This past weekend was a good one for the Cage Warriors promotion after the success of there back to back events. We got to see Christian Leroy Duncan get the crown after a sensational flying knee knockout, but does he remind you of anyone?
In this article, we take a look at the current Cage Warriors champions and who are the most similar to in the UFC that you may have heard of.
Sam Creasey – Cage Warriors Flyweight Champion
Sam Creasey is currently 1-1 against Luke Shanks in what is sure to end up a best of three series at the very least. The thirteen-year veteran has a lot of stutter-step faints. Creasey has a crisp jab and quick head movement which often leaves him punching at a slower, confused opponent.
He likes to attack from the outside briskly, often a leg kick or lunging hook trying to catch his opponent getting lazy on his exits. Although Creasey is more willing to try slip and rip than Dominick Cruz, there are many similarities. Creasey is also much more active when in a dominant ground position, putting thought and care put into their movements and traps, making this one a good match.
Verdict: Dominick Cruz
Dominique Wooding – Cage Warriors Bantamweight Champion
Dominique Wooding is a finisher, plain and simple. Out of nine victories, nine have come by way of knockout. It is difficult to compare the laser-guided striker to just one, with names like MVP, Alex Perreira and Johnny Walker coming to mind.
The thing that separates Wooding is how instantly he can generate power, with zero wind up required to land a knockout blow. That’s why a lighter-weight class Jiri Prochazka is where in landing on this one. Both men are must-watch TV, even if it usually ends ahead of schedule when they are involved.
Verdict : Jiri Prochazka
Jordan Vucenic – Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion
Jordan Vucenic is one of the most promising stars to come out of Cage Warriors in some time. The 26-year-old has already had some epic encounters, including a pair of wins over Irishman Paul Hughes and a rear-naked choke win over James Hendin at Cage Warriors 134 in London.
After initially watching some of “The Epidemic’s” fights, I still wasn’t sure, so I asked Combat Sports UK Writer Cole Matthew-Brian to give me a brief scouting report on the prospect.
Cole Matthew-Brian’s Report :
Jordan Vucenic
- Muay Thai stance.
- Heavy usage of switch kicks & wide hooks.
- Utilizes head movement at range in order to enter and close the distance.
- Good pressure when in the clinch and very active in regards to knee strikes thrown.
- Tends to base his takedowns on momentum rather than having them as part of his game plan and setting the attempts up over long periods.
- Has a heavy jab.
- Back mount is his preferred ground position, from where he has a good finishing rate.
- Crushing leg kicks to open up a lot of other opportunities.
- A slight dip in his stance before power shots
- Right hand through the middle is accurate and effective, often sneaking through a tired opponent’s guard.
- The left hook covers a large, and often surprising distance.
Cole thinks that either Jose Aldo or Vicente Luque would be a good fit. From the way Vucenic holds himself inside the cage to the way he flurries, both quickly and powerfully, it reminds us of long time featherweight king Jose Aldo as well.
Verdict: Jose Aldo
Christian Leroy Duncan – Cage Warrior Middleweight Champion
Christian Leroy Duncan is 6-0, 26 years old and a real knockout artist. With a pair of wins over the highly thought of Will Currie in only his second and third professional fights, it has been clear for a while that Duncan is set for the very top.
Most recently, fighting and beating previously 8-0 Djati Melan, by way of Flying Knee, Duncan is surely not far from the UFC’s eye line.
His striking is best described as sharp and stabbing. There is very little wind up to a lot of his strikes as he uses a long lead hand to measure and disrupt his opponent’s guard. He throws what is usually a high energy strike, such as a spinning wheel kick, with relative ease and fluidity. Duncan definitely prefers to counterstrike, as his length allows him to move to ranges where he is exclusively the man connecting, as opposed to going blow for blow.
Jon Jones comes to mind for many reasons. Duncan is so intelligent with his strikes, the creativity, the timing, and his constant hand fighting. Duncan distinguishes himself, though, due to his power as well as his fight-ending intentions with which he throws. There is also something about Duncan that reminds me of UFC bantamweight Rob Font. I know what you are thinking, but it is noticeable if you look at the guy’s fights side by side.
Verdict: Jon Jones/ Rob Font
Who do the Cage Warrior’s Champions remind you of most?
Follow me on Twitter at @WhatsTheOddsMMA and follow us at Combat Sports UK for more exclusive content!
