Cage Warriors Roster Grows with 6 New Signings

 Cage Warriors Roster Grows with 6 New Signings

 
Cage Warriors Fighting Championship has added six more fighters to its ever-expanding stable of talent.

Officials can today confirm that Paul Marin (pictured), Toni Tauru, Martin Svensson, Martin Sheridan, Aaron Blackwell and Ronan McKay have all signed five-fight deals to compete exclusively for the promotion over a minimum period of 18 months.

Marin (7-3) enjoyed a successful second-half of 2013, despite starting his CWFC career with losses to current flyweight champion Neil Seery and former bantamweight title-holder Paul McVeigh earlier in the year.

The entertaining Romanian flyweight bounced back by overcoming Shaj Haque via decision, before forcing Spencer Hewitt to tap to strikes in the first round of their encounter at CWFC 61 last month in Amman.

“Signing with the biggest show in Europe was a huge goal for me in 2013. I worked hard to achieve it and I’m very happy to have succeeded,” said 28-year-old Marin, who’s currently based in Barcelona.

“My next goal is to be a contender for the CWFC flyweight belt and I’ll do everything I can to get to that stage. I want to thank Cage Warriors, my coach, my team and my management for this massive opportunity.”

Tauru (8-1-1), who hails from Finland, joins CWFC on the back of an eight-fight win-streak - five of which have come via submission - which has seen him join the top table of bantamweights in Europe.

The 29-year-old, whose only career loss came against former CWFC title challenger Mikael Silander in 2011, most recently submitted TUF 18 contestant Emil Hartsner by first-round gogoplata in November.

Tauru said: “I want to fight the best guys in Europe so CWFC is the place for me to be. This is the next big step in my career. I’m looking forward to showcasing my talents and going after that CWFC title.”

Svensson (12-5) will be keen to return to winning ways in 2014, having fallen short against CWFC featherweight champion Jim Alers in their title bout at CWFC 59 last September.

Despite forcing Alers to go the distance for the first time in his career, Svensson was on the end of a decision defeat, but the big 28-year-old remains one of Europe’s top featherweights having been on a 7-1 run prior to that loss.

“Jim Alers, we’re not done with each other yet. Keep the belt safe because I’m coming back for it,” said Svensson. “I won’t rest until I have that belt and I’ll bring pain to any featherweight who stands in my way.”

Sheridan (7-4) earned his CWFC contract after a spectacular KO of Jordan Desborough last month, which is currently in the running for Knockout of the Year in the 2013 CWFC Awards.

Having taken the fight on short notice, 30-year-old Sheridan sent out a strong message by stopping the former CWFC bantamweight title challenger in the first round of their tussle at CWFC 62 in Newcastle.

“I’m so privileged to have signed an exclusive deal with Cage Warriors,” said Sheridan, who hails from Dublin but is now based in England. “It’s one of the best promotions in the world and getting the chance to fight on that stage for the next 18 months is a dream come true.”

Blackwell (12-9-1) a 29-year-old Englishman, returned to action in 2013 after a two-year lay-off and has once again begun to climb the bantamweight rankings.

Undefeated in his last five outings, Blackwell most recently defeated Kris Edwards at CWFC 60 in London back in October.

He said: “It’s a great honour to be representing the best promotion in Europe. I’m really looking forward to regularly competing against world-class athletes and showcasing my abilities on such a big show.”

McKay (10-11) will be aiming for his fourth consecutive win when he returns to action in 2014, as he aims to prove that his current record is certainly not a fair reflection of his talents.

The 28-year-old Irish middleweight secured a first-round KO of Leeroy Barnes at CWFC 62 in Newcastle last month and also holds notable victories over CWFC welterweight champion Cathal Pendred, CWFC veteran Henry Fadipe and top UK middleweight Lee Chadwick.

“I’m very excited about competing for Cage Warriors in 2014 and beyond,” said McKay. “I’m eager to keep my win-streak going and I’m looking forward to moving up the division with each fight.”

Jim Alers ahead of Cage Warriors 59 "I fight for more than just myself now"

Kingdom MMA catch up with Jim Alers ahead of Cage Warriors 59

by Chris Houten @mrhouts



Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

 On Saturday night Jim Alers will put his Cage Warriors featherweight title on the line against Martin Svensson as the pair clash at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales. However today he took some time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. The last time we spoke to Jim he took part in our Fighter vs Writer predictions challenge and became the first Fighter to beat one of the Kingdom MMA guys. However that is in the past and now the main focus is all about his fight.

Chris: On Saturday you will be taking on Martin Svensson at Cage Warriors 59, have you spent much time studying Svennson and what do you know about you opponent?
Alers: Yes I like to go over video with my coaches as soon as I find out who it is I am fighting. Luckily for me Svensson had just fought in June and it was almost a full 3 rounds. I got to see a lot of his fighting style. I know he is tall and likes to try and bully his opponents. I feel this will be a very dynamic fight.

