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Johns vs. Brum Set for Bantamweight Title at Cage Warriors 62


Newly-crowned Cage Warriors bantamweight champion Brett Johns has put pen to paper for his first title defence, just over a week after clinching the gold.

Johns will put his belt on the line against James Brum on Saturday, December 7, 2013, when Cage Warriors Fighting Championship travels to the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, for what's currently scheduled as CWFC 62.

Undefeated Johns climbed to the summit of the CWFC bantamweight division at Cage Warriors 59 in Cardiff on September 14, when he overcame both David Haggstrom and Jordan Desborough in the same evening to win the promotion's four-man 135lbs title tournament.

Despite enduring a gruelling eight rounds on the night en route to winning the title, the 21-year-old Welshman has wasted no time in scheduling his next outing, with a mouthwatering clash against Brum booked for CWFC's first ever show at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena.

A judo black belt, Johns debuted for Cage Warriors last October as a featherweight, when he impressively overcame Sam Gilbert by unanimous decision. His next CWFC win came via second-round TKO at the expense of James MacAlister at Cage Warriors 54 in May.

"James Brum has been at the top of this division for a while, he's someone I've watched over and over again," said Johns. "He's a sound guy too and a win over him would be huge for me. That's exactly why I wanted to fight Brum. I can't wait already."

Brum (13-2) earns his shot at the CWFC bantamweight title after putting together a 6-0 streak under the Cage Warriors banner since making his debut for the promotion in February 2012.

A 26-year-old native of Portsmouth, England, Brum is the highest-ranked European bantamweight outside the UFC and hasn't tasted defeat since facing current UFC star Erik Perez back in September 2011.

Brum was named CWFC Fighter of the Year for 2012, courtesy of victories over Leandro Gontijo, Thomas Back, James Saville and Moktar Benkaci, before continuing his winning streak this year against Olivier Pastor and - most recently, at Cage Warriors 58 in Chechnya last month - Ruslan Abiltarov.

Brum said: "Brett Johns deserved to win the title at Cage Warriors 59, but now he's in with the sharks and I'm the biggest shark in the division. After six fights abroad for Cage Warriors, I'm excited by the prospect of returning to the UK to fight for what I believe is my title.

"For me, this has 'Fight of the Year' written all over it. I guarantee that on December 7 in Newcastle, I'll be walking into that cage the challenger and walking out the new Cage Warriors bantamweight champion of the world."

Seery vs. Gomez Booked for Cage Warriors 62 on Dec. 7


Neil Seery is set to put his CWFC flyweight strap on the line at Cage Warriors 62. The Irishman's first title defence will be against Ulysses Gomez when Cage Warriors Fighting Championship heads to Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena on Saturday, December 7, 2013. The meeting will be one of two title bouts on the night, with CWFC bantamweight champion Brett Johns already booked for a clash with James Brum in the north-east of England. Seery (13-9) made history at Cage Warriors 55 in his native Dublin back in June, when he submitted Mikael Silander to become CWFC's first ever flyweight champion. The win was the 34-year-old's fourth in succession, after he previously overcame Mark Platts, Karl Harrison and Paul Marin to secure his shot at the vacant 125lbs title.

Seery said: "I'm looking forward to defending the belt against Ulysses Gomez in Newcastle. He's a high-calibre opponent with experience at the top level, but I won't give up this belt easily."

Gomez (9-4) challenges for the Cage Warriors gold following a two-fight stint with the UFC, which came to an end after a close decision loss to CWFC veteran Phil Harris in London this past February. Hailing from California, the 30-year-old is a one-time Bellator winner and former champion for the renowned US promotion Tachi Palace Fights, who has been stopped just once - by UFC star John Moraga - during a professional career that began in March 2008.

"Fighting for the Cage Warriors belt is a huge honour. Becoming Cage Warriors champion will prove that I'm one of the best fighters in the world," said Gomez, who has taken seven of his nine victories via submission.

