CWFC 72: DALBY vs. GRIMAUD

Nicolas Dalby (12-0), the reigning CWFC welterweight world champion, make his inaugural title defence against former champion Gael Grimaud (19-6) at Cage Warriors 72 in Newport, Wales, on September 13.

The undefeated Dane is set to take on Gael Grimaud when Cage Warriors Fighting Championship heads to the Welsh city of Newport for CWFC 72. Tickets for Europe’s leading promotion’s eleventh event of 2014, which is to be staged at the Newport Centre, will go on sale shortly.

Following his spectacular fourth-round KO of Sergei Churilov at CWFC 66 in Copenhagen this past March, Dalby (12-0) will be making his inaugural title defence in Newport on September 13.

His thirteenth professional outing will provide a new challenge for Dalby, as he competes outside of his native Denmark for the first time in his career.

The 29-year-old, who succeeded Cathal Pendred as the CWFC champion, holds other notable wins over Ivica Truscek, Morten Djursaa and Glenn Sparv.

“I’m very much looking forward to squaring off against Gael Grimaud as he was the latest fighter currently on the CWFC roster to hold the welterweight title,” said Dalby.

“He has a very dynamic style that I find quite interesting, so I’m looking forward to showing off how I will dismantle him and get the win.”

Grimaud (19-6) will be aiming to regain the CWFC welterweight world title, which he relinquished in March of last year following a unanimous-decision loss to Cathal Pendred at CWFC 52 in London.

A 34-year-old Frenchman who has dropped just one loss in his last 11 fights, Grimaud has taken fifteen of his nineteen professional wins by stoppage, including 12 submissions.

However, Grimaud’s most recent CWFC outing saw him score a KO win against Bruno Carvalho after just 45 seconds of their main-event clash at CWFC Fight Night 9 in Amman last October.

Grimaud clinched the CWFC welterweight world title back in September 2011 when he overcame Arni Isaksson, before going on to make a successful defence against Jesse Taylor.

“To have the opportunity to get the Cage Warriors belt back is very exciting for me and I am determined to succeed,” said Grimaud, who has been stopped just once in 25 professional bouts.

“My opponent brings a strong challenge but I believe I am a better fighter than him. I will be ready on September 13 to take that belt back home again.”

Dalby and Grimaud were originally scheduled to meet for Cage Warriors’ 170lbs strap at CWFC 66 but an injury to Grimaud resulted in the title shot passing to Sergei Churilov.

CWFC 72 will also feature a bantamweight world title tussle, as Cory Tait and Toni Tauru clash for the vacant 135lbs strap. Meanwhile, a lightweight bout between Tim Newman (10-4) and Tim Wilde (5-0) has also been added to the CWFC 72 bill, as well as a featherweight contest involving Nad Narimani (7-1) and Daniel Thomas (20-9-1).

Cage Warriors 72 (more bouts to be announced)

Nicolas Dalby (c) vs. Gael Grimaud - CWFC welterweight world title bout
Cory Tait vs. Toni Tauru - vacant CWFC bantamweight world title bout
Jack Marshman vs. Che Mills
Tim Newman vs. Tim Wilde
Nad Narimani vs. Daniel Thomas
Steve Dinsdale vs. Lewis Long
Jordan Desborough vs. Kris Edwards
Jamie Rogers vs. Mario Saeed
Nick Nembhard vs. Simas Norkus
Paulina Bonkowska vs. Kate Jackson

TJ Grant gets his lightweight title shot at UFC 164

Benson Henderson vs TJ Grant title fight announced at UFC 164

by Tommy Strong @Strong_tea

UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will be putting his belt on the line for the fourth time against number one contender in the division TJ Grant. Its been announced the fight will take place at UFC 164 on Aug 31st in Milwaukee, and will be the main event of the evening.

Benson (19-2) who is yet to lose a fight since signing with the UFC, will enter the octagon on a 7 fight winning streak with all fights coming via decision. Since beating Frankie Edgar to win the lightweight title, he went on to defend his belt in a rematch with Edgar in what many thought was a controversial split decision win. Next in line for Benson was Nate Diaz who he brushed aside in dominating fashion, this is often forgotten though when people say Benson is always in close decision contests.

Last time out Benson defeated Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7 in April, which proved to be an epic back and forth battle. Benson finally came out victorious to take a very close split decision win .

TJ Grant (21-5) has shot up the rankings in recent time, currently ranked number 3 in the official UFC Rankings. Grant was announced as the number one contender following a devastating knockout of Gray Maynard at UFC 160 in May. In the process he became only the second fighter to ever stop Maynard. Now its his turn to get a shot at the title. Can he be the first man to beat Benson Henderson in the UFC.... we will find out in August.

Grant will return to the octagon in August in a very confident mood, having won 5 fights on the bounce and his last two fights via KO with wins over Wiman & Maynard.

Lets hope this doesn't come down to the judges score cards and we're not talking about another close decision win that could have gone either way. I feel its time Benson pulled out all the stops and went for a stoppage inside the distance.

Also on the card we will see the return of Josh Barnett who will be taking on Frank Mir in a heavyweight bout. Josh will be making his first appearance in the UFC since March 2002 where he defeated Randy Couture to win the Heavyweight title at UFC 36. Only later to be stripped of the title due to testing positive for banned substances and released from the UFC.