Chris: Svennson is a tall guy for 145 standing 6’1, do you think he will look to keep you on the outside – stick and move?
Alers: I don't think that is his style from most videos I have seen. He actually is probably going to try to use his size to grab me and clinch with me. He has a lot of submission wins so I see him trying to take the fight in that direction

Chris: How has you training camp gone for your fight with Svensson?
Alers: I feel as good as ever. I just recently checked my pulse and it was at 37bpm. So I must be in amazing shape. I am injury free and also have worked to improve all of my weaknesses that I have seen over previous fights. If this fight turns into a sword fight I will be ready. I'm ready for anything.

Chris: Have you spent any of this camp with Duke Rufus at all, or did you do all of your camp in Florida this time?
Alers: This time I did not go to Dukes. I decided to stay at home close to family and friends. There are a ton of great schools in Florida so I took advantage of the talent in my own backyard. Most of my training was done at Alliance Orlando but I also trained at The Jungle MMA, Vagner Rocha Martial Arts, Pichis boxing Pit and my strength and conditioning at Crossfit Tough as Nails

Chris: Svensson has made reference to trying out for TUF 14 in the past, and I know you have also tried out for The Ultimate Fighter as well. Did you tryout for TUF 14 also, and if so do you remember crossing paths with Svennson or what his performance was like?
Alers: There was about 300 people there so if he was there I don't think I saw him. If I did see him I probably didn't think he was there to try out to be on the show. There aren't many 145ers that walk around as big as him.

Chris: I believe your wife has been heavily pregnant for this fight camp (Congratulations by the way!), with your child due within weeks of the fight. Do you feel this has affected your training camp at all?
Alers: Thanks a million I am so excited to see my little Beast already. It has affected me a lot with her being pregnant and so close to giving birth. It has lit a fire in me to try harder than ever every single practice. I fight for more than just myself now.

Chris: Cage warriors 59 will be you 5th fight in a row outside of the US, are you still happy with the travel aboard, or are you getting to the stage where you'd like to start fighting closer to home?
Alers: I say this tons of times. "If I get nothing else out of my MMA career at least I can say that I have see the world." Fighting abroad is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Would I like to fight at home again one day and have my family there, well of course but for now I'm enjoying the world.

Chris: I take it with all the travelling abroad to fight making you an expert at making weight comfortably under any circumstance now?
Alers: I pride myself in being very professional and doing my best to make my contracted weight. I think its from my wrestling background that I am so strict with my diet and weight cut. I've been cutting weight for 10 years now. I wrestled at 145lbs in high school also.

Chris: Last time we spoke you told me the dream was to fight in the UFC. At this stage would you consider any offers from Bellator, or are you holding out for the UFC?
Alers: Yes I am holding out for the UFC. That has been the dream since day 1. Right now however I am going to be the best Cage Warriors champ ever. If UFC doesn't call you will see me defending my title plenty of times under the CW banner.

Chris: Do you feel an impressive win over Svennson will put you in ‘ the shop window’ for the UFC, and have you had any indication you might be on the UFCs radar?
Alers: That's the plan. I Want to won decisively and show why I am the number 1 featherweight out there. Not only do I feel that I am the top featherweight in Florida or in Cage Warriors that is outside the UFC but I feel that I am number 1 in the world and should be next in line for a shot in the big show. Its seems to me that you don't know if you are on their radar until you get a call saying that you are fighting in the UFC.

Chris: Should the UFC, or any other promotion come in for you are you able to discuss a deal with said promotion or are you under contract obligations to Cage Warriors?
Alers: I am under contracted obligations with Cage Warriors which I don't mind because they are such a great company. There is however a zuffa clause in my contract that will allow me to fight for the UFC if they are knocking on my door. Other than that I don't want to fight for any other company. CW has given me so many amazing opportunities

Chris: A couple of months ago there was a bit of back and forth between you and Chris Fishgold. For the fans that might of missed it, can you explain what actually happened there?
Alers: Fishgold??? Oh yea that's that kid on twitter who is pretty cocky and thinks he deserves the next shot at my title. I am not sure what happened there I think he tried to Chael Sonnen his way into a title shot but I am very skilled in the art of trash talk. That stuff is not going to work on me.

Chris: Do you feel like Fishgold is the number 1 contender in the CW featherweight division at this stage?
Alers: I know he thinks he is but do I? No I don't think he is quite ready. He should have to fight a more experienced fighter with 10 wins or so before he gets a chance. There are a few more guys within the organisation who I feel deserve it before he does. He is tough though and is definitely on the radar to get a shot.

