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Cage Warriors Special: Here are the six PrizeFighter contestants!
Cage Warriors Prize fighter. Photo via CW
Cage Warriors has now confirmed the full lineup for the upcoming $50,000 bantamweight PrizeFighter one-night tournament.
The six athletes will drawn for the the four semi-final slots, with the remaining two fighters taking part in a reserve fight.
In addition, the bantamweights can add $10,000 per bout in bonuses, by correctly predicting their round and method of victory.
Click ”Next” to learn more about the six contestants!
Shirzad Qadrian (5-1)
Photo via Instagram (@lion._.mma)
The youngest fighter on the PrizeFighter roster is Iran’s Shirzad Qadrian.
The 23-year-old fighter has back-to-back wins in Cage Warriors and is looking for an opportunity to avenge a loss against fellow PrizeFighter contestant Weslley Maia, who he lost to in his promotional debut.
All but one of Qadrian’s wins have come via stoppage.
Michele Martignoni (9-2, 2NC)
Michele Martignoni. Photo via Instagram (@michelemartignoni_)
One of the most seasoned fighters in the tournament is Michele Martignoni, who’s a former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion.
One of the biggest favorites to win the tournament, Martignoni has also competed in Bellator MMA as well as on the regional Italian scene.
Aidan Stephen (10-4)
Aidan Stephen. Photo via Instagram (@styles_1992)
Scotland’s Aidan Stephen made a successful comeback in April after more than two years out of action.
The 32-year-old has more experience than most fighters in the tournament and fought nine of his 14 pro fights in Cage Warriors.
Stephen lost Tobias Harila back in 2021, so defeating Harila’s teammate, and fellow PrizeFighter contestant, Alexander Lööf would surely be sweet for the Scotsman.
Alessandro Giordano (7-3)
Alessandro Giordano. Photo via Instagram (@gio__mma)
Italy’s Alessandro Giordano is 1-2 in Cage Warriors but comes from a important third-round stoppage win in March.
The 26-year-old was a top prospect on the Italian MMA scene before taking the step to Cage Warriors.
Weslley Maia (9-5)
Weslley Maia. Photo via Instagram (@magicmaiamma)
Weslley Maia is known to be a tough fighter and previously stepped up to face bantamweight champion Jack Shore on less than 48-hours notice.
Maia is one of the most experienced fighters on the bill and has already faced both Shirzad Qadrian and Michele Martignoni.
”It’s for the history books: the first Brazilian to become the first prizefighter champion and then Cage Warriors bantamweight champion,” Maia said about competing in Cage Warriors Prizefighter.
Alexander Lööf (6-1)
Alexander Lööf. Photo: Daniel Schälander
For Cage Warriors fans, Sweden’s Alexander Lööf best known for the 2023 ‘Fight of the Year’ against Luke Riley. The heavy-handed fighter is back in bantamweight with the intention to get his hand raised twice on July 20.
“I give absolute no shit about who’s in the tournament. That’s actually what makes me so excited about it. It can be anyone that I will face, and there will be two fights per night. I mean, isn’t that fucking cool,” Lööf recently told Frontkick.
Read more: Alexander Lööf excited to enter CRAZY tournament: “You fight twice the same night!”
Cage Warriors Prize Fighter
Cage Warriors Prize fighter. Photo via CW
The Cage Warriors Prize fighter tournament will be to be held on July 20 as part of the CW 174 card at London’s indigo at The O2.
The event will air live on UFC Fight Pass.
Read more: Volkan Oezdemir wants quick turnaround: “Goal is to take over the division!”