Cage Warriors head back to 'The Toon' this Saturday (May 25) with a card filled with local talent, top prospects and an intriguing Featherweight title clash.
After a hugely successful show in Newcastle in November 2023, the promotion will return to the Vertu Motors Arena once more, with Middlesborough man Harry Hardwick taking on Orlando Wilson Prins for the vacant 145lbs strap, at the top of the bill.
With younger brother George, currently holding the lightweight title, if Harry can clinch Cage Warriors gold, the pair will make history as the first brothers to simultaneously hold the highest accolade in the promotion.
Hardwick has long been considered the number one contender in the Featherweight division. Since first pulling on the famous yellow gloves in 2021, 'Houdini' is yet to find himself on the wrong side of a result. After claiming decisions against Jean N'Doye and Konmon Deh, Hardwick had an incredible three round war against the unbeaten Federico Pasquali, which ended in a draw.
In what was then a career best performance, the Middlesborough Fight Academy man beat the gritty veteran, Steve Aimable by way of unanimous decision before tying up one of the slickest submission victories in recent memory, against Vitor Estevam.
With Paul Hughes vacating the title, it only seemed fitting that Hardwick should be one of the two men competing for the vacant belt.
It has been a turbulent start to 2024 for Orlando Wilson Prins. After signing a new multi-fight deal with Cage Warriors at the start of the year, the first fight of the new contract was set to be against Milad Ahady at Cage Warriors 172. However, just weeks out from their scheduled bout, Ahady was forced to withdraw from their contest, leaving Wilson Prins without an opponent; but as things played out Hardwick's original opponent, Zafar Mohsen, was also forced out of the title fight.
Jumping at the opportunity, Wilson Prins stepped up to replace Mohsen and will now face Hardwick for the vacant title. Life in the yellow gloves did not get off the the best of starts for the Dutchman, as lost to Tom Mearns in his first outing before succumbing to a unanimous decision loss against Samuel Bark in his very next fight.
2023 Wilson Prins turned his form on it's head and after earning a split decision against Antonio Sheldon at Cage Warriors 152, he headed to Newcastle for Cage Warriors 164 to face local man, Bailey Gilbert.
He dominated from the first bell and with just over a minute left in the first round, Wilson Prins tied him up and reigned down shots and with Gilbert unable to get free, the referee called time on the action.
On Saturday night, the two men will go head to head at the top of the bill which is also set to feature rising prospect Kennedy Freeman, the return of Josh Abraham and Aiden Lee, and an interesting co main event against James Power and Daniel Kolasinski.
