It’s crazy to think that it’s been barely 18 months since Cage Warriors burst onto the scene in San Diego and disrupted the landscape of SoCal MMA.
With the 2023 world tour set to kick off Stateside in just a few weeks’ time, why not join us for a little walk down memory lane as we take a look back (in no particular order) at some of our top San Diego moments.
Justin Barry’s Crescent Kick
Where else to begin?
Justin Barry is a life-long martial artist, with 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 ‘Paper’ Blair is clearly a man with places to go and people to see; the 24-year-old 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 Heel, 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 at CW 139, when Blair disengaged from the clinch and dropped a crunching right hand onto his opponent’s jaw in one smooth motion.
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.
Jordan Bailey’s Swift Guillotine
It’s fair to say that heading into CW 139, Jordan Bailey was in a must-win situation, and that’s exactly how he approached the contest.
After eating a huge Uchi-mata, Bailey was able to regain his composure in record time, defending a second takedown attempt by wrapping up his opponent’s neck.
A quick adjustment and he’d locked off an air-tight Mackenzitine, forcing the tap in under a minute without even needing control of Trinidad’s body.
It was a hugely gratifying victory for Folsom’s own, having overcome a spate of losses in the cage and personal demons outside of it.
He’d repeat the feat three months later with another guillotine variation, this time earning a career-best win over JJ Ambrose.
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, the 29-year-old featherweight phenom was in fine form during his second appearance in the yellow gloves last June.
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.
With finishes by submission, strikes and on the judges’ scorecards under his belt in CW, you’d be well-advised not to blink when Hernandez returns to action on March 3rd!
Cage Warriors returns to San Diego for CW 149, our debut at the Sycuan Casino Resort, on Friday, March 3rd. Tickets are available now at CageWarriors.com, with the event streaming live on UFC Fight Pass!