Cage warriors 87 preview, betting tips, and odds

Europe’s leading and longest-running mixed martial arts promotion Cage Warriors makes a return to Wales this Saturday night the Welshman. Welsh stars top the card, including headliner Lewis Long who will battle Bosnian Roberto Soldic to take a step closer to a title shot, while hot prospect Jack Shore returns to action against Italian Mattia Galbiati.

The co-main event of Cage Warriors 87 is former title challenger Mike Inman against upset specialist Craig White.

There are betting opportunities for all of these bouts as Betsafe is the official betting partner of the Irish-owned promotion that has produced such well-known names as Michael Bisping, Dan Hardy, and Conor McGregor.

Let’s take a closer look at the fight card going down at the sold out Newport Centre.

Cage Warriors 87 Prelims

Lawrence Tracey (1-1) vs. Joshua Ellis (1-0)

Lawrence Tracey will look to turn his record into a positive one after going 1 win and 1 loss in his pro career after previously winning the Golden Ticket Fight Promotions welterweight title as an amateur. He will be an underdog against Josh Ellis who won the lightweight 2015 IMMAF World Championships. Ellis is a top prospect that made his pro debut at Cage Warriors Academy Wales earlier this year, winning by submission in the second round.

Shaun Luther (3-3) vs. Mason Jones (Pro debut)

Shaun Luther’s two-fight winning streak was lost at Cage Warriors 85 after a unanimous decision defeat to Luiz Finocchio. The 24-year-old is a favorite over Mason Jones makes his pro debut in Newport after a 1-0 amateur record. He was scheduled to fight at Cage Warriors 83 in Newport earlier this year until his opponent withdrew at the final hour.

Diana Felipa (1-0) vs. Cornielia Holm (Pro debut)

Portugal’s Diana Felipa made an impressive professional debut earlier this year, submitting Valerie Domergue at Knock Out 10 in France. She will be an underdog here against Cornelia Holm who makes her professional debut after an amateur career ending in two IMMAF European Open Titles and one IMMAF World Championship. She has won her last nine bouts dating back nearly two years.

Bryan Creighton (5-5) vs. Kris Edwards (9-9)

After being considered a top prospect, Bryan Creighton has slid to a four-fight losing streak, with his last win coming over four years ago at Cage Warriors 60. The odds reflect this as he comes in as an underdog. Kris Edwards snapped a six-fight losing streak in Newport earlier this year when he submitted Damo Weeden in the second round. His Cage Warriors record stands at 3-6.

Cosmin Tutu (10-5) vs. Richard Williams (4-1)

Frenchman Cosmin Tutu has picked up just one win in his last four fights and steps up to lightweight from featherweight. Richard Williams will look to bounce back after losing for the first time earlier this year in to Joe McColgan. The Welsh fighter nicknamed “Frango” had previously picked up four consecutive first round finishes and will look to return to winning ways in Newport as his fans giving him a warm reception.

Cage Warriors 87 Main Card

Ross Houston (4-0) vs. Aaron Khalid (6-2-1)

Undefeated as an amateur and a pro, Ross Houston makes his third Cage Warriors appearance, seeking out a third consecutive third round finish. The Welshman is unbeaten in his last five bouts, with one draw and four wins, and was victorious in his last two Cage Warriors outings with two second round submissions. This should be an exciting bout, and the two may test their grappling skills against each other as they come in with a combined five submission stoppages.

Ludovit Klein (9-1) vs. Aiden Lee (4-1)

Slovakian featherweight Ludovit Klein has impressed on the European scene after recently picking up two wins under the ACB promotion. This will mark his fifth fight of 2017 and the 22-year-old is a rising prospect. Aiden Lee impressed in Newport earlier this year, after submitting Kacper Formela in the first round to make it two consecutive victories in the promotion. Lee is the favorite in what is another solid matchup on the Cage Warriors card.

Mattia Galbiati (3-2) Vs. Jack Shore (5-0)

Expect a loud reception when Jack Shore makes the walk to the cage on Saturday evening. “Tank” has a large following and a record to back it up with a 5-0 professional record built on top of a 12-0 amateur record. The 2015 IMMAF European Open title winner is considered to be one of the hottest prospects in the UK and has finished all five pro bouts inside the first two rounds.

Unfortunately, Shore will not face his expected opponent in undefeated Federico Mini who withdrew due to injury. Instead the Welsh fighter will face another Italian in Mattia Galbiati. “Molon Labe” has won his last two fights after starting his pro career with two losses and a win. He comes in with intensity that should make it exciting while it lasts.

Expect Shore get the best on the feet and use his impressive takedowns to bring it to the ground as needed to keep his undefeated streak going here and take another step toward stardom.

Matt Inman (20-9) vs. Craig White (12-7)

Manchester’s Matt Inman will look to make a second run towards the Cage Warriors welterweight crown after outpointing Brad Wheeler in June at Cage Warriors 84. He will make his 30th professional outing in Newport. Craig White has two consecutive upset victories over Norwegians Thomas Robertsen and Hakon Foss, Craig White could put himself in title contention at 170lbs if he can overcome the Betsafe odds. Can the “Thundercat” do it again?

Roberto Soldic (11-2) vs. Lewis Long (15-4)

Croatian Roberto Soldic has picked up three welterweight titles over the last twelve months, winning the SMMAC, FFC & Superior FC titles. He has amassed five consecutive knockouts with four of those coming in the first round.

Welshman Lewis Long has three consecutive victories since his lost to UFC veteran Andreas Stahl back in June of 2016. He captured the M4TC welterweight crown with all of his wins coming inside the first round. Long has won 8 of his last 9 and solid wins over UFC vet Che Mills and Matt Inman, who is featured on the card.

Long is a solid favorite here to keep his winning streak intact in this high-level headliner, which should see a stoppage before the final bell.

About Ryan O’Leary

Ryan O’Leary is a veteran mixed martial arts journalist and commentator. The Swedish-based writer is the founder and editor at MMAViking.com, which is the premier source for Nordic mixed martial arts news.