Brett Johns Injured, New Fights Set for Cage Warriors 62


The bill for Cage Warriors 62 in Newcastle is taking shape following today's addition of a further seven bouts – including two women's bantamweight contests – to the December 7 card.

However, Brett Johns' first CWFC bantamweight title defence will have to wait until 2014, with the champion forced to withdraw from his clash with James Brum at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena due to injury. A replacement opponent is now being lined up for Brum, but it's hoped that Johns will be fit to put his belt up for grabs early next year.

Cage Warriors 62 in Newcastle, which will see Neil Seery defend his CWFC flyweight strap against Ulysses Gomez, will also feature the CWFC debut of local star Curt Warburton, after it was announced yesterday that he has signed an exclusive deal with the promotion. Warburton's opponent will be revealed in due course.

Elsewhere, after his split decision loss to Brett Johns in the final of the CWFC bantamweight title tournament in Cardiff last month, 21-year-old Jordan Desborough (pictured) will return to action on December 7 to take on the highly-touted Cory Tait, who recently signed exclusively to CWFC.

In middleweight action, Leeroy Barnes will be keen to return to winning ways against Irish veteran Ronan McKay, who holds notable victories over Cathal Pendred, Lee Chadwick and Henry Fadipe. Meanwhile, Chris Scott will also go in search of his first Cage Warriors win against Steve Dinsdale, who returns to the 185lbs division after a short stint at welterweight.

An exciting featherweight bout will see Danny Lawson aim to get his Cage Warriors career off to a successful start against Alex Enlund, who impressively disposed of Sebastian Romanowski at CWFC 58 in August. That bout will be preceded by the meeting of flyweights Shaj Haque and Mark Connor, both of whom will be eager to rebound from losses in their most recent CWFC outings.

In women's bantamweight action, 18-year-old prospect Agnieszka Niedzwiedz will take on Kerry Hughes, while Commonwealth judo silver medallist Emma Delaney will face TUF 18 contestant Laura Howarth.

New Additions to Cage Warriors 62


Officials have today confirmed several updates to the bill for Cage Warriors 62, including the addition of two further bouts. Cage Warriors 62 will take place at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, on Saturday. December 7th, and tickets are currently on sale.

Unbeaten English 21-year-old Chris Fishgold (9-0, pictured) will face arguably the toughest test of his career to date when he takes on French veteran Olivier Pastor (18-14-0-1nc) in a featherweight bout.

Meanwhile, England's Richie Knox (3-0) and Northern Ireland's Karl Moore (3-0) will both be looking to keep their respective unblemished records intact when they collide in a light-heavyweight contest.

Elsewhere, after his scheduled CWFC bantamweight title shot at Cage Warriors 62 fell through due to an injury to champion Brett Johns, James Brum will now return to action instead when CWFC visits Baghdad, Iraq, seven days later.

An injury to Chris Scott has forced him out of his middleweight tussle with Steve Dinsdale, but CWFC officials are currently seeking a replacement opponent for Dinsdale.

The meeting of Tommy Quinn and Alan Johnston, which was originally booked as a welterweight bout, will now take place at a catchweight of 176lbs pounds following a request from Johnston, who recently accepted the fight on short notice.


CWFC 62 MAIN CARD

Neil Seery (c) vs. Ulysses Gomez - CWFC flyweight title bout
Wesley Murch vs. Curt Warburton
Chris Fishgold vs. Olivier Pastor
Jordan Desborough vs. Cory Tait
Richie Knox vs. Karl Moore
Ian Entwistle vs. Liam James

CWFC 62 PRELIMS

Leeroy Barnes vs. Ronan McKay
Alan Johnston vs. Tommy Quinn
Emma Delaney vs. Laura Howarth
Alex Enlund vs. Danny Lawson
Kerry Hughes vs. Agnieszka Niedzwiedz
Mark Connor vs. Shaj Haque
Paul Gregson vs. Frankie Slater