Saturday is a huge day of MMA action. Between two top promotions, fans of competitive violence have close to eight hours, give or take, of action to look forward to.
That night, the UFC returns to the Apex for UFC Vegas 81 and a featherweight main event between No. 11 contender Sodiq Yusuff (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) [in his first headlining appearance] and No. 13 contender Edson Barboza (23-11 MMA, 17-11 UFC). Stay tuned to MMASucka for continuing coverage on this week’s UFC event.
In the afternoon, the scene will be set for Dublin, Ireland where Graham Boylan’s Cage Warriors comes calling for Cage Warriors 161 and the Cage Warriors 161 main event. As always, Saturday’s card is available throughout the world on UFC Fight Pass.
Lightweight Showdown in Cage Warriors 161 Main Event Saturday
Absent of any cancellations or postponements between now and Saturday, Cage Warriors 161 features a packed 11-fight card. Highlighting the night’s activities is a battle at 155 lbs. in the Cage Warriors 161 main event.
Current Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion Paul Hughes (9-1 MMA, 6-1 CWFC) moves up to lightweight for a nontitle bout versus Jan Quaeyhaegens (11-4 MMA, 4-1 CWFC) in the headliner. With no belt at stake, the Cage Warriors 161 main event is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round to close out the show.
A first look at @PaulHughesMMA 155lbs edition
Don’t miss #CW161 Dublin at The RDS this Saturday
https://t.co/cjNlgjhbQk pic.twitter.com/aMZEe5rvOx
— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) October 12, 2023
Cage Warriors 161 Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into the Cage Warriors 161 main event this Saturday night, Jan Quaeyhaegens stands as the taller contestant at 5-foot-11, compared to the 5-foot-9 frame of Paul Hughes. No reach information was available on the Internet as of press time.
As of Thursday evening, the oddsmakers have Paul Hughes installed as a -550 favorite, with Jan Quaeyhaegens countering as a +350 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Could Cage Warriors 161 Main Event be Hughes’ Last Fight Before Joining UFC?
Paul Hughes enters the main event having posted a record of 4-1 in his last five fights. At the moment, he’s on a three-fight winning streak.
Almost a year ago, he scored a unanimous decision victory against Jordan Vucenic (11-2 MMA, 7-1 CWFC) to take the featherweight championship in Cage Warriors 145. After that win, it appeared as though Hughes would be headed to the UFC.
As luck would have it, however, Hughes was approached to join Dana White’s promotion twice over but couldn’t due to circumstances beyond his control. During an appearance on Severe MMA with Sean Sheehan, he talked about the short-notice fights that never were.
“There were opportunities there that almost came to fruition that led us down this path of ‘OK, maybe wait a little bit more, wait a little bit more,’ which is how the time sort of progressed then,” Hughes said “I’ll not get too into the specifics, but there [were] a couple of opportunities that we had… I think enough time has passed that I can get into more specifics. I got offered a short-notice fight for the March London card. I think it was a week or less than a week’s notice to fight Lerone Murphy at featherweight. At the time, I was injured, so there wasn’t much training, unfortunately.”
A second opportunity in July went by the boards amid issues with Hughes obtaining a visa to travel to America. This is a man who’s done enough already to get to the UFC. Even if Hughes doesn’t win on Saturday in the Cage Warriors 161 main event, the big show could be calling his name fairly soon.
“Q-Bomb” Looking to Stop Hughes in Cage Warriors 161 Main Event
In the other corner, Jan Quaeyhaegens has posted a perfect 5-0 mark in his last five fights. Each win across all competitions has come inside the distance, including his latest one, a second-round knockout (elbows) of Alberto Ciardo (6-1 MMA, 0-1 CWFC) during Cage Warriors 150 on St. Patrick’s Day.
After the victory, “Q-Bomb” talked to Edith LaBelle about his proclivity to end the fight on his terms.
“A lot of fighters say ‘Kill or be killed,’ but they don’t live by that mantra,” Quaeyhaegens began. “I’ve had 19 wins amateur and pro. They’ve all been finishes. All the losses have been finishes, too. Kill or be killed.”
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Saturday’s Cage Warriors 161 main event is another one of those toss-ups. Both men can score the stoppage.
Watch Hughes’ Submission Game
From time to time in his MMA career, Paul Hughes has been known to submit his opponent in tremendous fashion. Just look at the tape of his Cage Warriors debut against Mateusz Marakowski.
About a minute into the first round, Hughes lifted Marakowski up and slammed him to the cage mat, allowing him to go to work right away, taking back mount and landing punches to the head. It was all over but the shouting as Hughes slid under Marakowski’s throat to lock up the rear-naked choke halfway through the round.
If he is slick with another submission here, Hughes will score another victory and get that UFC deal.
Quaeyhaegens Can End a Fight Quickly
In the other corner, don’t look away from your monitor when Jan Quaeyhaegens is in the cage. You just might miss the finish to the bout.
One “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” fight took place back in November during Cage Warriors Unplugged against Erick da Silva. All it took “Q-Bomb” was 24 seconds to unleash a barrage of shots, including a flying knee and some ground and pound for the knockout.
If Quaeyhaegens gets out to a fast start on Saturday night, look out. You might not have a chance to take a bite of that sandwich before the Cage Warriors 161 main event ends.
Final Thoughts
Although Paul Hughes appears to be UFC ready, outcome notwithstanding, one would surmise that Quaeyhaegens could find himself on the fast track to a deal of his own with a win. Get your popcorn ready for the Cage Warriors 161 main event.
Prediction: Paul Hughes by Unanimous Decision.
