In breaking news, Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – has today confirmed a second blockbuster title bout for its upcoming CW 200 event. More Irish interest will be added to the card as Paddy McCorry challenges Italy’s Dario Bellandi for the middleweight world title.
The five round affair will take place on the CW 200 main card at the iconic RDS on Saturday, February 21st.
Livorno’s Bellandi (9-1) has been on a tear in the CW middleweight division. After dropping a points decision in his debut, ‘Neanderthal’ has won seven straight in the Famous Yellow Gloves.
The Rendoki Dojo man defeated hard-nosed scrapper Mick Stanton to capture CW gold in late 2023, and has made successful defences against Robin Roos and – most recently – old rival Naglis Kanišauskas in a thrilling five-rounder.
Bellandi was scheduled to see action against UFC veteran Claudio Ribeiro in October, however the Brazilian missed weight by a significant amount, cancelling the contest. He will now look to make a third successful defence of his title against McCorry in Dublin.
Ireland’s Paddy McCorry is the latest CW star competing out of the famed Fight Academy Ireland, the gym that produced former champions Joe McColgan and Paul Hughes.
The West Belfast man (7-1) has become a firm fan favourite within the organisation thanks to an all action fight style since his debut in late 2022.
While, like Bellandi, he dropped a points decision on that occasion, it came against vastly more experienced two-weight champion James Webb, who the Irishman came close to knocking out late in the bout.
McCorry has gone undefeated in the organisation since, while also appearing on a recent season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. McCorry most recently saw action on Dana White’s Contender Series, defeating In Soo Hwang over three rounds.
Unbeaten in his last five professional bouts, he’ll now challenge for his first world title on Irish soil.
“CW 200 is set to be one of our biggest shows of all time, so it should come as no surprise that we’re stacking the deck with another huge title bout!” said CW President Graham Boylan.
“Dario Bellandi has been one of the most consistent middleweights on the European circuit over the last few years, and he’ll be looking to put that claim beyond all doubt on February 21st.”
“Paddy McCorry will have something to say about that; he’ll have no intention of letting the middleweight title to leave Irish soil on the night.”
“With two title bouts and more already announced, Cage Warriors 200 is shaping up to be a historic night for Irish, UK and European MMA…and we’re not done yet!”
Bellandi vs McCorry joins an already anounced featherweight title bout pitting champion Solomon Simon against challenger Nik Bagley. A pair of flyweight fights pitting Ger Harris against Tanio Pagliariccio and Gary Rooney against Tom Creasey have also been confirmed. Tickets for the event, which will air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners, are availible here.