The 2024 world tour is well underway and Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – has already churned out more than its fair share of nights to remember.
With four critically acclaimed shows in the books for Q1 of the year, it’s already full steam ahead on Q2 and another exciting few months of action spanning Ireland, Scotland, Newcastle San Diego and more.
So as we eagerly await CW’s first trip to Glasgow since 2013, now is the perfect time to take a look back at the action that started the 2024 with a bang!
166: San Diego
Wilson Reis Does Wilson Reis Things
Maybe someday people will learn to stop counting Wilson Reis out.
The former UFC title challenger had suffered his first loss in the famous yellow gloves (a split-decision to fellow UFC vet Trevin Jones) at CW 159 last September, leaving fans wondering if the end was really nigh.
Reis’ answer? Not quite.
The San Diego-based Brazilian rocketed out of the gates against Toby Misech, clattering him with a huge left hook before effortlessly slipping into mount and locking off an arm-triangle.
The message was clear: Wilson isn’t done yet.
Chasen Blair Brings the Heat
Chasen ‘Paper’ Blair has dropped a couple of bouts in his pro journey, but each time the comeback is greater than the setback.
That was particularly true in February, when he unleashed a vicious barrage of strikes on fellow prospect Orlando Sanders.
An onslaught of kicks and punches from all angles earned the MMA Fight Academy man another stoppage victory, this time in just a whisker over two minutes.
Should he keep this run of form up, Blair could be chasing more than just Paper by this time next year.
167: Unplugged
Omiel Brown Turns the Tables
Unplugged became unglued for it’s co-main event, as Omiel Brown and Raphael Aronov bit down on their gumshields and slung heavy leather like it was going out of fashion.
Both men were hurt early in the first round, with Brown picking himself up of the canvas to secure a takedown and come agonisingly close to finishing the fight with a rear naked choke.
Able to maintain the momentum in the second, the Team Renegade man secured a trademark guillotine for the win in a bout that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
Sergio Gavinelli Goes Full Beast Mode
Omiel Brown wasn’t the only one dishing out punishment and crazy finishes at Unplugged; the MMA Fight Academy’s Sergio Gavinelli exploded onto the scene with a 36-second debut win that left jaws hanging, and we’re not just talking about his opponent’s…
Michele Martignoni is Back!
Speaking of jaw-dropping finishes, the former bantamweight champion Michele Martignoni returned to the 135lb division in pursuit of the title he never lost.
It was an emphatic comeback from ‘The Italian Thunder’ who stopped the highly-touted Raz Bring with a series of pint-point punches against the cage in the first round.
Could he become a two-time champion before the year is out?
168: Manchester
Giordano and Kelly Get Bloody
A pair of certified scrappers locked horns as CW 168 hit Manchester the night after Unplugged, using the pristine white canvas to paint a blood-splattered masterpiece.
If violence is an art, you could hang this one in the Louvre.
Gittins Ends the War of Words
After a memorable pre-fight war of words in the build-up, Liam Gittins first defence of his bantamweight title descended into a war of attrition against Roberto Hernandez.
The bout went deep into the championship rounds and when Hernandez had nothing left to give, Gittins tapped into his reserves to overwhelm his man with a late volley of ground ‘n’ pound and a vice-tight rear naked choke.
The Gittins era is well and truly upon us!
169: London
Carlos Pereira Shocks the World
From Manchester to London, and one of the most shocking upsets in recent Cage Warriors history.
At 44 years of age, many had written off the 50-fight veteran Carlos Pereira ahead of his clash with UFC veteran Darren Stewart.
The Brazilian had other ideas, though, showing the world exactly why you write a guy with 25 KOs on his record off at your peril.
It was a wild scrap with both guys getting their licks in, but after sending Stewart to the canvas with a sledgehammer of a right hand, ‘Índio’ had silenced the crowd and put the division on notice.
Mitchell Goode: Blame it on the Buggy (choke)
Yeah, you’ve seen this one, but you’re going to watch it again.
Don’t blame us, blame it on the…you know.
Jordan Vucenic: When It All Goes Right
Everything has been coming up Milhouse for Jordan Vucenic of late.
The former champion came into CW 169’s main event on the back of two second-round submissions, with plans to give the judges another early night against Simone D’Anna.
Everything fell into place for ‘The Epidemic’, as he was able to bloody the Italian before locking up a second round Kimura to extend his run of second round submissions to three.
That’s Q1 in the books! With Q2 already underway with a classic event in Dublin and a stacked schedule to lead us into the Summer, Cage Warriors continues to be the number 1 destination for European MMA!
You can check out all these moments and more from the Cage Warriors back catalogue on the world’s largest and best combat sports streaming service, UFC Fight Pass.