AN improvised event went ahead at Cage Warriors 113 in Manchester, with bouts and the venue alike left to the last minute, but producing a high quality European mixed martial arts showcase. Fan favourite and former lightweight champion Paddy Pimblett got back on the winners list, with the belt he used to hold on the line in the co-main event – snapped up by Mason Jones in impressive fashion. Check out all the results below, including our immediate thoughts and scorecards on the four-fight main card.

MAIN CARD:

Middleweight | Bartosz Fabinski def. Darren Stewart | Decision (Unanimous) 30-27, 30-26 x2

Immediate thoughts: Thank goodness we got this fight, an absolute bloody mess between two UFC-contracted fighters. It is not often a title fight is pushed to the co-main event for a non-title fight, but the skill on show for this one was worthy of the headline slot across three rounds. It was a trying return to the Cage Warriors scene for Stewart though, who was outdone by a judo practitioner who holds the dual threat of heavy hands. The space was closed immediately, and Stewart burst open a cut on Fabinski’s head, not afraid to engage in the grappling and almost sinking in a guillotine before the bell. But Fabinski’s pressure, dominant position on top and willingness to stay there earned him points across each round, making for a frustrating 15 minutes for Stewart.

We had it: 30-27 Fabinski – another ground game executed well in each round despite some small stumbling blocks. Possibility for a 10-8 in there as the judges thought.

Lightweight | Mason Jones def. Joe McColgan | TKO (Knee), 4:40 Rd 1

Immediate thoughts: The 2019 Cage Warriors fighter of the year, Jones is SUCH an exciting prospect at 24 years of age, as well-rounded as a bunch of seasoned fighters many years his senior. Now boasting an undefeated 9-0 record and the 155lbs strap, ‘The Dragon’ looks destined for big things after a fight that got straight down to business. It was a very well-matched bout, with both men able to find the chin of their opponent with crisp striking from the off, each replying with combinations to the others’. Jones’ clinch work was strong against the longer and awkward McColgan, and would have earned him Round 1 points if it weren’t for the remarkable finish. A great brawl for as long as it lasted.

Fight-ending sequence: A combination from Jones puts McColgan’s back against the cage, maintaining the pressure with punches before a huge knee breaches McColgan’s guard to put him down. Sensing McColgan was hurt, Jones’ killer instinct came into play to force the stoppage.

Welterweight | David Bear def. Nathan Jones | Decision (Unanimous), 30-27 x3

Immediate thoughts: A great win for the Bear over a Cage Warriors veteran and someone who would test him in the grappling/submission department. Jones took up the centre of the cage early, but Bear kept finding a way in with more accurate strikes before dragging Jones to the ground. Bear’s wearing work in top position was great, but he needed more time to work from there before latching onto a submission, which is why he looked for a level change within the first minute of Round 2. Again happy to control the position, the Bear was only momentarily threatened with a heal hook as a frustrated Jones had no answers – at least on the ground. But he shook Bear on the feet with a big right hand in Round 3, only to be dragged to the ground again in the follow-up where it was game over despite Jones’ best efforts to make something happen.

We had it: 30-27 Bear – a pretty straightforward one, clinical from Bear across each round, smart gameplan.

Lightweight | Paddy Pimblett def. Decky Dalton | TKO (Punches), 2:51 Rd 1

Immediate thoughts: Nine days notice for poor Decky, making it two bouts within two weeks. It just was not fair that he got, well, decked by ‘The Baddy’. But isn’t it great to have Pimblett back after a turbulent 18 months with injury and a multiple fight cancellations, delivering on his promise to shock the world. We did not know quite what to expect given the circumstances and diversity of each man’s skillset, but we did know both fighters would bring it. Fair play to Dalton, he did his best to fight it out, but found himself in a horrible position from the get-go after slipping on a kick, and Pimblett needs no invitation to pounce on the ground. A slick grappler, the Liverpudlian was quick to take the back and look for the submission before adjusting to unleash ground-and-pound from back mount. Great win, great to see Paddy back.

Fight-ending sequence: Pimblett locks in the body triangle and has Dalton’s right arm trapped in it, but can’t get the rear-naked choke. He transitions to back mount, staying heavy with his hips and unleashing unanswered blows until the ref steps in.

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PRO-PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS:

P. Goodwin def. Steve Aimable | Decision (Unanimous)

Connor Hignett def. Darren O’Gorman | KO (Punches), 2:12 Rd 3

Adam Amarasinghe def. Jake Bond | KO (Knee and punch), 4:59 Rd 1

Jamie Richardson def. Matthew Bonner | Decision (Unanimous)

James Hendin def. Kris Edwards | Decision (Unanimous)

Aidan Stephen def. Jack Collins | TKO (Elbows), 1:24 Rd 1

Kingsley Crawford def. Lewis Monarch | Submission (Triangle choke), 2:45 Rd 2