Harry “Houdini” Hardwick is getting all the praise from the European MMA community, but deserves to get it from the whole world!
In the main event of Cage Warriors 181 in Newcastle, the CW featherweight champion Harry Hardwick defended his belt for the first time. The display of elite striking mixed with wrestling defence and immaculate pressure by the champ saw Keweny Lopes looking at the ref right before the stoppage was secured – can’t do that.
Harry may just have proven himself as the best 145-pounder outside the UFC. Beating a dangerous finisher on an 11-fight win streak is a statement, no matter how you look at it. In a post-fight interview “Houdini” made a second statement of the night:
‘(Me and George) are coming! We are not going anywhere. We are two of the premiere fighters in the world of MMA. Tell us otherwise!’
You can argue the crazier Hardwick brother’s resume is not that stacked yet and that it might be a little early to call for the UFC. I understand it, and a tiny bit of common sense I’ve got left even tells me to agree. We’ve seen the drastic contrast between the levels in regional promotions and the UFC or even the Contender Series. Harry’s brother George – also an outstanding CW champion – lost his fight on the Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2023 so, although he has stated multiple times since that the camp before the bout was not ideal, this loss damaged George’s momentum back then.
Whether Harry Hardwick will or will not get the opportunity in the biggest league next, the fans will always have to mark this phenom’s next fight date in their calendar.
Also, a quick side note to appreciate just how stacked the British featherweight lineup is right now. The exciting names in Cage Warriors, like Harry Hardwick, Luke Riley and Leon Armes, along with the more established UFC standouts, like Lerone Murphy, Nathaniel Wood and Arnold Allen promise UK MMA fans some compelling years of 145-pound action to come.
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