Mick Stanton: “I’ve Showed My Level”
Showcasing much of the best European talent outside of the UFC, Cage Warriors has consistently provided top-tier European talent to eventually graduate to the big stage of the UFC. Within that revolving door of talent sits one of the best middleweights outside of the UFC in champion Mick Stanton. Stanton earned the vacant middleweight championship at Cage Warriors 151 in March 2023.
Learning The Sport Early
Making his amateur debut (according to Tapology) at the age of 27, his introduction to the sport came much earlier in life. “I started boxing at the age of 11. I went on to become a national champion at the age of 15 and 16, then represented England boxing until I had a go at professional boxing at the age of 21. Which, unfortunately, didn’t work out as I struggled to get out on shows,” Stanton told MyMMANews. Stanton did have a successful boxing debut, winning via points against an opponent with 28 fights under his belt at that time.
After just three bouts as a professional, 11 months later Stanton took on his first Cage Warriors bout. Collecting a 6-4 record throughout Cage Warriors up to December 2022, Stanton earned a title shot against a very tough opponent in Will Currie, who was on a hot run in Cage Warriors, who had earned three first-round finishes in his last four victories.
Evolving To A Champion
A unanimous-decision win at Cage Warriors 151 saw Stanton earn the Cage Warriors middleweight championship. In order to get to championship status, it takes a solid grouping of coaches and teammates. One of those major players in the evolution of Stanton is a world-renowned coach. “The man I owe all my recent success to is my coach/training partner Daren Morris. His knowledge in combat sports is unreal and I’m privileged to learn from him,” said Stanton. Morris serves as the head coach at ASW (Atherton Submission Wrestling) team and is renowned as one of Europe’s top gyms, which is more grapple-oriented.
Bright Future
Currently, Stanton is set to defend his championship against James Webb at Cage Warriors 157 in July 2023. This is a matchup Stanton to MyMMANews he “wants to get back.” At Cage Warriors 112 in March 2020, Webb scored the unanimous-decision win over Stanton to secure the victory. Stanton would go on a nice run after this loss, earning a victory over former UFC fighter Darren Stewart in his first bout under the Cage Warriors banner after leaving the UFC. What proves to be the most dangerous facing a fighter like Stanton is his ability to go the distance and control the outcome.
The perfect mixture of his stellar boxing game along with the strong ground game from ASW, makes Stanton capable of becoming another Cage Warrior-to-UFC standout. “My ultimate goal is to get on a big show and make some good money. If the UFC comes then happy days. If it doesn’t then I’m sure another big organization will step up and sign me now. I’ve showed my level,” said Stanton.
