Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – has today confirmed a huge championship rematch for its upcoming return to Manchester. Bantamweight champion Liam Gittins and challenger Alessandro Giordano will run it back at CW 191, after their first encounter ended in controversial circumstances.
The pair will meet at Manchester’s BEC Arena in another five-round affair, on Saturday, June 28th.
Italy’s Giordano (9-3, 1NC) first challenged for the 135lb championship at CW 183 in March. After a competitive opening round he appeared to be on shaky ground, before an errant eye poke early in the third brought a halt to proceedings.
With the Napoli man telling the doctor that he was unable to see clearly following what was deemed to be an accidental foul, the referee called a stop to the bout, which was rendered a ‘No Contest’.
As a result, champion Gittins (13-4, 1NC) retained his title.
Following the bout, a social media war of words erupted between the pair, ultimately leading to June’s rematch.
“We’ve got unfinished business to settle in Manchester!” said CW President Graham Boylan.
“Alessandro Giordano feels that he has something more to prove after what went down in March, and Liam Gittins is only too happy to give him the opportunity.”
“This has become bigger that just a rematch; I’m expecting chaos in the cage on June 28th!”
CW 191 will cap off another Cage Warriors double-header in the BEC Arena, starting with CW: Unplugged on Friday, June 27th.
Additional bouts for both cards will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
CW: Unplugged will take place as an invite only event, while tickets for CW 191 are availible here. Both events will air live on UFC Fight Pass.