Cage Warriors bantamweight champion Dominique Wooding retained his title in spectacular fashion with one of the best knockouts seen in the UK this year.
Wooding finished Brazilian challenger Carlos Abreu with a stunning flying knee after just 38 seconds to retain his title in his first championship defence, then called on the UFC’s top brass to sign him up for the UFC event rumoured to be taking place in London on March 19, 2022.
Abreu started out with a succession of heavy low leg kicks, but Wooding soon composed himself and had Abreu scrambling backward as he started to exert forward pressure on the Brazilian.
Then, when Wooding punished a wild Abreu left hook with a well-timed counter right, the Londoner followed up with a spectacular flying knee and left hand that left his man out cold against the fence.
After his quickfire knockout, Wooding made no secret of his desire to bring his striking talents to the big stage, and he had a message for the UFC bosses as he called for a contract and a spot on the fight card when the UFC returns to London.
“Dana! Mick! Sean! You better get that UFC contract ready. I’m ready for UFC London on March 19. Whatever you want,” he said, as he addressed UFC president Dana White and matchmakers Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby.
“I ain’t got no message (for the Cage Warriors bantamweights) because I’m heading to the UFC after this.
“I just smoked him. There’s no one in the bantamweight division can hang with me, I tell you that now!”
Shanks TKOs Creasey to send flyweight division into disarray
Creasey, competing in his 14th consecutive bout under the Cage Warriors banner, didn’t need to put his newly-won title on the line after Shanks failed to hit championship weight at Friday’s weigh-ins.
It meant their bout was reduced from a five-round flyweight title fight to a three-round catchweight matchup, but the intensity was still there, and Creasey scored the first serious moment as he dropped the former champion in the first round.
However, Shanks wouldn’t be denied and, after keeping the pressure on, he returned the favour, badly rocking the champion, then swarming Creasey and unloading heavy punches before the champion could take no more and referee Leon Roberts stepped in to stop the contest.
Shanks’ win means the flyweight title picture remains shrouded with controversy, and a trilogy fight will surely follow, with Shanks given another chance to hit championship weight before facing Creasey again with the score between the pair standing at one win apiece.
Figlak continues his relentless rise
England-based Pole Mateusz Figlak impressed once again as he continued his stellar form during his current Cage Warriors run.
Figlak defeated longtime UK MMA stalwart Kent Kauppinen over three rounds to earn scores of 30-27 from all three judges and extend his win streak to five, with his last four coming under the Cage Warriors banner.
Figlak happily stood and traded with former pro boxer Kauppinen, but the key difference between the pair came in the wrestling and grappling exchanges, where Figlak held the clear edge.
In a tough, gruelling encounter, Figlak held the upper hand throughout to earn a shutout decision win and move one step closer to a shot at the Cage Warriors welterweight title.
‘Young Gun’ completes Italian double
In the opening main card bout of the night, former middleweight title challenger Jamie “Young Gun” Richardson claimed his second Italian scalp in his new weight class.
After unsuccessfully challenging for the middleweight title last year, Richardson dropped to welterweight and defeated Alessandro Botti in October.
And, at Cage Warriors 132, Richardson doubled down on his Italian success as he defeated Leonardo Damiani via unanimous decision after three hard-fought rounds.
Despite being known predominantly as a striker, Richardson showed his grappling prowess as he pursued a pair of guillotine chokes and scrambled well off his back when Damiani turned the tables.
After claiming the win with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, Richardson said he’d love to go over to the United States with the promotion to “spank some Yanks” for his next assignment.
Check out full results from Cage Warriors 132 below.
Cage Warriors 132: Official Results
Main Card
- Dominique Wooding (c) def. Carlos Abreu via knockout (flying knee) – Round 1, 0:38 – for bantamweight title
- Luke Shanks def. Sam Creasey (c) via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:25 – non-title flyweight bout
- Mateusz Figlak def. Kent Kauppinen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jamie Richardson def. Leonardo Damiani via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Preliminary Card
- Michal Figlak def. Stevie McIntosh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Aaron Aby def. Samir Faiddine via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-26)
- Aidan Stephen def. Edward Walls via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Paull McBain def. Konmon Deh via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:39
