Former Cage Warriors Welterweight Stefano Paterno will return to the promotion for the first time in 6 years, when he faces Scottie Stockman at Cage Warriors 167.
The Italian has been active since his first tenure with the promotion, competing across multiple promotions over the years. Paterno burst onto the scene in 2018, when at just 22-years-old, he made his promotional debut and competed for the vacant Welterweight title against Mehrdad Janzemini. In full mount with 90 seconds still left of the first round, Paterno reigned down strikes to claim the belt in the very first round.
His first title defence then led to one of one of the most memorable fights in Cage Warriors history, when Paterno met Ross Houston in the main event of Cage Warriors 98. Houston got off to a flying start in the contest, but Paterno rallied late and looked to edge the contest in the later rounds. The two went to war over five, five-minute rounds, both battered and bloodied at the sound of the final bell.
After his title loss, the Italian headed to Bellator and defeated the rising prospect Ashley Reece in his promotional debut. He then fought once more at Bellator but suffered a defeat to Ion Pascu at Bellator Euro Series 8.
After two years on the sidelines, Paterno found himself in yet another title fight when he faced Michelangelo Colangelo in an all Italian affair at Venator FC 11 for the promotions vacant Welterweight title. Paterno cruised to a unanimous decision and then defended the title five months later against Kevin Hangs.
Having only managed to make the walk once in 2023, Paterno made the post of it beating Ion Surdu at OKTAGON 51 with a second round armbar.
Since joining the professional ranks in 2020, Stockman has managed to compete 13 times! The American will travel across the Atlantic as he will look to add his name to the ever-growing list of Americans making a name for themselves in the yellow gloves.
2023 was Stockman’s most active year, making the walk 6 times and amassing an impressive 5-1 record, with 5 first round finishes all coming by way of strikes. However, the Oregan man will be not only looking to get back to winning ways having suffered a first round submission defeat last time out but will also want to make a statement in his promotional debut.
It's been two years since Stockman found himself on a global promotion, when he fought on the 2022 PFL Challenger Series against the unbeaten Brahyan Zurcher and was handed the second loss of his career with Zurcher taking home the unanimous decision.
Cage Warriors 167 will mark the promotion’s first ‘Unplugged’ show of the year, an invite only event. The rest of the card features some notable bouts including former Bantamweight champion Michele Martignoni returning against Raz Bring, former Welterweight challenger Omiel Brown will make the walk for the first time since his loss at Cage Warriors 163 and Leon Armes will look to keep his unbeaten professional record in tact, following an impressive debut at Cage Warriors 164.
