Liverpudlian star and former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, Paddy Pimblett, returns at Cage Warriors 88 against unbeaten Croatian Vlado “Sunshine” Sikic.

“The Baddy” is back with a point to prove and has been set a tough challenge clashing with Vlado “Sunshine” Sikic (10-0-1) in a 150 lbs catchweight bout at Cage Warriors 88 in Liverpool on Saturday 28th October.

Sikic is a 27 year old Berlin based Croatian who is unbeaten in his professional MMA career. A seven year veteran of the sport he has held numerous titles on the German circuit and holds a second round TKO win over the Cage Warriors veteran Donovon Desmae in 2013.

His last appearance was on the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 22 preliminary round in 2015, when a shoulder injury prevented him from booking a place in the TUF house. After several additional setbacks, the dangerous striker is now fully fit and will be looking to show the form which has seen him finish nine of his opponents inside the distance and got him within touching distance of a UFC contract just two years ago.

Pimblett, who rose to fame with a string of impressive victories and an infectious, larger-than-life personality, captured Cage Warriors featherweight gold in 2016 with a first-round TKO of Johnny Frachey. After a successful defence of his belt at Cage Warriors: Unplugged with a unanimous decision victory over the TUF 22 semi finalist and UFC veteran Julian Erosa, he lost his title to Bristol’s Nad Narimani at Cage Warriors 82 in April.

In the main event, lightweight champion, Chris Fishgold returns to action in his home town against hard-hitting Norwegian Alexander Jacobsen. Local favourites Molly McCann and Lee Chadwick also feature with their opponents to be confirmed shortly. While another confirmed bout on this stacked card sees Martin Stapleton return to the north west for the first time in over two year against Søren ‘The True Viking’ Bak in a lightweight clash.

Pimblett said “ I can’t wait to get back in there and do what I’ve been doing in the octagon since I was 16, prove people wrong and represent my city. I’m gonna make the Echo Arena explode and Vlado Sikic is the poor fella in my way. His 0 has got to go”

Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan said: “Paddy is out to prove the doubters wrong and it’s going to be exciting to watch how he gets on against a tough unbeaten opponent in Vlado Sikic.”

“No city supports their own more passionately than the city of Liverpool. It’s shaping up to be another exciting night, showcasing the very best of Liverpool’s fighting talent.”

CAGE WARRIORS 88: CONFIRMED BOUTS

Chris Fishgold vs Alexander Jacobsen (lightweight title)

Paddy Pimblett vs Vlado Sikic (150lbs catchweight)

Molly McCann vs TBC (flyweight)

Lee Chadwick vs TBC (middleweight)

Martin Stapleton vs Søren Bak (lightweight)

Paull McBain vs Sam Spencer (featherweight)

Jack Grant vs Perry Goodwin (lightweight)

Josh McManus vs Mick Stanton (welterweight)

Jack Della vs James Duckett (welterweight)

Tickets for Cage Warriors 88 are available from The Echo Arena website.

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