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Sure to be remembered for highlight encounters saturated in blood sweat and tears, Cage Warriors hit Liverpool’s Echo Arena for the first time on July 20th, presenting one of the most anticipated cards in UK-MMA this year, featuring standout favourites Ronnie Mann, Danny Roberts and top British welterweight Paul Daley, not to mention a long list of highlight domestic familiars including Leeroy Barnes and Jack Mason, to name a few.
“Semtex” sets off an explosive return
Making his Cage Warriors return, British striking sensation Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley (33-12-2) emerged excited and all smiles, dancing on his way to compete against Poland’s Lukasz Chlewicki (10-3-1).
The UFC and Bellator veteran earned yet another first round stoppage, by way of an unstoppable Thai clinch assault. Daley maintained control of the cage centre from the outset, however a game Chlewicki appeared threatening for the opening moments, each man trading speedy combos topped with low kicks.
Back on their feet following a Paul Daley takedown, the fight took a turn as Daley secured an effective Thai clinch, of which he thoroughly enjoyed. ‘Semtex’ calmly unleashed blows all over, elbows to the head of Chlewicki, as well as body shots and knees to the gut. A brief release revealed the damage as Chlewicki appeared crippled from from body blows, struggling to manoeuvre himself out of range.
Daley could smell blood, and it was long before we saw some. With Chlewicki noticeably hurt, ‘Semtex’ lit the fuse for his final attack. Resuming his Thai clinch assault, Daley’s elbow split open a cut on the side of Chlewicki’s head. Despite Chlewicki some how surviving round 1, the doctor entered the cage and advised referee Marc Goddard to end the bout, Daley’s hand was raised soon after.
Roberts tops Fadipe in Cage Warriors classic
In what was no doubt the CWFC 57 Fight of the Night, Danny Roberts (9-1) entered as the favourite against Ireland’s Henry Fadipe (5-6-1), stepping in to face Roberts on less than a days notice.
Roberts came out as the quicker striker, however Fadipe maintained his presence, throwing dangerously close blows in return. With the vocal crowd behind him, ‘Hot Chocolate’ produced a takedown, lifting Fadipe high before dropping the Irishman to the canvas and securing side control. Fighting back, Fadipe reversed the north-south position as the first round closed.
Fadipe continued to strike with power in round two, Roberts found himself clashing head on with an incoming knee, and blood spewed from Roberts’s forehead. Intense back and forth grappling ensued, the end appeared near as Roberts unleashed clubbing Donkey Kong blows from inside Fadipe’s guard. As the onslaught simmered down, Roberts’s cut was checked and the bout resumed. Back and forth grappling continued with Fadipe constantly hunting for submissions from the bottom.
The non-stop action continued into round 3, and the crowd applauded. Roberts completed another takedown, opening up Fadipe’s guard with more ground and pound before transitioning to full-mount, and then back control where ‘Hot Chocolate’ sent the crowd to boiling point with a rear naked choke submission.
Ronnie Mann stuns in ferocious return
Ronnie Mann (22-6-1) was eager to fight, and returned to domestic action with Cage Warriors having bought out the remainder of his Bellator contract. Facing Jose Luis Zapater (17-10), the pair proceeded to stand and bang. With Mann constantly on the attack, Zapater did well to last, having absorbed multiple counterstrikes. Fighting like a man uncaged, the Bellator veteran launched several leaping knees. Mann sprung again and again, a knee struck Zapater’s body, sending him to the ground, Mann followed up with strikes to claim an impressive victory in just over three minutes.
Paraisy outpoints fearsome Leeroy Barnes
Having been taken down and stuck on his back for the majority of round one, Barnes (12-11) came out a different animal for the remaining stanzas.
Pressing forward with fierce striking, Barnes found the target with combos on multiple occasions, forcing Paraisy (12-3-2) to floor. However, when on the ground, Paraisy would find his way into Leeroy’s guard, with Leeroy seemingly stuck in the position. Barnes continuously countered takedowns, looking to secure guillotine chokes, but again, the stylish effort didn’t pay off, and Barnes remained on his back as the battered Paraisy gathered points by simply controlling the position. Unable to succeed while working from his guard, Barnes seemingly yelled to his anxious corner, explaining Paraisy was too slippery to grip.
Despite the highlight effort form Barnes, who clearly inflicted damage from both his back, and on his feet, Paraisy’s work from inside his opponent’s guard was enough to claim two rounds, and was awarded the unanimous decision 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.
Arish out-grapples Mason in lacklustre contest
Stepping in on a weeks notice, Ali Arish (20-2) took on Jack Mason (24-12) in a moderate encounter. The two fighters were overly hesitant, and did little on the feet with neither willing to engage as Arish had mixed results in search of a takedown.
Mason began to pick up the pace ever so slightly as the sprawl defence presented opportunities, but failed to capitalise effectively. A known wrestler, Arish’s hands were often low, yet Mason barely landed, handing the victory to Arish by unanimous decision based on his takedowns, with Mason having done little to catch the judge’s eyes.
Fishgold stays undefeated
Excited local scouser Chris Fishgold (9-0) predicted victory and nothing else, taking on Marcin Wrzosek (6-2) in the main card’s opening bout.
Credited for his grappling, Fishgold took the fight to the ground, switching between ground and pound, and sidechoke attempts. Continuous grappling and clinch work continued throughout round one.
Mindful of space, Fishgold constantly worked to fill any openings on the ground, and limit his opponent’s options. The local favourite flattened out Wrzosek from back control in round two, striking down from behind for the TKO victory.
Main card results:
Paul Daley def. Lukasz Chlewicki via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1
Danny Roberts def. Henry Fadipe via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3
Ronnie Mann def. Jose Luis Zapater via TKO (strikes) – Round 1
Norman Paraisy def. Leeroy Barnes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Ali Arish def. Jack Mason via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Chris Fishgold def. Marcin Wrzosek via TKO (punches) – Round 2
PRELIMINARY CARD
Matt Inman def. Mohsen Bahari via verbal submission (heel hook) – Round 1
Saul Rogers def. Jason Cooledge via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1
Steve Dinsdale def. Dan Rushworth via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bryan Creighton def. Mark Connor via submission (D’arce choke) – Round 2
Mick Gerrard def. Leon Pierre via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1
Dean Reilly def. Mick Kay via knockout (strikes) – Round 1
CREDIT Photo: Mark Blundell
