Huge Prizes On The Line
Three world titles will be on the line when Cage Warriors 181 takes place in Newcastle, England this Saturday night. The UK-based promotion have had a busy year and this event will be the penultimate date in their 2024 calendar. With a rich history of producing future UFC stars, the implications for those who can get their hands on one of the three belts this weekend could be monumental.
Main Event
Harry Hardwick will make the first defense of his featherweight title when he takes on Keweny Lopes over five rounds at the top of the card. Hardwick (11-3-1), the brother of Cage Warriors lightweight champion George, won the vacant belt when he beat Orlando Wilson Prins at Cage Warriors 172 in May. Unbeaten in his last seven fights and having finished his last two opponents, “Houdini” will be full of confidence going into this bout.
His Brazilian opponent Lopes (11-1-1) looks set to be the biggest test of Hardwick’s career. Riding an eleven-fight winning streak (with nine finishes), the former LFA fighter carries real one-punch knockout power and should Hardwick manage to pass this test in front of a raucous hometown crowd, his dream of signing with the UFC could become a reality.
It’s In The Blood
One of the most famous names in UK MMA history will be present during Saturday’s co-main event. Ian “The Machine” Freeman, the first ever British fighter to appear inside the UFC Octagon will be in the corner of his daughter Kennedy Freeman (5-0), who faces former KSW fighter Mafalda Carmona (7-2) for the Cage Warriors women’s bantamweight title. “The Machine 2.0” has rattled off a pair of impressive knockout victories in the promotion since her return from a 5-year hiatus almost a year ago and her combination of an unbeaten record aligned with real knockout power ensure she stands out among the pack in women’s MMA.
Return Of The Haque
Flyweight champion Shaj Haque makes his long-awaited return after a 16-month absence as he defends his title against surging French wrecking machine Nicolas Leblond. Haque (16-5) was last seen in action when he put on a sensational striking display over five full rounds against Michele Martignoni in Rome at Cage Warriors 158 and the 34-year-old will be eager to remind fans of his quality when he faces Leblond (11-4) on Saturday night. The Frenchman is on a five-fight winning streak and has pulled off a series of devastating finishes along the way.
Full Fight Card
Main Card:
Harry Hardwick (c) vs Keweny Lopes (Cage Warriors featherweight championship)
Kennedy Freeman vs Mafalda Carmona (Vacant Cage Warriors bantamweight championship)
Shaj Haque (c) vs Nicolas Leblond (Cage Warriors flyweight championship)
Justin Burlinson vs Theodore Berggren (Welterweight)
James Power vs Dumitru Girlean (Lightweight)
Andrey Augusto vs Sean Clancy Jr (Welterewight)
Preliminary Card:
Charles Joyner vs Yannick Bahati (Light heavyweight)
Aiden Lee vs Daniel Konrad (Lightweight)
Bailey Gilbert vs Alberth Dias (Featherweight)
Michal Folc vs Leon Armes (Featherweight)
James Dixon vs Quendrim Pallata (Middleweight)
Delmar Silva vs Michael Tchamou (Middleweight)
Cage Warriors 181 goes down on Saturday, November 23rd on UFC Fight Pass.
