Cage Warriors 54 - Fight Card Updates

[Keithlewis]

Buchinger versus Newman Added to Cage Warriors 54 on May 4


A LIGHTWEIGHT bout has been added to the card for Cage Warriors 54, with Ivan Buchinger and Tim Newman set to clash in Cardiff on Saturday, May 4.

Cage Warriors 54, which takes place at the Welsh capital's Motorpoint Arena, will be headlined by a middleweight title bout between home favourite John Phillips and defending champion Jesse Taylor.

Following a first-round submission win over Greg Loughran at Cage Warriors 49 in his native Wales last October, Newman will be aiming for a third consecutive CWFC victory when he faces Buchinger on the first weekend of May.

Newman (10-3), who hails from Newport, made a stunning CWFC debut in May 2011 when he scored a KO win over Gregorz Tredowski after just 10 seconds of their meeting at Cage Warriors 42.

Currently ranked as one of the UK's top ten lightweights, the 29-year-old's only loss in his last five outings came via decision at the hands of three-time UFC veteran Curt Warburton.

"I'm looking forward to fighting in Wales again and I'm expecting this fight to be explosive," said Newman. "We both like to trade and we're both well-rounded so this should be a very entertaining fight, no matter where it goes."

Buchinger (21-4) will be returning to action for the first time since his loss to Conor McGgregor in a bout for the vacant CWFC lightweight title at Cage Warriors 51 in Dublin on New Year's Eve.

The 27-year-old Slovak, a former European top ten lightweight, has taken 19 of his 21 wins by stoppage, including a submission victory over current Bellator star Magomedrasul Khasbulaev and an impressive TKO of Diego Gonzalez at CWFC Fight Night 6.

Buchinger's only other losses have come against Akira Corassani, Anton Kuivanen – both by decision – and M-1 veteran Sergey Golyaev.

"My last fight was very disappointing for me," said Buchinger. "My camp didn't go well but this time I'm training harder and more often because I want the chance to challenge for the title again.

"My opponent is good, I have a lot of respect for him but I will be totally ready for this fight and I'm very determined to get the win."

[Keithlewis]

Glover-Long, Edwards-Harrison Added to Cage Warriors 54


THE card for Cage Warriors 54 live on Fight Network is taking shape following today's addition of another two bouts.

Cage Warriors 54, which will be headlined by a CWFC middleweight title bout between home favourite John Phillips and defending champion Jesse Taylor, is set for the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Saturday, May 4.

The bill for Cage Warriors' second visit to Wales will now also feature a 160lbs catchweight bout between Mark Glover and Lewis Long, as well as clash of flyweights Kris Edwards (pictured) and Karl Harrison.

Glover (6-1-1 MMA, 0-0 CWFC) returns to action for the first time since featuring on season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter last year.

The 24-year-old Liverpool native, who'll be making his CWFC debut, has taken five of his six wins by submission, with the only loss on his record coming via decision at the hands of fellow former TUF contestant Michael Pastou.

"I'm made up to be getting the opportunity to showcase my skills on Europe's top show," said Glover. "I'm looking forward to making a big impact on my Cage Warriors debut, before moving up the rankings and challenging for the prestigious CWFC belt."

Long (6-2 MMA, 0-1 CWFC) will be keen to return to winning ways following a loss to Paul Redmond on his CWFC debut at Cage Warriors 49 in Cardiff back in October.

The 23-year-old Welshman said: "I'm excited to be fighting in front of the Welsh crowd again, especially at a fantastic venue like the Motorpoint Arena. I can't wait to bounce back from my last performance and I'm expecting a stand-up war with Mark that the fans will really enjoy."

Meanwhile, fellow Welshman Kris Edwards (8-4 MMA, 2-1 CWFC) will also be looking to get back on track after he too tasted defeat at Cage Warriors 49.

Edwards, who was overturned by Alan Philpott at bantamweight on his last outing, aims to maintain his status as one of Europe's top performers in the flyweight division when he faces Englishman Karl Harrison.

Prior to his loss to Philpott, 23-year-old Edwards enhanced his reputation thanks to Cage Warriors victories over Janne Elonen-Kulmala and Brian Hyslop last year.

"I'm really happy to be back at 125lbs," Edwards said. "I love fighting in Cardiff as the atmosphere is second to none. I was impressed by Karl in his last fight against Neil Seery, which I thought he had done enough to win. This should be an exciting match-up."

Harrison (4-4 MMA, 0-1 CWFC), who's ranked in the UK's top ten, dropped a close decision defeat to top-three European flyweight Seery on his Cage Warriors debut last October.

The 31-year-old said: "Kris Edwards is a tough lad but I think this is a good fight for me style-wise as my boxing and wrestling game will be too strong for him. I can't wait to fight on Cage Warriors again."

[Keithlewis]

Five More Bouts Confirmed for Cage Warriors 54 LIVE on FN


With Cage Warriors returning to Cardiff on May 4, five more bouts have today been added to the card.

Cage Warriors 54, which will be headlined by a CWFC middleweight title fight between defending champion Jesse Taylor and home favourite John Phillips, is set to take place at the Welsh capital’s Motorpoint Arena.

The main card will now also feature two welterweight bouts, with Danny Roberts (pictured) booked to face Diego Gonzalez and Ashley Beaumont pencilled in to make his CWFC debut against Matt Inman.

Two bantamweight bouts have been added to the prelims - unbeaten Welshman Brett Johns (5-0) versus Scottish prospect James MacAlister (7-1) and highly-ranked Englishman Davey Grant (8-1) versus Cardiff's own Joe Orrey (7-6) - as well as a lightweight contest between Brad Wheeler (9-8) and Welsh native Jamie Rogers (8-6).

Replacement opponents are currently being arranged for Ivan Buchinger and Kris Edwards after their opponents - Tim Newman and Karl Harrison - were forced to withdraw due to illness and injury respectively.

Hailing from Liverpool, 25-year-old Danny Roberts (7-1) will be returning to action for the first time since his win over Jack Mason at Cage Warriors 48 last July.

Roberts, who's currently ranked 12th in the UK, said: "Diego Gonzalez is a very experienced fighter with a good grappling game. I've had a hard few months but I'm excited about coming back and getting another win."

Gonzalez (15-7-0-1nc) returns to welterweight after a stint at 155lbs ended with a TKO loss at the hands of Ivan Buchinger at CWFC Fight Night 6 in May of last year.

"I've had a long lay-off but I've switched coach and team in the meantime. It's a new start for me so I'm really looking forward to my return," said Gonzalez, a 28-year-old Swede who already has five Cage Warriors bouts under his belt.

Elsewhere, 24-year-old unbeaten Welshman Ashley Beaumont (4-0) will aim to continue his ascent when he takes on Matt Inman.

Beaumont, who has taken all of his wins via first-round stoppage, said: "Matt is a very experienced fighter with a good reputation so this will be another big challenge for me. I'm very excited about fighting in Cardiff too."

Ranked in the UK's top 20, Inman (9-5) will be keen to bounce back from his loss to Jack Mason at Cage Warriors 52 in London last month.

"I'm fighting an undefeated knockout merchant in his own backyard but, from what I've seen, I'm confident I'll be able to dominate the fight wherever it goes," said Inman, 26. "I'm eager to make amends from my last fight."

More Cage Warriors 54 bouts will be announced shortly so keep track of CWFC on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.

Priced from just £25 (plus booking fee), tickets for Cage Warriors 54 are available HERE or by phoning 0044 29202 24488.

[Keithlewis]