Martin McDonough out of Cage Warriors 59 injured, Kris Edwards now part of Bantamweight tournament

McDonough forced out of title tilt

Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

Martin McDonough’s hopes of being crowned CWFC bantamweight champion in Wales on Saturday have unfortunately been dashed, after the Welshman sustained a hand injury during a sparring session last week.

An initial medical examination has revealed that McDonough (11-4) suffered a fracture which will rule him out of Cage Warriors 59‘s four-man bantamweight grand prix, which is now just nine days away. The 24-year-old, who has clocked up a 3-0 Cage Warriors record since making his promotional debut last year, is due to undergo an MRI scan shortly, so an accurate time-frame for his return to action has yet to be given.

McDonough’s place in the CWFC bantamweight tournament, which is set for Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday, September 14, will now be taken by his Tillery Combat team-mate Kris Edwards (pictured).
Edwards (8-5) was scheduled to face Aaron Blackwell in a tournament alternate bout at Cage Warriors 59, but the 23-year-old has now been promoted to fill the void and face James Pennington in the semi-finals, with Brett Johns and David Haggstrom still set to clash on the other side of the draw.

Cage Warriors officials hope to re-match Blackwell on an upcoming card, while the winner of the Cage Warriors 59 prelim between Timur Mercanoglu and Jordan Desborough will be placed on standby should a vacancy arise in the tournament on the night.

Edwards recently made the decision to return to the bantamweight division following a disappointing stint at flyweight, during which he suffered back-to-back losses in his two most recent bouts.

After signing an exclusive contract with the promotion, the Abertillery native made his CWFC debut with an impressive win over Janne Elonen-Kulmala at CWFC Fight Night 5 in Jordan in April of last year, after which he opted to make the move to 125lbs.

Life in his new weight class began well for Edwards, as he submitted Brian Hyslop in the second round of their meeting at Cage Warriors 48 in London in July 2012, a win that saw him jump straight into the top-three in the UK’s flyweight rankings, having previously occupied fifth spot at bantamweight.

Next up for Edwards was Cage Warriors 49 in Cardiff last October, but an injury picked up by opponent Mark Platts just a week out from the fight saw Alan Philpott called in as a replacement, with the bout being contested at 135lbs due to the late notice. But it was Philpott who emerged victorious, as Edwards dropped a loss for the first time since July 2011.

Edwards, who holds wins over CWFC’s James Brum and Spencer Hewitt, returned to action back in May at Cage Warriors 54 in Cardiff, but again he was forced to deal with a late change of opponent, with Shaj Haque drafted in at the eleventh hour to replace the injured Karl Harrison.

After enduring a difficult weight-cut which saw him miss the mark by 0.7lb, an uncharacteristically languid Edwards was edged out by Haque via split decision, leaving him with consecutive defeats for the first time in his career.

As Edwards returns to the bantamweight division a week on Saturday, the Welshman says he’s keen to return to top-form by putting in the type of performance which saw him regarded as one of the top young prospects in Europe last year.

“I’m absolutely gutted for Martin,” said Edwards. “I’ve seen first-hand how hard he’s prepared for this tournament and he’s devastated to have picked up an injury. But I’m thrilled with the chance to replace him and I’ll do my best to bring that title back to Tillery Combat.”

Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan added: “Everyone involved with Cage Warriors is extremely disappointed for Martin McDonough. He deserves his place in the tournament but I’m sure he’ll come back stronger and earn another title shot in the near future. I wish him well in his recovery.

“I want to say best of luck to Kris Edwards in the tournament. I know he’s been disappointed with his last couple of performances, but were it not for a difficult cut to flyweight, he probably would have been in contention for this anyway. It’s all set up for a very exciting tournament in Cardiff next week.”

Meanwhile, Owain Parry has also sustained an injury which has ruled him out of his CWFC 59 lightweight prelim against Jamie Rogers, so 21-year-old Englishman Sam Gilbert has been called in as a replacement.
Tickets for Cage Warriors 59 at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday, September 14, are still available, priced from just £25.

MAIN CARD
Edwards/Pennington vs. Haggstrom/Johns (Bantamweight tournament final)
Jim Alers (champion) vs. Martin Svensson (Featherweight title bout)
Mats Nilsson vs. Denniston Sutherland
Lew Long vs. Tommy Maguire
Dave Hill vs. Brian Moore
Lee Caers vs. Aaron Thomas

FACEBOOK PRELIMS
Sam Gilbert vs. Jamie Rogers
David Haggstrom vs. Brett Johns (Bantamweight tournament semi-final)
Kris Edwards vs. James Pennington (Bantamweight tournament semi-final)

NON-STREAMED PRELIMS
Jordan Desborough vs. Timur Mercanoglu
Brett Caswell vs. Paul Rogers

Cage Warriors announces four more Dublin dates

Four Dublin dates confirmed for CWFC

(Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors)

The Helix has penned a deal with Cage Warriors Fighting Championship to host the promotion’s next quartet of Dublin events.

The deal will see Cage Warriors hit Ireland’s capital on four occasions between 31 December, 2013, and the corresponding date in 2014, giving Dublin three consecutive New Year’s Eve events following the enormous success of last December’s Cage Warriors 51.

In addition to the New Year’s Eve events of 2013 and 2014, The Helix will also play host to Cage Warriors on Saturday, March 8, and Saturday, July 26, next year.

“We’re delighted to be making such a strong commitment to the Irish market over a 12-month period, particularly at a such a fantastic venue,” said Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan.

“After selling out our previous shows there, the huge demand and interest from the Irish fans could have convinced us to choose a bigger venue, but the intimate nature of The Helix has contributed to making our previous Dublin shows so special.

“We’ve had some very memorable Cage Warriors moments at The Helix already and I’m looking forward to seeing more of those with this next batch of events, starting with CWFC 63 this New Year’s Eve.”

Cage Warriors’ dates for The Helix, Dublin:

Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Saturday, 8 March, 2014
Saturday, 26 July, 2014
Wednesday, 31 December, 2014

CWFC first came to The Helix in June of last year when Conor McGregor defeated Dave Hill to capture the promotion’s vacant featherweight title at Cage Warriors 47.

McGregor stole the show again last New Year’s Eve at CWFC 51, when a first-round KO of Ivan Buchinger saw the Irishman become the first fighter to simultaneously hold CWFC titles in two unified weight classes.

More history was made when CWFC most recently visited The Helix for Cage Warriors 55 this past June, when Dublin’s own Neil Seery submitted Mikael Silander to become the first ever CWFC flyweight champion.

Tickets for Cage Warriors 63 this New Year’s Eve will go on sale shortly. For fight announcements and ticket news, keep track of Cage Warriors on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo: Conor McGregor with the CWFC featherweight and lightweight belts in the aftermath of his historic win over Ivan Buchinger at The Helix last December.

Cage Warriors 62 set for Newcastle in December

CWFC set for Newcastle

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship will hit Newcastle, England, in December for the promotion’s penultimate event of the year.

Officials can today confirm that Saturday, December 7, will see the city’s Metro Radio Arena will play host to CWFC’s eighth UK show of 2013, which is currently scheduled as Cage Warriors 62.

The venue, which can cater for up to 11,000 fans, will open ticket sales shortly for an event that’s set to attract huge attention in the north-east of England.

Cage Warriors 62 will be the first CWFC event to be held in the region since November 2003, when Cage Warriors 5 took place in nearby South Shields.

“The Cage Warriors fans in the north-east have been begging me to bring the show up there for a long time so we’re delighted to be doing that on December 7,” said Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan.

“Based on the number of requests I’ve had, we’ve obviously got a huge following in Newcastle and the surrounding area, so I think this has the potential to be our biggest event of the year.

“We’ve got some excellent local talent on our roster, such as Alex Enlund, Liam James, Shaj Haque and Chris Scott, and I’m sure they - along with the big national and international names we’ll bring in - will be keen to put on a show.

“We’ve had successful arena shows in Cardiff and Liverpool already this year, but I’m really looking forward to this one. I think Cage Warriors in Newcastle will be something special.”

Cage Warriors 62 will be the first of two CWFC events in the month of December, with another visit to The Helix in Dublin, Ireland, booked for New Year’s Eve.

For Cage Warriors 62 ticket news and fight announcements, keep track of Cage Warriors on Facebook and Twitter.

CWFC Fight Night 9: Carvalho vs Grimaud announced to fight in Bahrain

Cage Warriors returns to Bahrain with CWFC Fight Night 9: Carvalho v Grimaud



Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

Two of the top welterweights on the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship roster will collide when the promotion makes its return to Bahrain later this year.

Khalifa Sports City will play host to the meeting of Bruno Carvalho and former CWFC welterweight champion Gael Grimaud (pictured) on Friday, October 25, at CWFC Fight Night 9, which will be the promotion’s 11th event of 2013.

