Cage Warriors Returns to Dublin for Welterweight Title Fight

After a long wait, Cage Warriors is set to make a return to Dublin’s 3Arena, and the headline fight will be a monumental welterweight title unification bout between the champion Rhys McKee and interim champion Jim Wallhead.

This European MMA event is expected to be one of the biggest and most significant fights of the year. Only one of the fighters will leave Dublin as the undisputed 170lb CW champion.

McKee, who won the title in June 2022, will look for his third consecutive victory after a stint in the UFC. Opposing McKee is UK MMA legend ‘Judo’ Jim Wallhead, who captured the interim title at CW 146, and is returning to the promotion seventeen years after his professional debut.

Cage Warriors President Graham Boylan said: “This is one of the biggest fights in the history of Cage Warriors… Fans have been asking for us to return to Dublin; there’s no better place to do so than the 3Arena, with a massive welterweight title unification bout and a host of incredible Irish talent on the card!”

Graham Boylan – Cage Warriors President

Cage Warriors 153 is set to take place on April 29th, 2023, at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. In addition to the title bout, the event will feature some of Ireland’s best and brightest MMA prospects, including James “Jimbo Slice” Sheehan, Adam “The Plank” Darby, Ryan Shelley, Leon “The Hitman” Hill, and Decky McAleenan.

Rhys “Skeletor” McKee is a Northern Irish MMA fighter currently competing in the welterweight division. Born on September 10, 1995, McKee is 27 years old and stands at an impressive 6’2″ with a reach of 78 inches. He fights out of Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and is affiliated with the Next Generation I.M.M.A Gym.

McKee has a professional MMA record of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, and he currently holds the Cage Warriors welterweight title after winning it in June 2022 in a memorable fight against Justin Burlinson. Prior to his stint in Cage Warriors, McKee had fought for promotions such as BAMMA, Fight Star Championship, and Clan Wars.

Wallhead, a UK MMA legend with a professional record of 33-11, completed a fairy-tale return to Cage Warriors in 2022, capturing the interim title seventeen years after his professional debut with the promotion. He stunned young lion Matt Figlak with a first-round knockout in their interim title bout at CW 146.

McKee’s impressive fight record demonstrates his versatility and skill in the cage. His most recent win against Justin Burlinson at Cage Warriors 140 was voted “Fight of the Year” by CW fans. Prior to that, he earned a third-round TKO against Aleksi Mäntykivi at Cage Warriors 129.

While his UFC stint wasn’t as successful, Rhys bounced back with dominant wins against Håkon Foss and Perry Andre Goodwin in Cage Warriors. His upcoming welterweight title unification bout against Jim Wallhead at CW 153 promises to be one of the biggest and most important European MMA bouts of 2023.

With a background in MMA, McKee’s fighting style is well-rounded and dynamic, allowing him to showcase his skills both on the feet and on the ground. He is known for his striking prowess, particularly his powerful punches and kicks, but is equally adept in the grappling aspect of MMA, with a strong submission game and solid wrestling skills.

As he prepares for his upcoming title unification bout against Jim Wallhead at Cage Warriors 153, fans can expect to see McKee bring his trademark aggression, technical skill, and heart to the octagon.

With a third consecutive victory in the yellow gloves on the line, Skeletor will be looking to cement his status as one of Europe’s premier welterweights and continue his ascent toward the top of the MMA world.

Source Cage Warriors 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: http://bit.ly/3CWMnL9