Chris: Finally Jim, give us a prediction on how you see the fight going on Saturday – how do you see yourself winning this fight?
Alers: Predictions are hard. I like to focus on one thing and that's getting my hand raised at the end and that strap being put kept around my waist. I will do whatever it takes to keep my belt so I am prepared for a nice long 5 round battle.

All the guys at Kingdom MMA would like to wish Jim all the best for the fight on Saturday night and thank you so much for your time ahead of defending your title.

Cage Warriors 59 Bantamweight tournament pairings set

Bantamweight tournament pairings set

Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

A four man tournament will take place at Cage Warriors 59 to determine a new CWFC bantamweight champion, and officials have today revealed details of the semi-final pairings.

Cage Warriors 59, which will also see Jim Alers defend his featherweight title against Martin Svensson, is set for Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday, 14 September, 2013.

To be contested on the night, the bantamweight tournament will feature David Haggstrom, Brett Johns, Martin McDonough and James Pennington (pictured), all of whom will be aiming to pick up the two wins required to clinch the vacant title.

Fighting in their native Wales, Johns and McDonough will feature in separate semi-finals, meaning an all-Welsh final is a distinct possibility. However, Sweden’s Haggstrom and Englishman Pennington will have other ideas.

Johns (7-0) will face Haggstrom (7-1-1) in one semi-final, an intriguing bout given that Haggstrom’s only professional loss came at the hands of Johns’ team-mate Dino Gambatesa back in July 2011.

In the other semi-final, two of the UK’s top-10 bantamweights will collide when McDonough (11-4) takes on Pennington (8-1), a meeting which will also carry added interest in the context that McDonough last tasted defeat in October 2011 against James Brum, a team-mate of Pennington’s.

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 forming part of the co-main event. A reserve bout will also be added to the card in order to facilitate any enforced withdrawals.

Many more fights are still to be announced for Cage Warriors 59.

Cage Warriors 59 Alers v Svensson, Hill v Moore set for Cardiff

Jim Alers to defend his Cage Warriors title for the first time at Cage Warriors 59

Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

A PAIR of featherweight bouts have been booked for Cage Warriors 59, including an inaugural CWFC title defence for Jim Alers (pictured).

Cage Warriors 59, which will also feature a four-man bantamweight title tournament, is set to take place at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday, 14 September, 2013.

Having clinched the vacant featherweight title by submitting Joni Salovaara at Cage Warriors 53, Alers will put the belt on the line against Martin Svensson, while former 145lbs title challenger Dave Hill returns to action to take on CWFC debutant Brian Moore.

Alers (10-1) is unbeaten in his five outings under the Cage Warriors banner and is currently on a six-fight win streak in total following his victory over Salovaara.

The 26-year-old American, who also holds notable CWFC wins over Marcio Cesar and Matteus Lahdesmaki, has taken eight of his 10 victories via submission.

“I’m really excited about this fight as I’m looking forward to showing the world exactly why I’m the Cage Warriors champion,” said Alers. “I respect all of my opponents but in this fight I’ll be out to make a statement.”

Svensson (12-3) is a fellow submission specialist who hails from Malmo in Sweden and has defeated the likes of Paul Reed, James Saville and John Cullen during his five-year professional career.

The 28-year-old, who has dropped just one loss in his last eight bouts, said: “It’s a great honour to be fighting for the Cage Warriors belt and I’ll be bringing it home to Malmo. This is going to be a great fight but I’m going to put on a show.”

Elsewhere, Dave Hill fights for the first time since June of last year when he was submitted by Conor McGregor in a bout for the CWFC featherweight belt at Cage Warriors 47.

His next opponent, Brian Moore, is an SBG team-mate of McGregor’s so Hill will be keen to return to winning ways against the Irishman, particularly given that his previous loss came at the hands of Artem Lobov, another SBG product.

Hill (10-3), a 27-year-old Englishman, said: “I’m really looking forward to showcasing my skills on a stage as big as Cage Warriors again as the professionalism and quality of the production is second to none that I’ve experienced. Coming off a loss for the title, I’ve taken some time off to reflect and rebuild so this is a huge fight for me.”

Moore (7-2) is a highly-rated Irish prospect who, similar to Hill, recently signed an exclusive CWFC contract. Both of the 25-year-old’s losses thus far have come via decision, one of which was at the hands of the UFC’s Mike Wilkinson.

“I’ve wanted to fight on Cage Warriors for a long time so I’m very excited and motivated for this fight,” said Moore. “A win here would put me in among the best in the division. My goal is to be the CWFC champion but I’m taking it one step at a time.”

More fights are still to be announced for CWFC 59. Keep track of Cage Warriors on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.