncaster.”

IVAN BUCHINGER (23-4) | Photo: Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors

Ranked as one of Europe’s top lightweights, Ivan Buchinger gets his second shot at the CWFC lightweight title on October 5 in London.

Defeated by Conor McGregor in the main event at Cage Warriors 51 in Dublin last New Year’s Eve, the Slovakian has rebounded in impressive fashion in 2013.

Buchinger edged out Jason Ball by unanimous decision at Cage Warriors 54 in Cardiff back in May, before submitting Jamal Magomedov last month at Cage Warriors 58 in Chechnya.

Still just 27, Buchinger has notched 20 career wins inside the distance and counts Diego Gonzalez, Jarkko Latomaki and Bellator tournament winner Magomedrasul Khasbulaev among his notable victories.

Three of Buchinger’s four losses have come at the hands of UFC veterans, in Conor McGregor, Akira Corassani and Anton Kuivanen.

He said: “I’m very happy to have another chance to fight for this title. I have worked hard to get it and I’m very determined to make the most of this chance.”

STEVIE RAY (12-4) | Photo: Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors

A member of Scotland’s renowned Dinky Ninjas camp, Stevie Ray is the tournament’s youngest participant at 23 years of age.

Three of Ray’s four career losses came at welterweight, with his only defeat at 155lbs coming via decision against three-time UFC veteran Curt Warburton.

Holding wins over CWFC veterans Dale Hardiman, Merv Mulholland and Vincent del Guerra, Ray has taken 10 of his 12 victories by stoppage - six via submission, four by (T)KO.

“I’m really excited and grateful to Cage Warriors for giving me the chance to fight for their lightweight title in London on October 5,” said Ray.

“I believe I’m better than I’ve ever been right now, I’ll be ready for whoever is in front of me and I’m determined to bring that belt back to Scotland.”

MICK SINCLAIR (12-3) | Photo: MMAPics.com

The tournament’s elder statesman at 31, Englishman Mick Sinclair will be competing for Cage Warriors for the fourth time in his career.

The younger brother of Bellator lightweight Rob Sinclair, Mick holds wins over fellow CWFC veterans Jason Ball, Oriol Gaset and Ashleigh Grimshaw.

With 10 of his 12 victories coming inside the distance, Mick Sinclair was signed to an exclusive Cage Warriors contract earlier this year.

“I’m delighted Cage Warriors have given me this chance and I’m really looking forward to getting in there on October 5,” he said.

“I’m in there with three other top fighters who’ll also be looking to put on a show. This is a very exciting challenge and it’s one I can’t wait for.”

Jason Cooledge "My goal is to make a statement and finish Jason Ball"

Kingdom MMA chat to Jason Cooledge ahead of his fight at Cage Warriors 53

by Ben Heather @benheather

Jason Cooledge (7-3 MMA) took time out of his schedule today to answer some questions for Kingdom MMA. Jason is fighting on the main card of Cage Warriors 53 Saturday night at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow Scotland and will be looking to make it three wins in a row if he can beat Jason Ball (19-11 MMA).

Ben: Hi Jason, thank you for agreeing to an interview with Kingdom MMA. At Cage Warriors 53 you make your debut fighting for Cage Warriors, for fans who have not seen your previous fights can you tell them a little bit about yourself?
Jason: I'm the animal. I fight out of BKK Fighters, Colchester under Jack Stone Mason. I have two kids and a loving wife and I'm a full time fighter.

Ben: Cage Warriors is a huge organisation in European MMA, you must be extremely excited and a little bit nervous at the same time to be featured on the main card Saturday?
Jason: I'm very excited I feel its deserved I work hard and fight even harder but feel blessed that a great organisation like Cage Warriors has recognised my hard work and I will put on a great show for them.

Ben: Your opponent Jason Ball has been in the cage with pretty much a who's who of the best UK 155lb fighters, is Ball your toughest test to date?
Jason: Maybe!!! Styles make fights so we will see.

