Cage Warriors has been a lynchpin of the SoCal MMA scene since 2021, showcasing local, national and international talent to fans from Humpries by the Bay to the Sycuan Casino Resort.
Tickets for CW 182: San Diego are availible here!
With the 2024 World Tour set to wind up Stateside in just a weeks’ time, why not join us for a little walk down memory lane as we take a look back at some of our top San Diego moments.
Justin Barry’s Crescent Kick
Not a bad place to start, right?
Life-long martial artist Justin Barry has a well-established striking background and an MMA record that began a full decade ago.
Having taken time away from the sport to travel and pursue other professional goals, Barry returned to the cage as a professional in 2021, and did so in figuratively – and literally – jaw-dropping fashion.
Like something out of a classic Shaw Brothers’ Kung Fu movie, Barry flashed an outside crescent kick straight from the 36th Chamber, taking his opponent, the commentary team, and everyone watching by complete surprise.
Chasen Blair Isn’t Paid By The Minute
Chasen ‘Mezisto’ Blair is clearly a man with places to go and people to see; he doesn’t hang around when the cage door closes, having finished all his professional victories in the famous yellow gloves.
An NCAA Division 1 Wrestler for the UNC Tar Heels, Blair’s grappling credentials are unquestionable, but if his CW appearances have taught us anything, it’s that they’re far from the only thing opponents need to be wary of…
This was never more evident than on his last outing in San Diego, when Blair crushed the super game Orlando Sanders with a devastating display of punching power, which – mercifully – lasted just a shade over two minutes.
Damon Wilson’s Brutal Efficiency
Damon Wilson has garnered a reputation as an all-action fighter since making his CW debut at our first-ever San Diego show in 2021.
‘The Nomad’ has been a fixture in the yellow gloves since, quickly establishing himself as a firm fan favourite on both sides of the Atlantic.
Wilson’s sophomore CW performance perfectly encapsulated his brutal efficiency; following an entertaining first five minutes, he uncorked a peach of a right hand on John Buttner, following up with some clinical ground ‘n’ pound to seal the deal.
Roberto Hernandez’ Photo-Finish Left Hand
One of the standouts of CW’s San Diego expansion, Roberto Hernandez has done nothing but impress since making his promotional debut.
A prodigy of UFC legend Joe ‘Daddy’ Stephenson, featherweight phenom was in fine form during his second appearance in the Famous Yellow Gloves.
Hernandez threw Michael O’Leary off the scent with a series of jabs and hooks to the body, before changing tack and planting a picture-perfect left hand on his man’s jaw.
Wilson Reis: The Man That Time Forgot
In a sport as physically and mentally taxing as MMA, few enjoy the longevity of Wilson Reis.
With decades of grappling experience under his belt and a consistent presence across a number of the world’s largest MMA organisations, the San Diego-based Brazilian has the kind of experience that money simply cannot buy.
This was on full display at CW 166, when Reis picked up an incredible 28th professional MMA victory over fellow veteran Toby Misech.
Dropping the Hawaiian with a thunderous left hook, Reis ended the fight with a vintage submission to send the partisan crowd into raptures.
Cage Warriors returns for more San Diego magic on Friday, December 13th! Tickets are available now at CageWarriors.com, with the event streaming live on UFC Fight Pass!