Cage Warriors’ return to the capital is looming, and anticipation for one particular bout on the stacked night of action is building at a rapid rate. We’re just over a week away from crowning a new bantamweight champion, as the division’s heir apparent Shirzad Qadrian takes on an unexpected challenger, the Portuguese powerhouse Elton Armindo.
Tickets for CW 196 are available here!
The 23-year-old, undefeated finishing machine burst onto the scene earlier this year, seemingly plucked from obscurity to face a former title challenger in Reece McEwan.
It was a huge step up in competition for the newcomer, who with just six bouts and a little amateur experience, had been competing in Mixed Martial Arts for just three years. He may have been written off as the underdog given his lack of exposure, but it took the ‘Black Mamba’ less than two minutes to for Elton to fend off his opponent’s grappling advances and put McEwan away in the most dramatic of fashion.
“It felt good!” said Armindo of the victory. “My eyes were always on the belt, and Reece McEwan had fought for the belt too. So for me it was like ‘Ok, if I beat this guy, definitely I can be with the top guys of Cage Warriors’. I did a good and quick job, so I know this is where I belong.”
The win proved to be the most bountiful of the youngster’s blossoming career. Not only did it net him a seventh career victory and a stunning finish for the highlight reel, it bagged him a cool £5,000 bonus from That Prize Guy and a crack at his first ever world title.
Elton was quick to point out that he’s more the type of guy to sensibly invest the money than blow it on something frivolous, and he had a similarly laid back approach to the news that he’d be fighting Qadrian for the bantamweight title.
“I didn’t really think nothing…I just wanted to fight for the belt, and now I have the opportunity. He seems like a good opponent for me, so I’m happy for the opportunity and that’s it, I don’t think nothing else (about it).”
In Qadrian, Armindo will be facing an elite level wrestler and grappler the likes of which he’s yet to encounter in his brief MMA career. But for the Black Mamba, the mission, and the preparation remains the same. He isn’t about to become reactive, and alter the methodology that brought him to the dance.
He’s treating this like just another day at the office and if anything, the fact that he’s earned his shot in such a short space of time means that it might be Shirzad that should be looking to adapt.
“It’s the same, you know? I respect his level, I’ve seen that he’s beat good guys in Cage Warriors. But I have this chance with only one fight, so people know my value. I accept that he’s better than McEwan on the ground, I accept he’s a good wrestler, but I think I’m smarter than him, more (fight) IQ. I don’t care who he’s beat, because he’s never faced me before. Until then, let’s see!”
With the November 15th date undoubtedly set to be the biggest night of his professional career thus far, you’d be forgiven for thinking that an upstart in his early 20s would be feeling the heat. First main event, first world title opportunity…given were Cage Warriors title usually send athletes, it would be unusual if Armindo wasn’t feeling the pressure.
He doesn’t see it exactly that way though, infact, he feels that its his opponent who has everything to prove.
“I think the pressure is on his shoulders. He’s the 50k winner, he’s fought all of the guys in Cage Warriors, he’s now training with Khabib, all of that. Me, I’m just chilling! This is an opportunity…I’m not thinking ‘This is the moment of my life’…it’s just the next fight, you know? I’m young, I’m 23, I know I have a long way still. This is just a step.”
Towards the end of their head-to-head interview with Cage Warriors commentator Brad Wharton things got heated between the pair, with Shirzad throwing a stark warning Elton’s way about not playing with ‘The Lion’. The #1 contender was clear that he was the big dog in the yard, but Armindo was typically cool with his repost.
“If you were that good, you’d already be in the UFC. You’re talking like you’re the man, but we’re still on the same level. You have to prove to me that you’re the man!” I don’t care about what you say…you’re the lion, you’re this, you’re that…lets see on 15th on November!”
With just a week to go until his sophomore performance in the Famous Yellow Gloves, Elton will be raring to prove that its the Black Mamba, not the Lion, that’s the most dangerous animal in the Cage Warriors jungle.
Cage Warriors 196 will air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners. Tickets are available here.