Fight night is just around the corner, and the Scottish stars are out in force at CW 187: Glasgow. Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation is once again taking up residence at the city’s famous Braehead Area with a card befitting the occasion.
With a huge first main event for the prodigal son Sean Clancy Jr, pivotal career bouts for Reece McEwan and Aidan Stephen, a last hurrah for Paull McBain and a grudge match for Chris Bungard, fans of Scottish MMA have a mouth-watering night of action to look forward to.
A First Main Event
Few prospects on the CW roster have been talked up the way Paisley’s 22-year-old prodigy Sean Clancy Jr has, and with good reason. The Higher Level man has wowed fans, opponents and industry insiders alike with his rapid development, all but cruising his way to a spotless 5-0 professional record.
The Scotsman is a specimen, boasting a physique that would make fitness models turn green with envy. And with Clancy, it’s not window-dressing; he’s all functional strength and fast-twitch muscle-fibres.
His physical gifts, as finely honed as they are, are only half the story though. The toolkit he’s developed under Coach James Doolan is looking more than formidable for a fighter of his age.
Last time out against 25 fight veteran Andrey Augusto, Clancy took a serious step up in competition. It was the first time as a profession that the rising star didn’t get things all his own way, but its fair to say that he rose to the occasion when it mattered, solving the puzzle deep into the third round.
On Saturday the upward climb continues; this time in the form of submission wizard Italo Gomes. The Brazilian finisher is on a mission to upset the applecart and add to his already impressive tally of taps.
And what an upset it would be, especially given the recent usurping of George Hardwick by countryman Samuel Silva. Will Saturday’s main event mark the continuation of a Brazilian revolution in the Famous Yellow Gloves, or will Clancy step into the main event spotlight for the first time a prospect, and step out a contender?
Scotland vs Brazil: Part 2
CW 187’s co-main event also pits favourite fighting sons of Scotland and Brazil one-on-one. Reece McEwan will be hoping the ever-present support of his always vocal fanbase will give him a healthy home edge over the London-based Weslley Maia.
McEwan’s positional play is second to none; the Greenock man’s ability to establish a position and chew up the clock while attacking submissions makes him a nightmare for opponents on the mat.
Maia, originally known more as a striker thanks to his devastating arsenal of kicks, has added a dangerous ground game to his repertoire in recent years. His ground ‘n’ pound and all-round fight IQ have carried him to a number of impressive victories.
With both men coming off victories and a wide open bantamweight division at their feet, McEwan and Maia will be gunning for a victory and with it, a significant step towards Liam Gittins’ 135lb title.
Elsewhere on the card, Scottish striker Paull McBain makes one last walk, as he takes on fellow stand-up specialist Bailey Gilbert.
McBain loves a punch up, and Bailey has never found himself in a fight he didn’t like. If this is ‘The Locomotive’s last hurrah, smart money says it’ll be exactly the kind of fight he’d want to go out on.
Crucial bouts await Chris Bungard and Aidan Stephen to round off the main card. With both men coming off agonising losses, the onus is on for each to deliver a big performance.
The Bad Guy finally gets his hands on rival Artūrs Leisāns, after their originally scheduled 2024 meeting fell through. He’ll be looking to take out his pent up frustration on the Latvian Punching Machine in what has the makings of a good, old-fashioned dust up.
Stephens’ meeting with Dutch Judoka Jordy Bakkes will likely play out much differently. Bakkes is a third Dan in the art, and will be more than happy to mix it up on the ground with the SBG Moray grappling phenom.
It’s a classic Judo vs BJJ clash; a grappling fans delight.
CW 187 airs live on UFC Fight Pass this Saturday, April 19th. Tickets are availible via CageWarriors.com.
