Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – has today confirmed a second title bout for the final stop on it’s 2025 tour. Long-reigning flyweight champion Shaj ‘Superman’ Haque will look for a third successful defence of his 125lb title, as he faces French challenger Nicolas Leblond. The bout will take place on the main card of Cage Warriors 199 at Newcastle’s Vertu Arena on Saturday, December 6th.
Tickets for CW 199 are availible here!
Champion Haque (17-5) made the most recent defence of his title in July of this year, returning from a two year hiatus to outpoint Jawany Scott in a nail-biting five-rounder that left both fans and the judges split.
The South Shields man had previously captured the strap with a stunning KO of then champion Sam Creasey, before defending it against former bantamweight champion Michele Martignoni.
With all his previous title fights having been contested as the ‘away’ fighter, Haque will finally enjoy something of a hometown advantage in the North East.
Challenger Leblond (12-4) brings and lengthy Judo background and considerable punching power to the dance. Lethal Frenchman has turned-in highlight-reel finishes of Darren O’Gorman, Ryan Curtis, Michelangelo Lupoli and Scott Malone during his impressive run in the Famous Yellow Gloves.
Haque and Leblond have been matched on two previous occasions; the champion was forced to withdraw due to injury in the summer of 2024, while in November of that year inclement weather saw the challenger unable to travel from his home country.
Both men – and CW fans – will be hoping that the third time is a charm.
“We were serious when we said we’re ending the year with a bang…” said CW President Graham Boylan, “…so we’ve added another title bout to an already stacked card in Newcastle!”
“Shaj Haque proved beyond all doubt that he’s an elite 125lb’er with his performance against Jawany Scott this summer.”
“But Nicolas Leblond has been chasing this fight for over a year; he’s got a huge opportunity to knock Shaj off the top of the mountain.”
“We’re going to find out who’s the king of the flyweights on December 6th!”
Haque vs Leblond joins a previously announced interim welterweight title bout pitting Sean Clancy Jr against an opponent to be confirmed, former lightweight champion George Hardwick taking on former welterweight title challenger Daniel Konrad and local favourites Leon Armes and Josh Abrahams facing Alberth Dias and Nicolas Barna respectively.
CW 199 will air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast channels.