Cage Warriors returns to action with the latest “Trilogy” series of events, and the middle show, Cage Warriors 128, now has a confirmed headliner.
Rising Irish star Paul Hughes and French former champion Morgan Charriere will face off for the interim Cage Warriors featherweight title at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Friday October 1 as two of the top 145-pound fighters in Europe face off looking to capture championship gold.
The matchup was made with the promotion’s current featherweight king, Jordan Vucenic, ruled out of action through injury, with the bout between Hughes and Charriere set to confirm the next challenger for Vucenic’s title, while also crowning a new interim champion in the process.
The bout was announced on Monday, September 6, with Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan explaining that the matchup was an ideal one, given Vucenic’s enforced absence.
“It’s a shame that Jordan Vucenic is still injured but the division must move forward,” he said, via press release.
“Hughes vs. Charriere will decide our interim champion, which works out perfectly, seeing as both men want to avenge losses to Vucenic in the future.
“This fight is one that you will not want to miss!”
Paul Hughes (Dolly Clew / Cage Warriors)
Hughes has already fired an early shot across Charriere’s bows, claiming that he wasn’t a fan of the Frenchman’s display in defeat to Vucenic in their title clash earlier this year.
“I wasn’t impressed by his (Charriere’s) performance against Jordan,” he said.
“I called him boring for a reason, he was stalling a lot and I wasn’t impressed by him at all.
“When it comes to our fight there’ll be no stalling at all, I’ll be putting a pace on him and getting a finish in the fourth or fifth round!”
Hughes has a 7-1 professional record, with his only defeat coming against Vucenic, while Charriere has the experience edge with a record of 16-8-1, with his last appearance resulting in a split-decision loss to Vucenic as he lost the featherweight title in his first defence.
Morgan Charriere (Dolly Clew / Cage Warriors)
The original plan was for Charriere to rematch Vucenic for the belt, but instead he will face Hughes for interim gold.
“This fight is the road back to my title,” said ‘The Last Pirate’.
“I don’t care about the interim title, the opponent or anything.
“I’m just focusing on winning and putting on a performance!”
Cage Warriors 128 will be streamed globally on UFC Fight Pass, with French fans also able to watch the event live on M6 Group’s AVOD platform 6play in France.