Carvalho (15-6) will be aiming for his second successive CWFC win, having overcome Steve Dinsdale - who was a late replacement for the injured Mohsen Bahari - at Cage Warriors 52 in March.

That victory saw the 31-year-old BJJ black belt rebound from a narrow decision loss to current CWFC welterweight title-holder Cathal Pendred last October at Cage Warriors 49 in Cardiff.

A Brazilian currently based in Sweden, Carvalho holds victories over former KSW middleweight champion Vitor Nobrega, Dream veteran Tatsuya Mizuno, former Pride middleweight Jean-Francois Lenogue and The Ultimate Fighter 11 contestant Kyacey Uscola.

Grimaud (17-6) also returns to Cage Warriors action for the first time since last March’s CWFC 52, when he relinquished the welterweight title via a unanimous decision defeat to Cathal Pendred.

The 33-year-old Frenchman was victorious when Cage Warriors last visited Bahrain, submitting Jesse Taylor to retain the belt in the third round of the CWFC Fight Night 6 headliner in May of last year.

Grimaud, who has 13 stoppage wins - 11 by submission - on his record, was crowned CWFC welterweight champion in September 2011 thanks to a second-round TKO triumph against Arni Isaksson at CWFC Fight Night 2 in Jordan.

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.”

Adam Boussif replaces injured David Faulkner to face Leon Edwards at BAMMA 13

Adam Boussif replaces injured David Faulkner to face Leon Edwards at BAMMA 13

Adam Boussif replaces injured David Faulkner to face Leon Edwards at BAMMA 13. The Welterweight bout forms part of the preliminaries at the premier British Mixed Martial Arts event at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena on 14th September.

Adam Boussif holds a Professional record of 3-1-0, with three of his victories achieved in under 1:22 via Guillotine Choke. His first loss came against undefeated Sean Carter via Submission earlier this year. The 24 year old fights out of Force MMA in Hertfordshire.

Birmingham's UTC fighter, Leon ‘Rocky' Edwards, holds a Professional MMA record of 4-1-0, and was undefeated at Amateur and Semi-Pro over 7 fights. His one loss comes from a DQ for an illegal knee. Edwards faced Jonathan Bilton at 'BAMMA 11: Marshman vs. Foupa-Pokam' in December 2012 and won via TKO (Knees) just 1:11 into round 2.

Boussif said:

"It's a great opportunity for me to fight on BAMMA. It's an amazing show, and when you look at the rest of the card it's one of the best cards of 2013. I am really pleased to get the opportunity to fight Leon. He's a great fighter and I expect a war as both of us come to finish. I can not wait for Sept 14th; it's going to be a blast!"

BAMMA 13 Tickets are on sale now from £25 at The Ticket Factory

Bellator Bolsters Heavyweight Division With Wolfslair’s Own Cheick Kongo

Bellator Bolsters Heavyweight Division With Wolfslair’s Own Cheick Kongo

As Bellator prepares to embark on the start of the fall season as well as November’s highly anticipated Bellator Pay-Per-View “Rampage vs. Tito”, the promotion announced today the signing of French heavyweight Cheick Kongo. The fan favorite is scheduled to make his debut this September for Bellator, and will be featured in the Season 9 Heavyweight Tournament.

“After my contract was up in the UFC, I really wanted to take some time and reflect on everything,” Kongo said. “After talking to the people around me, especially someone like my longtime friend in Rampage, he told me how well Bellator has been treating him and what we can do with Bellator, and after getting to know Bjorn Rebney, it just seemed like the right fit for me. I know I have plenty of fight left in me, and my fight in October is the first step to getting that Bellator Heavyweight Title.”

Kongo leaves the UFC with a 4-2-1 record since 2009 and holds notable victories over “Cro Cop”, Pat Berry and Matt Mitrione during his time with the UFC. As one of the most imposing yet charismatic fighters in MMA, Kongo is well aware of what is expected of him inside the Bellator cage.

“My fans mean the world to me, and I want to show them what I am capable of every time I go out and fight,” Kongo stated. “I always want to deliver a good show to whoever is watching, and that won’t change in Bellator.”

“If you’re an MMA fan, you’re a Kongo fan,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “No matter who he fights he’s always going to bring the fight and put on a great show, and he’s one of the best guys you’ll have the pleasure of dealing with in MMA. This is another example of our alliance with Wolfslair and Anthony McGann resulting in our signing an exciting, explosive fighter to our roster who fans know and love.”

Additional details on the signing along with Bellator Season 9 Heavyweight Tournament pairings will be announced in the coming weeks.