Chris Fishgold is set to defend his Cage Warriors lightweight championship against Jani Salmi when the promotion return to Liverpool on April 1.
The promotion announced on Wednesday that Fishgold (16-1-1) will feature as the co-main event of Cage Warriors 82 at the Echo Arena in the third defence of his 155lb title against Finnish challenger Salmi (9-2).
NextGen fighter Fishgold fought five times in 2016, capturing the CW lightweight crown in July 2016 by submitting Adam Boussif in the first round of their Cage Warriors 77 contest. He then made easy work of Jason Ponet at Cage Warriors 78 in front of 3,500 at the Echo.
Fishgold rounded the year off with an exhausting decision over Nic Herron-Webb at Cage Warriors Unplugged, earning the Scouser a huge amount of respect from his hardest fought contest to-date.
Opponent Salmi is mostly known for his win over recognisable UK MMA name Sean Carter. He enters Cage Warriors 82 riding an eight-fight win streak. The Finn has garnered a reputation as a submission specialist with five of his six finishes ending by tap out.
Cage Warriors President Graham Boylan told MMA Plus at CW 80 that the promotion opened the Echo Arena up to 6,000, which is expected to be double the attendance of their September 2016 visit.
Fishgold’s teammate, Paddy Pimblett will headline the event, as he defends his featherweight title against Nad Naramani.
Updated Cage Warriors 82 Card
Cage Warriors Featherweight title: Paddy Pimblett (13-1) vs. Nad Narimani (9-2)
Cage Warriors Lightweight title: Chris Fishgold (16-1) vs. Jani Salmi
Women’s Flyweight: Molly McCann (4-1) vs. TBC
Middleweight: Lee Chadwick (21-13-1) vs. Tommy Quinn (6-3) )
160b Catchweight: Ellis Hampson (6-3, 1NC) vs. Perry Goodwin (6-4)
Featherweight: Dean Trueman (7-3) vs. Frantz Slioa (4-0)
