Cage Warriors 72 Main Card Preview and Predictions

by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Photo: Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors

Saturday night sees the return of Cage Warriors with one of the biggest fight cards of the year. Set to take place at The Newport Centre in Newport, Wales, Cage Warriors 72 sees two titles on the line as Nicolas Dalby defends his Welterweight title against Gael Grimaud, while Cory Tait and Toni Tauru square off for the vacant bantamweight title. Also on the card, a title eliminator match up between Middleweights Jack Marshman and Che Mills, as well as undefeated Polish prospect Mateusz Gamrot, who fights for the first time outside of Poland, taking on home town boy Tim Newman.

We preview the main card ahead of Saturday nights show.

Nicolas Dalby (12-0) VS Gael Grimaud (19-6)

After romping home to victory earlier in the year to take the Cage Warrior welterweight title, Nicolas Dalby looks every much the fighter worthy of the praises that have been bestowed on him since. Picking up where Cathal Pendred left off, Dalby looks like a guy would could find himself fighting in the UFC with just a few more wins. To get there though he faces the toughest test of his career in form of Gael Grimaud, a former Cage Warriors champion himself.

Grimaud, is the far the more experienced fighter, and it will be interesting to see Dalby copes with fighting outside of Denmark for the first time in his career. I just can't help but feel Dalby is a great fighter, destined for great thing, and I like him to come through in this fight.

Prediction: Nicolas Dalby

Cory Tait (8-2) vs Toni Tauru (9-1)

On Saturday Night Cage Warriors will crown a new Bantamweight champion having seen Brett Johns stripped of the title after missing weight in his April title defense against James Brum. Cage Warriors 72 sees the striking of Cory Tait vs the ground game of Toni Tauri square off in a classic styles make fights match up.

Currently riding a 4 fight win streak Tait is one of, if not the most creative strikers in UK MMA today. A blackbelt in Taekwondo many will be surprised to know over half of Tait's victories have come by submission. His opponent Toni Tait is a slick submission artist, having finished his last 6 opponents by submission - 5 rear naked chokes and a gogoplata. I actually think event though Tait is primarily known as a striker, his ground game is good enough to contain the submission threat of Tauru and he could end the fight at any time on the feet, but I've got to agree with Brett Johns who told us he thinks Tauru will ground out a decision on the ground to be crowned the new 135lb champion.

Predictions: Toni Tauri

Jack Marshman (15-5) VS Che Mills (16-7)

The peoples main event see experienced strikers Che Mills and Jack Marshman squaring off in what has been billed as a title eliminator match.

While both Mills and Mashman have had there ups and downs over the last few years, this is a match up between two of the finest fighters the UK has to offer. What makes this match interesting, other than the winner potentially earning a title shot, is the match up of styles. Can the boxing of Marshman better the kickboxing of Mills?

Mills will look to take the lead leg out of Marshman's slowing his movement, and Marshman will want to use his foot work to stick and move. The deciding factor though could be the developing ground game of Marshman who showed in his last fight he is growing into a well-rounded mixed martial artist submitting Bola Omoyele by first round arm bar at Cage Warriors 69.

If Mills is to wins this fight he needs to look to Tom Watson vs Jack Marshman for inspiration. That said, I'm sure sure Mills can match the performance Watson put in that night, and I feel Marshman can match even better Mills on the fight and and has a better ground game to fall back on if needed. The hometown hero element will certainly help too.

Prediction: Jack Marshman

Mateusz Gamrot (6-0) VS Tim Newman (10-4)

Stepping in as a last minute replacement for injured Tim Wilde, Mateusz Gamrot will face hometown boy, in an what should be an interesting match. While the crowd will be hugely on Newman's side, Gamrot could seriously spoil everyone ones partly. Although Gamrot has never fought outside of his native Poland, I expect him to be super confident going into this fight having beat Brits in the form of Andre Winner and Jefferson George in his last two fights.

Mateusz Gamrot is a new breed of fighter, with a great all round skill-set, and is a great addition to Cage Warriors, even if for just one fight. Gamrot should be able to get past Newman who will have the pressure of coming in off a loss in his last fight, fighting in front of his home town, and a last minute change of opponent all to worry about.

Prediciton: Mateuz Gamrot

Steve Dinsdale (6-2) vs Lewis Long (7-3)

Following a year lay off, Lewis Long returns to face Steve Dinsdale in what promises to be a barn-burner. With both men coming in off losses I expect this to be a real back and fourth battle. Both men are generally well-rounded, but I do like the judo of Lewis Long and I feel this might give him a slight edge but I do have to question if ring rust will come into play of not. This ones a coin toss.

Prediction: Lewis Long

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