Cage Warriors 163 Preview: Brown v Bachar, Darby and Ní Nualláin in action

The Cage Warriors machine rolls back into London on Saturday night. The Indigo at the O2 will once again host an exciting night of fights with Cage Warriors 163. There will be twelve fights on deck, including one for a CW title.

He’s big, he’s bad, he’s Omiel Brown (6-2). The hardest man in all the town. The Team Renegade man is on a mission to bring more gold back to the Birmingham gym. The vacant CW Welterweight strap is up for grabs in this main event. The Englishman burst onto the scene with a pair of first round guillotines. After that, he unleashed his power. Brown has vicious uppercuts, strong hooks and unrelenting ground and pound. Finishing is his specialty and you’ll do well to find a tool that’s not in his shed. Giannis Bachar (8-2) is a man with similar tendencies. The Greek has won seven on the bounce, six of them stoppages due to his striking. He got his first CW victory under his belt against Italian legend Carlo Pedersoli, a third round knockout. Opportunity awaits.

Will Currie (10-3) returns to try and continue climbing back up the middleweight ladder. The Englishman is a terror if he grabs an arm in the grappling exchanges, from there he’s lethal at separating the arm and going for a choke or a lock. The 24-year-old has also had some brutal striking displays, particularly using his own elbows as blunt instruments of destruction. This is a man who evolves quickly from fight to fight. Wallison Henrique (16-3) is one of those Brazilians who comes over to Europe to get into a barney. Knockouts or submissions don’t matter, he’s versatile enough to get the job done anywhere. The 29-year-old has no fear and he hasn’t travelled this far to take a decision

Shawn Da Silva (5-0) was a revelation on his CW debut back in March. The German is an absolute ball of energy and is one of the most exciting strikers we’ve seen strap on the yellow gloves. The 27-year-old has combinations, can use flying attacks and throws some spinny stuff. He’s a tour de force. Gerardo Fanny (13-3) is his toughest test to date and a man that can match his intensity. The Dutchman can match the fancy stuff and add in some tasty scrambles. Jiu Jitsu defence is a little bit of a gap, however the fists should be flying freely here.

Luca Borando (3-0) is a top prospect out of Aurora MMA in Rome. The Italian looked impressive in his CW debut with a third round knockout win back in May. The 23-year-old looks slick on the feet and has some decent wrestling. Wesley Machado (3-4) is looking for third time lucky in CW after going 0-2 so far. The Brazilian has good Jiu Jitsu and can compete on the feet.

Jimmy Quinn (1-0) had the dream debut back in July as he knocked Dan Kneil in ten seconds. The ex-Diversity dancer had a great amateur run showing good grappling, slick submissions and impressive kickboxing. Remember the name. Tom Wright (0-1) has the unenviable task of stopping his fleet-footed opponent. The Englishman made an unsuccessful pro debut at an ARES show last December, a first round submission loss. Striking is where he wants the fight to go and he has some knockout wins as an amateur. I wouldn’t blink during this one.

Francesco Mazzeo (2-0) is another from the long list of Aurora MMA prospects. The Italian won his pro debut via first round ground and pound, as well as showing knockout power as an ammy with multiple knockouts. Angus Hewett (1-1) came through the CW amateur setup. The Englishman showed talent as a good wrestler and submission player.

Mateusz Figlak (7-2) is back! The Pole is one of the biggest prospects in the welterweight division. The Trojan Free Fighters man is a wicked striker who punishes the body in particular. His grappling game is also on point. Denilson Neves (16-10) has been doing the European MMA rounds for the last seven years. The Brazilian has most of his joy in the striking exchanges and is very tough on the receiving end, having never been knocked out.

Tariq Pell (2-0) is another graduate of the CW regional feeder leagues. The Englishman can wrestle, land big damage from top and clinch submissions. Michael Blair (2-1) is taking this fight at short notice and was originally pegged for the following event in Newcastle. The Scottish Hit Squad man is most dangerous with his fists, either in the stand-up or during ground and pound.

Sinéadh Ní Nualláin (debut) is a Gaeilgeoir and former SBG fighter who now trains over in London. The 22-year-old is a kickboxer who is as determined as they come. She’s not afraid to get into a fight and packs power in her punches. Kate Bacik (1-1) took this fight on a few days notice and beat original opponent Awa Sow by first round rear naked choke in March. The Englishwoman has competed on Polaris grappling cards so that shows her level.

Teddy Stringer (1-0) is a red hot talent who had a long and successful amateur career, before winning his pro debut by rear naked choke in June. The 23-year-old is experienced and very well rounded. Get on the bandwagon now. Italo Julio (3-1) has had a few fights now in Europe. The Brazilian has had a mixed bag thus far, winning in the submission game last time but succumbing to strikes in his LFL bout to England’s Amati Diedrick.

Rory Evans (6-5) is an absolute warrior and one of the most talented members of the records are for DJs club. The Welshman is a rugged grappler with a good submission offence, whilst coming up short on the defensive side. Shirzad Qadrian (3-1) trains in London by way of Iran. The 22-year-old lost his CW debut in July and is looking to bounce right back. He’s well rounded and not afraid to take on big tests.

Adam Darby (2-1) is a big and long welterweight. The Dubliner trains out of Team Ryano in Finglas and has been training out in San Diego as part of a CW TV show recently. The 24-year-old has represented Ireland at IMMAF level and has hard hitting striking and he uses his long limbs fantastically in the submission game. The sky’s the limit. Thorsten Jacobs (3-1) makes his first CW appearance. The German has mainly used a mixture of guillotine, triangle and rear naked chokes. This will be his first fight since November 2021, where he showed some gaps in his striking defence.

Cage Warriors 163 is live and exclusive this Saturday on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off at 18:30.