Cage Warriors, arguably Europe’s biggest MMA promotion has just signed 26 new fighters to exclusive contracts.

The breeding ground of talent

Cage Warriors has long been known as the UK & Europe’s breeding ground for talent with notable future UFC & Bellator champions and fighters originating from the promotion.

Former Cage Warriors fighters include the likes of Gegard Mousasi, Dan Hardy, Joe Duffy, Martain Kampmann, Jack Hermansson, Nicolas Dalby, and Brett Johns.

The promotion also saw Michael Bisping become their Light Heavyweight Champion, defending it three times before vacating to join the cast of The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 along with fellow Cage Warriors fighter Ross Pointon.

It was at Cage Warriors where Conor McGregor originally became “Champ Champ”, a feat he replicated in the UFC. Cage Warriors has since given birth to a new breed of talent including Molly McCann, Mason Jones and new UFC superstar in the making Paddy Pimblett.

26 New Signings

In a statement released today, Cage Warriors announced that it has officially signed 26 fighters to exclusive contracts.

Some of these athletes have fought for the promotion before, whilst some will don the signature yellow gloves for the first time.

Speaking about the acquisitions, Cage Warriors President Graham Boylan said:

“Some of these fighters are experienced veterans, others are up-and-coming prospects, but what they’ve all got in common is an ability to entertain the spectators while striving to reach the top of their respective divisions.

“There are undoubtedly future champions amoung this group of fighters we’re unveiling today. We’ve also got several more to announce over the coming weeks.

“Our roster is now in a better place than it has ever been, but it’s only going to get stronger from here.”

With Cage Warriors releasing many of its previous crop of stars to bigger organisations such as the UFC and Bellator, this latest move can be seen as an investment for the future of the organisation.

Cage Warriors recently ventured into the US with its’ first event Cage Warriors 126 which took place in California back in August of 2021, since then Cage Warriors has returned to the US a further two times with a third planned for June.

Fighters now signed with the organisation include Ireland’s Caolan Loughran, England’s Connor Hitchens, undefeated 7-0 Featherweight Federico Pasquali and Brazilian Raymison Bruno.

Full Signings

Taka Mhandu
Record: 2-1

Reece Mcewan
Record: 4-1

Raymison Bruno
Record: 12-4 (1 NC)

Omran Chaaban 
Record: 2-1

Naglis Kanisauskas
Record: 5-1

Milad Ahady
Record: 4-1

Michal Folc
Record: 6-4

Matty Byfield
Record: 3-1 (1 NC)

Manuel Bilic
Record: 15-7

Lukasz Kopera
Record: 10-7

Karol Michalak
Record: 3-2 (1 NC)

Jan Quaeyhaegens 
Record: 9-4

Hubert Geven
Record: 13-4

Herkus Lukosiunas
Record: 3-0

Giuseppe Ruggeri
Record: 8-0

Federico Pasquali
Record: 7-0

Emanuele Sabatino
Record: 3-1

El Hadji Ndiaye
Record: 4-1

Daniel Skibinski
Record: 18-7

Connor Hitchens
Record: 6-2

Chris Bungard
Record: 16-7

Chasen Blair
Record: 1-0

Caolan Loughran
Record: 6-0

Bill Wilson
Record: 0-0

Antonio Sheldon
Record: 5-3

Ander Sanchez
Record 1-0

Cage Warriors’ next event will take place June 10 from San Diego live on UFC Fight Pass.