Even though the days of summer have started to fade, the action inside the MMA cage is just starting to heat up. Friday, on the eve of UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, UK-based Cage Warriors returns stateside for another visit to San Diego and Sycuan Casino and Resort and Cage Warriors 159.
Cage Warriors 159 Returns to the US with a Massive Main Event Fight
Live coverage of Friday’s event begins at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT. As always, this card will be exclusive to UFC Fight Pass throughout the world. Barring any hiccups between now and then, the card features 11 bouts.
Wake Up, San Diego! It's Fight Week 🤩
Wilson Reis 🆚 Trevin Jones goes down at #CW159 this Friday night live on @UFCFightPass! pic.twitter.com/3bYL9Ig259
— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) September 4, 2023
Bantamweights Reis and Jones Meet in Cage Warriors 159 Main Event
Highlighting the night’s activities is a nontitle showcase at 135-lbs. between two UFC alumni in the Cage Warriors 159 main event. Wilson Reis (27-12 MMA, 4-0 CWFC) looks to remain undefeated in Graham Boylan’s promotion in his 40th pro walk when he takes on Trevin Jones (13-10, 1 NC MMA, CWFC promotional debut).
Being a nontitle affair, the headliner is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round to close out the itinerary for the evening.
Cage Warriors 159 Main Event Fighter Comparison
Heading into the Cage Warriors 159 main event on Friday night, debutante Trevin Jones stands as the taller combatant at 5-foot-7, compared to the 5-foot-4 frame of Wilson Reis. In addition, Jones owns a five-inch reach advantage (70 inches to 65 inches) over Reis ahead of this fight.
Reis Aiming for 5-0 Record in Cage Warriors
Wilson Reis comes into the Cage Warriors 159 main event fighting to a record of 3-2 in his last five fights. At present, he is on a three-fight winning streak, one which was extended back in March against Johnny Campbell during Cage Warriors 149, also in San Diego.
After the fight, the victorious Reis talked to Edith LaBelle. He hopes to get a berth at a championship down the road.
“I believe so,” said Reis when asked if he is in the bantamweight title conversation. “I had a rough first round, but I felt like ‘A win is a win’, and more than a win, a finish. I finish him, and then I believe it’s my fourth win with the 10 years gap in Cage Warriors. It’s a promotion that means a lot to me because it was my last fight before I signed with the UFC. Graham took me back afterwards, and that’s where I want to finish in my career.”
Trevin Jones Looking to Stop the Skid
In the other corner, Trevin Jones is going in the opposite direction. Entering the headliner, Jones is 1-4 in his last five and is on a four-fight losing streak.
Most recently, Jones dropped a unanimous decision to Cody Garbrandt during the UFC 285 undercard on March 4th. This was his fourth defeat in succession, resulting in UFC President Dana White cutting him from the promotion.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Stylistically, the Cage Warriors 159 main event looks to be another one of those toss-ups. Both Wilson Reis and Trevin Jones own black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, so expect a ground war on Friday night.
Watch Reis’ Ground Game
When Wilson Reis gets his opponent on the ground, like he did to Johnny Campbell back in March, it could be a matter of time before the referee steps into wave off the contest. During the third and final round of the Cage Warriors 149 headliner, Campbell barely whiffed on a flying knee attempt before Reis quickly moved into secure a takedown.
From there, he turned the contest into a grappling match, softening Campbell up with punches to the head, with the latter eventually rising to his feet.
It would not last long, as Reis sent him right back down a few moments later, going back to the wheelhouse and hunting for the submission. Reis turned Campbell over and applied the torque to lock up a rear-naked choke with two minutes and 40 seconds left to go.
Trevin Jones Can Close the Show in a Hurry
In the other corner, while it’s only happened three times throughout his professional MMA career, when Jones scores the victory by way of knockout, it’s truly something to behold. One need to look no further than the second round of his undercard fight against Mario Bautista at UFC 259 two and a half years ago.
Right from the command to fight, Jones smelled blood in the water, already having carved up Bautista’s legs like a Thanksgiving turkey. The two men exchanged leg kicks to start the period, while Bautista had an opening with a counterpunch.
His window closed rather abruptly, as Jones returned fire with a vicious lead uppercut to knock down his opponent. He finished the job with a short burst of ground and pound shots until referee Chris Tognoni officially waved off the bout.
If he can land a barrage of punches right on the button, Jones will have another performance befitting his nickname, “5-Star.”
Final Thoughts
Even though there is not a belt at stake on Friday night, this will be an entertaining three rounds of action. Do not miss it. There is all day to watch college football on Saturday.
Prediction: Wilson Reis by Unanimous Decision.
