Cage Warriors Return to San Diego for CW130

Cage Warriors returns to San Diego this Sunday, 17th October, as CW130 takes center stage at Humphreys On The Bay.

After a 12-year hiatus from American soil, the UK MMA promotion held its first-ever event in the state of California earlier this year. Middleweight Kyle Stewart scored a thunderous uppercut KO over John Poppie in the CW126 main event in August.

☠️ Kyle Stewart finishes John Poppie with a HUGE uppercut to win by KO!#CW126 pic.twitter.com/iVSYKPWfJT

— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) August 2, 2021

The event not only marked Cage Warriors’ first show in the U.S. since president Graham Boylan took charge in 2010, but also the promotion’s entry into the Southern California MMA space. Speaking to Angela Hill on the broadcast of CW126, Boylan reaffirmed his intent to build a strong presence in SoCal:

“There’s a huge Jiu-Jitsu community in San Diego. We’re gonna rebuild the MMA community, and make it as big as the Jiu-Jitsu community.

😁 We are coming back to San Diego for #CW130 in October!

👊 Cage Warriors president, @GrahamBoylan gave @AngieOverkill a little insight into our plans last night! pic.twitter.com/olnS8jB3bC

— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) August 2, 2021

And so, the Cage Warriors roadshow rolls back into town this weekend as JJ “Superman” Ambrose (34-8) and Spike Carlysle (11-3) collide in a catchweight (165lbs) main event in front of a sold-out CW130 crowd. Ambrose was originally scheduled to compete against Kyle Driscoll (12-3) in a lightweight bout, however, Driscoll was forced to withdraw from the matchup after fracturing his nose in one of his final sparring sessions.

A 42-fight MMA veteran, Ambrose has fought for a plethora of promotional banners from Affliction to Bellator and everywhere in between since he began his pro career all the way back in 2005. Despite a 2-year hiatus from competition, the 34-year-old Guam resident will make his Cage Warriors debut riding high on the back of a 5-fight win streak, all in the space of 10 months in 2019. With 26 stoppage victories to his name, “Superman” is a proven finisher, and the former TUF 12 contestant will have the opportunity to become the first man to stop Spike Carlyle inside the distance.

Former UFC fighter Spike Carlyle steps in on just 5 days notice, and “The Alpha Ginger” will be looking to continue his recent run of positive form. No stranger to short-notice fights, Carlyle entered the UFC in similar fashion, scoring a first-round TKO over Alon Cruz. However, after dropping consecutive decisions to Billy Quarantillo and Bill Algeo, the promotion parted ways with the San Diego native. Carlyle rebounded in emphatic fashion in 2021, submitting his next two opponents inside the first round. The 34-year-old fighter now has the opportunity to extend his recent win streak when he steps into the cage in front of his hometown crowd on Saturday night.

The co-main event sees Max Rohskopf (6-1) make his sophomore Cage Warriors appearance as he welcomes Jordan Bailey (6-4) to the lightweight division. Fans will remember Rohskopf for the controversial nature of his UFC debut, when he quit on his stool in between rounds. “Rated R” issued a statement to all his detractors at CW126, making quick work of Jeff Creighton in his Cage Warriors debut. At just 27 years old, there is plenty of time for Rohskopf to rebuild towards another run on the big show, and the next step of that path lies through Jordan Bailey. Having lost three of his last four fights and not competing in over three years, Bailey will be the heavy underdog going into this fight.

👊 Max Rohskopf is back!

☠️ "Rated R" picks up the round one TKO win over Jeff Creighton at #CW126! pic.twitter.com/6daV34qoLf

— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) August 2, 2021

Elsewhere on the main card, undefeated light heavyweight Zac Pauge (4-0) looks to build off his CW126 win when he takes on Brazilian Markus Perez, who looks to snap a three-fight losing streak. Undefeated bantamweight prospect Josh Wang-Kim (3-0) takes on Jose Hernandez (4-3). Wang-Kim boasts a successful 15-1 amateur career and 13 finishes across the amateur and professional ranks. Emilio Williams (5-3) and Devin Goodale (3-0) kick off the main card in a welterweight bout. All five of Williams’ victories have come via knockout, while Goodale looks to continue his unbeaten run as a pro.

Fans can catch all the action LIVE on UFC Fight Pass.

MAIN CARD (8:00PM PT)