The UFC returns to France this Saturday and once again, its a European Fight Night stacked with Cage Warriors alumni. Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation has long been established as the number one route to the world leading organisation and when the lights go down at Paris’ Acor Arena, a plethora of CW fan favourites will be flying the flag for the Proven Pathway.
Harry Hardwick: An eleventh hour addition to the card, fans have been clamouring for a Harry Hardwick UFC announcement for some time. With the Middlesborough man staying ready to offer his services as a late-notice stand in on a number of occasions, including flying out to the Middle East in order to be perfectly placed as a standby fighter over the Summer, it seemed like only a matter of time before the opportunity arose.
With the sad news that Farès Ziam had to withdraw from his bout against Kauê Fernandes due to a family tragedy, ‘Houdini’ finally gets his chance to shine.
The current Cage Warriors featherweight world champion, Hardwick captured the belt with a resounding second round stoppage of Orlando Wilson Prins in May 2024, before defending it a war with Brazilian wrecking machine Keweny Lopes last November. He most recently saw action in March, winning a technical decision against Javier Garcia after an accidental clash of heads brought their contest to a premature end.
Mason Jones: A man firmly in the conversation for the title of Cage Warriors GOAT, Wales’ Mason Jones had a pair of legendary runs through the promotion. Known for his iron constitution, relentless forward pressure and a fearsome set of physical tools, it isn’t hard to see why the fans loved him.
A Judoka with boxing credentials, Jones burst onto the scene and ran riot through the CW lightweight division, culminating in a first round destruction of Joe McColgan to capture 155lb gold. Then, in a move that cemented his legacy, he moved up a division to demolish top welterweight contender Adam Proctor.
After opting not to resign with the UFC after his initial run, Jones strapped on the Famous Yellow Gloves once again, turning in four incredible performances capped off by an all-timer of a war with Italian prospect Michael Pagani. It was a fitting end to ‘The Dragon’s CW career, and ensured that his return to the UFC was even more welcome than his initial signing.
Modestas Bukauskas: Another athlete with a pair of CW/UFC runs to his name, much like Mason Jones, UK based Lithuanian Modestas Bukauskas endeared himself to fans new and old with a winning personality and a series of exciting performances in the cage.
‘The Baltic Gladiator’ paid no heed to his underdog status as he battled his way past Marthin Hamlet to capture CW gold the first time around. Following a successful defence against Riccardo Nosiglia, CW’s light heavyweight kingpin was UFC bound for a run that was cruelly cut short following a harrowing leg injury picked up against Khalil Rountree.
It was a devastating blow for the young upstart, but after a lot of soul searching, physical and mental recovery he picked up his tools and got back to work. A victory over UKMMA mainstay Lee Chadwick earned him a title shot against knockout artist Chuck Campbell on New Year’s Eve 2022, and one impressive finish later he was back where he belonged, in the UFC.
Now 5-1 in his current Octagon run, Bukauskas could be knocking on the door of a ranked spot with another victory or two.
William Gomis/Bane Gustafsson: They may have only enjoyed a brief stop-off in the organisation in comparison to the other CW legends on this list, but both William ‘Jaguar’ Gomis and ‘Bane’ Gustafsson both impressed in the Famous Yellow Gloves.
France’s Gomis will have the crowd firmly behind him on Saturday night, but that wasn’t the case when he faced Cage Warriors fan-favourite Tobias Harila back in 2021. ‘Jaguar’ was able to stick-and-move his way to a points victory over ‘Bad Intentions’ in his sole CW appearance.
‘Bane’ Gustafsson’s CW outing ended in more dramatic fashion, as he dispatched fellow #UNIT Ismar Blagoje with a unique shoulder lock after a rough-and-tumble affair at CW 103.
Rhys McKee: Last, and by no means least, another CW legend will make the walk in Paris as Rhys McKee steps into a pivotal career bout against undefeated up-and-comer Axel Sola. McKee burst onto the CW scene in 2018, rattling off three huge wins against Jefferson George, Hakon Foss and a Fight of the Year contender against Perry Goodwin.
‘Skeletor’ had what many consider an unduly harsh first run in the UFC, coming up against Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Morono. Undeterred though, the Irishman was back in the Famous Yellow gloves with the welterweight title in his sights.
What followed was one of the greatest Cage Warriors fights of all time, with McKee and Justin Burlinson engaging in a brutal, bloody Belfast brawl for the ages. A changing of the guard battle against interim champ ‘Judo’ Jim Wallhead earned McKee a second call up to the UFC. With the FAI man earning his first win under the world leader last time out, CW fans will be getting behind their man to keep up the momentum in Paris.
UFC Paris goes down this Saturday at 17:00 UK time. Early prelims air live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, with preliminary bouts simulcast on UFC Fight Pass and TNT Sport, and the main card airing exclusively live on TNT Sport in the UK from 8pm local time.