After 13 events the 2014 CWFC season is over and as the Cage Warriors team begin to prepare for next year’s campaign, we take some time out to go back and look over some of the facts and figures that have made the CWFC’s twelfth year of operation such an outstanding success.
13 – the number of Cage Warriors Fighting Championship events
Once again the first event of the year took place in London which saw Cory Tait earn himself a CWFC world title shot later in 2014 by defeating James Pennington. The 13-date season also finished in London with the Danish star Nicolas Dalby underlining his credentials as one of Europe’s best fighters by defending his CWFC Welterweight Title with a hard fought decision victory over Mohsen Bahari.
5 – the number of countries that hosted Cage Warriors Fighting Championship events in 2014
In March 2014, Denmark was added to the list of countries which have hosted a Cage Warriors event. Whilst the CWFC continued to hold events in their existing strongholds of England (5 events), Ireland (2 events), Wales (2 events) and Jordan (3 events),
31 – the number of countries that were represented by fighters competing on Cage Warriors Fighting Championship events
Although it has a strong UK and Irish fighter base the CWFC is a global brand and along with a growing domestic roster there was multiple foreign nationals from around the world competing inside the CWFC cage. New additions this year included athletes from the Faroe Islands, Greece, Lithuania, Morocco, Bulgaria and Tunisia (to name just a few) compete in the pro ranks.
197 – the number of professional fighters on CWFC shows
This number was slightly up from last year as 197 individuals from around the world competed inside the CWFC cage throughout 2014. With the highest number (46) coming from the welterweight division.
137 – the number of professional bouts
The CWFC managed to hold an impressive 137 professional bouts during 2014.
43 – the number of Amateur bouts
There was also 43 Amateur match-ups on CWFC shows during the year as up-and-coming fighters got their chance to shine on the undercard of high level shows around the world.
4 – the highest number of CWFC bouts that any fighter competed in this year
For the second straight year this honour is shared, as Jack Hermansson had four bouts for the CWFC upon his return from a two fight stint Stateside. After two bouts in March and April the talented Swede claimed the vacant Middleweight Title at CWFC 69: Super Saturday in June before defending it just 76 days later against Deyan Topalski at CWFC 71 in Jordan. Whilst the Essex based CWFC stalwart Jack Mason had another busy year which saw him start with a tight decision loss against Ben Alloway at CWFC 65 in Ireland, before rebounding with two straight decisions wins against Patrick Vallee and Bruno Carvalho before a leg injury left him unable to continue in the first round of his CWFC 71 clash against Jonatan Westin in August.
7 – the number of CWFC veterans or formerly CWFC contracted fighters who joined the UFC
Several CWFC veterans and contracted fighters signed deals with the UFC in 2014; as Aisling Daly, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Ian Entwistle, Niklas Bäckström plus CWFC Champions Neil Seery and Jim Alers all signed terms with the Las Vegas based organisation. Whilst the contracted Irishman Patrick Holohan moved over to the UFC without making his CWFC debut (due to a long-term injury). Plus Phil Harris also returned to the UFC after signing a new deal with Cage Warriors after it was revealed that his previous opponent Louis Gaudinot failed a UFC drugs test after their fight in March 2014.
68 – the number of fighters who signed or re-signed with the CWFC
The CWFC continued to strengthen its roster in 2014 with fighters across the UK and Europe signing multiple fight deals in nine separate weight divisions. This year also saw several fighters signing-up for a second term after spending the past two years plying their trade in Europe’s premier promotion. With well over 100 signed fighters the CWFC roster continues to host some of Europe’s most talent rich divisions.
88 – the number of professional bouts that finished inside the distance
This year saw 88 of the 137 professional CWFC finish inside the distance (That’s a 64.2% finish ratio). Although the highest number of bouts ended by decision with 49 (35.8%) of the 137 professional bouts going the distance. Whilst there were 44 Submissions (32.1%), 42 (T)KO’s (30.6%) and 2 DQ’s (1.4%) in the CWFC pro ranks this year. It is worth noting that CWFC 68 in Liverpool saw all 10 professional bouts finish inside the distance.
48 – the number of events held under the current CWFC ownership
The 13 CWFC events of 2014 increased the total number of events held by the current owners (led by CEO Graham Boylan) to 48 since October 2010.
2.7 million – the number of views on Cage Warriors TV
With more content than ever before available on Cage Warriors TV the number of views has skyrocketed with the total number of views nearly double that of 12 months ago.
10 – The number of Title fights on CWFC shows this year
At the start of the year one of the objectives of the CWFC team was to put on more Title fights and crown more Champions. In the twelve year history of the CWFC only 2005 (which had the legendary ‘Night of Champions’ card which featured 9 Title fights in one night) has seen more Title match-ups than 2014.
6 – The number of current and active CWFC Champions
Now with six strong Champions and some intriguing Title fights to follow next year in other divisions the future looks bright for Cage Warriors and a tough road lies ahead for anyone wanting to dethrone the current Titleholders; Toni Tauru (BW), Alex Enlund (FW), Steven Ray (LW), Nicolas Dalby (WW), Jack Hermansson (MW) and Pannie Kianzad (Women’s BW).
7 – The number of Arena shows that the CWFC held
2014 saw the CWFC promote 7 Arena shows which saw the promotion not only return to the Echo Arena (Liverpool), the Metro Radio Arena (Newcastle) as well as the King Hussein Boxing Arena (Jordan). But it also added the Ballerup Super Arena (Denmark) and the world famous Copper Box Arena (London) to it’s ever growing list of venues..
2 – The number of significant UK broadcasting deals secured by the CWFC
Two of the most talked about moments this year for the CWFC were the broadcast deals that saw highlights of CWFC 70, 71, 72 73 and 74 appear on Channel 4 shortly after each event and were subsequently made available online via it’s free video-on-demand service 4oD. Whilst another talking point came in late October when it was announced both CWFC 73 and 74 were to be streamed live by the Daily Mail (which is the UK’s second biggest-selling daily newspaper). Both these deals allowed Cage Warriors to deliver its exciting brand of Mixed Martial Arts to new audiences and resulted in significantly increased viewing figures.
Image Courtesy of CWFC
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