Cage Warriors 81 will see a new light-heavyweight world champion crowned as Ireland’s Karl Moore takes on American TUF veteran Josh Clark in the main event at the 3Arena.

Moore heads a cast of Irish fighting talent looking to claim victory on home turf this weekend, and says he’s ready to step up and deliver a performance to not only send the Irish fans home happy and capture the light-heavyweight title last held by current UFC middleweight world champion Michael Bisping.

“I’m honoured to be able to fight for such a prestigious belt,” said Irish challenger Moore.

“The last guy who wore this went on to win the UFC belt as well. That’s what I plan to do also.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity all my life and no matter who Cage Warriors put in front of me, I’m going to steamroll over them.

“No one is going to take that belt from me in my own country and when I win it I will go on and conquer the world!”

Moore’s opponent Clark also told Cage Warriors he was excited for the opportunity to compete on the Emerald Isle this weekend.

“I can’t wait to fight Saturday night,” he enthused.

“I am willing to go through whatever to get my hand raised!

“I am going to find out how tough Karl Moore really is and I am going to leave with that belt!”

The light-heavyweight title fight tops a packed fight card as Cage Warriors makes its long-awaited return to Dublin this weekend.

Tickets are available via ticketmaster.ie.

PRO CARD
Karl Moore (7-1) v Josh Clark (10-3) – Cage Warriors light-heavyweight title (205lbs)
Catherine Costigan (5-2) v Wendy McKenna (1-0) – atomweight bout (105lbs)
Joe McColgan (3-0) v Arnold Quero (13-5, 1 NC) – lightweight bout (155lbs)
Darren O’Gorman (4-1) v Blaine O’Driscoll (3-1) – bantamweight bout (135lbs)
Hughie O’Rourke (pro debut) v Arann Maguire (0-1) – bantamweight bout (135lbs)
Håkon Foss (7-3) v Martyn Harris (4-2) – welterweight bout (170lbs)
Lloyd Manning (2-0) v Paul McBain (2-0) – featherweight bout (145lbs)
Eric Nolan (pro debut) v Marcin Zembala (pro debut) – catchweight bout (150lbs)

AMATEUR CARD
Bill Farrell v David Piotrowicz – light-heavyweight bout (205lbs)
Richie Stack v Pawel Politylo – featherweight bout (145lbs)
Mark Gallivan v Makinde Adeyemi – welterweight bout (170lbs)
Francis Treacy v Stephen Treacy – lightweight bout (155lbs)
Austin Lynch v Alex Brophy – bantamweight bout (135lbs)
Colm O’Regan v Mateusz Kopyto – catchweight bout (161lbs)
Ivan Blanita v Gary Coffey – welterweight bout (170lbs)
Gary Wallace v Darren Sarsfield – catchweight bout (161lbs)
David Whelan v Brandon Myers – bantamweight bout (135lbs)
Adam Darby v Leon Hill – lightweight bout (155lbs)
Barry Hanna v Matthew Whyte – catchweight bout (132.2lbs)

BROADCAST DETAILS

The main card will be broadcast live in Ireland on eirSPORT 1, Viasat in Scandinavia, Setanta in Eurasia and streamed worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.

Cage Warriors returns home to Dublin with a world title main event as Ireland’s Karl Moore bids to capture the vacant light-heavyweight championship against former TUF competitor Josh Clarke at the 3Arena.

Moore enters the bout with an impressive 7-1 record, picking up an impressive first-round knockout of Paco Estevez at Cage Warriors Unplugged at the BT Sport studios last November.

He’ll face ‘The Hillbilly Heartthrob’ Clarke, who is also coming into the March 4 bout off the back of a knockout win, having stopped Brent Knopp at SFL 51 in Tacoma, Washington last October. The American boasts a 10-3 record, and was the second pick for Team Penn in the 19th season of The Ultimate Fighter.

The winner of the belt will become the first fighter to win the Cage Warriors light-heavyweight title since Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping, who has since gone on to capture the undisputed world middleweight title in the UFC.

“Karl has the chance to become the latest Irish CW Champion – and we’ve had some great ones – but this could go either way, all the way. It’s an exciting fight” said Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan.

The March 4 fight card in Dublin also features a battle between featherweight prospects Lloyd Manning and Paul McBain.

Ireland’s Manning has made a blistering start to his pro career, winning both his professional bouts by knockout inside the opening minute, while Scotland’s McBain also comes into the fight with two first-round finishes on his pro record.

The Irish fans will be out in force for ‘The Alpha Female’ Catherine Costigan, who makes her return to Cage Warriors after two-and-a-half years away. She’s set to face England’s Wendy McKenna in an atomweight (105lbs) contest.

In addition to a packed card of fights at the 3Arena, CW81 ticket holders will also have access to a special meet and greet session with some of the Cage Warriors stars of the past who have gone on to fight with distinction in the UFC.

Tickets for the event are on sale now via Ticketmaster.ie, priced at €98, €38 and €24, but if you secure your €24 tickets before midnight on Friday February 10 you can claim your seats for just €15 courtesy of our special early bird offer.

The bout will be televised live on eirSPORT in Ireland, BT Sport in UK and Ireland, Viasat in Scandinavia and streamed worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.