Cage Warriors, Europe’s leading MMA promotion, has confirmed a second title fight for its upcoming return to Newcastle’s Vertu Arena. Sean Clancy Jr will get his first world title opportunity when he takes on Dutch veteran Melvin ‘MVS’ van Suijdam in a five-round bout for the interim welterweight title. The fight will headline the main card of CW 199 on Saturday, 6 December.
Tickets for CW 199: Newcastle are available here.
Sean Clancy Jr: Scotland’s Rising Star
Clancy, regarded as one of European MMA’s brightest prospects, has made a rapid impact since signing with Cage Warriors in late 2023. The 22-year-old from Paisley boasts a perfect 7-0 record, with five victories inside the distance since joining the promotion. His last outing saw him headline his first Cage Warriors event, bouncing back from a challenging first round to submit Italo Gomes less than a minute into round two.
Training under highly respected coach James Doolan at Higher Level, Clancy has shown maturity and skill beyond his years. With welterweight champion Justin Burlinson unavailable, Clancy will now face van Suijdam for interim gold—a step up that could define his career trajectory.
Melvin ‘MVS’ van Suijdam: Experienced Contender
Van Suijdam, a veteran of the European MMA scene for over 15 years, brings a wealth of experience to the contest. The Dutchman from Almere has held multiple national titles and competed in several prominent European organisations. With six (T)KOs and seven submissions to his name, he represents a formidable challenge for Clancy.
Van Suijdam’s most recent fight saw him knock out Ammari Diedrick in the first round this past June, demonstrating his finishing ability and threat level as he prepares for the interim title showdown.
Cage Warriors President Comments
Graham Boylan, President of Cage Warriors, said: “Sean Clancy Jr’s fans have been calling for a title fight, now they get their wish! We’ve seen him develop at an incredible pace; now he gets to test himself at the highest level and prove the hype is real.”
He added: “Melvin will be the toughest test of his career so far. With a wealth of experience and a reputation for finishing even the most durable opponents, he has every intention of taking the title back to Holland. With two title fights and a stacked undercard, we’re ending the year with a bang on 6 December!”
Other Confirmed Fights at CW 199
The Clancy vs van Suijdam bout joins a previously announced flyweight title clash between champion Shaj Haque and challenger Nicolas Leblond. Other notable matchups on the main card include:
- Former lightweight champion George Hardwick vs Daniel Konrad
- Leon Armes vs Alberth Dias
- Joshua Abraham vs Nicolas Barna
- Plus several other exciting undercard bouts
CW 199: Newcastle promises to be a high-stakes, action-packed night for MMA fans, culminating a year of thrilling European fight action.
