Former Cage Warriors Fighter Set For Sentencing After Attack Leaves Neighbour With Facial Fractures

A mixed martial arts fighter has admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm after being accused of repeatedly punching his neighbour. Damien Forgie, 36, went 3-0 as a professional MMA fighter between 2010 and 2012. He most notably captured a rear-naked choke submission win over Cihan Kocer at Cage Warriors 41. The Englishman hasn’t competed since defeating […]

A mixed martial arts fighter has admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm after being accused of repeatedly punching his neighbour.

Damien Forgie, 36, went 3-0 as a professional MMA fighter between 2010 and 2012. He most notably captured a rear-naked choke submission win over Cihan Kocer at Cage Warriors 41.

The Englishman hasn’t competed since defeating Paul Rocha by way of kimura at Shock n’ Awe 11, having had fights for Cage Warriors canceled in both 2014 and 2015.

Damien Forgie
Image: David Lethaby

Per a report from KentOnline, Forgie brutally assaulted his neighbour, Billy Stokes, near their homes in Gravesend, England this past April, leaving him with facial fractures. The fighter is said to have landed “at least 10 blows” after jumping a fence to attack Stokes.

In October, Forgie appeared in court and admitted to the assault. He was bailed and a pre-sentencing report was ordered to be carried out. A motive for the attack was not revealed during the hearing.

During a recent appearance at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Nov. 19, Deputy District Judge Nicola Fleck heard that the report had not been completed in time.

The incident, which lasted 32 seconds and saw Forgie pin his neighbour to the ground before punching him, was deemed to severe by Judge Fleck to be heard in the lower court. As a result, the case has been sent to Maidstone Crown Court, where the fighter will be sentenced.

European Champion Ready To Make History As First Father & Daughter To Compete In The UFC

England has a new female champion that is ready to compete on the big show following the Cage Warriors event that took place in Newcastle on Saturday night. CW 181 saw the promotion crown Kennedy Freeman as the new women’s bantamweight champion after she stopped Mafalda Carmona. Due to the sheer size of the talent […]

England has a new female champion that is ready to compete on the big show following the Cage Warriors event that took place in Newcastle on Saturday night. CW 181 saw the promotion crown Kennedy Freeman as the new women’s bantamweight champion after she stopped Mafalda Carmona.

Due to the sheer size of the talent pool that is available, Cage Warriors isn’t a promotion that regularly has female champions. In fact, Freeman is the first since Molly McCann departed the roster to sign with the UFC in 2018 but like McCann, there is something special about Freeman.

Her exciting striking style and finishing ability has meant that she’s been on the radar for some time but after taking a five-year break between 2018-2023, the 6-0 bantamweight didn’t feel ready for whatever the next step would be even when offers came in. In a post-fight interview with the promotion after putting on a dominant performance that saw Carmona withdraw from the fight in the fourth round, her mentality has changed.

“Whatever offers come, I’m ready for them now. It’s my birthday on Tuesday and I’m 28, I’m getting on now and I think I proved to myself that I can go nearly five rounds. I was ready for a fifth round there. I felt fit, I felt ready. Yeah, I’m ready for the next step.”  

Freeman moving up to the UFC would be a big moment for her and her family because of their history with the promotion. Her father and coach, Ian Freeman, was the first British fighter to ever step inside the Octagon.

Making his debut in March of 2000, “The Machine” went on to fight six times in the UFC which included a signature first-round finish over Frank Mir at UFC 38 in 2002 where Matt Hughes defended his welterweight title against Carlos Newton in the main event. During her post-fight interview, Freeman was joined by her father who said that he’s looking forward to watching his daughter tread new ground in the UFC just like he did over two decades ago.

“I think we’re the only father and daughter in Cage Warriors, who’ve fought on Cage Warriors. I was the first ever British fighter in the UFC and I think the UFC are going to come knocking and when they do, we will be the first ever father and daughter in the UFC so I mean, we’re breaking history every single time.”  

European Champion Ready To Make History As First Father & Daughter To Compete In The UFC

England has a new female champion that is ready to compete on the big show following the Cage Warriors event that took place in Newcastle on Saturday night. CW 181 saw the promotion crown Kennedy Freeman as the new women’s bantamweight champion after she stopped Mafalda Carmona. Due to the sheer size of the talent […]

England has a new female champion that is ready to compete on the big show following the Cage Warriors event that took place in Newcastle on Saturday night. CW 181 saw the promotion crown Kennedy Freeman as the new women’s bantamweight champion after she stopped Mafalda Carmona.

