Once ‘The Prospect’, now ‘The Last Kingsman’, Nathaniel Wood has been on an incredible journey over a career spanning thirteen years. From the UK regional scene to the dizzy heights of the UFC, the Londoner has been lighting up cages the world over, but his star was truly born when he strapped on the Famous Yellow Gloves of Cage Warriors.
With Wood set to compete in his 10th UFC contest this Saturday, what better time to take a look back at his time in Europe’s Leading MMA organisation?
Vs Steve McCombe
A veteran of countless fights across countless disciplines, Steve ‘Taz’ McCombe had a reputation for fighting anyone, any time, anywhere, and being as tough as they come with it. But while mental toughness can be immeasurable, the physical form always has its limits.
McCombe discovered this to his detriment when blocking an arching high-kick from the then-Prospect Nathanial Wood on his Cage Warriors debut back in 2014. The Irishman may have succeeded in protecting his skull, but he sacrificed his forearm in the process.
Vs Vaughan Lee
Following his bone-shattering victory over McCombe, Wood spent a few years in the wilderness before making a sensational return in 2017. His reputation bolstered by a series of impressive performances outside of the organisation, Wood’s return outing against UFC veteran Vaughan Lee certainly got people talking.
Lee had been around the block a few times, but the crafty veteran presented all manner of problems for any bantamweight on his day, and wasn’t the kind of opponent to be taken lightly. It took Wood a round or so to solve the riddle, but by the time the referee had waved it off towards the end of the second, the test had very much been passed.
Vs Marko Kovacevic
With a vacant bantamweight title gathering dust, Cage Warriors officials were tasked with finding two of Europe’s best to compete for the prestigious Big Gold Belt. ‘Agent 47’ Marko Kovacevic got the first nod; the Swiss finisher was on a tear outside of the organisation and was tipped for a promising future. The second nod predictably went to Wood.
Competing in his first Cage Warriors main event, in his home town no less, the pressure was on for Wood to do something special. And special it was. Stalking his man around the cage like he owned it from the very first bell, he looked absolutely ruthless in his pursuit of the finish. When that finish came less than four minutes into the very first round, it served as the perfect first chapter of Wood’s Cage Warriors title legacy.
Vs Josh Reed
If Kovacevic was the first chapter, then Reed was undoubtedly the most memorable. If Wood’s Cage Warriors journey was a movie, his fight against Welsh scrapper Josh Reed would have been the big-budget action scene. Fans had flocked from the London cobbles and the Welsh Valleys to cheer on their boys, and by the time the fighters were in the cage you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife.
Thankfully no knives were needed once the bell rang; fists were very much the weapons of choice. And boy did they fly. Reed looked to be within a whisker of walking away with the gold following a brutal onslaught of punches up against the cage, but in one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Cage Warriors history, Wood battled back and finished his man with a stunning combination to ensure the belt remained in London.
Vs Luca Iovine
While it may be remembered as more of an epilogue after the iconic all-timer against Reed, it can’t be denied that Wood’s final finish in the Famous Yellow Gloves is a classic KO in its own right. Word on the street was that the UFC were hovering around the CW bantamweight champion, and one more big finish was all he’d need to punch his ticket to the big show.
Wood took that literally, stepping out to dominate the centre of the small indigo cage in typical fashion, he uncorked a trademark left hook just 50 seconds into the contest that knocked his man stiff and sent him crashing to the canvas in visceral scenes.
It was about as iconic a chapter-closer as a fighter could wish for and sure enough, Wood became the latest in a long line of CW athletes to graduate to the UFC soon afterwards.
‘The Last Kingsman’ Nathaniel Wood competes at UFC 321: Apinall vs Gane on Saturday, October 25th, live on TNT Sports Box Office. Join us to find the next future UFC star from London on November 15th at Cage Warriors 196!