Cage Warriors 61: Arnold Allen Post Fight Interview

Arnold Allen speaks to Kingdom MMA after Cage Warriors 61 victory

by Ben Heather @benheather

At Cage Warriors 61 on Friday afternoon, Arnold Allen opened up the prelims with a great performance against Doni Miller. It was a fight in which Arnold showcased his ever improving skills and kept his undefeated record intact taking it now to 6-0, proving once again that he is a star of the future and certainly a fighter to keep track of in 2014. Today Kingdom MMA caught up with Arnold to discuss that fight at Cage Warriors 61.

Ben: Firstly, what a great performance you put on Friday night, how did you feel the fight went?
Allen: I was happy with the fight I did what I wanted to do which is to use my boxing more and get comfortable on my feet!

Ben: Did Doni do anything in the fight which surprised you or that you were not prepared for?
Allen: I didn't know Doni would fight as a southpaw and I thought he would try take me down so I had to make a few changes in the fight

Ben: Half way through round 1 it looked like you may have got caught with a couple of shots before coming back swinging and flooring Miller, were you hurt at all?
Allen: I was winded with the knee that he landed which I'm convinced was a one week death knee.

Ben: Then while on the floor Doni was landing some big elbows to the top of your head did any of those do any damage or did you manage to block those with your hands?
Allen: They all hit my gloves so they did no damage, my head is fine haha.

Ben: Do you feel when the fight hit the floor you could have gone for the finish in round 1?
Allen: Definitely I just fell into his guard and he did a great job of tying me up and recovering.

Ben: Were you sick between rounds 1 and 2? The camera was on you to begin with then it looked like you were before the camera quickly changed to the other corner. If you were sick do you have any idea what caused it?
Allen: Haha maybe a little bit and I was feeling a little bit funny before. I think just a bug as I'm still feeling sick now.

Ben: You finished the fight in the second round, talk us through those closing stages before the ref stopped the fight.
Allen: Yeah I dropped Doni with a left hand and started landing shots and he went limp for a second and I woke him up with another punch but the ref had stopped it already.

Ben: Do you think the referee stopped the fight early? As Doni Miller seemed very upset by the decision, even pushing the referee after the fight which no matter how he felt the decision went should never happen. A fighter should never lay his hands on the officials.
Allen: I think it was good stoppage he went limp, fair enough he came back round quick but I wasn't going to stop punching him after he woke up.

Ben: After the fight what did you say to Doni as he seemed to keep confronting you and talking about something after complaining about the decision?
Allen: I just asked him to watch the fight back.

Ben: You told us last week that you would love to finish the fight with a knock out and then delivered on Saturday night, how did that feel?
Allen: It's great to back up what you've said your going to do, I'm just happy I used my hands more as all people have seen is my ko win on my debut.

Ben: You had a very experienced corner for this fight with Luke Barnatt, Jack mason and Jason Cooledge in your corner. How much confidence did you gain from that?
Allen: It's an awesome corner Jason Cooledge and Luke Barnatt were so helpful for me and Jack from the minute we landed to getting our hands raised, they helped every step of the way. It's awesome having such a powerful corner, especially Jack who's seen every situation in a fight possible.

Ben: What's next for Arnold Allen?
Allen: 7-0.

Ben: Would you like to say thank you to anyone?
Allen: I'd like to thank all my sponsors below, my friends and family and team mates at BKK Fighters for all of their help:

www.ValorFightWear.com
www.funkygums.com
www.uksportstraining.com
www.RevGear.com
www.powering-through.com
www.katana-clothing.com
www.blankmmauk.com
www.sportsinjuryspecialist.com
www.almightyfightwear.com
www.mmaxfit.co.uk

Thanks again for your time Arnold, we can't wait to see you get back in to the cage in 2014.

Injury forces changes to Saturdays Cage Warriors 57 card

Cage Warriors 57 makes enforced changes to fight card on less than a weeks notice

by Ben Heather @benheather

Unfortunately the Cage Warriors 57 fight card has had a couple of late enforced changes due to late changes. Cage Warriors 57 will be taking place in Liverpool's Echo Arena on Saturday night.

The changes can be viewed below.

Main Card
Danny Roberts will now take on Aldric Cassata (6-5), who replaces the injured Mauro Chimento.
Jack Mason now faces Ali Arish (19-2) instead of Bruno Carvalho.
A new opponent is currently being sought for Mats Nilsson following the withdrawal of Lee Chadwick due to injury.