Due to the sheer size of the talent pool that is available, Cage Warriors isn’t a promotion that regularly has female champions. In fact, Freeman is the first since Molly McCann departed the roster to sign with the UFC in 2018 but like McCann, there is something special about Freeman.

Her exciting striking style and finishing ability has meant that she’s been on the radar for some time but after taking a five-year break between 2018-2023, the 6-0 bantamweight didn’t feel ready for whatever the next step would be even when offers came in. In a post-fight interview with the promotion after putting on a dominant performance that saw Carmona withdraw from the fight in the fourth round, her mentality has changed.

“Whatever offers come, I’m ready for them now. It’s my birthday on Tuesday and I’m 28, I’m getting on now and I think I proved to myself that I can go nearly five rounds. I was ready for a fifth round there. I felt fit, I felt ready. Yeah, I’m ready for the next step.”  

Freeman moving up to the UFC would be a big moment for her and her family because of their history with the promotion. Her father and coach, Ian Freeman, was the first British fighter to ever step inside the Octagon.

Making his debut in March of 2000, “The Machine” went on to fight six times in the UFC which included a signature first-round finish over Frank Mir at UFC 38 in 2002 where Matt Hughes defended his welterweight title against Carlos Newton in the main event. During her post-fight interview, Freeman was joined by her father who said that he’s looking forward to watching his daughter tread new ground in the UFC just like he did over two decades ago.

“I think we’re the only father and daughter in Cage Warriors, who’ve fought on Cage Warriors. I was the first ever British fighter in the UFC and I think the UFC are going to come knocking and when they do, we will be the first ever father and daughter in the UFC so I mean, we’re breaking history every single time.”  

UFC Commentator Shines A Light On Paddy Pimblett’s Teammate: ‘Captivating A Worldwide Fanbase…’

European promotion Cage Warriors has got a proven track record from taking the top talent from the region and getting them into major promotions like the UFC. The same can be said for Liverpool-based gym Next Generation MMA, which has been able to grow significantly in recent years. Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann are very […]

Continue Reading UFC Commentator Shines A Light On Paddy Pimblett’s Teammate: ‘Captivating A Worldwide Fanbase…’ at MMA News.

European promotion Cage Warriors has got a proven track record from taking the top talent from the region and getting them into major promotions like the UFC.

The same can be said for Liverpool-based gym Next Generation MMA, which has been able to grow significantly in recent years.

Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann are very much the team captains of the gym in that sense but with Nathan Fletcher recently signing to the UFC from the same stable, the next wave of fighters from the north of England are making their way over.

Amongst them is one of the most exciting fighters in Europe right now, who, after missing out on his chance to compete on the Contender Series this year, is back on home turf this weekend.

John Gooden Tells Fans To Keep An Eye On Liverpool’s Luke Riley

Liverpool’s Luke Riley is an undefeated (9-0) featherweight who in many ways, is Pimblett’s protégé and right-hand man.

He was set to fight for his UFC roster at the Apex this year until his bout with Kevin Vallejos fell through due to visa issues.

Instead, Riley will be returning to Cage Warriors, where he has had all of his pro fights, to headline an event for the first time.

Ahead of his attempt to hit double digit wins when he faces Alexandre Junior at the BEC Arena in Manchester on September 21, UFC commentator John Gooden highlighted the potential future star via the official UFC Fight Pass YouTube channel.

“Freak athleticism, lighting speed and surgical accuracy are all features of Riley’s unmissable fight style. Currently running an unblemished 9-0 record with a knockout tally of six, 25-year-old Riley is on the brink of captivating a worldwide audience.”

Gooden spoke about some of the incredible fights that Riley has produced in his career, making his contests an absolute must-watch.

In particular, his clash with Alexander Lööf at CW 160 last year was nominated for the UFC Fight Pass fight of the year and stands out as one of the best bouts in the history of Cage Warriors.

Gooden continued to highlight why Riley is one of the most exciting strikers outside of the UFC right now, breaking down his love for throwing combinations.

“Riley’s fights are always exciting. I’m sure you’re picking up on his love for the knockout and he earns this with really beautiful, technical boxing. It is pretty rare to see such success from a combination fighter in MMA. So few are able to do it well, there are big risks in closing the distance and firing off multiple shots whilst wearing little four ounce gloves but when you have Riley’s speed, defensive hygiene and the delicate details of a watch maker, your work stands out.”

