The South Wales MMA scene continues to soar and much of the elite talent is provided with a gilt-edged platform on which to sizzle when Cage Warriors Academy Wales host a fight fiesta at the Ebbw Vale Sports Centre on December 4th.
After Jack Marshman kicked the door open in 2016 by becoming the first Welshman to sign with global promotional-leading UFC, the movement in Wales has mounted Snowdon sized scales. In the ensuing years, a multitude of Welsh Warlords have cashed cheques from the industry titans.
Now, with the emergence of the polished CWAW franchise, Saturday’s event – promoted by Richard ‘Shakey’ Shore, head coach of Abertillery’s Shore MMA and father of fiery UFC prospect Jack ‘Tank’ Shore [15-0-0] – provides the Principality’s grassroots grapplers with an avenue to advance towards the summit.
“It has given the Welsh fighters a real platform”, explains ‘Shakey’. “The event is run as professionally as any in Europe. If you’re successful on the academy events, you will get the opportunity to compete on the televised Cage Warriors events. Lots of the fighters that have competed on the Academy show have gone on to be Cage Warriors and UFC stars.”
Primed to steal the limelight come fight night is the 145lb featherweight fracas between Shore MMA’s Kenzie Jones and 20-year-old Cardiffian Ieuan Mackenzie – with the bout being touted by ‘Shakey’ as “one of the best match-ups the amateur scene has seen in years!”
Beyond the Cage, the blockbuster event will be attended by UFC prospects Jack ‘Tank’ Shore and Mason ‘The Dragon’ Jones plus Swansea’s Bellator hopeful Brett ‘The Pikey’ Johns – all of whom competed at academy events prior to wangling Cage Warriors World Titles and UFC contracts. Saturday’s show provides those involved with a clear pathway to the sport’s pinnacle.
Former UFC title challenger turned BT Sports pundit Dan Hardy will also be making the long trek through the Welsh Valleys to observe and critique.
Cageside seating for this event has already sold out, standard admission tickets are on sale until 30th November. Click below to get yours now!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cage-warriors-academy-wales-tickets-193082303367