Cage Warriors Reveals Light Heavyweight Blueprint

[keithlewis]

Cage Warriors Reveals Light Heavyweight Blueprint


Cage Warriors Fighting Championship can today unveil details of the promotion's initial plans to rejuvenate its light-heavyweight division. With CWFC chiefs keen to breathe new life into the 205lbs weight category, eight light-heavyweight fighters have been signed to exclusive five-fight deals. Recently the division has been one of the least active on the Cage Warriors roster, with only four light-heavyweight bouts featuring in the promotion's eight events so far this year. However, CEO Graham Boylan has vowed to initiate an increased focus on the division, with a view to eventually doing the same in the 265lbs weight class for heavyweights.

"We've worked hard on building up our lighter weight divisions in recent times, but we're now keen to create the same level of depth in the heavier classes, starting at 205lbs," said Boylan.

"Traditionally there's been a perception that the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions don't have the same quantities of talent as the smaller weight classes, particularly in the UK and Europe, but we're now going to give these guys a chance to prove people wrong.

"It's all about giving the fighters the platform and the time to develop into top-class fighters, which is a similar ethos to what we're aiming to do with our women's divisions, and we're very confident that this will be a success.

"I'm looking forward to seeing some very exciting and entertaining bouts in the Cage Warriors light-heavyweight division, and we hope to crown a world champion before the end of 2014."

The only previous holder of the CWFC light-heavyweight world title was current UFC star Michael Bisping, who clinched the belt back in April 2005. Bisping went on to win the strap outright courtesy of three successful title defences, before going on to have the first of his 20 UFC outings to date six months later.

Ian Dean said: "We've always specialised in the lower weight classes here at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, but I'm looking forward to seeing a fresh impetus and a new set of contenders at light-heavyweight."

Among the new signings are undefeated Karl Moore (pictured) and heavy-hitting French prospect Prince Aounallah. With more still to follow, the current list of signings reads:

Arvydas Juska
Darren Stewart
James Hurrell
Karl Moore
Lloyd Clarkson
Nick Nembherd
Prince Aounallah
Simas Norkus