On Saturday, Sept. 13, Cage Warriors Fighting Championship hosted its 72nd event from the Newport Centre in Newport, Wales.
The event was slated to be headlined by a welterweight title fight between champion Nicolas Dalby and Gael Grimaud. However, France’s Grimaud pulled out of the contest on the day of weigh-ins due to a back injury, leaving Denmark’s Dalby without an opponent.
As a result of the last-minute change, the bantamweight title tilt between Cory Tait and Toni Tauru took the top-billing. Tait and Tauru battled for the promotion’s vacant 135-pound strap.
The co-main event featured UFC veteran Che Mills, who looked to build on his submission win over Leeroy Barnes at CWFC 68 in May when he faced off with Welsh knockout artist Jack Marshman. Marshman had won three of his last four, including a first-round armbar finish of Bola Omoyele at CWFC 69 in June.
The 10-fight event kicked off Saturday with two, un-aired prelims at 2 p.m. ET. Three additional preliminary card bouts streamed live on Facebook starting at 2:45 p.m. ET. The five-fight main card streamed live on MMAJunkie.com at 4 p.m. ET.
Jack Marshman def. Che Mills by TKO (punches). Round 2, 1:32
Mateusz Gamrot def. Tim Newman by submission (heel hook). Round 1, 1:37
Lewis Long def. Steve Dinsdale by TKO (punches). Round 2, 2:45
Jordan Desborough def. Kris Edwards by unanimous decision. (30-27,30-27,29-28)
Mario Saeed def Azi Thomas by DQ (illegal upkick). Round 1, 3:52
Nick Nembherd def. Simas Norkus by split decision. (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Kate Jackson def. Paulina Bonkowska by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 4:05
Phil Raeburn def. Damien Weeden by TKO (punches). Round 1, 3:15
L.J. Adams def. Amanda Kelly by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 3, 3:33