Nathan Fletcher to face Araik Margarian at Cage Warriors 141
A bantamweight fight between Nathan Fletcher (6-1) and Araik Margarian (25-11) is set to take place at Cage Warriors 141 on Friday, July 22 in London. Multiple sources with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the news to MyMMANews.com.
Fighting out of Next Generation MMA in Liverpool alongside UFC stars Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann, Fletcher quickly rose to prominence on the UK regional scene since turning pro in 2019. After amassing an unblemished 6-0 record with a 100% finish rate, then 23-year-old Fletcher fought for the Cage Warriors bantamweight title last September. It would turn out to be the prospect’s first loss as a pro, suffering a 3rd-round finish at the hands of now champion Dominique Wooding. This matchup against Margarian will mark Fletcher’s first fight following the loss.
Frenchman Araik Margarian boasts a 36-fight MMA spanning 13 years. The veteran, who made his pro debut in 2009, trains out of Marseille Fight Club. Like Fletcher, Margarian will enter the contest off the back of a loss, most recently succumbing to a 2nd-round submission defeat in November. However, Margarian is a proven finisher, and was riding a 4-fight finish streak prior to that loss.
With two finishers going head-to-head, this looks set to be an explosive affair. Cage Warriors 141 will also mark the promotion’s 20th anniversary. Two title fights top the billing with Kyle Driscoll and George Hardwick banging it out for the vacant lightweight strap. Meanwhile, Sam Creasey will defend his flyweight title against Dylan Hazan. Despite losing his last outing to Luke Shanks, the challenger Shanks missed weight so Creasey retained his belt. Shanks has since moved up to bantamweight. The full fight card can be found below, and the action will be broadcasted live on UFC Fight Pass.
Kyle Driscoll vs. George Hardwick | vacant lightweight title
Sam Creasey (c) vs. Dylan Hazan | flyweight title
Mick Stanton vs. Darren Stewart | middleweight
Jimmy Wallhead vs. Daniel Skibiński | welterweight
Agy Sardari vs. Michal Figlak | lightweight
Naglis Kanišauskas vs. Will Currie | middleweight
Nathan Fletcher vs Araik Margarian | bantamweight
Jeremy Petley vs. Steve Aimable | featherweight
Jesse Urholin vs. Madars Fleminas | welterweight
Reece McEwan vs. Kingsley Crawford | bantamweight
Sam Spencer vs. Adam Amarasinghe | bantamweight
Karol Michalak vs. Omiel Brown | welterweight
Ander Sanchez vs. Lone’er Kavanagh | flyweight
(Fight card subject to change | Fight order TBC)