On July 27th 2002, Cage Warriors: Armageddon took place in London. From those humble beginnings, a European behemoth was spawned. Fast forward 16 years, and on Saturday night the Viola Arena in Cardiff will be playing host to CW100. To mark the occasion, Cage Warriors are putting on the biggest event in the promotions history to date.
With two highly anticipated title fights on the line, plus a plethora of intriguing match ups, the wealth of talent on show in Cardiff confirms that Cage Warriors have reached the magical 100th numbered show for good reason. Cage Warriors president, Graham Boylan stated “This card is a historic night not only for the promotion but for the sport in Europe. There’s fights lower down this card that could have made the main event on any other show”
The main event of the night see’s two undeniable talents collide for the vacant bantamweight title. Local hero, Jack Shore (9-0) takes on the dangerous Londoner, Mike Ekundayo (7-0). Speaking to WHOATV, Ekundayo said that he is under “no pressure” when he enters enemy territory on Saturday night in what is arguably one of the most evenly matched fights of the night. No matter what happens on Saturday, Cage Warriors will be crowning a worthy champion when the curtain closes on the mammoth CW100.
In the co-main event, the Cage Warriors featherweight tournament draws to a conclusion with Aiden Lee and Dean Trueman fighting it out for the vacant featherweight title. Lee saw off Paull McBain with a rear naked choke at CW98 back in October while Trueman recorded a unanimous decision in a hard-fought and entertaining win over Lewis Monarch. With the featherweight belt at stake, this fight has all the makings of a classic as both fighters vie for a title previously held by the likes of Conor McGregor, Paddy Pimblett and Nad Narimani.
Completing the main card, we see Håkon Foss take on Aaron Khalid and former UFC fighter, Nicolas Dalby take on Phil Mulpeter, both in the welterweight division. Kicking things off though on the main card is the lightweight battle between Scott Malone and Josh Reed.
Elsewhere on the card, Alex Lohoré makes his 2nd Cage Warriors appearance against Tim Barnett as he looks to continue on from where he left off after disposing of Sam Boult in emphatic style at CW98 in Birmingham. The fact that this fight, along with Rhys McKee’s Cage Warriors debut against Jefferson George, is on the prelims really hits home how big an event this is.
If that wasn’t enough for you, before the professional card kicks off, the Cage Warriors Academy Grand Prix finals will see a wealth of Europe’s rising amateur stars will be fighting it out for a coveted professional contract. All in all, the CW100 card is stacked from top to bottom and will see Cage Warriors round off an impressive 2018 with what should a night to remember.
You can catch the pro prelims live on the Cage Warriors Facebook page from 6.45pm with the main card live on BT Sport 3 and UFC FightPass from 9pm.
Main Card – 9PM
Jack Shore vs Mike Ekundayo – Bantamweight Title Fight
Aiden Lee vs Dean Trueman – Featherweight Title Fight
Håkon Foss vs Aaron Khalid – Welterweight
Nicolas Dalby vs Philip Mulpeter – Welterweight
Scott Malone vs Josh Reed – Bantamweight
Pro Prelims – 6.45PM
Alex Lohoré vs Tim Barnett – Welterweight
Rhys McKee vs Jefferson George – Lightweight
Kris Edwards vs Aidan Stephen – Featherweight
Jai Herbert vs Joe McColgan – Lightweight
Brett Hassett vs Michael Corston – Lightweight
Cage Warriors Academy Grand Prix Finals – 4.15PM
Dawid Piotrowicz vs Ismar Blagoje – Light Heavyweight
Rafal Nauberg vs Christian Duncan – Middleweight
Ivan Blanita vs Oban Elliot – Welterweight
Danny Williams vs Jordan Peake – Lightweight
Liam Molloy vs Chris Sterling – Featherweight
Nathan Fletcher vs Jack Eglin – Bantamweight
Ciaran Mulholland vs Muhidin Abubakar – Flyweight
Amateur Card – 3.45PM
Joe Macefield vs Sean Scrivens – Featherweight
Kieren Bennett vs Jack Tucker – Middleweight