Ben: Ball is known for his pro boxing background, going in to this fight how confident are you standing with Ball?
Jason: I'm very happy with my skills in all areas and feel i will control the cage with pressure and pace.

Ben: Jason Ball has not been stopped since former UFC fighter Paul Sass forced him to tap in November 2008, do you think you can force a stoppage win?
Jason: Hell yes and i will be ready to take any opportunity that I see. This is my goal, to make a statement and finish Ball so everyone knows who I am.

Ben: Do you see any area of weakness in Ball's skills that you will be able to target on Saturday night?
Jason: I don't really look at what my opponent does, just what i can do. Plus, you never know if your opponent will change last minute.

Ben: Have you focused more on your stand up game in training for this fight?
Jason: No more than usual, I work on everything twice a week at least to be as well rounded as possible.

Ben: In your last loss you took Martin Stapleton to a respectable decision, what did you learn from that loss?
Jason: Most of all I learnt my range and not to let people hit me even if it doesn't hurt me so a bit more discipline.

Ben: Since that loss you have won back to back fights both coming via submission, how do you feel your game has improved since the loss?
Jason: My game has gone through the roof, I'm nowhere near the fighter I used to be. Ive come on so much and I'm now on a whole new level.

Ben: And finally before you go would you like to say thanks to anyone?
Jason: Thank you for the interview, a big thanks to Cage Warriors for having me on the show. Thanks to my wife for looking after me and keeping me true to myself. My Gym BKK Fighters for being there for me always. Jack Mason for helping me in all aspects of my life. My pro team mate Sean Carter, Arnold Allen for being there to train with me. Steve Wright, all my coaches, Lee Catlin, Jamie Williams, Nick Albert beat man.

My Sponsors eprotein for my supplements, funky gums for my gum shields and British Fighter and Octagon wear for my training clothes and walk out gear.

Also thanks to all of my training partners for helping me out.

Thank you Jason for taking the time to answer all the questions from Kingdom MMA. Again, Jason will be fighting on the main card of Cage Warriors 53 at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on Saturday night.

Keep Checking Kingdom MMA for all the latest news on Jason Cooledge, Cage Warriors as well as all the other news from the world of MMA.

3 Fights Added to Cage Warriors 53 Including Joanne Calderwood vs. Sally Krumdiack

A Strawweight bout Joanne Calderwood (5-0) and Sally Krumdiack (9-6) has been confirmed as the co-main event for Cage Warriors 53, which takes place April 13th at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland.

Calderwood, a Muay Thai Vet who hold a 19-2 kickboxing record before beginning her career in MMA, will look to extend her Pro MMA record to 6 and 0 - which includes 2 wins under the Invicta FC banner, in her native Scotland when she takes on American Sally Kumdiack, who returns to the promotion for the first time since her TKO loss to Rossi Sexton.

Other additions to the card include lightweights Jason Ball (19-11) vs. Jason Cooledge (7-3) and flyweights Paul Marin (5-2) vs. Neil Seery (11-9).

Ball, who has faced the creme of the UK lightweight scene, enters the bout having just picked submission victory over Craig Allen at Bamma 12, snapping a 3 fight losing streak which included losses to Colin Fletcher, Andre Winner, and Leonardro Santos.

His opponent, Cooledge who is currently enjoying a 3-1 run, will be making his promotional debut at Cage Warriors 53.

Cage Warriors 53 also sees Paul Marin, a Romanian fighter, who returns to the cage following a loss to Paul McVeigh at Cage Warriors 52, take on Neil Seery, an Irishman who's is currently on a 4-1 run.

The latest Cage Warriors 53 card includes:
Jim Alers vs. Joni Salovaara - for vacant featherweight title
Joanne Calderwood vs. Sally Krumdiack
Mats Nilsson vs. Chris Scott
Jason Ball vs. Jason Cooledge
Paul Marin vs. Neil Seery
James Doolan vs. James Pennington

For More on Cage Warriors 53, stay tune to the Calendar section on our site.