Prelims
Jason Cooledge (8-4) steps in for the injured Lew Long to take on Saul Rogers.

As soon as details come out regarding Mats Nilsson's new opponent we will keep you all up to date.

Del Guerra vs Omoyele plus four other bouts agreed for Cage Warriors 56

New Cage Warriors recruit Bola Omoyele's next opponent named

It has today been confirmed who Bola Omoyele will fight in his first Cage Warriors fight since signing an exclusive contract. The welterweight will face of against Vincent del Guerra in one of five bouts that officials have today confirmed for Cage Warriors 56. Cage Warriors 56 will take place on Saturday, July 6th at The Forum in Kentish Town, London, England.

Omoyele (6-1), who was a member of Team UK on The Smashes series of The Ultimate Fighter last year, recently signed an exclusive contract with Cage Warriors Fighting Championship. We caught up with Bola last week to discuss his new contract with Cage Warriors, that interview can be read here.

Omoyele has stopped his opponents in all six of his wins with 5 TKOs and one submission, five of which have come in the first round.

Omoyele told Cage Warriors: “Thanks to God for giving me the strength and health for this fight, and to Cage Warriors and my management for bringing me on board.
“I’m excited like a child to be finally getting into the cage again and showcasing my skill-set. Vincent is going to have his work cut out for him.”

Hailing from Marseille in France, del Guerra (20-8), will be fighting for the 29th time in his professional career, despite having only turned 23 in February.

The versatile del Guerra has 17 stoppage wins on his record - nine by submission, eight by (T)KO - and has vowed to make a real impression when he makes his Cage Warriors debut on July 6.
“This is a very big opportunity for me,” said del Guerra to Cage Warriors. “I will put on a great fight with my opponent and show everyone that I’m one of the most dangerous welterweights in Europe.”

Also featuring on the main card will be a middleweight clash between Brett Bassett and Denniston Sutherland, as well as a host of other exciting fights that will be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, following a recent injury lay-off , Brett Bassett (8-3) will return to action for the first time since his spectacular KO of Mike Ling last September to take on experienced CWFC veteran middleweight Denniston Sutherland (19-9).

On the prelims, Fabio Ferrari (5-2) and Brett Sizeland (6-2) will also meet in a middleweight bout, lightweights Brad Wheeler (9-9) and Jason Cooledge (8-4) will clash, while unbeaten featherweight prospects Chad Griffiths (4-0) and Arnold Allen (3-0) will be in opposite corners for their Cage Warriors debuts.

Cage Warriors 53: Weigh in Results

Weigh in Results for Cage Warriors 53

by Ben Heather @benheather

Tomorrows Cage Warriors 53 main event is official as Jim Alers and Joni Salovaara are both on weight and will now fight for the vacant CWFC featherweight title at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland.

The pair both weighed in under the 145lbs limit at this afternoon’s weigh ins, and will now clash in a bid to succeed Conor McGregor as the next champion of the Cage Warriors featherweight division. Conor McGregor of course vacated both the featherweight and lightweight titles when he signed for the UFC.

All of the other main card fighters made weight when they stepped on to the scales, with only Jean N’Doye failing to make the weight for his prelim fight against Richie Edgeworth.

N’Doye, who had been aiming to make the cut to bantamweight for the first time, could only weigh in at  137.2lbs and therefore surrenders 25 percent of his purse to Edgeworth.

Full list of results from todays weigh in can be found below.

MAIN CARD
Joni Salovaara (144.6lbs) v Jim Alers (144.4lbs) - For the vacant CWFC featherweight title
Sally Krumdiack (114.8lbs) v Joanne Calderwood (115.9lbs) - strawweight
Chris Scott (185lbs) v Mats Nilsson (184.8lbs) - middleweight
Jason Cooledge (155.7lbs) v Jason Ball (156lbs) - lightweight
Paul Marin (125.5lbs) v Neil Seery (125.1lbs) - flyweight
James Pennington (135.4lbs) v James Doolan (135.5lbs) - bantamweight

FACEBOOK PRELIMS
Richie Edgeworth (136lbs) v Jean N’Doye (137.2lbs)* - bantamweight
Joe Laurence (125.4lbs) v Mark Connor (125.9lbs) - flyweight
*Fighter missed contracted weight, surrendering 25 percent of his purse to his opponent

Remember to check out Kingdom MMA's interviews with some of the fighters on this card. Kingdom MMA had the pleasure to speak with Jim Alers, Joanne Calderwood, Jason Cooledge and James Doolan before their fights on Saturday night.

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

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.