The undercard for Cage Warriors 83 is starting to take shape, with the addition of four fights today, including a Bantamweight contest between a surging Damo Weeden and Kris Edwards.
The bouts were announced by Cage Warriors Wales promoter Richard Shore on Facebook this afternoon, for the event which is set to take place on May 6th, in Newport.
Weeden looks to continue his ascent, despite previous setback
Bournemouth’s Weeden (6-6) was set to fight in the main event the last time Cage Warriors visited Wales earlier this month. However, his opponent, Josh Reed withdrew, and Weeden instead took on Joe Orrey further down the card. The man nicknamed “The Yeti” needed just 39 seconds to dispatch of Orrey, winning via Rear-naked-choke.
Both Reed and Orrey fight out of Tillery Combat MMA, and so too does Weeden’s next opponent, Kris “Evil” Edwards (8-9). Although Edwards is currently on a six fight losing run, his last five fights have gone the distance, and the Welshman has faced several tough fighters over the course of his seven year career. He holds a submission win over former Cage Warriors bantamweight title challenger James Brum from 2011, which was Brum’s first defeat as a professional.
Wells looks to bounce back in rematch fight
Phil Wells (8-4) looked great in the opening round of his main event fight against Aaron Khalid at Cage Warriors Academy Wales. Unfortunately for the SVT Swindon fighter, he got caught in a guillotine choke in the second round, giving the Welterweight his first taste of defeat via submission.
At CWFC 83, Wells looks to bounce back as he welcomes an old foe to Cage Warriors, in Shane Riley (5-6). Riley and Wells previously fought at Raged UK MMA 3 in February 2016. That fight took place in Wells’ home town of Swindon, whilst the rematch takes place a few miles down the road from Riley’s home gym, Cardiff’s Brotherhood MMA.
Wells took home the win in the first fight, winning by way of submission. He will look to get back on track with a second win over his opponent, whilst Riley looks to break a two fight skid.
Ellis vs Maksimovic rescheduled; Jones to make debut
IMAAF World Champion Josh Ellis (1-0) was set to make his professional debut against against Tillery Combat Lightweight Simon Maksimovic (0-0) at the Newport show earlier this month. Maksimovic was forced out, and Ellis instead faced a tough fighter from Poland, Daniel Hodor, on short notice. Having emerged from that fight victorious, and unscathed, Ellis returns and will finally get to take on Cardiff’s Maksimovic. Though this will be his debut, Maksimovic has three years’ worth of amateur experience, including a fight with top prospect Jack Shore.
Finally, Mason Jones (0-0) is set to make his professional debut against Somerset’s Brett “The Werewolf” Hassett (2-2), who most recently fought one of Wales’ best, in Richard “Frango” Williams.
Long vs Mills to headline
Though the card is subject to change, these fights are all set to take place on the undercard, along with several amateur bouts. The main card, which includes a main event consisting of Lewis Long taking on Che Mills at Welterweight, will be live on BT Sport and UFC Fight Pass.
