Matthew Bonner: UK’s Top Middleweight Set For Big Matchup
Continuing to turn out some of the best MMA talents in the world, Cage Warriors continues to showcase many fighters looking for their chance at the UFC. One of those fighters hoping to be on the doorstep is middleweight, Matthew Bonner. Bonner is currently Tapology’s #1 middleweight out of 140 in the UK. Bonner is set for a huge matchup against UFC veteran Darren Stewart in the main event of Cage Warriors 165 on July 01, 2023.
Early Days of MMA
Bonner’s introduction to combat sports began with Thai Boxing. Eventually, he would make the transition to MMA. “I was introduced to Thai boxing through a newspaper article. I’d finished football training when the team disbanded and there were plenty of young lads in the area looking for trouble. Starting something fun that could help with self-defense seemed like a good idea,” Bonner told MyMMANews.
After his introduction to the sport, Bonner took it to the next step by finding the right gym to help him evolve, Next Generation MMA Liverpool. “My fighting career really took off when I moved across to Next Generation. I owe my success to that move. It was the best decision I’ve made and I’m thankful I ended up there,” stated Bonner. Next Generation is home to well-known British UFC fighters like Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, and UFC veteran Chris Fishgold.
Rough Road to Smooth Sailing
Bonner would not have the successful start you would think a high-ranking Cage Warriors fighter would have. After an amateur career capped off by earning the Gladiator Promotions UK middleweight championship, Bonner made the decision to turn pro in May 2017. Bonner began his professional career with two decision losses. He was able to start to turn the corner, winning his next to matchups, but would drop his fifth professional bout, dropping under .500. “My career did start very poorly. Even when I moved to Next Generation, I had a really poor performance against Jamie Richardson. I finally understood after that fight that the fear of losing was making me lose. Once I took away the self-inflicted pressure, the wins came and I managed to win the Cage Warriors middleweight world title,” said Bonner.
Bonner would do just that. After turning his career around, he amassed a record of 8-6-1 heading into a championship matchup with then-champion Nathias Frederick at Cage Warriors 123. Bonner would secure the rear-naked choke in the fourth round to earn the Cage Warriors middleweight championship. A win July 01, 2023, against Stewart would put Bonner one step closer to regaining his championship, as well as one step closer to the UFC. “A win against Stewart would personally mean a lot to me. Having a UFC vet on your record shouts out to organizations loud and clear that you’re a legit competitor,” Bonner stated.
Bonner is pledging a “do or die” performance for the fans at Cage Warriors. 156. So, what can fans expect from the former champion? “An exciting battle. A do or die performance from me. I’ll finish Darren or get finished myself.”
