Cage Warriors 97 results: Welsh duo Jack Shore, Mason Jones shine in Cardiff

Jack Shore improved to 9-0 with a first-round win over eleventh-hour replacement, Wessley Maia, in the main event of Cage Warriors 97 Saturday in Cardiff, Wales.

Shore was supposed to fight Oemer Cankardesler – his second scheduled opponent – for the promotion’s vacant bantamweight title on the night, but the German failed to gain medical clearance to compete at the event.

The Brazilian came out strong, but it wasn’t long before he was on Shore’s terms as “Tank” bulldozed him to the ground. Shore didn’t let up once he established top position; if he wasn’t trying to transition he was landing clean, calculated shots.

Maia continued to move as Shore landed unanswered blows from mount and then from back mount. Marc Goddard warned the Brazilian that he had to improve his position on several occasions before he stepped in to the wave the fight off. Although Maia complained about Goddard’s stoppage initially, seconds later he was congratulating Shore on his win.

“I made weight, as far as I’m concerned I’m the champ. I’ll be defending the belt for the first time at Cage Warriors 100,” said Shore, who will surely take pride-of-place at the top of the promotion’s milestone event in December.

In the co-main event, Mason Jones showcased amazing heart, returning from the jaws of defeat to score a first-round victory over Kacper Formela.

Formela’s open stance style caused “The Dragon” trouble in the early exchanges. The Welsh prospect looked like he was wobbled from a few of the Polish striker’s shots and when he tried to reply with a high kick, it was caught and a right hand sent him to the canvas.

After regaining composure on the ground, Jones pressed the action as soon as it resumed on the feet. He pinned Formela against the fence and after several furious flurries, he planted a number of knees into the pit of the Pole’s stomach, causing him to slump to the canvas in defeat.

Now 6-0, the win looks as though it has established Jones as another top draw for Cage Warriors on Welsh terrain.

Brian Bouland may have put himself in pole position to face shore for the bantamweight title at Cage Warriors 100 by seeing off his countryman, Kris Edwards. Although Edwards threatened at times over the 15 minutes — he was particularly strong in the second round — the Belgian was able to control the action with a crushing top-heavy ground game.

Bouland was favorite to establish himself as Shore’s counterpart for the vacant bantamweight title when he faced Ilia Topuria at Cage Warriors 94. However, after coming in heavy, the unbeaten Spaniard upset the applecart with a first round submission win.

Talented teenager Cory McKenna suffered her first professional defeat to Italian, Micol di Segni, in the opening bout of the main card. McKenna showcased her toughness and grappling prowess as di Segni constantly pressed forward and looked to exchange. After 15 minutes, it was di Segni’s supremacy in the striking exchanges that likely won her the nod on two of the judges’ scorecards.

Main card

• Jack Shore def. Wessley Maia via TKO (strikes) at 2:52 of R1
• Mason Jones def. Kacper Formela via TKO (strikes) at 4:03 of R1
• Brian Bouland def. Kris Edwards via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Aaron Khalid def. Jamie Richardson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:15 of R1
• Micol di Segni def. Cory McKenna via split decision (29-28, 27-29, 29-28)

Undercard

• Steve Aimable def. Liam Bennett via TKO (strikes) in R1
• Struan Croxson def. Michael Corston via unanimous decision
• Luiz Finnochio def. Brett Hassett via submission (armbar) in R1
• Luke Shanks def. Jason Jenkins via unanimous decision