Read also: Former Champ Skeptical Of Michael Chandler Beating ‘Meaningful Favorite’ Charles Oliveira At UFC 309

Continue Reading UFC Commentator Shines A Light On Paddy Pimblett’s Teammate: ‘Captivating A Worldwide Fanbase…’ at MMA News.

Video – Ex-WWE star Jack Claffey, released over sexual misconduct, loses via round 1 TKO

Video - Ex-WWE Star Jack Claffey, released over Sexual Misconduct, loses via Round 1 TKOJack Claffey, a former WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) professional wrestler, made his return to mixed martial arts at the…

Video - Ex-WWE Star Jack Claffey, released over Sexual Misconduct, loses via Round 1 TKO

Jack Claffey, a former WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) professional wrestler, made his return to mixed martial arts at the end of last month under the banner of the Graham Boylan-led Cage Warriors promotion, dropping an opening round knockout loss.

Claffey, who competed in the WWE under the ring name of Gentleman Jack Gallagher, has competed twice in mixed martial arts – with both outings coming with Cage Warriors since 2022, suffering knockout losses in both matchups.

claffey

Jack Claffey stopped in sophomore MMA match

Returning at the end of July at Cage Warriors 175, Manchester native, Claffey was stopped in the opening round by Kallum Parker with a first round TKO loss via strikes, seeing his record in the sport move to 0-2 since his debut two years ago.

Also competing in the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) back in May 2022, Jack Claffey earned a post-fight Performance of the Night bonus after turning in third round KO win over Rick Caruso in Orlando, Florida.

Handed his release from the above-mentioned, WWE back in 2020 following a historical sexual midconduct allegation levelled against him, Jack Claffey has yet to compete in the organization in the time since his departure.

Jack Claffey 'Gentleman' Jack Gallagher

Hit with a slew of reactions on social media after his loss, Claffey’s past allegations have since followed him in his move to mixed martial arts.

“Well done Kallum in dealing with that waste, who sexually assaults women,” A user commmented on Cage Warrior’s official X account.

“Early stoppage.”

“Jeez Jack is sh*te and got what he deserved. Not working out well for him this MMA stuff.”

“Always nice to see a racist get destroyed.”

Irish star Paul Hughes confirms move to PFL after gold laden Cage Warriors run, set to fight in 2025 tournament

Paul Hughes confirms move to PFL after gold laden run with Cage Warriors set to fight in 2025 tournamentFollowing the completion of his contractual obligations with the Graham Boylan-led Cage Warriors promotion, and continued speculation regarding his…

Paul Hughes confirms move to PFL after gold laden run with Cage Warriors set to fight in 2025 tournament

Following the completion of his contractual obligations with the Graham Boylan-led Cage Warriors promotion, and continued speculation regarding his next move, streaking Irish lightweight force, Paul Hughes has confirmed his move to the PFL (Professional Fighters League) – as well as his participation in a 2025 tournament under the promotion’s banner.

Hughes, who boasts an impressive 11-1 professional record, fought out his contract with Cage Warriors in Dublin at the beginning of this month, landing a late first round knockout win over short-notice opponent, Fabiano Silva at the RDS. 

Paul Hughes CW

And following the victory, Hughes, who unified the Cage Warriors featherweight titles back in 2022 with a rematch win over Jordan Vucenic, officially entered free agency, amid reported interest from both the UFC and Singapore-based organization, ONE Championship.

Paul Hughes title

Paul Hughes confirms move to the PFL

Putting speculation on his fighting future to rest on social media tonight, Hughes, 26, confirmed he had penned a multi-fight deal with the Peter Murray-led PFL – and plans to compete for a million dollar paycheck in the promotion’s tournament in a 2025 entry.

“Done deal @PFLMMA,” Paul Hughes posted on his official Instagram Stories. “I have sacrificed EVERYTHING for an opportunity like this. Truly gave every inch of my being to this game. This deal is going to change my life. I will enter the 2025 @PFLMMA 1 MILLION DOLLAR tournament. And there is not (sic) chance anyone is going to touch me. #MyTime.” 

Signing with Chosen Advisory Group under renowned manager, Tim Simpson, Hughes joins a stable of fighters under the banner which includes former two-time UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, current welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, and recently-minted symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway. 

Paul Hughes Cage Warriors

Over the course of his professional mixed martial arts career, Hughes has also landed other notable victories over current UFC contender, Morgan Charriere, Aidan Stephen, James Hendin, and Jays Quaeyhaegens to name a few. 

Are you excited about Paul Hughes’ move to the PFL?