It’s been a year since Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation weighed anchor in Dublin, and anticipation for the return of the Famous Yellow Gloves to the Emerald Isle has never been higher.
Cage Warriors is back and we’ve brought two huge title bouts with us, alongside the long-awaited debuts of some of Ireland’s fastest-rising prospects and the returns of some fan-favourite familiar faces.
Sheehan vs Burlinson
It’s perhaps the most highly anticipated CW title fight in recent memory; two fan favourites with solid reputations for leaving it all in the cage will have five blood-splattered rounds to do just that.
Sheehan is a tank; a force of nature in the cage who’ll stand his ground against anyone, or anything. It isn’t enough to simply get the better of him, you have to do it consistently over three – or in this case five – rounds.
Whatever you do though, be sure not to run out of steam. ‘Jimbo Slice’ has punching power and grappling prowess to make opponents pay deep into the trenches.
Burlinson is no less fearsome an opponent; many a previous foe has been left wondering exactly what they have to do to put him down and keep him there.
A submission whiz with a keen eye for a brawl, Burlo has a lot on the line on Saturday night. He’s challenged for the welterweight title before, against an Irishman, in Ireland.
To lose once was agonising; to lose twice would be unthinkable.
Webb vs Allan
CW 188 plays host to not one, but two world bouts as James Webb defends light heavyweight gold for the first time. The former CW middleweight champion has a chance to cement his legacy by defending a second title, and will make the bid in something of a home away from home.
Webb trains at Dublin’s Team KF, a quick hop down the road from the RDS, and as such should get a somewhat warmer welcome than most Englishmen on the card.
A powerhouse grappler with mallets for mitts, look for Webb, who has been a close training partner of UFC star Modestas Bukauskas back in the UK, to use roughhouse tactics early.
His opponent, Brazil’s John Allan, is a man that needs to be shut down quick; a devastating power puncher, when the Chute Boxe man hits you, you stay hit.
This is a five-rounder, but smart money says the pair will never make it that far.
Fan favourites, Prospects and Debuts
Off the back of a blistering return to the organisation last November, Paddy McCorry will look to maintain his unbeaten stint in the Famous Yellow Gloves. Opposite him is dangerous Dutch/Syrian striker Ghassan Abdenabi, a man who’ll be more than happy to go toe-to-toe with the Irishman if that’s what he wants.
One of the most entertaining and popular athletes on the CW roster, flyweight phenom Ger Harris is also back in action, looking to put the (admittedly entertaining) memory of defeat to Jawany Scott in London last year behind him.
The Team Ryano man (one of five athletes representing the Dublin-based gym on Saturday’s bill) is a demon in the scrambles and can latch on to a fight-finishing
Quickly becoming one of the featherweight division’s most prolific finishers, Solomon ‘King’ Simon pulled off an absolute scorcher of a submission last time he saw action in the Famous Yellow Gloves.
Opening up Saturday’s main card, he’ll now face another significant step up in competition against former lightweight title contender Christian Iorga.
The ‘Soldier of God’ has a steadfast approach to fighting, and has proved to be a tough riddle to solve. Were Simon able to pull off a sixth consecutive professional finish on Saturday night, talks of title contention will no doubt follow.
From familiar faces to those looking to smash though the glass ceiling and establish themselves on the elite European MMA circuit. Max Lally and Kenny Mokhonoana make long-awaited debuts, while Alexander O’Sullivan, Jamie Abbott-Bissett, Ciaran Brady and more return to take the next step on their CW journey.
Cage Warriors 188 is sold out – only way to watch is via UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners.