Cage Warriors 193 Preview: Hardwick v Junior

Cage Warriors host a show in Newcastle tonight. The Vertu Motors Arena will host twelve action-packed mixed martial arts bouts over the course of CW 193. All competitors have passed the strongest medical safety testing in Europe to appear on the card.

George Hardwick (13-3) returns following dropping his CW Lightweight title back in March. The Middlesbrough man has his sights set on the UFC, and is a Bellator veteran. The 28-year-old is a wicked striker who hits rip-roaring body shots and devastating head blows. The Englishman also has a dangerous guillotine that opponents need to be wary of. Nonato Junior (14-9-1) steps in on short notice due to a Jan Quaeyhaegens injury. We saw the Brazilian compete in the yellow gloves back in March, however he fell short to Adam Cullen. The 31-year-old has won his last two since outside the promotion, and he’s known for his submission play. He uses an array of holds to get the job done, favouring arm triangles and guillotines.

George Staines (6-0) is a shiny new signing coming in from Oktagon, where he bagged all six of his wins (the first three coming against Irish opposition). The Englishman was a decorated IMMAF competitor at amateur level, including picking up European gold. The 24-year-old is a stellar grappler with a strong wrestling game. The Next Gen man pairs that up with a plethora of submission attacks, which he can use from any position. His striking is improving all the time and he’s hard as nails. William Batista (12-6) makes his debut and it will be his first appearance in a major European promotion. The Brazilian has competed in pro kickboxing bouts, and he’s shown some vicious flying attacks and a mean right hand along the way. Within his mixed rules game, he’s very good at taking the fight to the deck and softening people up with ground and pound. The 26-year-old will be looking for an arm or the back when it hits the deck.

Andrew Fisher (19-10-1) is a legend of the UK scene and is a veteran of Bellator and ACB, as well as being the head coach of some of Europe’s best fighters in Phil de Fries and Mick Parkin. This will be his first time strapping on the yellow gloves since 2014 where he fought Artem Lobov. The 40-year-old is a gritty wrestler who makes things uncomfortable for opponents by utilising ground and pound, and attacking the chokes. Orlando Wilson Prins (5-4) competed for the CW title last year, and has always jumped into big fights for the promotion. The Dutchman started his career displaying a great submission game, sinking in rear naked chokes and an armbar. Over the last couple of years, the Groningen man’s striking has been coming on leaps and bounds. He’ll most likely need to showcase that here.

Mateusz Figlak (8-2) returns from injury to compete for the first time since November 2023. The Pole was born in Poznań, but has called Gloucester his home for many years. The Trojan Free Fighters man is looking to regain the form that saw him compete for an interim CW title. He’s a very well rounded martial artist, showing great combinations and striking IQ on the feet, and a very capable grappling game with submission threat. Tom Crosby (8-4-1) is an IMMAF alumnus and makes his first promotional appearance, coming in from Oktagon. The 37-year-old has been at this sport for over a decade, turning pro in 2018 after a long amateur career. The Leeds man has power in his punches, additionally he’s got a Jiu Jitsu game to be wary of. Six of his wins have been finishes.

Reece McEwan (8-3) was victorious last time out in September and his only losses in the yellow gloves were to top completion in Cameron Else and Liam Gittens. The Scot is a mean grappler with the ability to frustrate opponents on the fence and on the floor. The 28-year-old’s Jiu Jitsu game is stellar and he utilises different types of chokes to get the job done. He also likes to soften you up with ground and pound. Elton Armindo (6-0) has competed for Ilia Topuria’s WOW promotion over in Spain in the past, and this will be his step up to the big leagues. The Portuguese is built to last over fifteen minutes, and his durability and volume hasn’t shown any signs of deficiency so far. The 23-year-old has won his last three via knockout, and his power lasts well into the third round.

Michael Blair (4-3) has had a mixed record so far in CW, and he is looking to bounce back from a doctor stoppage defeat last April. The Scot had an undefeated amateur career where he showcased a heavy hitting striking style. The Scottish Hit Squad man has shown some takedown and submission ability, however his fists are his main weapon. Grant Ogborne (4-3) returns to the promotion for the first time since 2023, and is another to compete for WOW over in Spain. The 30-year-old has won his last two bouts, and has a style that takes opponents to the mat and finishes by ground and pound. The Englishman also has a nice guillotine choke.

Sam Kelly (5-4) is looking to snap a three-fight skid after a perfect start to life in CW. Plan A for the Manchester man will be on the feet where he throws with mean intent. The 30-yard-old is also an accomplished grappler, and if needs be he’ll be searching for a choke. Giovanni Fernandez (3-3) makes his third appearance for the promotion and has been 50:50 so far. The Frenchman has power in his hands, and likes to throw big early on. Training out of Bordeaux, his CW debut saw him win via rear naked choke. He’s no stranger to fighting people with Irish surnames having competed against a Ryan, a Quinn and a Brady in the past.

Jake McHugh (2-1) is another one moving over from Oktagon, where he won his last two bouts. The Englishman is a grappler with a massive submission threat. This was displayed in his perfect amateur career and in his competitive grappling contests. When he wins, it’s by tap out. It’s usually the rear naked choke that’s money, however he dabbles in triangles in guillotines too. Connor Patterson (1-0) picked up a big win in his pro debut via arm triangle. The GB Top Team man came through the CW Academy as an amateur, and represented his country at the EMMA championships and one IMMAF appearance. The Englishman has mostly relied on his wrestling so far.

Keir Harvie (8-4-2) is a Bellator and EFC veteran and has won three of his last four. The Higher Level Martial Arts man is mean on the feet, using every point on his limbs to cause damage. The 27-year-old flings in elbows and head kicks to keep you honest. The Scot has a great arm triangle in his locker, and also likes an armbar. Ieuan Mackenzie (4-2) represented his country at IMMAF level and will make his first CW appearance since April 2024. The Welshman has a fantastic choke game at his disposal, the most dangerous of which is his D’arce. The 24-year-old will be coming straight for your neck.

Fraser Paterson (debut) turns pro after a promising amateur career. The 20-year-old was a champion over at Almighty FC and is undefeated in his last eleven bouts. The Scot has an amazing triangle choke and has a bit of pop on his punches. Geoff Pavey (2-0) straps on the yellow gloves for the first time. The Darlington man has a Taekwondo background, which helps manage his distance control and offers a knockout threat. The 31-year-old is on a four-fight win streak inclusive of his amateur bouts.

Lexi Rook (2-3) comes in from LFL and has competed at IMMAF level. The 31-year-old is looking to get back into winning ways after losing two-in-a-row. The SBG South Shields fighter generally likes to keep things standing and knockouts are her biggest threat of ending it within the distance. Giada Ghizzo (2-0) comes in from Strife MMA in Poland, where she trains under the WCA Warsaw team. The 25-year-old Italian has won both of her pro bouts via Americana, which isn’t seen that much in MMA nowadays. She has been training with striking experts such as Wyktoria Czyżewska and Róża Gumienna in preparation, and can usually boast of having KSW champion Sebastian Przybysz in her corner.

Matthew Elliot (5-2) is an Oktagon veteran who has picked up a hat-trick of wins since returning to Cage Warriors. The Northern Irishman is a fantastic wrestler and very heavy on top. From there he looks to end it with submissions. The Fight Academy Ireland man will be keen to do some damage with ground and pound along the way. Alexis Tsarmantidis (4-2) makes his sophomore promotional appearance following defeat to Max Lally in April. The Greek predominantly does his work on the feet where he can utilise his power strikes. Half his wins have come via knockout and his submission threat has been via guillotine so far.

Cage Warriors 193 is live and exclusive this Saturday on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off at 18:00.