Chris Fishgold (14-1-1) will clash with Adam Boussif (9-3) to contest the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship’s vacant lightweight title at CWFC 77 next month.
The tussle will take place at the Camden Centre in London on July 8; the main card will stream on UFC Fight Pass and will also feature the headline bout for the middleweight title between Jack Marshman (19-5) and Christopher Jacquelin (8-2).
Chris Fishgold is a top ten-ranked domestic lightweight who is an aggressive grappler with a punishing top game. Hailing from Liverpool and training under Paul Rimmer who is also coach to Paddy Pimblett he boasts 12 wins by stoppage – two TKOs and ten submissions.
At just 24 years old, Fishgold is a veteran of the European MMA scene having made his is pro debut in March 2010 clocking up a 10-0 record in four years with three CWFC wins against Steve O’Keefe (CWFC 52), Marcin Wrzosek (CWFC 57), Olivier Pastor(CWFC 62).
An 18-month break from the domestic scene followed due to injury and then a brief spell in Thailand at Phuket Top Team. While in Asia, an under par Fishgold recorded his first loss against Gi Bum Moon by decision in Korea. On his return to the UK he fought Ryan Roddy in an entertaining contest, which was scored a draw. Now Fishgold is riding a four-fight winning streak – his most recent, a 64 second submission at CWFC 75 in April against Jordan Miller.
“I can’t wait to be the Cage Warriors lightweight champion,” Fishgold said. “It’s an honour to fight for the belt. I’m looking forward to showing my ever improving skill set.”
Adam “Boa” Boussif has clocked up a five-fight winning streak in the space of 16 months and like his opponent is an accomplished finisher with all of his nine victories coming via stoppage – seven submissions and two TKOs.
The 27-year-old Brit comes to this fight as the underdog but will have a noticeable size advantage – not only is he 6’0 to Fishgold’s 5’8 he has spent part of his career at welterweight although his most recent victory was at lightweight.
Boussif was based at Force MMA but in April 2016 travelled to Thailand and won a one-year sponsored scholarship to train and live at Tiger Muay Thai and be a part of the in-house Fight Team. A month later, as part of their team he traveled to Seoul, Korea where he defeated Jung Min Kang by rear-naked choke in the 2nd round of their bout at Top FC 11.
Boussif who is from Hertfordshire, England said, “Cage warriors has been a great platform for fighters to showcase their skills to a wider audience. I’ve been putting in the work, which will show when I become the Cage Warriors lightweight champion.”
Fishgold and Boussif will be vying for the title that was vacated by Stevie Ray before his move to the UFC
Ian Dean, Cage Warriors Matchmaker comments, “With 21 finishes between them this promising to be another exciting bout on a card full of fighters that leave nothing to chance”.
Dean adds, “Chris Fishgold is deserving of a title shot, he’s a very exciting and aggressive grappler and this is a great opportunity for him. However, Adam Boussif has a lot of potential and will enter the challenge with a size advantage and will be looking to show why he landed a fight scholarship overseas.”
Latest CWFC 77 Card (order TBC with more fights to be announced)
Jack Marshman vs. Christopher Jacquelin
Chris Fishgold vs. Adam Boussif
Paddy Pimblett vs. Teddy Violet
Tim Wilde vs. Scott Clist
Darren Stewart vs. Boubacar Balde
Brad Wheeler vs. Tom Green
Don’t forget you can buy tickets for this event here. Tickets cost £25 (standing), £35 (balcony) and £60 (ringside).
