Former Cage Warriors champion and UFC athlete Jordan Vucenic has an opponent and date set for his return to the promotion. Officials from Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation have today confirmed that ‘The Epidemic’ will once again strap on the Famous Yellow Gloves at London’s indigo at The O2, when he faces elite up-and-comer Torpal Merjoev at CW 196.
Tickets for CW 196: London are available here!
The event will take place on Saturday, November 15th and looks set to be one of most stacked London bills in recent memory.
Vucenic’s long-rumoured return to Cage Warriors after a two-fight stint in the UFC was made official last week. Vucenic showed his class in a debut performance against Guram Kutateladze for the world leader, before dropping a second bout to top lightweight Chris Duncan.
Vucenic now returns to the promotion that made him a star, at the venue he made his fortress with a series of emphatic victories and emotionally charged walkouts.
The 29-year-old holds wins over Paul Hughes, Morgan Charriere and James Hendin, and ended his last CW run with an impressive streak of four consecutive submission victories.
The Corby man will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Nicolas Dalby, Rhys McKee and Modestas Bukauskas in returning to the UFC after a second stint in Cage Warriors.
Stepping up to face Vucenic is undefeated Norwegian powerhouse Torpal Merjoev. Originally slated to face top lightweight contender Ieuan Davies in Manchester, with Davies forced to withdraw, ‘Rambo’ now finds himself faced with the opportunity of a lifetime in London.
‘Rambo’ took out CW fan favourite Teddy Stringer on his CW debut, weathering an early storm to catch his man in a slick Ninja Choke early in the second round.
A win over a Cage Warriors icon would almost certainly put the future star front and centre in the lightweight title picture.
Also confirmed for CW’s final London date of the year, a new featherweight world champion will be crowned when Solomon Simon meets Nik Bagley, top flyweight contender Micelangelo Lupoli meets former title challenger Jawany Scott and Thomas Paull takes on Marin Vetrila.
Further bouts will be revealed in due course. CW 196 will air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners.